Night
The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Night
By Boris Mellor
February 12 2008
In yesterday’s preview, I wrote, “any old win will do - but a bare bones eleven should still be too good for Blackburn. However, with all this disruption, and I hope I am wrong, it might not be Arsenal at their most fluid". Well it was a bare bones eleven, as Fabregas had to leave his sick bed and play out of position, and Senderos and Flamini had barely recovered from injury.
Night
February 12 2008
In yesterday’s preview, I wrote, “any old win will do - but a bare bones eleven should still be too good for Blackburn. However, with all this disruption, and I hope I am wrong, it might not be Arsenal at their most fluid". Well it was a bare bones eleven, as Fabregas had to leave his sick bed and play out of position, and Senderos and Flamini had barely recovered from injury.
Even Gilberto got a game in midfield, and Gilbert got on the bench, unusual days indeed.
Arsenal might not have been at their most fluid, but this was a big big victory. Last Saturday week was indeed Super Saturday, and this was Grand Slam Monday. Arsenal are, as I predicted, the favourites for the title.
It would be nice to have the luxury of pretending we are no hopers, but that has long gone. No team with 63 points and 54 goals, at this stage, can deny they are in the race to win it. Yes, the championship is not guaranteed, and the squad may be stretched too far in the next fortnight, but championships do not come easy. This team now faces only two options, glory, or ignominious failure.
Last night was a big test of the team’s character, and it passed it with flying colours. It did not seem like that, at times, to the crowd, there were moments when the crowd was fretful, and others when it urged the team on. Sitting in the upper tier it seemed a white-knuckle ride. True nothing settles the nerves like an early goal, and they do not come much earlier than Big Phil’s header from Eddy’s brilliant corner. The crowd was ecstatic.
The Awful Had Already Happened
Arsenal dominated for the first twenty, but then Blackburn got into the game for the next twenty. For all the Gunners pressure they went in at half time only 1-0 up. That was what made the crowd fret. We all remembered the wobble against Birmingham, and as the second half progressed, we felt sure it could happen again.
Yet with Santa Cruz and McCarthy, playing Blackburn probably forced one decent save out of Lehmann, meanwhile at the other end Friedel had to perform heroics. However, there was no need to worry, the awful had already happened, Blackburn were not to get a lucky goal like Birmingham.
The Arsenal defence remained solid, and as Blackburn got more desperate they finally left themselves open to what the crowd craved – a second goal. And what a superb goal, only Ade could beat Friedel from that distance, using placement and spin. With only a minute to go I almost felt sorry for the big Yank, but not sorry enough to stop cheering my head off, and singing the Ade song. The early show had finished late, but the three points were there. It might not have been pretty at times, but it was an immense performance.
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The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 19:39
The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 20:08
Championship kinda win. Not playing very well, still creating chances, clean sheet, 3 points
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 20:40
blackburn had an away record as good as Man U so it was a very tough game. But Blackburn cant have any complaints
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Simon68 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 20:56
Friedel always plays a blinder against us so it was good that Swiss got that early goal to take some pressure off as we have become too anxious sometimes when we don't score when we dominate.
Could have been 5 or 6 in the end, but to go 5 points clear within 2 games with so many players missing that Ferguson, and so many "neutrals", were expecting and hoping we would be the ones dropping points, is brilliant.
And to have caught up on goal difference in such a short space of time is the icing on the cake.
We need to get the likes of Rosicky, Kolo, RvP, Eboue, Song, Almunia & Djourou fit or recharged asap as we have big games coming up thick and fast.
As well as Swiss has done, against the type of players ManU & Milan have upfront, Kolo is vital to us. These games are unlikely to be ones where we will be attacked in the air very much.
And Tomas can make a mug out of Brown if he is fit and on form.
Could have been 5 or 6 in the end, but to go 5 points clear within 2 games with so many players missing that Ferguson, and so many "neutrals", were expecting and hoping we would be the ones dropping points, is brilliant.
And to have caught up on goal difference in such a short space of time is the icing on the cake.
We need to get the likes of Rosicky, Kolo, RvP, Eboue, Song, Almunia & Djourou fit or recharged asap as we have big games coming up thick and fast.
As well as Swiss has done, against the type of players ManU & Milan have upfront, Kolo is vital to us. These games are unlikely to be ones where we will be attacked in the air very much.
And Tomas can make a mug out of Brown if he is fit and on form.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2008 21:47
True Simon, they all keep on about our implosion.
Only problem is I beginning to worry that Tomas is a sick note.
Only problem is I beginning to worry that Tomas is a sick note.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 01:04
The consolation is that Hleb can play in Rosicky's palce - minus goal-poaching instinct - and in a pinch, Eduardo as well.
but hey, Eboue is back so that our right flank is not as exposed as before when Hleb switches to left and left onyl fabregas to fill right flank.
We need our forgotten man - Walcott - to be up to speed to paly on the right, especially as a supersub in 70th minute to tear up a defence ran ragged to peices and win tight matches in the 80th something minute.
Now is the time for Walcott to stand up and be counted. His transitory period is over, and it is make or break for him.
No more excuses as he is 'still young" as he had 2-years training and coaching with us.
but hey, Eboue is back so that our right flank is not as exposed as before when Hleb switches to left and left onyl fabregas to fill right flank.
We need our forgotten man - Walcott - to be up to speed to paly on the right, especially as a supersub in 70th minute to tear up a defence ran ragged to peices and win tight matches in the 80th something minute.
Now is the time for Walcott to stand up and be counted. His transitory period is over, and it is make or break for him.
No more excuses as he is 'still young" as he had 2-years training and coaching with us.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: mapleleafgooner (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 02:14
I won't play Walcott against ManUre as in Evra, they have a very lethal overlapping fullback and we will need Eboue to keep a check on him when Sagna overlaps. Walcott does not have the experience nor physique to contain Evra. Walcott might be useful coming on as a sub against the old and tiring Milan defence. His speed will be useful there. I won't be surprised if we don't get to see RvP again this season as his injury seems chronic. But I would really like to see Rosicky back asap as his creativity will be the additional spark we need complementing Cesc and Helb.
Having watched the Arsenal v Blackburn again, it is very apparent to me that Flamini covers alot more ground than Gilberto and Flamini is more often in advanced attacking positions than Gilberto. Gilberto looks more passive in his play while Flamini on the ball is always looking for passing options. Won't be surprised this is Gilberto's final season with Arsenal.
Having watched the Arsenal v Blackburn again, it is very apparent to me that Flamini covers alot more ground than Gilberto and Flamini is more often in advanced attacking positions than Gilberto. Gilberto looks more passive in his play while Flamini on the ball is always looking for passing options. Won't be surprised this is Gilberto's final season with Arsenal.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: weedz (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 03:42
The trouble, Maple, with using both Alex and Ebo on the L&R is that neither of them score goals. Which leaves us with Cesc, Ade and Ed9 as our only points of strike. Probably a little light in that deptment for AW. I think thats why he has tried to use Diaby on the left, when it`s not his natural position. But he can strike.
Who, the phuck are spurs?
Who, the phuck are spurs?
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: litmus (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 03:50
Agreed, mapleleaf.., Flams get more involved and wants to be involved all the time. I liken it to Gils is doing his job and nothing else, doing enough, but Flams wants to give his all in every game, not just doing "his job" but to influence the game for the team.
While Gils performance in the last game was pretty decent, we can all see how much more Falms contribute to the cause.
While Gils performance in the last game was pretty decent, we can all see how much more Falms contribute to the cause.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 10:40
when one has warmed the bench as gilberto has done this season do you expect him to play top notch once he gets a game.the title is for arsenal to win or loose.senderos always has his freak moments of blunders but correct me if am wrong but he plays better in european games then in the epl.we are light weight at the moments due to injuries but if we can sustain and keep ourselves in the fa cup and CL also, then by the time players return from injuries we will have a blast of good run to the end.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: scorpion_nib1 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 12:04
agreed with AJ. gilberto cant be expected to be at his best when he isnt playing. atleast his touch is back. his control and passing was good in the first half. we can definitely use him more often till the season ends. he should play on saturday. got enough experience and bottle. also, its not a must win game.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 13:33
He had a useful game
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: H.C (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 17:16
Can't agree with the idea that Bert had a good game. First up Padre, you will remember that I was a big defender of El Hombre Invisible back when it was fashionable to slate him. But after a good first ten minutes when he glided about as of old he was miles off the pace. He knew where the action was going to be but was unable to get there, and spent a lot of the game like a man watching a tennis match. In the first half especially this led to Tugay being in absolute acres every time he got the ball. With Arsenal effectively outnumbered in midfield and Cesc out wide(ish) Flams did the work of three men and was once again immense. Understand I am not slating Bert but no way did he have a good game. Committed to the cause, hard working for sure, but he left a big hole in midfield.
Don't want to see anybody talking about titles - not with 36 points still up for grabs.
And I don't give a monkey's about the FA Cup or the CL this season, I really don't. If we do win you know what then it might just be Le Boss's finest hour
Don't want to see anybody talking about titles - not with 36 points still up for grabs.
And I don't give a monkey's about the FA Cup or the CL this season, I really don't. If we do win you know what then it might just be Le Boss's finest hour
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 18:15
I didnt quite say he had a good game, his passing was awful, but Blackburn didnt get many chances and he was a small part of making sure they didnt. It is a team game, and we were ok defensively.
He is no longer capable of being an offensive midfielder in this tempo team. Its a shame Diarra went, but that wasnt Wenger's fault.
Yes its important that nothing is taking for granted, titles are won in May not March, however Arsenal are in pole position and they wont be allowed to forget that. So they will have to put up with the pressure, not hide and lead from the front. Teams will have to fear them.
This was a great result, and it was a good, althogh dull, performance. The crowd, including me, were anxious, but we will have to learn not to live on our nerves, or it will spook the team.
He is no longer capable of being an offensive midfielder in this tempo team. Its a shame Diarra went, but that wasnt Wenger's fault.
Yes its important that nothing is taking for granted, titles are won in May not March, however Arsenal are in pole position and they wont be allowed to forget that. So they will have to put up with the pressure, not hide and lead from the front. Teams will have to fear them.
This was a great result, and it was a good, althogh dull, performance. The crowd, including me, were anxious, but we will have to learn not to live on our nerves, or it will spook the team.
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: H.C (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 18:24
That's right Padre - you said useful, not good. Fair enough. I agree that now the pressure is really on because everybody has decided we're going to walk it. This is a very long way from being 'nothing in July', as the great man said, and I much prefer people thinking we're going to 'fold under questioning', as Joe Pesci says to Ray Liotta in Goodfellas
I was at the game Monday - a first for me this season. Have to say that the crowd's 'anxiety' sounded at times exactly like old-fashioned moaning!
I was at the game Monday - a first for me this season. Have to say that the crowd's 'anxiety' sounded at times exactly like old-fashioned moaning!
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2008 18:49
Well thats why they moan, they are anxious, but they did get behind the team at times.
This was first time Blackburn lost in 7 games, crowd think we have god given right to walk over all teams. that all games should be won 4-0. Thats fairy tale stuff
This was first time Blackburn lost in 7 games, crowd think we have god given right to walk over all teams. that all games should be won 4-0. Thats fairy tale stuff
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/02/2008 01:05
Quote:Padre Pio
Well thats why they moan, they are anxious, but they did get behind the team at times.
This was first time Blackburn lost in 7 games, crowd think we have god given right to walk over all teams. that all games should be won 4-0. Thats fairy tale stuff
Hey, I beleive in fairy as in "Once upon a time..."...
And the only team we whup is Derby 5-0.
Another team is overdue for a whupping.....
Re: The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Posted by: Eduardo9 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/02/2008 02:52
looooooooooooooooooong overdue.
---
8 wins and 1 draw and the title comes back to the home of REAL football.
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8 wins and 1 draw and the title comes back to the home of REAL football.
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