Hull City v. Arsenal 1-3 16/Jan/08

Another late show ensured Arsenal three points in the title persecution at the Tigers ground yesterday. Next match appears to be a comfortable one as the Gunners travel to Cardiff in the FA Cup fourth round. At least a deep breath from Wenger's men was won, for the lost of more points could rule out the Gunners from a Champions league spot. Three objectives are in the horizon for the Londoners as the tournament reaches its half; assure a Champions League place, fight for silverware in non-Premier League competitions and win against rivals away (Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham).





Although the previous clash against Hull at home was fatal, the match ensured the winning streak in which the Gunners are trying to cement. It was no less obvious that the home team will execute an overwhelming pressure in the first fifteen minutes. So many of the attacking ideas for the Gunners in the first fifteen minutes were from the counter-attacks. Again ill-fated Eboue assured himself more booes from the visiting fans due to his lack of passing as well as Denilson. In the next minutes following the 25' the match was appearing to be another tough away match such as the one faced at Birmingham against Villa or at Manchester. The curious position that Adebayor was displaying will be explained later but in this case many of the criticism he has sustained throughout the season resulted positively in the development for the team.
And in that way the lead came through a header by the Togolese striker, on a corner by van Persie. This strange but effective position of Adebayor proved to be, alongside the liberty in which Nasri is currently faced, the top choices of Wenger last evening. Ade set Eboue in a wide shot at the final stages of the first period.





The midfield of the visiting team had an uncertain time, specially with Denilson and his unlucky passing. Even with this unfortunate asset, Arsenal quickly entered in the match with the typical touching from side to side. Again with this typical possession Arsenal dominated 3/4 of the pitch. The frail defense put things in hold when Djorou knocked Manucho in a desconsiderate way. It was a clear penalty but the "divine justice" rested in the shoulders of Cousin who headed an impossible header in the goal of Manuel Almunia. With the level on, Diego Latorre noted the difficulty and liberties that Gaël Clichy gave while defending. It was clear that the match had turn the other way round to the Gunners, and the obvious response was the introduction of the criticised Bendtner. If there is one attribute that the Dane explodes is the duty of the "late-striker position." He can be in the exact moment and the exact place in the required late minutes, and that was seen in previous matches. One point in disadvantage to him is his "wandering," which may appear to the common eye as careless.
Samir Nasri proved again his value when facing three defenders, and with a handful of tricks, alluding them. It was in a strike by the young Frenchman that the second goal arrived. Immediately, three minutes later, Bendtner magnified the gap with a fine definition. That goal should have been ruled out but the truth is that the Arsenal deserved even another goal by the Dane Bedntner.
For fuck's sake Cesc, you already sound like a manager.