3-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 28 April 2014
Koscielny 26,
Özil 42,
Giroud 66
We are now looking quite likely to finish at fourth, since Everton dropped more points this weekend.
This game was more or less sealed already in the first half, as we scored twice before the half-time whistle was blown. Santi Cazorla's free-kick was met by an on-rushing Laurent Koscielny, who got a foot to it and poked it into the back of the net for the first goal of the game! Towards the end of the half the second goal came, this one after some insane play around the box where Giroud had shots saved twice before the rebound fell to Mesut Özil, who tapped the ball into a more or less open net!
We looked convincing in the second half as well, and got the third and final goal midway through the half. Ramsey, back from injury and in terrific form yet again, passed the ball to Özil, who swung it into the box for Olivier Giroud to head past the 'keeper! Brilliant play and a brilliant goal!
With this win we are now one win away from securing the fourth spot and turning the focus to the FA Cup final!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Hull vs. Arsenal
0-3, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 20 April 2014
Ramsey 31,
Podolski 45, 54
A comfortable win that not only further ensures that fourth spot, but also gives us a taste of what might be in the FA Cup final....
The first half contained plenty of chances for both teams, Szczesny had to make several decent saves throughout the half. However, we were the only ones to actually score! The first goal was scored by Aaron Ramsey, proving that he is getting back to the brilliant form he was in before the injury. Özil passed to Ramsey who, via a quick interchange of passes with Cazorla, got through the defence and neatly placed the ball past the 'keeper!
Mere minutes later Hull hit the post, but that was as close as they would get. Just before the half was over Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike, Ramsey had used his chest to get the ball down for the German to reach. These two players in particular proved to be the winning recipe of this game...
We began the second half much like we had ended the first one, with a goal! The 'keeper made an excellent save from Ramsey's thundering shot, but the rebound fell perfectly for Lukas Podolski, who tucked it home! Ten minutes later Giroud hit the bar! He stole the ball off of the 'keeper, but got into a very steep angle and was only able to kick the ball up into the bar, so close though!
In the end three goals were enough, and we are now looking more likely to qualify for the Champions League yet another year!
Ramsey 31,
Podolski 45, 54
A comfortable win that not only further ensures that fourth spot, but also gives us a taste of what might be in the FA Cup final....
The first half contained plenty of chances for both teams, Szczesny had to make several decent saves throughout the half. However, we were the only ones to actually score! The first goal was scored by Aaron Ramsey, proving that he is getting back to the brilliant form he was in before the injury. Özil passed to Ramsey who, via a quick interchange of passes with Cazorla, got through the defence and neatly placed the ball past the 'keeper!
Mere minutes later Hull hit the post, but that was as close as they would get. Just before the half was over Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike, Ramsey had used his chest to get the ball down for the German to reach. These two players in particular proved to be the winning recipe of this game...
We began the second half much like we had ended the first one, with a goal! The 'keeper made an excellent save from Ramsey's thundering shot, but the rebound fell perfectly for Lukas Podolski, who tucked it home! Ten minutes later Giroud hit the bar! He stole the ball off of the 'keeper, but got into a very steep angle and was only able to kick the ball up into the bar, so close though!
In the end three goals were enough, and we are now looking more likely to qualify for the Champions League yet another year!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Arsenal vs. West Ham
3-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 15 April 2014
Podolski 44, 78
Giroud 55
We are unfortunately in a situation where we will, most likely, have to win all the rest of our games this season in order to qualify for the Champions League (by secure the 4th spot). Fortunately we are off to a good start, winning whilst Everton dropped points!
West Ham looked quite dangerous in the first half, grabbing several mildly threatening chances before their goal. Szczesny made the initial save by the rebound went past him to Jarvis, who headed the ball into the back of the net. Luckily we came up with a quick response, just a minute before half-time! Cazorla produced a fast-paced pass into the box that was met by Lukas Podolski, who instantly smashed it past the 'keeper! A quick and resolute response that would eventually lead us to victory!
Merely ten minutes into the second half we grabbed the lead that we would keep for the rest of the game. Vermaelen provided the amazing assist, coming from half a pitch away, but even more brilliant was Olivier Giroud's first touch and perfect strike to hit the back of the net! The Frenchman then played a part in the final goal, as he played the ball into the box, which was then headed onwards by Ramsey to Lukas Podolski, who once again came up with a powerful shot that soared past the 'keeper, effectively sealing the win!
We have it all in our own hands now, so let's just make sure to win the rest of the games then!
Podolski 44, 78
Giroud 55
We are unfortunately in a situation where we will, most likely, have to win all the rest of our games this season in order to qualify for the Champions League (by secure the 4th spot). Fortunately we are off to a good start, winning whilst Everton dropped points!
West Ham looked quite dangerous in the first half, grabbing several mildly threatening chances before their goal. Szczesny made the initial save by the rebound went past him to Jarvis, who headed the ball into the back of the net. Luckily we came up with a quick response, just a minute before half-time! Cazorla produced a fast-paced pass into the box that was met by Lukas Podolski, who instantly smashed it past the 'keeper! A quick and resolute response that would eventually lead us to victory!
Merely ten minutes into the second half we grabbed the lead that we would keep for the rest of the game. Vermaelen provided the amazing assist, coming from half a pitch away, but even more brilliant was Olivier Giroud's first touch and perfect strike to hit the back of the net! The Frenchman then played a part in the final goal, as he played the ball into the box, which was then headed onwards by Ramsey to Lukas Podolski, who once again came up with a powerful shot that soared past the 'keeper, effectively sealing the win!
We have it all in our own hands now, so let's just make sure to win the rest of the games then!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Wigan vs. Arsenal
1-1 (2-4 after penalties), The FA Cup, Wembley Stadium, 12 April 2014
82 - Mertesacker
This was most certainly a game that we were expected to win, meaning that (in a sense) we went into the game with everything to lose, which can be quite nerve-wrecking. This was no exception, but we came out victorious and are now real close to the first trophy for quite some time!
We had a good initial five minutes of the first half, the Ox rushed forward in the first minute as Ramsey played him in, but the 'keeper got there first. Then Sanogo had a header right in front of the goal going straight at the 'keeper, it was a great pass by the Ox, though.
The rest of the half was rather lame, Wigan did not create anything particularly dangerous and we produced a Podolski free-kick wide as well as a Sanogo one-on-one with the 'keeper that was saved.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Wigan were awarded with a penalty when Mertesacker brought a player down in the box. Wigan scored and we had to replace Monreal, due to an injury, with Gibbs. Towards the end we brought some much-needed urgency into our game. The Ox had a shot on target saved with fifteen minutes to go and we had a header hitting the post! Also, Gibbs saw a header saved on the goal-line by a defender before we actually managed to get back in the game. It was a big fucking German that got to redeem himself for the penalty situation, Per Mertesacker threw himself down after some scramble in the box and used his chest to get the ball past the 'keeper! A rather unusual method, but nonetheless an effective one!
Before the end of the initial 90 minutes Giroud had a shot on target saved by the 'keeper and Mertesacker had a header going over the bar following a corner.
During extra-time we had one major chance to score, the Ox thundered a shot into the bar, leaving it shaking for quite some time! It was heading straight for the top corner and would have been an amazing goal to settle the game had it hit the back of the net. Instead, we were heading to penalties.
Fabianski turned out to be the one who saved it all for us, he made two incredible, solid saves from Wigan's first two penalties, leaving us in a golden position to take home the game! Arteta was first up for us and buried it at the bottom corner, then Källström scored as well for us while Wigan had not yet scored a single one. Wigan did, however, score their third penalty, but Giroud scored our third as well. Even though Wigan did score their fourth as well Cazorla could send us into the final should he put his penalty into the back of the net, which he did!!!
So we are into the final of the FA Cup now! We will face a similar situation as we did in this game, no doubt, as we are still the team with "everything to lose". But considering the fact that we actually have something to lose in this stage of the season sure is amazing and no small feat!
82 - Mertesacker
This was most certainly a game that we were expected to win, meaning that (in a sense) we went into the game with everything to lose, which can be quite nerve-wrecking. This was no exception, but we came out victorious and are now real close to the first trophy for quite some time!
We had a good initial five minutes of the first half, the Ox rushed forward in the first minute as Ramsey played him in, but the 'keeper got there first. Then Sanogo had a header right in front of the goal going straight at the 'keeper, it was a great pass by the Ox, though.
The rest of the half was rather lame, Wigan did not create anything particularly dangerous and we produced a Podolski free-kick wide as well as a Sanogo one-on-one with the 'keeper that was saved.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Wigan were awarded with a penalty when Mertesacker brought a player down in the box. Wigan scored and we had to replace Monreal, due to an injury, with Gibbs. Towards the end we brought some much-needed urgency into our game. The Ox had a shot on target saved with fifteen minutes to go and we had a header hitting the post! Also, Gibbs saw a header saved on the goal-line by a defender before we actually managed to get back in the game. It was a big fucking German that got to redeem himself for the penalty situation, Per Mertesacker threw himself down after some scramble in the box and used his chest to get the ball past the 'keeper! A rather unusual method, but nonetheless an effective one!
Before the end of the initial 90 minutes Giroud had a shot on target saved by the 'keeper and Mertesacker had a header going over the bar following a corner.
During extra-time we had one major chance to score, the Ox thundered a shot into the bar, leaving it shaking for quite some time! It was heading straight for the top corner and would have been an amazing goal to settle the game had it hit the back of the net. Instead, we were heading to penalties.
Fabianski turned out to be the one who saved it all for us, he made two incredible, solid saves from Wigan's first two penalties, leaving us in a golden position to take home the game! Arteta was first up for us and buried it at the bottom corner, then Källström scored as well for us while Wigan had not yet scored a single one. Wigan did, however, score their third penalty, but Giroud scored our third as well. Even though Wigan did score their fourth as well Cazorla could send us into the final should he put his penalty into the back of the net, which he did!!!
So we are into the final of the FA Cup now! We will face a similar situation as we did in this game, no doubt, as we are still the team with "everything to lose". But considering the fact that we actually have something to lose in this stage of the season sure is amazing and no small feat!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Everton vs. Arsenal
3-0, Premier League, Goodison Park, 06 April 2014
Ahead of this game we were aware that losing would put us in serious danger of losing the fourth spot, and now that it is only five games left of the season that looks like a real possibility.
The game started off fairly even, Osman fired towards the top corner while Podolski also had an effort going wide within the first five minutes. Then Flamini had a decent shot on target before things went south for us. Everton scored approximately fifteen minutes into the game, Szczesny saved Lukaku's shot from right in front of the goal, but the rebound reached fellow Everton player Naismith who tucked it into the back of the net. Before the half was over Everton would score yet again, this time through Lukaku.
In the second half we never looked too likely to score, until at the very end when the Ox had a shot being tipped onto the bar by Everton 'keeper Howard. Unfortunately Everton did score in the second half as well and we have to face another crushing defeat.
In short, nothing appears to be going well for us at the moment. Next up is Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final, so things had better turn around now!
Injury Update:
- Ramsey is back! He started on the bench but eventually got to play for a while.
Ahead of this game we were aware that losing would put us in serious danger of losing the fourth spot, and now that it is only five games left of the season that looks like a real possibility.
The game started off fairly even, Osman fired towards the top corner while Podolski also had an effort going wide within the first five minutes. Then Flamini had a decent shot on target before things went south for us. Everton scored approximately fifteen minutes into the game, Szczesny saved Lukaku's shot from right in front of the goal, but the rebound reached fellow Everton player Naismith who tucked it into the back of the net. Before the half was over Everton would score yet again, this time through Lukaku.
In the second half we never looked too likely to score, until at the very end when the Ox had a shot being tipped onto the bar by Everton 'keeper Howard. Unfortunately Everton did score in the second half as well and we have to face another crushing defeat.
In short, nothing appears to be going well for us at the moment. Next up is Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final, so things had better turn around now!
Injury Update:
- Ramsey is back! He started on the bench but eventually got to play for a while.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
1-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 29 March 2014
Flamini 53
A win was needed in order to retain some hope of the league title. Unfortunate our display, even though it was a definite improvement from recent games, was not enough in the end. However, as mentioned the display in this game was a clear improvement, which is something to bring into the FA Cup semi-final fast approaching.
The first half contained two goal, although ours was disallowed. We also had a penalty shout as Rosicky was brought down in the box where replays show that it very well could have, and possibly should have, been a penalty. Then Silva scored for City through a counter-attack. Four minutes later Flamini scored, but the goal was not given as he was offside.
We grabbed the equaliser at the start of the second half, Mathieu Flamini fired a show away from near the penalty spot that went past Hart in the City goal and into the back of the net! Shortly afterwards Podolski sent a great chance wide, and Fernandinho fired a shot just over the bar for City. Both teams went for the winning goal, though none found it.
So we must now muster what confidence and spirit we can and bring that into the FA Cup as well as the final games of the season!
Flamini 53
A win was needed in order to retain some hope of the league title. Unfortunate our display, even though it was a definite improvement from recent games, was not enough in the end. However, as mentioned the display in this game was a clear improvement, which is something to bring into the FA Cup semi-final fast approaching.
The first half contained two goal, although ours was disallowed. We also had a penalty shout as Rosicky was brought down in the box where replays show that it very well could have, and possibly should have, been a penalty. Then Silva scored for City through a counter-attack. Four minutes later Flamini scored, but the goal was not given as he was offside.
We grabbed the equaliser at the start of the second half, Mathieu Flamini fired a show away from near the penalty spot that went past Hart in the City goal and into the back of the net! Shortly afterwards Podolski sent a great chance wide, and Fernandinho fired a shot just over the bar for City. Both teams went for the winning goal, though none found it.
So we must now muster what confidence and spirit we can and bring that into the FA Cup as well as the final games of the season!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Arsenal vs. Swansea
2-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 25 March 2014
Podolski 73,
Giroud 74
This was a game that at first appeared to end in disaster, then the turning-point of our spring, but ended up as another dismal and disappointing result. However, there was some positive news in relation to the game since neither Gibbs nor the Ox was suspended for the game, considering the strange situation in the previous game.
Coincidentally, it was the Ox who had the first chance of the game with a shot on target. Ten minutes into the half, however, the initial disaster struck as Swansea scored with a header past Szczesny. The arguably best chance of the half that we produced was a Mertesacker header that hit the side-netting following a corner.
We had a complete turnaround in the second half, with two goals in two minutes! With approximately fifteen minutes to go Gibbs ran into the box, found Lukas Podolski right in front of the goal, and the German steered it past the 'keeper and into the back of the net! The following minute we completed the turnaround as the previous goalscorer set up Olivier Giroud, who put it into the back of the net from close range! Then, in the 90th minute Swansea equalised, through an unfortunate own-goal as Szczesny made the save with his legs, but the rebound hit Flamini and went into the open net.
So what could have been a significant point for the rest of the spring was spurned, turning into a dismal draw at our own turf. Källström had his debut for the latter part of the second half, but did not produce anything particularly astonishing.
Podolski 73,
Giroud 74
This was a game that at first appeared to end in disaster, then the turning-point of our spring, but ended up as another dismal and disappointing result. However, there was some positive news in relation to the game since neither Gibbs nor the Ox was suspended for the game, considering the strange situation in the previous game.
Coincidentally, it was the Ox who had the first chance of the game with a shot on target. Ten minutes into the half, however, the initial disaster struck as Swansea scored with a header past Szczesny. The arguably best chance of the half that we produced was a Mertesacker header that hit the side-netting following a corner.
We had a complete turnaround in the second half, with two goals in two minutes! With approximately fifteen minutes to go Gibbs ran into the box, found Lukas Podolski right in front of the goal, and the German steered it past the 'keeper and into the back of the net! The following minute we completed the turnaround as the previous goalscorer set up Olivier Giroud, who put it into the back of the net from close range! Then, in the 90th minute Swansea equalised, through an unfortunate own-goal as Szczesny made the save with his legs, but the rebound hit Flamini and went into the open net.
So what could have been a significant point for the rest of the spring was spurned, turning into a dismal draw at our own turf. Källström had his debut for the latter part of the second half, but did not produce anything particularly astonishing.
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