Arsenal v. Blackburn 4-0 14/Mar/09

It is good to know that at least Wenger's men can keep the dignity of battering certain teams in the league, among them Blackburn, who in recent encounters has received the far from being decorous quantity of 18 goals in 5 London matches. You can remember dear reader, the home beating propinated by Walcott and Adebayor last year and that unforgetable 6-2 which included the already famous nutmeg from Cesc to Robbie Savage and what a better way to ease the nerve collected in the midweek clash against Roma. Aside from that the team displayed a complete performance, and after Villa loss against Spurs, Arsenal finally recovered the longed and cherrised fourth place.







And with a strange immediacy, the Gunners were one-nil up when Theo crossed towards Arshavin, in a Bendtner setup. Certainly Rovers' defense was reluctant and even frail to defend, including the dismal Paul Robinson, now with a new hair color. Still with the same idiocy of defending in line against fast and agile strikers, the Gunners missed a couple of ocassions in front, with Bendtner shining. After certain period of dominance Diouf could not retain his Bolton days and tackled Almunia, at 20', which was a sure sentoff. With another header by Bendnter, at 31', the home side calmed down and at least three long balls from Blackburn's midfield worried Gallas and company. Nasri's technique in freekick proved to be exquisite when the ball hit the woodwork and a later response from the Frenchman was denied by the ex-Spurs keeper. The feeling of Allardyce's instructions ment to be physical and certainly the Gunners resented it. With a final warning by the ex-Bolton forward, Sagna saved Arsenal from the equalizer.







The match went really calm for the next twenty minutes, with a couple of arrivals from Nasri and Andrei but the attention piled up when Nicklas Bendtner missed three clear chances in two minutes but strangely enough, when the misery visits one player, inspirations does it with another; Denilson set Arshavin, who in one of his trademark run, passed the defender and finished beautifully pass Robinson. The quality of the finish as well as the talent display gives this goal the quality of one of Arsenal's best goals in recent seasons. After this massive goal, Arshavin drew mad Rovers defense and with many assitances from the Russian to the Dane the match remained with two goals until the 88th minute, when Eboue finished a deviation from Robinson. Finally with Vela thumbled in the box and Eboue capitalised the goal rising his tally to two goals.

Roma v. Arsenal 0-1 (6-7) 11/Mar/09

Finally the wait of over two months finished when a resilient Arsenal side beat in a thrilling penalty shootout AS Roma at their own venue, aiming to return again next May. And for God's sake Miss Sensi, stop talking nonsense. It was strange that Arsene does not line Song after his great performance last Sunday. Cetainly the Gunners have the edge and a goaless draw or even a one-goal equalizer would be a blessing for Arsenal's silverware European aspirations.



With a difficult and strange Roma side attacking, Arsenal had several approaches towards the home goal. Arsenal's possession was strongly opposed by Roma's defensive prowess. Bendtner slipped at 7' and Nasri cross at 2' among the most important Arsenal arrivals in the first ten minutes. But it was Totti who found Juan inside the box in the far post. Reaching the 15th minute the Capitoline side had the edge defending. With Roma's defense struggling as the attempts rose, it was through corners that Arsenal grabbed several chances, among them Diaby's 18' header. Things were slowly swaying towards the English side at 22' but again Almunia had two saves on Toti and Vucinic. Apparently taken off by an injury, Juan was substituted by Julio Baptista. Diaby and Nasri's efforts were among the best for Arsenal in the thirty minute period. Regarding Bendtner's performance Soccernet's Matchcast live commentaries says it all: "It's very much Jekyll and Hyde with Bendtner. He takes it in turns with each involvement to look a good footballer, then a rubbish one." David Young also referred to it as Arsenal's Jekyll and Hyde season. Again Vucinic had several chances wide then the match swayed from minutes from Roma's dominance to Arsenal's.







Arsenal's momentum, as second half started, relieved many Gooners with a strong display earning more confidence to go for the lead in the following forty five minutes. The obvious gaps in Arsenal's defense were beginning to open and by the 59' Vucininc had a long one way entrance. The Londoners won the upperhand and performed another rampage of attacks; Bendtner's 63' poor header, wide Diaby shot at 65'. Roma's desperation was clearly seen on the player's face: with the 70' mark approaching Arsenal did more than the Italian side. The dirty Italian tactics, for what the mediterranean sides are famous for, began to appear, now with Pizarro's acting. The following minutes became more and more suffering for the visiting side, Vucinic's danger as looming in the left side while Totti and his mastery footwork were enough in any minute to give Roma the edge.
Finally Walcott came in. The final fifteen minutes were a one-side show by the Gunners; the distant and different Italian side struggled to past midfield. Sagna prowess gave the Gunners another hope for earning a late victory. Julio Baptista bummer ensured the visitors a second chance, when entering the 81st minute. The away defense were merely holding with glimpses of Gallas' idiocy showing up, but everything was under control.
Fortunately enough for Bendtner, whose horrid performance was even below his par, which is quite low by the way, Eduardo came in for the last six and so minutes. After the booking of Motta, nearly in the 90th minute, Arsenal's last rampage came; with three minutes added van Persie shot went just wide from left as well as three inbox headers. Of course, rat business came from Roma players in the last minutes, with Tadei as the first dramatic personae on scene. So antoher thirty minutes were added to the equalizing.







The true physical and mental endurance of the Gunners was to be proven in this last gasp episode, and with all the other teams already qualified the last of the four English sides was about to face their destiny. And if it were one side which proved to be the one who wanted the lead was Arsenal; van Persie fed by Eduardo had a clear chance but was brougth down by Riise. While the London side got distracted the Romans went on attacking but nothing more than a wide Totti shot, at 100th. Following minutes Roma stroke with all their might and the game was an end to end disparity. Nasri led the Gunners resistance and certainly one of his best matches since arriving at the Grove. The game was turning harsher and the final seconds saw more denials from both sides aganist each other.







The last game period was certainly a tough burden for both sides. If Roma had any chacne in the first extra time, now it was nulified since the Gunners looked for the lead. But still it was Vucinic who had kept Arsenal's defence busy. Walcott's shot was harmless for Doni, at 110'. Roma players, all dried up, had their final attack with yet another wide Totti shot. But Aquilani, still fresh set up Baptista who bumped into Arsenal defense. With five minutes to go Roman players began to show the scars of battle. The penalty shootout was evident. In the last minutes the long balls, and desperate clearances by both sides were the sum up. Theo's runs were invalidated twice, for alleged fouls. Penalties, the suffering of English teams, were to come, Arsenal to start.

Roma	Pizarro, On	Vucinic, Miss	Baptista, On	Montella, On	Totti, On	Aquilani, On	Riise, On	Tonetto, Miss
Arsenal	Eduardo, Miss	van Persie, On	Walcott, On	Nasri, On	Denilson, On	Toure, On	Sagna, On	Diaby, On

From "Ground Zero"

First, no I do not have Swine Flu. Second, dear reader, I am updating the blog since I left it a couple of months off due to school. Now that school's out until the temptative deadline of May the sixth I have some time to think regarding this disease and football.
I have been reading Geoffrey Hill's poetry in the last months and I am still overwhelmed by the power of his verse. I plan to make my undergraduate dissertation on Yeats but several times Heaney and Hill have crossed my mind, even McEwan.







Regarding McEwan everything went "smooth" in our Colloquium. Unfortunately this time I could not record any presentation. I received three critics from very good friends regarding my subject and these proved to be very helpful. I will be reading another presentation on the Sixth Classical Literature Students Colloquium as soon as classes resume. It will be on Yeats's "A thought from Propertius" regarding Bloom's influence theory.


A Thought from Propertius

She might, so noble from head
To great shapely knees,
The long flowing line,
Have walked to the altar
Through the holy images
At Pallas Athene’s side,
Or been fit spoil for a centaur
Drunk with the unmixed wine.


Did I say InFLUence? Yes. Streets were deserted today and to prove that today I passed through the park to see if some of hte lads were plaing: obviously not. Ussually thi place is packed at noon. I think I should keep reading and working on the blog, since wednesday's match approaches. Come on you Gunners!


Ovid in the Third Reich

non peccat, quaecumque potest peccasse negare,
solaque famosam culpa professa facit.
—(Amores, III, xiv)

I love my work and my children. God
Is distant, difficult. Things happen.
Too near the ancient troughs of blood
Innocence is no earthly weapon.

I have learned one thing: not to look down
So much on the damned. They, in their sphere,
Harmonize strangely with the divine
Love. I, in mine, celebrate the love-choir.

Arsenal v. Burnley 3-0 7/Mar/09

With three exquisite goals, Arsenal earned a valuable victory today in the two-round delayed match against the Clarets at the Emirates. The home side took revenge from the Carling Cup elimination last year. Even when many teams have earned their spot in the seventh round the Gunners still have a difficult match against Hull's Brown. Not an easy task if we remember the stunning two-one when the northern side visited the Emirates ealrier this season. As if it were enough the Gunners knew the reuslt of the draw with two rounds ahead, in any case semi-winners will face Chelsea.
Now the prospect that seemed too far two weeks away is closer tan ever; securing a Champions League spot. With Villa dropping points the Gunners are just three points behind the northerns and certainly with the recent pace of the Villains they will even drop more points, of course if the north Londoners manage to keep a winning streak or at least a decent run of wins. Even more tough matches lay ahead with rivals Chelsea, Utd and Liverpool all except Chelsea, away. Next Wednesday match has by far the most interesting layout, and the chance for the Gunners to win a quarterfinal spot and maybe some European glory next may at Rome again.







With more news than usual the starting XI featured many changes; Eduardo as captain with the inclussion of Diaby and Gibbs. And from what Burnley brought last time the usual threats came aboard; Eagles, MacDonald and Blake. And it was through the right flank that the first five minutes the insurrection led by Eagles took place. With Burnley fully attacking it only took a few minutes to calm down and the situation went under control for the Gunners at 10th. And through the first twenty five minutes the Gunners enjoyed a strong possession percentage, while the visiting side struggled for defending. Then Carlos Vela talent showed off. As if it were not enoguh for his already outstanding job in the match, a run past a helpless defender, saw the young Mexican scoring past Jensen with his trademark chip, all this at 26'. With Diaby as the strong pole in the midfield Arsenal looked more confident than ever and the prospect of a wider gap was visible on the horizon.







And after a couple of minutes another outstanding play by Eduardo sank Brunley's dreams with one of those rare and few "sliced up" volleys. After a Song cross the Croat did nothing but a brilliant finishing. And with this display Arsenal relaxed and with a few but unsuccesful displays by Blake and company the matter seemed setup. When Vela came out, the main point of discussion was how long was suppossed Diaby to play, since the last two matches have proved to be one of the major drive forces in the squad. With this substitution granted at the 71st mnute, long-absentee Walcott made his comeback with two arrivals and a disallowed assistance. Again Ramsey had the control of the match in his feet; he proved to be full of confidence and his determination set up Arsenal's lead with a late third goal by Eboué, a crossed shot in the left side of the box. All set to Roma's match as the Gunners advanced to FA Cup's sixth round.

West Brom v. Arsenal 1-3 3/Mar/09

After what would appear to be an endless drawing spree, the Gunners took the edge past West Brom away in a convincing yet suffered win, with a two goal advantage. This prospect is among the most positive news regarding the usual condemnation to which many supporters are now being held. But most important, even with the revisiting of "Capital Punishment V" on Sunday, the sights are set on March 11th when the Gunners face Roma.







And fortunately enoguh for both the traveling supporters and the home crowd, the teams found early leads; when at 4th minute, Nicklas Bendtner took advantage of a bad clearance in a corner and a minute after Brunt took advantage of the gap in the wall and equalized things. As if the atmosphere could not get any better West Brom added an extra stamina movement to the game, deniying at times Arsenal's high-tempo touching. More arrivals by the visitors ended in wide shots than homes' but obviously the pace of the match was diminished due to the strong effort that depleted, even in the first half, the physical shape of each side. Although still many attempts were made by Moore and Tanner the match kept a quiet balance with the last five minutes showing what could appear to be Albion's equalizer but again Carson's defense conceaded an undecent goal, when Arshavin set Toure to head past the keeper.
Again the end of the first period saw an outburst of intentions just as in the beginning and it was Bendtner who finalized the count with a crossed shot, after a lovely control at 42'. The fault entirely receded on Carson's defense.







Despite the stamina that West Brom's players showed in the second period the fact that Arsenal could have get a fourth goal was present in each arrival by the visitors, like the one at the 52nd minute or in 54th. Bendtner could have easily got his hattrick but the post denied it; with little or no resistance from part of the home side Arsenal kept the possession time and instead of launching fantasy attacks, the options came by themeselves mainly thanks to the opposition defense. As the second substitution came in, Aaron Ramsey for Eboue, things obviously went a lot easier for the visiting side. Even when Fortune nearly reaches goal not many chances were conceaded by Arsenal even when some defensive mistakes put Almunia into trouble. Again Arsene's attitude was shown when bringing Merida on in the last seven minutes. With nothing more to add, in the final minutes the Gunners went along with plenty of pressure but nothing from another world.

The Dreadful Shroud

Did Mexican U-17 champion generation helped the development of Mexican football? Well, no according to the current results of each player in each of their teams. Few have any activity at all and the four stars, Villauz, Dos Santos, Vela and Arias have counted minutes on the pitch. As Biscayart quoted once on ESPN's Fuera de Juego, the only Mexican player of this generation who has regular activity is César Villaluz. Even he has fell in the wretched spiral that his current squad, Cruz Azul, is right now. Vela comes in and out when an inspired Arshavin literally took his place. Dos Santos has not overcome his adversities and was eventually relegeated to Ipswich in the Championship. This comment, perhaps biased taking just one aspect of a whole of Mexican football, was brought up due to the fact that Mexico's U-17 squad today unconvincingly won against Guatemala, securing a place in the finals of the tornament which will take place next fall in Nigeria.







In the transmission, made by Sky Sports, Paco Villa commented several times the ways Martín Galván, top goal scorer of the team, seemed to resemble Carlos Vela. But why did this comparison take place? It would seem obvious, and rather obliged to make a simile between the current star of a team anf the latter. This device not only affects the newer player, mentally but the whole apparatus of understanding football. It is evident that Mexican media would love a copycat of Hugo Sánchez each generation but that, dear reader, is impossible.
Managers ussually fashion teams in order to resemble certain aspects or other teams. The perfect example is Cruyff's Barsa or the current effort made by Arsene Wenger.
I am betraying myself with all these comments: what I intend to do here at Deviations is to analyze a player style and his/her development alone and then contextualize it as a whole, thus the way the team plays.





In any case if you, dear reader, think that this post has indeed wandered and reached no place regarding ideas, is because it is a wider effort regarding another post in which I am working on.

Arsenal v. Fulham 0-0 28/Feb/09

After the positive midweek result agaist Roma the Gunners faced another tough match, in the pursuing of Champions League football next season, when a mediocre Fulham side earned yet another draw over the speculative North London side. The point is that these types of performances are to be expected throughout next eason and certainly Europa League will await for Wenger's men if they are not able to challenge teams of the likes as Fulham. A dismal and shadowy performance could be enojoyed by Arsenal's detractors especially as the one as Birmingham. One thing, just to mention; Martin O'Neill is so keen on European Elite football next season that his greediness will bury him with the rest of his club. Arsenal has not failed to qualify to Champions league since 1997/1998 season and although it seems a difficult task and an overwhelming endevour for such a injury-tormented side, they will eventually be among the top four. That their place has fallen to disgrace due to several factors along the years, is no doubt but certainly the outcome will be positive, even when this blog is pesimistic about future developments in the current league.







Having said the obvious the first half was as struggling for the Gunners as unreal for the visitors: four opportunities in the first ten minutes (with Johnson's deflected shot at 9'). Van Persie was denied by Schwarzer also in the 10th minute and with this momentum the prospect of yet another spectacular match arrived. Not much could get out of Arsenal's performance as the home side struggled to find the defensive pieces. Meanwhile Fulham slowed the pace and attacked rather mildly among the confussion made by Arsenal's midfield and both Fulham's forwards. The tactically organized visiting side managed to overcome the difficult technically gifted home side. The most clear opportunity made by Arsenal was in ht 31st minute, when in a counterattack led by Nasri while Vela found himself alone to cross the Frenchman again and in the effort to dribble past the defense he drowned himself. The Frecnhaman's effort was the best of the afternoon working as the lone central attacking midfielder but the work of the Mexican winger, with his first Premier League start is one thing to mention.
As Arsenal built in possession with chances, Fulham's dismay was beginning to show but fortunately anough for the Gunners the half time whistle blew.







Propositions by Arsenal in the second half went from talented through desperate to futile; van Persie's headers at 53' and 59', Bendtner cross at 64' and again the Dutchman at 71', respectively. Reaching the 60 minute mark Arsenla grew eager and desperate to equalize, waiting an innumerable chances in front of Fulham's goal. The open spaces of Arsenal's centerback gave Fulham certain edge among several opportunities and in the 65th minute the visitors nearly took the lead. Constant threats arrived through the next ten minutes and reaching 70' Arsenal launched for the lead, in a desperate manner. It appeared that one of those late shows, so famous in the initial season at the Emirates, was going to take place but not even the clearest of horizons could set Arsenal back in track. Although for certain periods Arsenal seemed to grab the lead the defensive prowess of Fulham overcame the Gunners who grew impressively desperate by the minute. The lead did not come; and Arsenal is six points behind Villa, a thing to worry.