Nutmeg
Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Nutmeg
By Boris Mellor
December 27 2008
Many Arsenal fans would have accepted a draw before the game started, and those who didn't, surely would have after the first 30 minutes. Villa peppered the Arsenal woodwork again and again, but unlike Strictly Come Dancing there are no points for fancy footwork. A great game for the neutral, but we are not neutrals.
Nutmeg
December 27 2008
Many Arsenal fans would have accepted a draw before the game started, and those who didn't, surely would have after the first 30 minutes. Villa peppered the Arsenal woodwork again and again, but unlike Strictly Come Dancing there are no points for fancy footwork. A great game for the neutral, but we are not neutrals.
I began to think that Wenger's mind games were working, by telling Villa they were not good enough for first place they were working flat out to prove him wrong. Perhaps he should try it on his own team.
This was Arsenal without Cesc, Adebayor, Clichy, Bendtner, and Djourou so I wasn't expecting too much. However Almunia's antics in goal probably had more impact than any of those missing. His constant flapping at high balls encouraged Villa, and unsettled the defence. Almunia should donate his pay to Sagna who saved his bacon with a magnificent overhead clearance on the goal line.
However it was Denilson who struck the first deadly blow of the match and his finish was excellent - nutmegging big Brad. His goals scoring record must be at least double Cesc's (yes I know that's not very much).
So Arsenal, and Arsenal fans, could hardly believe their good luck by going in a goal up at half time. Surely they couldn't play as badly in second half. And for the first few minutes that looked the case. With only three minutes gone Diaby scored from a good pass from Eboue. Surely we were on our way?
Unfortunately Arsenal can no longer protect a lead, and Gallas was undone by the pace of Agbonlahor. It seemed like a pen to me, but it was bad defending in the first place. Allow Agbonlahor a one on one and he will come out, by hook or crook, on top. With the penalty converted it was white knuckle time; as Villa who had been playing with their head down now threw the kitchen sink at Arsenal.Curse of four minutes extra time
Tell Arsenal's defence there is an extra four minutes to go and their legs turn to jelly, or perhaps their brains go to mush. Something goes wrong, especially with Toure who began to imitate a speedboat without a driver. Arsenal no longer have a top four defence, it belongs with the mediocre middle rankings. Time for a new goalie and a centre back.
Anyhow Zat Knight playing his first game for 21 years had the perfect return with a wonder goal. But he will have to join the queue with all the other wonder goal scorers against Arsenal for an award. Only one of them can win it. Which is a relief, as no doubt it will be replayed again and again. Mind you it wasn't as good as all that, but good for a defender. However I digress what are the positives you ask?
The Positives
Well a defeat would have seen Villa extend their lead over the Gunners to six points. So Arsenal are still in sight of fourth place, forget the league, 10 points behind at Christmas means it is all over. Is that all the positives?
Not quite - at least the midfield scored today; and Eboue had an assist. Indeed the midfield took ages to get going, but when they did they were deadly- for twenty minutes. Just imagine if they did that for a whole game. If they can get going at the beginning of games then we have some hope. They will just have to score more goals until the defence is sorted out.
As you say Arsene no one has an automatic right to CL football every season.
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponRelated Articles:
Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 10:04
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:28:09:50:37 by Padre Pio.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:28:09:50:37 by Padre Pio.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: karsene16 (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 10:14
injury time goals for us got us where we were last season, the quality in the side was never that concrete and we still had to build, we didn't build and are getting what we deserved.
Sagna is our most consistant player, Wenger didn't train him up as a young player, he had to buy him and was one of the reasons we done so well last season, Wenger has to go back to basics and get 2 in or buy a CM player that can dominate games to play with cesc.
-------------------------
Eduardo da silva - IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sagna is our most consistant player, Wenger didn't train him up as a young player, he had to buy him and was one of the reasons we done so well last season, Wenger has to go back to basics and get 2 in or buy a CM player that can dominate games to play with cesc.
-------------------------
Eduardo da silva - IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 10:15
for me a draw with this team is like winning the league.scoring 3 goals doesn't mean this arsenal team will win a game.we have gotten that bad. wenger really needs a wake up call from the fans.how he can go from an unbeaten team to this mediocre team still baffles me.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: djarse (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 11:16
Considering the injured absentees - surely higher percentage out than any of the other top teams yesterday - it was not a bad result. Though if RvP hadn't been so casual, it would have ben 3 nil and we would have won.
Sagna was magnificent. I thought Alumunia played well too - surprised at your tough assessment of him.
Diaby's goal was superb - he made it and scored it - recent critics please note. Denilson seemed better than of late too. Nasri was quiet - maybe still not fully fit.
Eboue got an assist yes - but another oscar too for his fine play-acting at non-existent injuries.
Toure is a shadow of his former self - perhaps the malaria effect still playing a part. And Gallas - well, I just think he should leave really. We need a new heart of defence, as you say - Djourou is getting there but can't do it on his own. But Wenger seems oblivious to this problem for some reason.
Sagna was magnificent. I thought Alumunia played well too - surprised at your tough assessment of him.
Diaby's goal was superb - he made it and scored it - recent critics please note. Denilson seemed better than of late too. Nasri was quiet - maybe still not fully fit.
Eboue got an assist yes - but another oscar too for his fine play-acting at non-existent injuries.
Toure is a shadow of his former self - perhaps the malaria effect still playing a part. And Gallas - well, I just think he should leave really. We need a new heart of defence, as you say - Djourou is getting there but can't do it on his own. But Wenger seems oblivious to this problem for some reason.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: karsene16 (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 12:10
We can't keep talking about injuries, the problem with our club is that we over play the first eleven they get injured and our back up isn't good enough. so of course if Eduardo, Cesc, Rosicky, clichy and Walcott are out we're @#$%&, if liverpool took out Torres, Gerrard, arbeloa, riera and Benayoun they would still have
Keane
kuyt
Babbel
Mascherano
Alonso
Pennant
Dosenna
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
that's not bad, we're the only top 4 team that can't deal with injuries.
-------------------------
Eduardo da silva - IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keane
kuyt
Babbel
Mascherano
Alonso
Pennant
Dosenna
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
that's not bad, we're the only top 4 team that can't deal with injuries.
-------------------------
Eduardo da silva - IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 12:14
I agree with much of what you say dj, especially about denilson and Diaby. However Almunia had a poor game. Yes he stops shots, but he was all over the place at crosses and high balls. But the Guardian gave him 8 so what do I know? I think it partly spooked the defence. Also communication was poor between him and defenders, and quite a few rows went on.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Gooner_Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 14:32
Good review padre.
My only gripes are here...
This was Arsenal without Cesc, Adebayor, Clichy, Bendtner, and Djourou so I wasn't expecting too much
Do you really think either Bendter or Djorou would of made much of a difference? Say what you want about Toure but he is still our best centre back and tried to rally the troops at every given opportunity.
Wenger benched Clichy for some silly reason. And I think we rely too much on Ade.
As for Almunia, he instills no confidence. With him in goal I know we are going to concede at least once a game. Lehmann made two mistakes and got dropped, what does Almunia have to do (or rather not do) to get dropped. I would have Lehmann over him any day of the week.
As for DJarses assesment. Why do people always say "look at the injuries and it was a good result". There comes a time over the 3 years people have been saying that and think well maybe the back up wasnt good enough. And lets get this straight. Villa were all over us, for about 70 minutes atleast. We were so so lucky to score two, I almost felt we were commiting daylight robbery when diaby got our second.
Low and behold though we couldnt even keep a 2-0 advantage when we had a line up of atleast 9 who should know how to hold up the ball and waste more time into the corners instead of @#$%& attacking and getting hit on the counter.
We could be up 8-0 by half time and I wouldnt trust this bunch leaving with 3 points. Enough of people rationalising draws as "good results" because of a couple of key players missing week in week out, sometimes missing on the pitch aswell as off it. Atleast 50% of all our games this season we have not been the better team. We were lucky at Chelski, lucky against United and lucky to score twice yesterday.
Im pinning all my hopes on a january spree yet I know Wenger isnt even thinking about january. Just about how in 3 years time we will have the best "team spirit" which he pipes on about, in the world. What good is that spirit when its amongst the likes of song and co... instead of the likes of Fabregas and Adebayour, who are destined to leave one of these days.
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
My only gripes are here...
This was Arsenal without Cesc, Adebayor, Clichy, Bendtner, and Djourou so I wasn't expecting too much
Do you really think either Bendter or Djorou would of made much of a difference? Say what you want about Toure but he is still our best centre back and tried to rally the troops at every given opportunity.
Wenger benched Clichy for some silly reason. And I think we rely too much on Ade.
As for Almunia, he instills no confidence. With him in goal I know we are going to concede at least once a game. Lehmann made two mistakes and got dropped, what does Almunia have to do (or rather not do) to get dropped. I would have Lehmann over him any day of the week.
As for DJarses assesment. Why do people always say "look at the injuries and it was a good result". There comes a time over the 3 years people have been saying that and think well maybe the back up wasnt good enough. And lets get this straight. Villa were all over us, for about 70 minutes atleast. We were so so lucky to score two, I almost felt we were commiting daylight robbery when diaby got our second.
Low and behold though we couldnt even keep a 2-0 advantage when we had a line up of atleast 9 who should know how to hold up the ball and waste more time into the corners instead of @#$%& attacking and getting hit on the counter.
We could be up 8-0 by half time and I wouldnt trust this bunch leaving with 3 points. Enough of people rationalising draws as "good results" because of a couple of key players missing week in week out, sometimes missing on the pitch aswell as off it. Atleast 50% of all our games this season we have not been the better team. We were lucky at Chelski, lucky against United and lucky to score twice yesterday.
Im pinning all my hopes on a january spree yet I know Wenger isnt even thinking about january. Just about how in 3 years time we will have the best "team spirit" which he pipes on about, in the world. What good is that spirit when its amongst the likes of song and co... instead of the likes of Fabregas and Adebayour, who are destined to leave one of these days.
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 14:50
I agree about Bendtner, but Djourou is calmer than Toure and when he plays the defence concedes less. Apparently Clichy had a calf strain and Wenger didnt want to risk him by starting him.
Whatever the injury situation we shouldnt throw a way a 2-0 lead. Plus the squad has to carry it. remeber we had times when Pires, Bergkamp and Freedy had longterm injuries, it didnt stop us winning titles
Whatever the injury situation we shouldnt throw a way a 2-0 lead. Plus the squad has to carry it. remeber we had times when Pires, Bergkamp and Freedy had longterm injuries, it didnt stop us winning titles
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Gooner_Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 14:59
remeber we had times when Pires, Bergkamp and Freedy had longterm injuries, it didnt stop us winning titles
agreed. i think if we can cut out the silly goals we concede then thats 90% of the problem sorted, but these goals are because of a non existant midfield not being able to hold the ball, beat other players, tackle, defend, or anything a good midfield does.
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
agreed. i think if we can cut out the silly goals we concede then thats 90% of the problem sorted, but these goals are because of a non existant midfield not being able to hold the ball, beat other players, tackle, defend, or anything a good midfield does.
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: djarse (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2008 15:32
Karsene and Gooner Mike are right of course - injuries should be no excuse though we do seem to have a higher proportion than the other top teams this season (perhaps the preparation for games needs to be looked at?).
The squad should be strong enough and all season we have all felt that it hasn't been.
The spine of the squad is weaker than it has been for ten years. Almunia is weaker than Lehmann and Seaman. The burden of captaincy is probably not helping.
Gallas/Toure/Djourou is weaker than any of our previous central defences. None would challenge Adams/Keown/Campbell at their peak. Just look at the Premiership statistics this season: Liverpool conceded 12, Chelsea 7, ManU 10, ViLLA 22 and ArsenaL 23 - you don't need to be a genius to see where the problem lies !
And even our midfield is weaker than it has ever been - only Fabregas would challenge Viera/Petit and others over the past 10 years. Up front, none of Adebayor, RvP and Bendtner would be favoured over Henry, Wright, Anelka etc.
The young players are great - for their age ! And some may go on to greatness - in a year or two ! Meantime, the spine needs strengthening with experience. But has Wenger the capacity to accept a change of policy ? Ideally, Gallas will insist on leaving. That would probably trigger Wenger moving for a top experienced defender. And the injury to Fabregas may just prompt him to splash out for an experienced central midfielder.
The squad should be strong enough and all season we have all felt that it hasn't been.
The spine of the squad is weaker than it has been for ten years. Almunia is weaker than Lehmann and Seaman. The burden of captaincy is probably not helping.
Gallas/Toure/Djourou is weaker than any of our previous central defences. None would challenge Adams/Keown/Campbell at their peak. Just look at the Premiership statistics this season: Liverpool conceded 12, Chelsea 7, ManU 10, ViLLA 22 and ArsenaL 23 - you don't need to be a genius to see where the problem lies !
And even our midfield is weaker than it has ever been - only Fabregas would challenge Viera/Petit and others over the past 10 years. Up front, none of Adebayor, RvP and Bendtner would be favoured over Henry, Wright, Anelka etc.
The young players are great - for their age ! And some may go on to greatness - in a year or two ! Meantime, the spine needs strengthening with experience. But has Wenger the capacity to accept a change of policy ? Ideally, Gallas will insist on leaving. That would probably trigger Wenger moving for a top experienced defender. And the injury to Fabregas may just prompt him to splash out for an experienced central midfielder.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2008 03:51
Positives:
1 - Eboue slowly regainign hsi confidence.
2 - Diaby is still @#$%& and still has no vision, no passing skill, too many fancy back-heels and flips (ablietly one flip got hsi goal) - overall still @#$%& and over-rated like @#$%&,
3 - ALmunia revert ot his flaping self. What ails him now, because he is captain? if Fabianski has a good cup run, he wil replace ALmunia next season.
4 - Gallas proved he is better than Kolo hands down.
5 - SIlvestre? What a bargain and running all day like a youngsters. He was everywhere on the pitch!!!
6 - Van Persie - Mr. "Hit and Miss". Still negotiating hsi contract and demanding 80,000 pw. WOnder if Wenegr will accept a 20-mil bid for him?
7 - Denilson & Nasri - improving but lack upper body strength.
8 - Ramsey - overawed and make no imapct. Not ready against quality team like Villa.
Negative:
Thsi team will start to gell in March 2009.
1 - Eboue slowly regainign hsi confidence.
2 - Diaby is still @#$%& and still has no vision, no passing skill, too many fancy back-heels and flips (ablietly one flip got hsi goal) - overall still @#$%& and over-rated like @#$%&,
3 - ALmunia revert ot his flaping self. What ails him now, because he is captain? if Fabianski has a good cup run, he wil replace ALmunia next season.
4 - Gallas proved he is better than Kolo hands down.
5 - SIlvestre? What a bargain and running all day like a youngsters. He was everywhere on the pitch!!!
6 - Van Persie - Mr. "Hit and Miss". Still negotiating hsi contract and demanding 80,000 pw. WOnder if Wenegr will accept a 20-mil bid for him?
7 - Denilson & Nasri - improving but lack upper body strength.
8 - Ramsey - overawed and make no imapct. Not ready against quality team like Villa.
Negative:
Thsi team will start to gell in March 2009.
Re: Some Positives as Curse of Extra Time Strikes
Posted by: Ares (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2008 12:33
Positive: AW forced into rethinking his midfield selection.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS
More Arsenal F.C. headlines
- Unanswered questions - No Setanta Claus
- Match of the Dayometer measures no glory season
- Spud U Like At Fourth Rate Competition
- Stoke attempted attack on Wenger Demo Photos Part 1
- Wenger is the Real Deal Demo Video
- Why I will not be marching for Wenger
- We only win (or draw) when we don't have to
- Hawaiian Shirts Target Silver Lining as Gap Widens
- Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Arsenal F.C. latest threads
- Stadium enhancment question
- Ooh! You are naughty!
- Espn and Sky live fixtures
- Yet another midfielder linked
- the over-rated sprinter walcott should be loaned out to WBA and simpson should be brought back???
- Weekly training picture
- JOIN MY FANTASY LEAGUE
- Sell Fabregas for £40M
- Wenger's influence on English football
- In Defence of Adebayor
Arsenal F.C. Poll
