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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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)
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.
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.
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.
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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