Premiership: Arsenal 3 – Newcastle 0

January 30, 2008 at 10:54 am (Arsenal, EPL, Match Review, Premiership, Win)

Adebayor (40) , Flamini (72) , Fabregas (80)

Match Gunner: Mathieu Flamini (An all action performance and the brilliant goal helped!)

Our second match against Newcastle in a week and Wenger put out his first team to the plate. Rosicky’s injury meant Diaby came in on the left.

The was more or less like the FA Cup game. Newcastle started out cautiously and were disciplined leaving only Owen up top. Could not really remember where Smith was though. We were on top all the way. First twenty minutes and we had plenty of opportunities; unusually via crosses into the box by our fullbacks and wingers but all of them were turned out by last ditch tackles or clearances. Given got into the act too as he made a freak backheel clearance as Adebayor was closing in. Fear not, as finally our Match Gunner ran down the right and sent a teasing cross for Adebayor to head in yet another goal. There just ain’t no stopping the Togonator nowadays.

Second half and the same old story. Newcastle came off strongly from the blocks but were worn down by our possession football and slick passing and movement.

Late on, Eduardo was replaced by Bendtner and it was interesting to see that none of the acrimony from the League Cup poured into the field his as first decent touch on the ball tried to find Ade. Flamini had a moment of pure magic as he found some space after being fed by Cesc and just let fly. Given could do nothing about it.

Even later on, Fab found himself on the receiving end of a nice cutback from Bendtner and made no mistake to slot the ball into the net for the finishing touch.

Honestly, I think we have two of the finest fullbacks in the Premier League at the moment. Sure, Clichy is better at attacking and Sagna at defending but they can both do the opposite function just as well. Adebayor can’t stop scoring and Eduardo still looks a good buy for us. Top of the league again and time for Man Utd to catch us.

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FA Cup 5th Round 2007/2008

January 29, 2008 at 9:22 am (Arsenal, FA Cup)

Draw has been made and the big one is here

Manchester United vs. Arsenal  (to be held over the Feb 15/16 weekend)

These are the full fixtures as per FA.com

Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston North End v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Huddersfield

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Lassana Diarra moves to Portsmouth after just half a season

January 17, 2008 at 9:10 pm (Arsenal)

It’s official. Our first big transfer of the month. Lassana Diarra goes to Portsmouth for an “undisclosed fee”. He joins Campbell, Kanu and Lauren there. Estimates put it at around 5.5 million pounds. Although he was a tidy player, he expected too much and had to be shipped out due to his numerous bawling sessions to the media.

He looks set to be a journeyman player having only joined Arsenal probably due to his connections to good friend Abou Diaby. He lasted two full seasons in Chelsea and half a season in Arsenal. Goodbye and good luck.

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Protected: D’MYR Gameweek 22 Review

January 14, 2008 at 11:02 am (EPL Fantasy League)

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Premiership: Arsenal 1 : Birmingham 1

January 13, 2008 at 11:54 am (Arsenal, Draw, EPL, Match Review, Premiership)

Adebayor(22)
O’Connor(48)

Match Gunner: Eduardo(Luck just wasn’t at his side today but he made the most of what he had)

A stroll in the park? Hardly.

We started off interestingly with Walcott instead of Rosicky. Eduardo’s form earned him a place in the lineup and Senderos replaces Toure who is off on African Cup duty.

We started brightly enough. Eduardo’s header went just wide. Almunia made a great save form Jerome and Gallas nearly slotted in a goal after a scramble at the goalmouth.

Eduardo got tackled from behind and up stepped Adebayor to finish the penalty. 1-0 and everyone sensed a thrashing in the making.

It was not to be however as although we played superbly, you could sense a feeling of deja vu from seasons of old where we dominated the game but just did not finish them off and paid the price for it. Eduardo’s header met the keeper and Cesc’s shot was blocked.

Second half barely got started and we went down via a set piece. What else? Ex-Gunner Larrson swung a corner in to be met by O’Connor whose header got deflected off Cesc for a goal.

In all truthfullness, in my opinion, Flamini failed to track him at the last moment and Adebayor would have cleared the ball if he had been a defender. I can’t blame anyone of them. However Wenger came out with this comment.

I don’t believe that Senderos was caught in the set-piece, there were two or three other players involved who didn’t jump for the ball and that’s why we got punished

Was Senderos supposed to be his marker? Anyhow the goal initiated some action from the players as another few half chances came and went by. It didn’t look promising. Walcott was replaced by Bendtner. The change made an immediate impact as we were now really pushing the Birmingham defense. Eduardo nearly fed Adebayor in but he passed it to Sagna who missed. Bendtner, Hleb and Flamini had their share of chances. Sagna was removed to be replaced by Diaby. Nearing the end, we had two very near misses. Hleb’s ran to the end and stroked the ball into the goal area. Gallas was nearest but just missed the ball by a whisker. Cesc’s long range shot was just wide of the. post. Frustrating stuff.

It was evident that Arsene was disappointed with the boys and it showed in his comments.

I feel the situation is so tight up front, every game is important, you know? It’s very difficult to say what months will be crucial. The only thing I know, today we lost two points we should not have lost and I’m confident that the team will refocus, because they are really disappointed. We need sharply to refocus because that kind of focus we have shown today is not sufficient

With the draw and with Manchester United piling the misery on Newcastle, we have conceded the top spot to them via goal difference. Hard to blame anybody in particular as we just did not perform as a team. Walcott had an off game. He must forget about it and move on. Senderos did enough to show that he can fill Kolo’s boots, temporarily at least. His perfectly timed tackles overcome the lack of pace. Eduardo had another good game. Adebayor’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde performances keep coming. Hleb is almost back to his tricky best and Cesc; well Cesc will be disappointed with the match. Any other day and we could have got two goals. He has not been able to recapture his brilliant goalscoring form since his injury. I pity the lad. People expect too much from him; me included and if he has an inconspicuous game, it sticks out like a sore thumb. His look at the end of the game brings me hope.

This is the first time in many that I have seen Arsene publicly telling off his players. Not in the Ferguson or Keane outburst per se as he is well known for his moniker “The mild mannered Proffesor” but I have a bold prediction to make, we will thrash Fulham. You’ll see. Cesc will turn in a man of the match performance and Adebayor will bare his teeth for all to see. C’mon you Reds!

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League Cup : Arsenal 1 – Tottenham 1

January 10, 2008 at 11:20 am (Arsenal, Draw, League Cup, Match Review)

Jenas (37)
Walcott (78)

Match Gunner: Sagna (even if he only came on at halftime. He was as solid as ever)

We came in with major changes as expected in the League Cup. Only four changes from the previous FA Cup game against Burnley with Van Perise, Walcott, Hoyte and Djourou coming in. It was quite a surprise that Robin started instead of Eduardo. What with him just back from injury and Eduardo’s goalscoring form.

Goal: Fabianski

Defense: Hoyte, Traore, Djourou, Senderos

Midfield: Diaby, Denilson, Gilberto, Walcott

Forward: Van Persie, Bendtner

We started the game well enough. Walcott had a decent run before being crowded out by the committed Spurs defense. Ramos and King’s return has bolstered this side of tehir squad. Even had a decent shot on goal via Bendtner’s header but it fell too close to the Spurs keeper. From then on, it was practically all Spurs. They had one or two decent chances before their goal. Malbranque miscued with the net wide open and was the culprit again wide a header wide.

Their goal was scored after a great Berbatov pass. Slight suspicions of offside but the recipient of the pass; Keane rolled the ball to Jenas who just guided it into the net. Things were not looking good for us. As the half went on, we were pressed more and more by Spurs. We were clearly rattled with no answer.

Halftime and Robin as well as Djourou were replaced by Eduardo and Sagna. Hoyte slotted into the centreback position. He did an excellent job there. Sagna was also a welcome change as his clearances at least amounted to something. His forward runs are wonderful as well. We began to gel a bit in the second half but Spurs were still running the show. Fabianski failed to hang on to a shot and was assisted on the line by Denilson. Keane miscontrolled a takedown as he was clear on goal and Fabianski recovered.

We began to get some chances. Diaby made amends for his poor first half with a much better showing and created a chance which was blocked. Then Traore inexplicably wasted a good freekick with a shot that went to the farthest corners of the Emirates. Our 20 derbies with Spurs without a loss seemed as good as gone. Up popped up Eduardo with a through pass which nearly found Walcott. Lee Young Pyo timed the tackle to a tee just as Walcott was shooting but the ball rebounded off Walcott’s chest into the goal. What a lucky goal and I’m as pleased as can be.

Walcott was brought out later on. It looked like he twisted his ankle trying to chase down O’Hara on the defense. Hope it’s not too serious. Late on and Defoe missed a great chance after being set up by Lennon. Haha. Our North London derby record is now 21 games and counting. Congratulations to the lads who never stopped working hard even as the result seemed to have eluded us. Second leg will be held in White Hart Lane on the 22nd(23rd morning for Asians) of January.

* It seems like we lost more than we bargained for with Senderos, Djourou and Van Persie all casualties of this tie.

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FA Cup : Burnley 0 – Arsenal 2

January 7, 2008 at 8:20 am (Arsenal, FA Cup, Match Review, Win)

Eduardo (8)

Adebayor (75)

Match Gunner: Eduardo (A goal and a assist got him the nod)

Eduardo is the Match Gunner 

We started with a basically second string side. This will be the last match for Eboue and Toure before they fly off for national duty with Ivory Coast. Other than them, Sagna was the only other first teamer in the starting eleven. We also had Djourou back from his loan spell at Birmingham. He was on the bench.

Goal: Almunia

Defense: Traore, Senderos, Toure, Sagna

Midfield: Diaby, Gilberto, Denilson, Eboue

Forward: Eduardo, Bendtner

We were given an almighty scare in the 4th minute when their shot hit the bar. That was a wake up call that Cup games are serious business and a lack of concentration will cost you. Dearly.

Eduardo being congratulated on his goal against Burnley

In the 10th, Eduardo continued his rich vein of form, this time courtesy of a long pass from Toure. Just when it seemed like the touch was a bit too heavy, he prodded the ball into the net. Another marvellous, simple and natural finish. What continued afterwards was a typical cup match. The underdogs worked dilligently to close down the favourites and everyone had to work hard in order to secure the result needed. Burnley had a few shots on goal but you sensed that we were not troubled much and was content to absorb the pressure and work on the counter.

Gilberto nearly headed the second only hafway through the first only for the ball to be blocked off the line. Another few good chances fell to Eboue but he continues to frustrate the Arsenal fans for his woeful decision making. Nearer to the end, Burnley had another good chance when Traore took too much time to clear the ball and was closed down ultimately losing the ball. Fortunately the shot that resulted was skied. Bendtner had an overhead “lipat” shot saved by the keeper. It was an audacious try and props to the lad. First half ended 0-1.

After the restart, Eduardo nearly got his second. His effort was a tad wide and we only have to look at the manager’s comments that he was “surprised to see Dudu miss that one” to understand that his reputation as one of the calmest finishers has grown exponentially over the festive period.

Lafferty sent off against Arsenal

60th minute, Lafferty got a red for a two footed lunge at Gilberto. A bit harsh but that’s the risk taken when a two footed studs up tackle is made. This might be a game for him to forget as he was also the one that hit the bar early in the first.

Bendtner slotting in the second goal

The game was over when we scored our second. Eduardo made good again and made a very good pass which Bendtner collected, took it round the keeper and slotted it in. A good third round FA Cup win and credit to Burnley who played a fair game. Even with Van Persie yet to return, our forward line looks mighty impressive. Bendtner, Eduardo and Adebayor are very good strikers who will easily get into double figures goalwise. Add that to the outstanding midfield; both in quantity and quality and you begin to see why Wenger is reluctant to change his squad around much. This looks as solid a team that you can want.

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Protected: D’MYR League Week 21 Review

January 3, 2008 at 10:43 am (EPL Fantasy League)

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Premiership: Arsenal 2 – West Ham 0

January 2, 2008 at 3:40 pm (Arsenal)

Eduardo(2)
Adebayor(18)

Match Gunner: Cesc Fabregas (Dominated the game especially in the second half)

We started the match with a few changes to the normal team. Hleb and Sagna were rested and were replaced by Eduardo and Hoyte.

We started the match well; with a goal. Rosicky took it to the left and found Cesc . He saw Dudu lurking with intent and unmarked, crossed it to him and Dudu just chested it down and finished with a goal in one smooth flowing move. I like Eduardo.

From then on, you would think it was all Arsenal but West Ham had it’s chances too particularly a Anton Ferdinand header which was cleared from the “post”man Clichy. The game was an open affair and both sides had good opportunities to get a goal. You have to say that West Ham was looking like the commanding team though.

Strangely enough, 18 minutes on and we scored the second. A long pass from Clichy found Adebayor. He bounce-headed the ball past the onrushing Green and just when it seemed the ball had eluded him to go out for a goal kick, Ade found the goal with such a tight angle, you wouldn’t have thought possible. Kanu vs Chelsea??

We had a shout at a penalty when Spector handballed in the area but with us leading 2-0? No way that was going to happen then.

Halftime.

Second half and Arsenal took control of the game. West Ham was still reluctant to put more players forward and we looked comfortable defending a lead. Eduardo nearly got a header in but he was slightly pulled down by the West Ham defender. Eduardo was taken out to be replaced by Walcott and Eboue was replaced by Hleb. Even the introduction of Ashton and Henri Camara did not add much to the West Ham case. We ended the second half as we ended the first. 2-0.

We came into the game with West Ham having the historical advantage. They have beaten us at home on the previous two encounters. Guess they’re not so lucky today. Eduardo is a tidy player. Turn and wham. A goal. Arsene has compared him to a young Robbie Fowler. He has a few known tricks. He blinks constantly so that he will be able to get a slow motion feeling of the ball stroking the back of the net which increases the accuracy and his puff of the cheek when striking the ball adds to his weight and increases the power of the shot. I’m surprised other players have not picked up on this and emulate his “ahead of his time” techniques. Just joking, Dudu. I’m certain that you will be an Arsenal legend. Have not felt this excited about an Arsenal player since Robin came in.

Speaking after the match, Arsene answered a few points.

West Ham were looking a little lethargic after their weekend “exertions” to beat Man Utd.

Of course, it gave us a little plus, especially in the second half, they had nothing to push on. It happens to us as well you know, and sometimes the other teams play teams who have played against us, and they take advantage of it as well.

On the goal from Adebayor

I still don’t understand how it went in.

On the goal from Eduardo

I feel the first goal was a great finish as well because it looked so natural. It looked just chest and then in the back of the net in a fraction of a second, you know? He’s a clinical finisher, Eduardo.

Moving on to the other matches of the day. Man Utd won 1-0 over Birmingham and Chelsea had a lucky 2-1 victory over Fulham so we are still ahead of Manchester United by two points and all the doomers who predicted a meltdown especially after our loss to Middlesborough and the 0-0 draw to Portsmouth, I say Ha!

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