Culminating the end of Arsenal's worst ever run in the Premiership was a great comeback victory against an ailing Bolton. Granted that this was against a Bolton fighting to stay in the Premiership rather than an Europe chasing Bolton, the victory was not all that awe inspiring.
However, the manner in which Arsenal did win would have been a tremendous boost ahead of the Champions League tie. A man down and two goals behind at half time, no on gave Arsenal a ghost of a chance. Well, not in the current Arsenal's form or past results at Reebok Stadium anyway.
It really shouldn't have been so hard, for Arsenal had far the better chances to score and was dictating the game. Sucker-punch against the run of play cause them to trail behind at the break. Again it was Gallas who was found wanting. How Matt Taylor could ghost in unnoticed for a glancing header was beyond me. Already lacking in leadership, now his positional strength is coming into question.
Looking back at the game, I'm baffled to remember what provided the impetus for an Arsenal comeback. There was no one who was particularly exceptional. They were still spraying the pass around and attacking in drove without being threatening. But still they managed to put 3 past Bolton's Asian keeper.
This means that when push comes to shove, Arsenal can provide the finish but in a more simplistic manner. No one could argue that on their day, Arsenal can play everyone off the park. But it is days like this which is crucial for the title cause. Not anywhere near as impressive but still able to conjure up 3 goals to seal a valuable win.
For once, the doggedness and determination must come to the fore and the flair and beauty needs to lie in the shadow.
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Monday, 24 March 2008
Down & Most Probably Out
Drawing 4 games on the trot is not championship winning material. Losing the 5th definitely puts you out of the title race. The strength and determination of earlier part of the season has faded away. Perhaps the boys are tired or perhaps it's the combination of injuries which have crippled their title aspirations.
It's easy to say that injuries played a part in the meltdown. However when you consider that it is injuries which have crippled Arsenal's attacking threat on the left side of midfield, then it is a problem. No one could've imagine that Rosicky, Van Persie and Eduardo are all injured at the same time. Had Ronaldo, Giggs and Nani been injured together, United themselves would have found it hard to play their normal game.
The tactics that Wenger employed since the problem only further highlight the pivotal roles that these 3 players held. Switching to a lone striker aided by Hleb, a plan that worked really well against continental sides but less so against English opponents.
Sides suddenly found it easier to contain Arsenal. The wide players are not as mobile and dangerous as when Hleb and Rosicky are on the wings. These 2 can switch flanks with consummate ease. Their ability to drift in-field also cause many problems to opposing sides. Walcott and Eboue does not present the same danger as the earlier two. Always trying to beat their markers and look for the cross into the box. Their quality of crossing and decision making leaves a lot to be desired.
Having said that, perhaps the biggest folly is dropping Senderos into the bench in favour of a returning Toure. Gallas sees to miss the big Swiss. The Gallas-Toure axis did not show the same solidarity of earlier. Hassled by Drogba and even out-jumped by Anelka shows the drop in confidence level. Or perhaps the desire to be there fist is no longer there.
This is a time for Gallas to show his leadership. If not, the baton should be passed on to someone more inspiring. Flamini, not a timid character himself, would certainly fit the bill. Energetic all season, he has been the real star of Arsenal's season. His performance has not dropped while most of his teammates has gone off the boil. Keeping him happy with a new contract is surely the first thing on Wenger's mind.
It's easy to say that injuries played a part in the meltdown. However when you consider that it is injuries which have crippled Arsenal's attacking threat on the left side of midfield, then it is a problem. No one could've imagine that Rosicky, Van Persie and Eduardo are all injured at the same time. Had Ronaldo, Giggs and Nani been injured together, United themselves would have found it hard to play their normal game.
The tactics that Wenger employed since the problem only further highlight the pivotal roles that these 3 players held. Switching to a lone striker aided by Hleb, a plan that worked really well against continental sides but less so against English opponents.
Sides suddenly found it easier to contain Arsenal. The wide players are not as mobile and dangerous as when Hleb and Rosicky are on the wings. These 2 can switch flanks with consummate ease. Their ability to drift in-field also cause many problems to opposing sides. Walcott and Eboue does not present the same danger as the earlier two. Always trying to beat their markers and look for the cross into the box. Their quality of crossing and decision making leaves a lot to be desired.
Having said that, perhaps the biggest folly is dropping Senderos into the bench in favour of a returning Toure. Gallas sees to miss the big Swiss. The Gallas-Toure axis did not show the same solidarity of earlier. Hassled by Drogba and even out-jumped by Anelka shows the drop in confidence level. Or perhaps the desire to be there fist is no longer there.
This is a time for Gallas to show his leadership. If not, the baton should be passed on to someone more inspiring. Flamini, not a timid character himself, would certainly fit the bill. Energetic all season, he has been the real star of Arsenal's season. His performance has not dropped while most of his teammates has gone off the boil. Keeping him happy with a new contract is surely the first thing on Wenger's mind.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Slipping Out Of Grasp
After the triumphant victory at San Siro, it was a return to the Premiership quest. Two games against teams undoubtedly much weaker than AC Milan. Two matches to maintain or even stretch the lead the top of the table. Somehow things turned out to be quite the other end of the spectrum. In the space of these two games, Arsenal have lost the lead to Man Utd. Shocking outcome, but not entirely unexpected.
On a less than desirable pitch, Arsenal struggled to produce the same quality of football that was so wonderful to watch in midweek. Passes were never going to be easy to make and quick one touch football is almost impossible as the football cum rugby pitch was never going to allow it. Perhaps it was from a tactical point of view that Wigan kept their pitch the way it was. It would certainly help their cause especially up against many a side that play passing football.
Yet despite the shortcomings in terms of facilities, Arsenal did manage to muster a few chances that would have been put away in another game. Adebayor has lost his scoring touch. Put through by Fabregas in the first minute, he muffed the chance by shooting straight at Kirkland. You may think it has something to do with the change in hairstyle but I’m sure that there’s more than that. The last month or so have highlighted the Togolese’s fallibility as a footballer. He doesn’t work as hard as used to. He has become more and more selfish in his game. Perhaps the praise and adulation showered by fans and pundits alike early in the season has finally got to his head.
Fabregas had the oppourtunity to clinch victory in the final minutes of the game but he too shot straight at the on-rushing Kirkland. Wigan rarely threatened and when they did, they were restricted to shots outside the box which Almunia comfortably dealt with. The bright side of this clash is the return of Robin Van Persie who played the last 30 odd minutes. He getting back to his full fitness would be vital in the run-in.
Aliadiere’s return to Emirates also brought about his first goal against his former employees. There are quite a number of those in the past few years; well most of them were from Anelka. Anyways it was another frustrating match for Arsenal fans. In spite of having the lion’s share of possession, the penetration or rather the lack of it was visible for everyone to see.
Hleb’s play looks lethargic and in need of rest. Fabregas was no longer marauding up to join in on attacks. Adebayor seems to playing only with himself and when he’s done, he passes the ball to Boro players. These players are tired from a very long campaign and a rest every other match wouldn’t hurt.
Boro got their opener from a quick freekick in their own half which should have been called offside as Aliadiere was chasing the initial ball but change direction once he saw Tuncay going for the same ball. Gallas was non-committal in defending and should have cut the cross instead of letting it run through.
From then on, it was a similar story to last season’s troubles. Trailing at home against a side who really only came to defend. Passages of play through the middle was easily dealt with my Wheater and Huth. When the equalizer finally came, it was in the dying minutes of the game. Toure headed the ball in off the corner. There was an oppourtunity to claim victory with another corner but the referee who was never taught to read time decided to blow the final whistle.
4 points lost and the title seemed to be getting further and further away. Perhaps the team still needs another player of two. Perhaps Wenger shouldn’t be too stubborn in terms of the style of play. Perhaps the referee could’ve played another 30 seconds. Perhaps Adebayor shouldn’t cut his hair.
The “what if’s” comes from pure and utter disappointment of a slipping title.
On a less than desirable pitch, Arsenal struggled to produce the same quality of football that was so wonderful to watch in midweek. Passes were never going to be easy to make and quick one touch football is almost impossible as the football cum rugby pitch was never going to allow it. Perhaps it was from a tactical point of view that Wigan kept their pitch the way it was. It would certainly help their cause especially up against many a side that play passing football.
Yet despite the shortcomings in terms of facilities, Arsenal did manage to muster a few chances that would have been put away in another game. Adebayor has lost his scoring touch. Put through by Fabregas in the first minute, he muffed the chance by shooting straight at Kirkland. You may think it has something to do with the change in hairstyle but I’m sure that there’s more than that. The last month or so have highlighted the Togolese’s fallibility as a footballer. He doesn’t work as hard as used to. He has become more and more selfish in his game. Perhaps the praise and adulation showered by fans and pundits alike early in the season has finally got to his head.
Fabregas had the oppourtunity to clinch victory in the final minutes of the game but he too shot straight at the on-rushing Kirkland. Wigan rarely threatened and when they did, they were restricted to shots outside the box which Almunia comfortably dealt with. The bright side of this clash is the return of Robin Van Persie who played the last 30 odd minutes. He getting back to his full fitness would be vital in the run-in.
Aliadiere’s return to Emirates also brought about his first goal against his former employees. There are quite a number of those in the past few years; well most of them were from Anelka. Anyways it was another frustrating match for Arsenal fans. In spite of having the lion’s share of possession, the penetration or rather the lack of it was visible for everyone to see.
Hleb’s play looks lethargic and in need of rest. Fabregas was no longer marauding up to join in on attacks. Adebayor seems to playing only with himself and when he’s done, he passes the ball to Boro players. These players are tired from a very long campaign and a rest every other match wouldn’t hurt.
Boro got their opener from a quick freekick in their own half which should have been called offside as Aliadiere was chasing the initial ball but change direction once he saw Tuncay going for the same ball. Gallas was non-committal in defending and should have cut the cross instead of letting it run through.
From then on, it was a similar story to last season’s troubles. Trailing at home against a side who really only came to defend. Passages of play through the middle was easily dealt with my Wheater and Huth. When the equalizer finally came, it was in the dying minutes of the game. Toure headed the ball in off the corner. There was an oppourtunity to claim victory with another corner but the referee who was never taught to read time decided to blow the final whistle.
4 points lost and the title seemed to be getting further and further away. Perhaps the team still needs another player of two. Perhaps Wenger shouldn’t be too stubborn in terms of the style of play. Perhaps the referee could’ve played another 30 seconds. Perhaps Adebayor shouldn’t cut his hair.
The “what if’s” comes from pure and utter disappointment of a slipping title.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
From Disappointing to Magnificent, My Emotions Confused
Now that I’ve managed to find time, lets just summed out the balanced matches to keep this blog up to date. 6 points lost in between and now Man Utd have the upper-hand in the title charge.
The Villans came to Emirates and more than managed to steal a point. Agbonlahor proved to be a real menace to the Arsenal backline and it was his industrious run that set-up Aston Villa’s goal. The big Swiss defender that is Senderos helped the ball to the net but he was not at fault for Gallas failing to keep the young English striker under wraps.
As it was in last season’s fixture, Arsenal toil and toil for long periods of the game but found it hard to breach a disciplined Villa defense. And when the equalizer finally came, it was in the dying minutes of the injury time. Adebayor’s flick on to Bendtner who slots the ball home ensured the unbeaten record at Emirates for this season continues. The Eduardo hangover seems to last longer than it’s suppose to be.
The match against the defending champions of Europe was billed by most as a forgone conclusion with the holders, AC Milan going through easily. However that couldn’t be further from the truth. Except for the first 15 odd minutes where Milan played well, they were well and truly dominated by an excellent Arsenal side that night. Kaka’s threat was nullified by Flamini’s effort and the rest of the Milan midfield simply had no answer for the passing and movement of the younger and more exuberant side.
Fabregas and Hleb were particularly impressive in their respective roles. Fabregas was providing the impetus for every Arsenal attack and was unlucky not to have scored earlier when his shot rebounded off the crossbar. Not only that, he also tracked back on numerous occasion to help Flamini protect the backline. Hleb was just wonderful in the hole behind the striker. He was left, right and center. Always prepared to receive the ball and holding it till support arrived. It was also pleasing to see Walcott stayed on his feet after being clattered by Maldini, to put Adebayor through for his first Champions League goal. Not something you see very often in the modern game.
The Villans came to Emirates and more than managed to steal a point. Agbonlahor proved to be a real menace to the Arsenal backline and it was his industrious run that set-up Aston Villa’s goal. The big Swiss defender that is Senderos helped the ball to the net but he was not at fault for Gallas failing to keep the young English striker under wraps.
As it was in last season’s fixture, Arsenal toil and toil for long periods of the game but found it hard to breach a disciplined Villa defense. And when the equalizer finally came, it was in the dying minutes of the injury time. Adebayor’s flick on to Bendtner who slots the ball home ensured the unbeaten record at Emirates for this season continues. The Eduardo hangover seems to last longer than it’s suppose to be.
The match against the defending champions of Europe was billed by most as a forgone conclusion with the holders, AC Milan going through easily. However that couldn’t be further from the truth. Except for the first 15 odd minutes where Milan played well, they were well and truly dominated by an excellent Arsenal side that night. Kaka’s threat was nullified by Flamini’s effort and the rest of the Milan midfield simply had no answer for the passing and movement of the younger and more exuberant side.
Fabregas and Hleb were particularly impressive in their respective roles. Fabregas was providing the impetus for every Arsenal attack and was unlucky not to have scored earlier when his shot rebounded off the crossbar. Not only that, he also tracked back on numerous occasion to help Flamini protect the backline. Hleb was just wonderful in the hole behind the striker. He was left, right and center. Always prepared to receive the ball and holding it till support arrived. It was also pleasing to see Walcott stayed on his feet after being clattered by Maldini, to put Adebayor through for his first Champions League goal. Not something you see very often in the modern game.
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