Monday, December 16, 2013
Champions League Last 16 Draw
We have been drawn against the same team we were drawn against last year, that is Bayern Munich. Needless to say it is one of the toughest (if not the toughest) opponent we could have gotten, but nevertheless there is hope, considering the away game last year and more particularly our autumn. The home game will be played on February 19, and the away game on March 11.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Manchester City vs. Arsenal
6-3, Premier League, Etihad Stadium, 14 December 2013
Walcott 31, 63,
Mertesacker
Manchester City have been solid all year at their home turf, while we have been excellent in more or less all of our away games. While a loss would not be a complete disaster, a win here and we would have been in an extremely good position ahead of Christmas.
The start of the first half consisted of lots of early pressure from Manchester City, with several corners and free-kicks. Therefore it was of no great surprise that their first goal came from a corner-kick, and the identity of the goalscorer was not of a particularly surprising nature either. Koscielny lost track of Aguero in the box and the Argentinian went on to score from close range.
With half an hour to go Walcott had a free-kick cleared by City 'keeper Pantilimon, the ball found its way to Özil, but his touch was too poor and the ball went out of his reach. The following minute we caught a break and got back in the game, through Theo Walcott! Ramsey nicked the ball off Yaya Toure and played it to Özil, who cut it back to the Englishman, whose shot was placed past Pantilimon and into the back of the net!
Mere minutes later we got extremely lucky as Negredo got in a golden position to score as he got past our defence, but fortunately he put it wide. Five minutes later we were not as lucky, Zabaleta was completely free at the edge of the box and played it in to Negredo, who scored from close range. In that situation Koscielny picked up an injury to his knee and had to be stretchered off, a huge set-back for us. Vermaelen came on to replace him.
At the start of the second half things took another turn for the worse as Fernandinho scored. We lost possession in a dangerous area, which cannot happen in these games, and so it fell to the City player who curled a shot past Szczesny.
Giroud then had a trio of chances to get us back into the game, but all of them failed. First he received a cross at the far end of the box, but did not get a proper hit at the ball and it went over the bar. He then miss-kicked the ball, forcing it to go wide rather than towards the goal. Last, but definitely not least, he had a header going inches wide! It was Sagna who provided the brilliant cross that was met by the on-rushing Giroud.
We had a penalty shout denied as the ref failed to see how Zabaleta used his arm to maintain possession. Shortly after that we got back in it for the last time, and once again it was Theo Walcott who scored! Ramsey chipped the ball to him and it was a brilliant finish from the Englishman, curling it into the top corner past Pantilimon!
Merely three minutes later we were once again two goals behind. Silva was unmarked in the box and could score from close range. Wilshere then had a decent shot tipped over the bar by Pantilimon while Navas hit the side-netting on the other end of the pitch. Szczesny had to make a save as Fernandinho fired on target, while Nasri just fired high and wide.
Whatever hope remained died with two minutes to go, as Fernandinho scored yet again. Wilshere lost possession in the middle of the field and eventually Fernandinho put it past Szczesny. Walcott would have scored a hat-trick had not his free-kick been saved by Pantilimon. Instead it was Per Mertesacker who ended up as our final goalscorer of the day. Sagna provided a very good cross, which was met by Mertesacker and headed past Pantilimon.
Then, yet again, we lost possession in a dangerous situation, leading to Szczesny bringing down a City player and them getting a penalty. Yaya Toure scored from the penalty spot, which was the last thing to happen in the game.
A very disappointing result, we were just not good enough and definitely need to step it up against Chelsea next Monday.
Walcott 31, 63,
Mertesacker
Manchester City have been solid all year at their home turf, while we have been excellent in more or less all of our away games. While a loss would not be a complete disaster, a win here and we would have been in an extremely good position ahead of Christmas.
The start of the first half consisted of lots of early pressure from Manchester City, with several corners and free-kicks. Therefore it was of no great surprise that their first goal came from a corner-kick, and the identity of the goalscorer was not of a particularly surprising nature either. Koscielny lost track of Aguero in the box and the Argentinian went on to score from close range.
With half an hour to go Walcott had a free-kick cleared by City 'keeper Pantilimon, the ball found its way to Özil, but his touch was too poor and the ball went out of his reach. The following minute we caught a break and got back in the game, through Theo Walcott! Ramsey nicked the ball off Yaya Toure and played it to Özil, who cut it back to the Englishman, whose shot was placed past Pantilimon and into the back of the net!
Mere minutes later we got extremely lucky as Negredo got in a golden position to score as he got past our defence, but fortunately he put it wide. Five minutes later we were not as lucky, Zabaleta was completely free at the edge of the box and played it in to Negredo, who scored from close range. In that situation Koscielny picked up an injury to his knee and had to be stretchered off, a huge set-back for us. Vermaelen came on to replace him.
At the start of the second half things took another turn for the worse as Fernandinho scored. We lost possession in a dangerous area, which cannot happen in these games, and so it fell to the City player who curled a shot past Szczesny.
Giroud then had a trio of chances to get us back into the game, but all of them failed. First he received a cross at the far end of the box, but did not get a proper hit at the ball and it went over the bar. He then miss-kicked the ball, forcing it to go wide rather than towards the goal. Last, but definitely not least, he had a header going inches wide! It was Sagna who provided the brilliant cross that was met by the on-rushing Giroud.
We had a penalty shout denied as the ref failed to see how Zabaleta used his arm to maintain possession. Shortly after that we got back in it for the last time, and once again it was Theo Walcott who scored! Ramsey chipped the ball to him and it was a brilliant finish from the Englishman, curling it into the top corner past Pantilimon!
Merely three minutes later we were once again two goals behind. Silva was unmarked in the box and could score from close range. Wilshere then had a decent shot tipped over the bar by Pantilimon while Navas hit the side-netting on the other end of the pitch. Szczesny had to make a save as Fernandinho fired on target, while Nasri just fired high and wide.
Whatever hope remained died with two minutes to go, as Fernandinho scored yet again. Wilshere lost possession in the middle of the field and eventually Fernandinho put it past Szczesny. Walcott would have scored a hat-trick had not his free-kick been saved by Pantilimon. Instead it was Per Mertesacker who ended up as our final goalscorer of the day. Sagna provided a very good cross, which was met by Mertesacker and headed past Pantilimon.
Then, yet again, we lost possession in a dangerous situation, leading to Szczesny bringing down a City player and them getting a penalty. Yaya Toure scored from the penalty spot, which was the last thing to happen in the game.
A very disappointing result, we were just not good enough and definitely need to step it up against Chelsea next Monday.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Napoli vs. Arsenal
2-0, Champions League, San Paolo Stadium, 11 December 2013
Ahead of this game, we knew that we were more or less guaranteed to qualify, the question was whether we would finish as runners-up or top of the group. However, at the end of the game we were closer to ending up as neither than we would have liked...
All in all, the game consisted of few clear-cut chances. Ten minutes into the first half Szczesny made a decent save from a shot on target while Giroud's effort on target was saved at the other end. Then Napoli had a shot over the bar and that was pretty much it for the first half.
In the second half things got a bit more interesting, though from our side it was not in a good way. Napoli fired wide before taking the lead as Higuain fired past Szczesny. With fifteen minutes to go Arteta was shown off the field as he received a second yellow card (meaning that he will miss the first game of the knock-out stages) and in the very last minute Napoli scored again, this time through Callejón.
Fortunately for us, they would have needed to win with at least 3-0 in order to qualify, so we made by the smallest possible margin, one goal. We did, however, lose the top spot to Dortmund, meaning that in the ensuing knock-out stages we will face one of the following teams: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona. I think it goes without saying which team we would prefer and what teams we wouldn't.
Ahead of this game, we knew that we were more or less guaranteed to qualify, the question was whether we would finish as runners-up or top of the group. However, at the end of the game we were closer to ending up as neither than we would have liked...
All in all, the game consisted of few clear-cut chances. Ten minutes into the first half Szczesny made a decent save from a shot on target while Giroud's effort on target was saved at the other end. Then Napoli had a shot over the bar and that was pretty much it for the first half.
In the second half things got a bit more interesting, though from our side it was not in a good way. Napoli fired wide before taking the lead as Higuain fired past Szczesny. With fifteen minutes to go Arteta was shown off the field as he received a second yellow card (meaning that he will miss the first game of the knock-out stages) and in the very last minute Napoli scored again, this time through Callejón.
Fortunately for us, they would have needed to win with at least 3-0 in order to qualify, so we made by the smallest possible margin, one goal. We did, however, lose the top spot to Dortmund, meaning that in the ensuing knock-out stages we will face one of the following teams: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona. I think it goes without saying which team we would prefer and what teams we wouldn't.
Monday, December 9, 2013
FA Cup Third-Round Draw
Our first game of the FA Cup this year will be a derby, and not just any derby, but the North London Derby!
We will face Tottenham at the Emirates on the 4th of January, in what will surely be a magnificent game!
Arsenal vs. Everton
1-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 08 December 2013
Özil 80
Ahead of this game we were four points clear at the top, and had the opportunity of going seven points clear. However, that proved too great a task against an Everton side, fresh from a win at Old Trafford.
Without a doubt, Everton were the best side at the start of the game. For the first half an hour or so, it was all about the visitors. Five minutes into the game they came forward with speed, but fortunately the cross was not met by any player. Then Mertesacker had to make a vital interception as Lukaku approached our goal.
Our chances of the half were quite limited, at the half hour mark Gibbs was inches away from meeting Cazorla's cross right in front of the Everton goal. Giroud had a decent chance as he got through the defence, only to have his shot saved by Tim Howard in the Everton goal. Mere minutes later Ramsey ended up in a similar situation, going through the defence only to have the shot saved.
Even though the first half ended goalless, it was clear that we were catching up with our usual form by the end of the half...
At the start of the second half we continued with the brilliant play from the end of the first half. First up was Gibbs who had a volley effort going wide from quite a distance. The full-back then crossed the box to Wilshere, who laid it back for Cazorla to head straight at Howard. Stunning play and a brilliant attack, it was just the finished that did not meet top standards. Giroud made a decent run into the box, but his shot was blocked by a defender right before Szczesny had to make a great save from Pienaar's shot.
We continued our pressure, with more from Gibbs as he provided a stunning cross across the box to Ramsey, whose shot was saved by Howard! Then Flamini fired wide as Walcott and Giroud worked together to get the ball to him, before we finally caught a break. With ten minutes to go Rosicky lifted the ball to Walcott, whose header reached Giroud, who missed the ball, but then Mesut Özil popped up behind him to put it into the back of the net!
With that goal it felt as though we were getting another three points, but unfortunately the lead only lasted for four minutes, then Everton equalised through Deulofeu. Szczesny may have let that one slip past him, but he was sure not to let that happen again as Lukaku got through the defence shortly after, making a vital save. We could have had a fairytale ending to the game when Giroud unleashed a sizzling shot in the very final minute, but it hit the woodwork rather than the net! It was such a shame, seeing such a beautiful shot hit the bar and then go wide...
So we had to settle for just the one point this time around, and for the first time in a long time. However, we are still ahead in the table and will just have to keep working had, seeing as we have some rather difficult games ahead.
Özil 80
Ahead of this game we were four points clear at the top, and had the opportunity of going seven points clear. However, that proved too great a task against an Everton side, fresh from a win at Old Trafford.
Without a doubt, Everton were the best side at the start of the game. For the first half an hour or so, it was all about the visitors. Five minutes into the game they came forward with speed, but fortunately the cross was not met by any player. Then Mertesacker had to make a vital interception as Lukaku approached our goal.
Our chances of the half were quite limited, at the half hour mark Gibbs was inches away from meeting Cazorla's cross right in front of the Everton goal. Giroud had a decent chance as he got through the defence, only to have his shot saved by Tim Howard in the Everton goal. Mere minutes later Ramsey ended up in a similar situation, going through the defence only to have the shot saved.
Even though the first half ended goalless, it was clear that we were catching up with our usual form by the end of the half...
At the start of the second half we continued with the brilliant play from the end of the first half. First up was Gibbs who had a volley effort going wide from quite a distance. The full-back then crossed the box to Wilshere, who laid it back for Cazorla to head straight at Howard. Stunning play and a brilliant attack, it was just the finished that did not meet top standards. Giroud made a decent run into the box, but his shot was blocked by a defender right before Szczesny had to make a great save from Pienaar's shot.
We continued our pressure, with more from Gibbs as he provided a stunning cross across the box to Ramsey, whose shot was saved by Howard! Then Flamini fired wide as Walcott and Giroud worked together to get the ball to him, before we finally caught a break. With ten minutes to go Rosicky lifted the ball to Walcott, whose header reached Giroud, who missed the ball, but then Mesut Özil popped up behind him to put it into the back of the net!
With that goal it felt as though we were getting another three points, but unfortunately the lead only lasted for four minutes, then Everton equalised through Deulofeu. Szczesny may have let that one slip past him, but he was sure not to let that happen again as Lukaku got through the defence shortly after, making a vital save. We could have had a fairytale ending to the game when Giroud unleashed a sizzling shot in the very final minute, but it hit the woodwork rather than the net! It was such a shame, seeing such a beautiful shot hit the bar and then go wide...
So we had to settle for just the one point this time around, and for the first time in a long time. However, we are still ahead in the table and will just have to keep working had, seeing as we have some rather difficult games ahead.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Arsenal vs. Hull
2-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 04 December 2013
Bendtner 2,
Özil 47
As all the other top teams won during this round (except for Manchester United and Tottenham, but maybe they don't really count at the moment), it was vital for us to do likewise.
Bendtner 2,
Özil 47
As all the other top teams won during this round (except for Manchester United and Tottenham, but maybe they don't really count at the moment), it was vital for us to do likewise.
Just two minutes (or rather 1 minute and 30 seconds) we took the lead. Scoring early on seems to be a trademark move of ours at the moment, but this time the goal-scorer was not expected. Nicklas Bendtner met Jenkinson's brilliant cross with an excellent header, making its way past the 'keeper! A while later Özil had a shot saved by the 'keeper, but Bendtner reached the rebound. Unfortunately it got too far away from him and he couldn't reach it before it went wide of the goal.
As the half was edging closer to the end Ramsey fired a sizzling shot on target, but the 'keeper made a stunning save, steering it wide. In the very last minute Bendtner provided a cross for Özil, but the header went wide.
In the second minute of the second half we doubled our lead (notice a pattern here...?). Mesut Özil fired into the back of the net without looking as Ramsey unleashed a deadly pass, cutting through the entire defence.
We remained in control throughout the rest of the game, with 20 - 7 attempts in our favour as of the 91st minute.
In the second minute of the second half we doubled our lead (notice a pattern here...?). Mesut Özil fired into the back of the net without looking as Ramsey unleashed a deadly pass, cutting through the entire defence.
We remained in control throughout the rest of the game, with 20 - 7 attempts in our favour as of the 91st minute.
This scoreline means that we have a combined 7-0 from our last three games, which is quite all right! On Sunday we face Everton, who beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in this round, so it will surely prove to be a tough test.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Cardiff vs. Arsenal
0-3, Premier League, Cardiff City Stadium, 30 November 2013
Ramsey 29, 90 + 2,
Flamini 86
We knew that it would be a tough game, and even though the scoreline might not reflect that, it was indeed a very tough game!
Wilshere almost began this game like the previous one, with a goal. Unfortunately his beautifully curved shot towards the top corner of the goal hit the bar rather than the net, but he sure is on fire at the moment. Speaking of players on fire, guess who was back on the scoresheet for this game...? Aaron Ramsey made a brilliant run into the box at the half-hour mark, meeting a cross perfectly with a stunning header into the back of the net! Then he came close to adding a second goal at the end of the half as he showed some slick moves in the box, but in the end his shot went high and wide as a defender intercepted.
Szczesny got to start the second half with a brilliant save from a powerful header that went downwards, towards the line. The majority of the second half was a big battle, one that we, fortunately, came out victorious of! Mathieu Flamini scored with about five minutes to go, a brilliant assist by Özil matched the Frenchman's run into the box. The shot itself was bursting with power and thundered past the 'keeper! Shortly after that the second goal scored by a certain Aaron Ramsey arrived. He wrapped up the game with another great goal, this time Walcott provided the assist.
So we remain top of the league for another week, maintaining consistent good results and playing. So far so good...
Ramsey 29, 90 + 2,
Flamini 86
We knew that it would be a tough game, and even though the scoreline might not reflect that, it was indeed a very tough game!
Wilshere almost began this game like the previous one, with a goal. Unfortunately his beautifully curved shot towards the top corner of the goal hit the bar rather than the net, but he sure is on fire at the moment. Speaking of players on fire, guess who was back on the scoresheet for this game...? Aaron Ramsey made a brilliant run into the box at the half-hour mark, meeting a cross perfectly with a stunning header into the back of the net! Then he came close to adding a second goal at the end of the half as he showed some slick moves in the box, but in the end his shot went high and wide as a defender intercepted.
Szczesny got to start the second half with a brilliant save from a powerful header that went downwards, towards the line. The majority of the second half was a big battle, one that we, fortunately, came out victorious of! Mathieu Flamini scored with about five minutes to go, a brilliant assist by Özil matched the Frenchman's run into the box. The shot itself was bursting with power and thundered past the 'keeper! Shortly after that the second goal scored by a certain Aaron Ramsey arrived. He wrapped up the game with another great goal, this time Walcott provided the assist.
So we remain top of the league for another week, maintaining consistent good results and playing. So far so good...
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