Ramos or Jol, Still The Same Outcome

Spurs fans must be wondering what does it take to beat Arsene Wenger's men. Even with a new coach in place and a penalty to boot, they still can't find a way to defeat their North London rival. This was also a match that Mad Jens will want to quickly forget. As this match confirms the final transition of Manuel Almunia as the top custodian.

Playing with a midfield four of Jamie O’Hara and Kevin Prince Boateng in the center of the park, Spurs were already looking out of the game even before it started. However, these two really gave the more famous duo, Flamini and Fabregas a run for their money. They chased and harried all over the pitch not allowing either one to have time on the ball. All credit to O’Hara whom I might say did not look out of place at all in the first half. First half just went flying without any memorable moments.

The start of the second half saw a change albeit only for a good 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes, Arsenal turned the tides against their poorer London rivals. Class is definitely permanent. From the kick-off, the class of 2007 kept the ball really well and when Rosicky went on one of his runs infield, you know something is bound to happen. A good reverse ball to Fabregas and another back-heel from the latter, all Adebayor had to do was just to curl the ball past the England No.1.

The simplicity is the move was wonderful, the execution was phenomenal. These kids have really grown. They don’t have to look where their teammates are. They just know and it is this kind of understanding and bond that will serve Arsenal well if they are to successfully reclaim the Premiership that they last won undefeated.

Although after that, Spurs did really well to wrest the initiative back from Arsenal after going one nil down. Keane muffed a really good oppourtunity to equalize right in front of goal. Then suddenly the threat became a reality. A disjointed and seemingly more moody by the minute, Berbatov managed to get on Keane’s flick and ram the ball home via Almunia’s near post. Not something keepers like to give away but in this instance the power of the shot really carried it through.

Matches like this define champions. Not having the best of games, Arsenal were looking out of sorts. Then the immaculate Toure made a decisive error. Tricked by Berbatov's quick feet, he clattered into the Bulgarian and gave away a penalty possibly to signal Spurs first win over Arsenal for centuries. But Almunia had other ideas and proceeded to stop Keane's last meaningful contribution to this game. From then on, there was only going to be one winner.

Up step Saint Nicklas Bendtner. What did I tell you from my previous post. This guy decided to score his first Premiership goal for Arsenal against their most bitter rival. Well done boy. That goal truly reminded me of the one Kluivert scored against Brazil in the World Cup semis.

This day sent out reminders to the Man U's and Chelseas that Arsenal are in the fight. They didn't play well by their own standards but still came away with a very good win against an improving Ramos' Tottenham. Words to summed this match up.

Brilliant. Poor. Class.

Bendtner To The Fore

There has always been a feisty contest each time Blackburn play Arsenal. More so since the FA Cup semifinal at Cardiff when Arsenal crushed Blackburn 3-0 despite the rough treatment meted out by Mark Hughes’ men. More so since Van Persie was elbowed by Andy Todd immediately after he turned to reel in celebration of his second goal.

Arsene Wenger has been very critical of Blackburn’s style of play. His thoughts were echoed each time his players return from those matches with more bruises than points. Last year’s FA Cup defeat still rakes in my memory. Arsenal was total control of the match but unable to finish off the opponent. On came the former Porto striker, McCarthy and the rest was history.

Now was Wenger’s chance to put one over Hughes at Ewood Park. What’s more, this was a chance to put one over using his second best team. A team made out of Fabianski, Traore, Song, Hoyte, Randall, Denilson, Diarra, Diaby and Bendtner among others assured that Arsenal had a first team line-up averaging 20 years old. Up against them were the seasoned pros of Tugay, Nelsen, Santa Cruz, Dunn and Friedel.

The final result proved two things. First, there is a whole pack of hungry and talented youngster who can stand side by side with the best in the Premiership if not Europe. Secondly, this young bunch of players have the resolve and maturity to handle the pressure of losing a 2-0 lead at the away ground of one of the league’s toughest opponent.

Eduardo may have hog the limelight with his two well taken goals. This guy does not really need to be in the game. Just give him a chance or two and you can be sure that the ball will end up in the back of the net.

However the star of the show was really Nicklas Bendtner. This lad reminds me a lot of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Good touches on the ball for a big lad. Never panicking and can lead the line on his own and buy his team time. Twice I’ve seen him picked out his partner with a cross into the box of such accuracy that it would be a crime to not score. Mark him out, this boy’s going to be a star.

Next up, Carling Cup semifinal will be against the archrival Spurs. Funny things these draws. A movie could not have written the script any better. Chance for Spurs to gain revenge but as things are going at the moment, that seemed too far fetched even for Juande Ramos.

The Blues Cole-d Out At Emirates

I won't know if Arsenal will win the Premiership this season. I don't know if Gallas can out-score Adebayor this season. I don't know if Rosicky can last a good 6 months without getting injured this season. Heck, I don't even know if Wenger really trust Almunia or that he's really fed up with Lehman. What I do know is, Ashley Cole with the display that he gave last night on his return to an Arsenal ground in a playing capacity, would've by now surely deleted off any remaining numbers on his cell of the current Arsenal players.

The blue half of London came to Emirates on Sunday and went away with their first defeat in the hands of Arsenal in 4 years. The same period also represent the last time Arsenal won the Premiership. With or without Mourinho, Wenger would cherish this long awaited victory.

The seemingly decimated squad was boosted by the return of the mercurial trio of Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas. Their return seemed to give the team an extra lift and believe. Their importance is such that there is more fluency and cohesion in the Arsenal play. Assured display that was not to be seen during the only defeat of the season to Boro.

Although this was not the most magnificent of matches in recent times, psychologically this match could have a bearing on Arsene’s players more than it would effect Avram’s. For there were many a battles that happen all over the field and most of it, if not all was won by Arsenal.

Cole (Joe) never got the better of Clichy who kept him really quiet. Shevchenko was never going to trouble Gallas and Toure on his own. What was most pleasing, was the way Flamini bullied Lampard and Mikel (2 very strong lads, mind you) off the park. Terry’s ugly lunge on the already grounded Fabregas was very distasteful. So there weren’t too many sympathies when the England captain went off after being injured by Eboue.

The loudest cheer of the whole night was reserved for the entry of Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman’s was sorely missed the team during his enforced absence due to injury. He gave the team more options going forward. Always pulling away, ensuring that central defenders follow him and this allows the like of Fabregas and Flamini to attack the open space. He was unlucky not to score himself after another flowing Arsenal counter-attack.

The result meant that after 3 games against the top 3 sides in the league, Arsenal have 5 points. Not at all a bad tally considering the criticism that was thrown at Wenger for supposedly habouring hope to win the Premiership with a bunch of kids.

The Malaise That Is Malaysian Football

As a Malaysian, I have absolute disdain for the way that football is being run in this country. From striking fears into the hearts of Koreans and Japanese to being wary of the likes of Myanmar and Vietnam. Football in Malaysia is not only in the doldrums, it has reached the bottom of the darkest and coldest imaginable pit. From the top (Presidents and Vice-presidents) to the bottom (school coaches), everything is in shambles.

Over the last 2 decades, there is not a single noted achievement of which I can be proud of. Finishing runners-up in the 2003 Sea Games at home ground? You've gotta be kidding me. The merry-go-round of coaches together with the result embarrassment are the only consistent feature of our national squad. To be honest, the coaches whom were employed were with big reputations. Claude Le Roy? Didn't he took Cameroon to the World Cup. Alan Harris? Didn't he served Barcelona with distinction?

In terms of infrastructure, Malaysia will win the South East Asia (SEA) competition hands down. Yet still lacking in the quality on the pitch. The management of FAM have to take full responsibility for the constant failures. The problem goes deeper through to the grassroots of the game, the schooling years, be it primary or secondary. You can't take out racism in football, no matter where you are. I've suffered this first hand.

People with the right expertise and knowledge are not given the full control of the way things in a team are run. There are always discreet directions or orders being given by those in the upper position who think that they know something. Players who are "friends" or "pet" of those in power will have no fear for the position in the team (cue Ahmad Shahrul Azhar). If the fans can see it for years, it's a big wonder why the officials especially the coach can't see it. That is the surest sign of higher power at work.

For the standard and quality to rise back to the level that once made us proud to be a Malaysian supporter would need the following;

1. No more politics in football. Anyone and everyone who have are involved in country politics should not be allowed to handle footballing matters. It should be left to the real experts; ex-players, coaches with license.

2. Grassroots level should be better managed. Systems should be in place replacing currents formats of competition in school levels. Synchronizing of best development systems that all schools should abide by. No discrimination towards race or colour, only discrimination for the talent side.

I have a much more drastic approach in which I'm sure will succeed but harder in terms of implementation. Parents alike will disapprove of my measures. Scouts should be sent to all schools, villages and cities to search for potential children who have never played football but possess the brain and physique to be a success. These individuals should be plucked from obscurity and placed in boarding schools to study by morning and play football by night. The essence of football would then be able to be embedded into their young brains and allow them to mature with that thinking.

Sadly though, this method would not work in Malaysia due to the kind of pressure that young kids face nowadays when plying your trade as a footballer is no longer considered a success in life.

Foreigners Out?

Why does the President of Uefa always try to court controversy with new ideas and comments. Funny how ol wily fox such as Ferguson gets embroiled in such ideas is really beyond me. Platini's wishes to limit the number of foreigners in club football in Europe is really a funny thing.

The French national squad has benefited the most from plying their trade abroad. Imagine the likes of Desailly, Vieira, Anelka, Henry and co all play in the French Ligue. They probably would not get past the group stages in the world cup let alone win it. Surely Platini, who bear in mind spent most of playing career in foreign land (Italy), has got it wrong.

No disrespect to the great man but this new idea is quite absurd. Sure, the younger players in the motherland would get more chances at big clubs. Sure, the national teams would have larger pool of players to choose from. But it really defeats the purpose ain't it. If one is really good enough then by right he would have come through the ranks.

The only thing that foreign players bring to the leagues is the extra class and technique which would benefit the young players in their upbringing. Imagine Fergie's team, no Saha, no Tevez, no Anderson, no Ronaldo. They'll be happy just to get into Europe, let alone the Champions League.

The game of football is there to be improved, but limiting the number of foreign players is not one of it. If this is the case, we would never have seen the many greats that were in action. Imagine never getting the chance to see Fabregas. If he had stayed at Barcelona, he would've been just another player and subsequently sold to lower rank teams where he would just played out the rest of his career without ever realising his full potential.

Very big if but one in which football purist would regret to see happen.

Defeated At Wet Wearside

It finally happened. 16 games into the season, Arsenal was finally beaten not by the most challenging of teams, not by the most elegant of teams and definitely not by the most talented of teams. A defeat is still a defeat regardless who the team is.
Over the years, Arsenal have found it tough whenever they visit the North East of England. This week did not proved otherwise. Twice they visited this part of the country, and they only came away with a single solitary point. Rain or shine, good pitch or bad, bias referee or not; the team should shoulder the blame.
Arsenal was lacking cohesion. Inablitity to string together more than 10 passes together. This was a match that the leaders on the field did not stand up to be counted. Toure and Gallas, the towers at the back was both found wanting. Clichy looked jaded and so did Sagna. Perhaps the amount of matches was taking its toll.
Creativity was almost non-existent. Rosicky position on the left of midfield is wasted. He should be made the fulcrum of the team in the absence of Fabregas and Hleb. He will always find it tough on the wings without the extra burst of pace. Adebayor again was abit strong with his first touches which allows the excellent Wheater and Woodgate to get in and clear the danger. Time for Bendtner to be given a chance.
But the most startling of points was Gilberto's game. Out of sorts would be an understatement. He looks past his prime. Perhaps Wenger was right to bench him at the start of the campaign in place of Flamini. Who in turn looks very energetic and positive. How Arsenal missed his drive as well as others like Fabregas, Hleb and Van Persie.
It's time for the team to bite the defeat and move on. It's also good that the undefeated tag will no longer follow the team. That pressure being taken off is a very big relief. It should bring everyone down to earth and get the job done from now on.
Wenger would not be too displease. All credits to Boro who played out of their skin to limit Arsenal's shots on goal to just the Rosicky goal. It's time for the team to bounce back. Beginning with the midweek Carling Cup games against Blackburn. The senior players would get the rest needed before the crunch and hectic year-end schedule.
Time for the juniors to show the seniors the joy of playing football and proud of being associated with Arsenal Football Club.