Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Arsenal v. Man City 0-0 24/Apr/10


Hero and villain, hailing and booing.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


After one of the most dreadful capitulation of the last seasons, the Gunners returned to the Grove to face the Citizens in a highly anticipated match. Previous events do not need to be recounted, particularly by the Togolese in pre, in and post-match actions.

After all the hype, the match unfortunately was a dull draw which had its best moments on an injury and some occasions by the Gunners in the later minutes. This match just mathematically confirmed that the Gunners were out of the title contention way long before, probably before the Spurs game. Toure's comments on Gallas were interesting to say the least.



Shay Given out injured for the season.
[Photo: Getty Images via Guardian]


The first minutes of the match were tough for the home team, since they were unable to compete in the same physical battle as the Citizens; the Gunners overcame this disadvantage with the passing of time and by the fifteenth minute van Persie proved luck on target. The midfield, composed by Diaby and Song, was extremely opposite; were the Cameroonian was adamant in recovering every single ball, the French made a host load of mistakes, usually giving away the ball.

Mancini substituted Bridge in the 27th, who seemed to have an knock. Onwards, the panorama did not appear brighter for both sides, since the following twenty minutes were a mere exchange in possession: Nasri and van Persie generated several chances that went wide or were saved by the Irishman Given. Astonishing was the zero amount of shots on target that the Mancunian team had. Not a single shot was made by Tévez, or the attacking part of the visitors.



Theo Walcott and Pablo Zabaleta battle.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


If the first forty five minutes did not produce a wide range of opportunities for both teams it was in the final instants of the second half, as well as the somewhat emotive reception of Adebayor. Before that, in the 50th, Arsenal's Dutchman headed wide from a Nasri cross. Patrick Vieira was substituted by the famous Togolese in the subsequent minutes. As it was expected, the reception was not a homecoming statement, it was rather a declaration of hatred and also war. From the first touch of the striker a tremendous amount of booing from the entire 60,000 seater was heard well within.

Nasri's ambition for the win was recognised with a fierce shot ten minutes after Adebayor's entrance; Rosicky tried luck too. Even when the Citizens' attack seemed dead and buried, the afore-mentioned African striker brought a completely different dimension for his team. With two substitutions made from Wenger in the 68th the Londoners were all in for the win. Diaby tried luck also when a fierce shot was palmed away by Given; the Irishman injured himself from that intervention and was substituted.

The Gunners did not took any advantage of this premature exits they kept moving the ball sideways. Eventually by the final minutes the desperation was such, that even with eight minutes added there was no positive outcome for the Londoners. Robin van Persie nearly scored from a couple of yards outside the box, in a great freekick that went wide inches away. The match ended as the Citizens felt grateful enough for the shared point.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Wigan v. Arsenal 3-2 17/Apr/10


Theo Walcott opens the score.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


Today, at the JJB Stadium, the young deflated north London team encountered heavy resistance from Martínez's men; the Gunners lost a two-goal lead advantage with three goals in about ten minutes. A dose of their own medicine was administered quick as any chance of title vanished within N'Zogbia's celebration. Almunia, apparently suffered from a wrist injury and Fabianski was in charge of Arsenal's goal; bad call. In any case, the Gunners must maintain their ground in order not to give more points to retain that precious third place, which will automatically qualify them for European football next season.

Also, next week's clash could be something special when Emmanuel Adebayor returns to his former club after that horrid cameo. Reception will be hostile, and he should expect nothing less, after all he said and did. Were the couple weeks have been devastating, losing to Barça, and probably most important, to Tottenham pride wasn't restored with this deflating scoreline.



Emmanuel Eboué in dismay; the story of the season so far.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


The beautiful turf at the JJB was in perfect condition for the match. The home team took advantage of this situation and attacked thoroughly at least in the first fifteen minutes. The Gunners retaliated only when they acquired some confidence in the twentieth minute or so through the sole game of Samir Nasri. Captain Campbell headed a "decent chance" set by Denilson far from Kirkland's post. Slowly, the visitors imposed certain attitude and by the 30th minute, things settled at least in terms of possession.

With ten minutes to go, the Gunners created at least four ambitious chances. One thing to note was the slow response from the Arsenal players to start producing some football; even when certain pundits and would attribute this to the "visiting" factor, it took nearly thirty-odd minutes for them to accommodate in the pitch.

"Always cheating" chants were beginning to drool the stadium as the Gunners won nearly every last ball in the final minutes. Just as the half was fading the young speeder Walcott picked a through ball from Bendtner and he finished with a defender trailing; another shot off target gave him the "confidence needed" to secure another start.



N'Zogbia shoots to edge the Gunners.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


Apparently Nasri pulled Watson but the ref made the call to ignore it. In the next three minutes the Gunners took advantage of some poor marking and Sylvestre headed to put the ball in the back of the net. Just imagine how dreadful the defensive work may have been to let old Mikaël score! Even when the efforts by the home team were not copious, yet there seemed that with the current horrid run of games offered -defensively speaking- conceding was around the corner.

The game moved on and it turned out to be a quite comfortable deadlock for the Londoners. The dedication of the home supporters -singing and bantering the whole ninety minutes- was outstanding. But the lucky streak of opportunities passed out as the Latics translated that force from their supporters into the field; ten minutes to go Watson smashed a cross form the left. Suddenly the two-goal lead was at risk.

The introduction of Fran Mérida brought absolutely no change nor renovation to the depleted London squad; unlike his Spanish team mate Eboué imprinted certain speed. Arsenal's unfocused presentation appeared unlikely that the home team managed to pull such a feat of making two goals in the remaining three minutes; somehow they made it as another deceit from Fabianski blew out Arsenal's "title challenge".

The way the Pole tried to secure the ball was immensely disappointing worth of an amateur keeper. Again Arsenal paid their mistakes with such poor keeping. The Polish nightmare was completed when N'Zogbia stroke a barbaric shot in the post to rebound in the net.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tottenham v. Arsenal 2-1 14/Apr/10


Vermaelen in the grass.


The manner in which the Gunners lost their title hopes was quite of a show for the home supporters at the Lane today: a bummer from Almunia and the entrance of Robin Van Persie showed two faces. Losing a ten year record should be the least important thing as the Gunners were completely ousted until the entrance of the Dutch striker. Probably Spurs' hopes for Champions League next season will be hampered at some point but that does not take away the sweet taste of victory.

Aside from the Spurs game, the previous week was full of transfer rumours and the sort-Cesc Warning as well as some shocking news in pre-match such as Lady Nina+'s stakes. The commented European crash was paired with Spurs' FA Cup exit at the hands of Pompey.

Regarding the reactions there were some which were voiced and truthfully gave the deserved beating. Zonal Marking offered some advice to why Arsenal defence are so crap at times. We all know that if it wasn't for the dexterity of some of Gomes' interventions the game could have easily ended with two goals shared in equal parts; Van Persie himself admitted it.



Even Gareth Bale scored.
[Photo: Empics via Soccernet]


The ecstatic atmosphere was kept at bay when Campbell shot at point-blank; Assou-Ekotto saved in the line. The hostile response to Arsenal's centre-back was paired with a thunderous beginning of the Spurs. The visitors held the erratic game for at least ten minutes. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Danny Rose entered Tottenham's annals after scoring a stunner in the tenth minute; with that goal probably one could say that the match was over. It was one of those goals in which, locals and visitors, take pride on remembering. To say that Almunia had the fault could be quite erratic.

Just as if things were not bad enough, Arsenal's star defender Vermaelen apparently strained his right calf and Mikaël Sylvestre substituted him: the combined age of Arsenal's centre-back was of 345 years. The match entered into a deadlock and as it was suggested in ESPN broadcast the game needed "a wonder-goal to make the difference". As two players got booked, each team with one, the match first half began to fade. Kaboul managed to get free after some contact with Rosicky; the set piece summarised Arsenal's half, wide and unlucky.



Nicklas Bendtner bags the late hope.
[Photo: Daily Mirror]


Strangely the untalented ex-Gunner David Bentley replaced the star of the game due to some problems with knee ligaments. But as the first seconds of the match ticked, the nightmare began. If there was some way of putting the Gunners' faith into doubt it was through a "dressing room goal". Garreth Bale found an impressive pass from Defoe and finished to the near post. The outstanding assistance from the England international player was the difference. The prospect of seeing Robin van Persie on the pitch in the nearest future was not only necessary but mandatory.

Theo Walcott came, substituting Sagna, but nothing really changed since the Spurs kept their attacking waves coming. With moral as high as the freaking Himalaya, the whites managed to handle the pressure according to what was established at the beginning of the match. There was no way in which the Gunners could have even approached the faint hope of scoring; all efforts from Nasri were utter hopeless. The visitors were expecting that the sole genius of Robin Van Persie -after five months in the sidelines- could save them from an astonishing historical defeat.

When he was introduced in the game -in the 68th minute- this faint of hope was foreseeable; his first touch was pure delight as he showed us what we have been missing for the last months. This momentum by the Gunners was followed by three chances created by the Dutchman himself. The advances by the Gunners left all the rear-guard defenceless and the scenario for counterattacks was suitable. Diaby lobbed as Van Persie chest-controlled and shot, just to be saved by Gomes.

The final ten minutes brought the best the Gunners had against the Spurs as another siege put the home team to the wall. In the 83th minute the Spurs relied on the prowess of under-fire Gomes as he saved a brilliant Van Persie free-kick and a Campbell header to the post. All the luck of the world couldn't prevent the Gunners from scoring as Van Persie released Walcott and Bendtner pushed. With five minutes to go the cardiac moments were not yet to come; the scoreline remained with one-goal deficit for the red Londoners.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Barcelona v. Arsenal 4-1 6/Apr/10


Bendtner gave the supporters the hope for a couple of seconds.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


After an epic match at the Grove last week, the Londoners travelled to Catalonia to watch a horror show in the spark of Messi's feet. A first half hat-trick from the Argentinian was enough to set in knees the horrid display of the Gunners -who merely had a handful of chances. The machinery displayed by Barça was at its best displaying one of the best teams of the world and the endless talent of the rising Argentinian. As the Catalonians comprehensively beat they travelled to Madrid for the maximum derby.

Despite that, Wenger's men should be proud of themselves: few teams in the world have put Barça into such troubles. Naturally they are able to compete inland, but their effort should not be diminished. Again, some players stood out, primarily the Frenchmen Nasri, Clichy and Diaby. Nevertheless, the stick with which some players will be treated will not be enough in this type of context. Performances such as Sylvestre's and Eduardo's should be seriously taken into consideration. For the Gunners, it is only a week's wait before they travel down the Seven Sisters road to face their north London arch-rivals. Even when morale is at its lowest, Redknapp and his minions will be competing in the FA Cup next weekend -something that will probably take a huge problem regarding fitness.


Truly the dexterous unfathomable brilliance of the young South American was saluted by Wenger. Harris at Soccernet couldn't be more accurate: "If Diego Maradona can find the magic formula to unleash Messi's club form for his country, Argentina will walk away with the biggest prize of them all this summer."

Laporta stroke again; probably the Argentinian will help him in the following elections.
Arsenal's manager gave a thorough description in the post-match analysis. Obviously Guardiola went on the praise.


And finally miracles do happen: Arsene wants to spend. Fran Merida's reactions were completely unnecessary(the kid needs some help); Vermaelen probably is having nightmares as well as Almunia.


Just in any case that you missed the goals here are they courtesy of @videosdefutbol:






Five Arsenal players watching the magic work.
[Photo: Daily Mail Gallery]


Following our previous MEGA GIGANTIC DINOSAURIC coverage of the match with pre-everythings and post-nothings" a whole load of different statements were made. For example Wenger's comments: Barça'sweaknesses, the unbelievable list of injuries, and that winning spirit.


In blogs there was a varied response to the previous day, as usual. The Soccernet Barça correspondentmade some comments about the nature of the win they should have. Arseblog made an interesting piece, and in that same site the interview with the Irish blogger by his Barcelona counterpart was casual. East Lower pledged something of the sort too.


While Wenger kept with his Easter resurrection tales, Iniesta was declared fit. The official preview offered little news-



Messi, probably in his best performance, scoring.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


The main worries for the travelling fans were several but amongst the most important were Sylvestre's start and Wolfgang Stark in command. As for the beginning of the match, the Londoners applied well their zonal marking even when the Spaniards dumped several chances, such as Messi's at 12th. The cautious approach of the visitors, even when the fire was upon them, paid as they received an early lead. People in the stadium and across the channel began to dream although those premonitions quickly faded into thin air.

Within twenty minutes, from the 18th to the 38th, the Argentinian star scored a pair. The shambolic display of the Arsenal defence was paired with an incapable keeper. Before the next goal, the Arsenal was a completely estranged business; eleven headless chickens running in an away pitch. Reaching the final part the Catalonians doubled their lead through the Argentine after he lobed another one past Almunia. The contest was finished as the half ended.



A closer look at the flick.
[Photo: Daily Mail Gallery]


The highlights of the following half were counted, the Argentine completed his heroic feat and the Gunners surrendered although Nasri and Clichy refused to give the scoreline. Bendtner's header on the post as well as a Rosicky shot were amongst the very few attempts of the visitors in the remaining minutes. In the other side, the Catalonians stormed with all their ferocious effort again and managed to score another one and create three clear chances. Even when the Arsenal substitutions came first, the goal, at the 88th was demoralising enough to leave the visitors on the ground. Nothing else was to be spoken of.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Arsenal v. Wolves 1-0 3/Mar/10


Rosicky battles with Henry.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images via Guardian]


As with so many matches this season -as the Barcelona one- the Gunners left it late to kill a brave visiting team. Nicklas Bendtner scored the one and only goal in in the very last minute of the contest to extend the Gunner's lifelike in the pursuit of the league title. With Chelsea grabbing all three points at Old Trafford the Gunners needed the win to keep the hope alive in the verge of a historical visit to Camp Nou. Certainly the first team selection was nearly of second-string players as all sights were in Barcelona. Ahead of the clash at Catalonia Seaman's words hit the point as well as the shocking declarations by Aaron Ramsey.



The boss on the sidelines.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


If there was a familiar feeling in any viewer it was that of a typical Arsenal late-show match: the players able to scrap a well load of chances before putting in to some trouble the opposition. While there were nearly no interesting and attractive bursts of football, the first half was largely quiet in its final third. In the first fifteen minutes the Gunners produced at least four clear chances; the most obvious taken by Eduardo as he kicked the ball with this right foot wide off the mark.

As the minutes passed and Walcott, with Rosicky, tried all the possible to grab the lead, the aspect of a long and tiresome season was beginning to show. As the Londoners enjoyed nearly all possession, their attack slowly diminished and by the 30th minute, the game was on a more regular state rather than an actual competition. Hahnemann spared the visitors at least in seven occasions. What appeared to be more dramatical was not the fact McCarthy's men never tried to approach Almunia's goal, but that the Arsenal players were completely complacent, leaving to the next half what could have been resolved in the first.



Bendtner, cathartic.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Arsene Wenger looked annoyed by the previous half. As the Gunners looked for the desperate lead some attempts came in the form of crosses from Rosicky and Sylvestre. For at least fifteen minutes the amount of possession paired with the efforts made at the oppositions goal were immensely miscued. Eduardo missed a acrobatic strike after a deflection in Hahnemann's box, in the 54th. In the other side of the pitch Doyle's heroics were neutralised by the imperious Campbell; in that end, there was no worry for the home team. The first real threat to the American keeper's goal was given by Rosicky in the 59th minute.

As the Londoners dropped their pace, McCarthy's men pushed deeper and managed to grab some deflected corners as well as a dangerous freekick. It was time for substitutions: Eboué for Bendtner. But in the 65th minute, the despicable attitude of Henry tainted the match: another dangerous tackle was committed. As Rosicky rolled in the ground the entire stadium watched Henry going off as yet another career-threatening injury appeared in hand. Later repetitions showed the unscrupulous attempt of the midfielder; fortunately the Czech suffered superficial injuries.

With Nasri's introduction, the last twenty minutes were hellish for the home team. Bendtner tried luck with Hahnemann as well as Campbell and Rosicky. As Carlos Vela entered for the erratic Eduardo, there was not even a single clear chance created, as the match was fading away. Even Rosicky prevented a goal as he came in the wrong post defending Hahnemann's. Additions by Walcott and Nasri made the suffering longer. It was time for the special late delivery which was on part of the Danish striker: in the 94th minute a strong header from the striker buried all hopes of the visitors.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Arsenal v. Barcelona 2-2 31/Mar/10


Cesc, in a Beckenbauer-esque style, remained injured aproximately seven minutes in the pitch.
[Photo: AP via Football.co.uk]


Today's match -as the captain said, "It has been an amazing experience and I will remember it for the rest of my life"- was one of those that stay not just in the memory but in the heart of supporters neutrals and rivals. Trying to put together the emotions that arose in each side of the contest is barely rubbish. We could watch how the best team in the globe brushed aside the best-playing team in England for nearly forty five-minutes, then gain two precious goals to later concede another two in a special cameo by Cesc Fábregas. Whether the fact that he was the hero of the night is unquestionable as well as his commitment, he injured himself when taking the penalty.

Wenger described the game as a "storm" and if we come to think a bout it, it was a non-sensical in the eyes of Goonners. If the Gunners' season has been epitomised by games such as Bolton, Liege, Porto, Everton and Stoke, this one seems to be on that batch as they struggled and managed to draw against probably one of the best team performances in the last twenty years, and probably in the course of the history of the sport.

On a more personal basis I've seen Barça play under Guardiola's regime and never, have witnessed such impressive amount of play and talent as displayed as in the first twenty minutes; even Guardiola himself accepted it as well. His Frenchman opposite stated one of the reasons of the pressure by the Spaniards overwhelming superiority

Reports from Marca highlighted the high-spirited efforts of the Catalonians. In the continent some opinions favoured the visitors. In the isle reports favoured the spirit of the Gunners as Guardian's Richard Williams piece. David Young, an authorised voice in this subject, had the similar shock effect of watching such a massive game.
Dale Johnson and Kevin Palmer from Soccernet, offered another view.
The worst mistake that any team could make is winning mentally as Matthew Weiner sums it up: "Don’t count Arsenal out of this quite yet. After all, whether they admit it or not, that seemed to be the mistake Barcelona made tonight at 2-0."



Zlatan lobs past Almunia.
[Photo: Empics via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


To note there were some interesting topics in the pre-match comments on Arseblog. Guardiola's post-match comments were simply on the verge of the ridiculous since probably are in the tone of another buying bid. Obviously the idiocy of Mexico's captain appears to have no end.
Henry's return was really emotional as he received the standing ovation of the whole Emirates.



Theo scores the first for the home team.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


If there was any explanation of how the Londoners went through the first twenty minutes of the match without conceding it was probably more in the realms of faith rather than in the actual fact. An in-game comment from Arsenal Opinion's Twitter summarised the thing pretty well. The industrious effort that saw the Spanish team moving the ball away from the Gunners in a swaying and dazzling motion masked all types of response from the home team. From the very first minute Vermaelen got himself in the way of a cross and in the following minute, Almunia saved from blank point an effort by Busquets. If the storm was just beginning the wave of precise attacks led by Xavi began.

This different type of opposition that Arsenal have ever faced -and I dare to say an English team- produced some type of nearly perfect football that was only shadowed by the fact that within the "storm" they could not grab a lead. At least another four clear chances proved Almunia's "worth". All Arsenal's defensive deficiencies of the last couple of years were exploited by the football machinery of Guardiola. Somehow, as it had been suggested before, the Londoners survived the siege and gave signs when Nasri took a hissing shot at Valdés' far post. The substitution of Arshavin, at the 27th minute, marked the exact point in which the Catalonians ended their siege.

As the Barça tsunami went down the Gunners were able to regroup just to find another set of dangerous approaches, mainly by Zlatan. Bendtner shot at woodwork on a disallowed chance; the torrid beginning was being helped by the injury of Gallas as a sombre panorama laid on the home team. Even when the Londoners withstanded the ferocious rampage, the worst was yet to come in the following half. The only one who was able to show some deft passing was Samir Nasri, who provided the game needed for the lone striker at the other end. Despite the French man's effort, the left hand side of the Gunners pitch was a one-way lane to Daniel Aloes.



Cesc squares things from the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


When Cesc got booked, everything took another dimension and the consensus in the stands was for him to give the last drop of blood but the Swedish forward had another intention. In the first minute Barça scored taken off guard the entire defence. Vermaelen was rambling and the only defender who was able to neutralise lost precious time in running diagonally to catch the striker. Almunia's command masked his entire previous performance and the Gunners were one-nil down. In the following minutes some players did not lost faith: Bendtner headed form a cross by Song and obviously the Spanish retaliated with Xavi.

With nearly thirty minutes to end the match the Catalonians made the gap wider as Zlatan again punished Almunia; whether this time it was more of the centre-halves fault, still the fact that Almunia failed to organise his defence seemed utterly rubbish. Six minutes later, with all hopes over the board, Wenger recurred to the velocist Walcott who in two minutes ran an absolutely fabulous riot. In one of those escapades, the Gunners made some quick passes as it was Bendtner who set Walcott who finished with a low shot. The prospect of another exciting, heart-breaking finish was coming in the nearest future.

With the atmosphere at its maximum the Gunners relied on speed and possession to gain more in their momentum. For the following fifteen minutes Barcelona dissappeared from the game and that brutal behemoth that applied such a tremendous pressure with beautiful game was diminished to shreds. Again the Londoners were at fight with all their strength, and even Cesc nearly scored from a free-kick. But with five minutes in the clock, the Emirates saw the genius of the home grown boy rise as another Arsenal Legend.

Puyol tripped Cesc after a Bendtner pass and the referee did not hesitate to mark the penalty. Cesc, for the joy of half north London, converted. The stadium burst into paradisiac emotion as Arsenal, after being two goals down overcame the deficit and matched the best team in the world. Cesc injured himself in his last cameo of the season when hitting the ball. The Beckenbauerish Cesc remained on pitch and nearly scored another with three minutes added. The tireless captain ran along the pitch injured. Even if his absence will be crucial, the kid left everything and became one of those immortal figures that will be forever remembered.

Birmingham v. Arsenal 1-1 27/Mar/10


Sol Campbell rambles as the Gunners concede.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Arsenal's last trip to St. Andrews was fatality personified. One needs not to remember the events that were produced that evening and the posterior developments in the Gunners' season. The point dropped may not be relevant since nearly all sights were in the next match at the Emirates. Barcelona beat Tenerife as Iniesta was ruled out for the vital clash.



Theo battling in the air
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Within two minutes Rosicky penetrated Hart's defence to cross; evidently the early domininance executed by Wenger's men led to some approaches although the vast majority of them were blanks. McFadden and Jerome managed to alter the London defence as they created space in the tight pitch. By the 16th minute Song was booked after a light tackle cheaply bought by Webb. Even when the Londoners made certain progress with the ball the Blues made ferocious efforts to retain possession in the opposite half.

Arsenal's Spanish keeper held Jerome as he shot in the 31st minute. The match was quickly drawn from a slow stand-off to a dynamic end-to-end crash. In the last ten minutes Arsenal's influence diluted as Cesc struggled with an ankle problem. An alleged regular position by McFadden was discussed by McLeish as if it was a decisive World Cup penalty. The first half ended with a handful of defensive misjudgements that allowed each team certain free movements.



The other side of the coin; Phillips enjoys the late equaliser.
[Photo: Telegraph via Getty Images]


Immediately in the opening, Rosicky shot without much luck since Hart was in an accurate position. As the visitors became more and more involved in their offensive side of the game the Blues regrouped and attacked. One example of this was some sloppy keeping from Almunia which nearly permitted Dann to score. Arsenal's retaliation was in the form of a wide deviated Rosicky shot.

If there was a reason for the match turning into a harsh battle of equals, it was mainly due to the pressure that both teams had to produce the maximum of points. It was time for Rosicky and Walcott to come off: Arshavin and Nasri substituted them respectively. With twenty minutes to go, the Gunners needed an accurate cross or a fierce shot to beat Hart; that only arrived in the 73th when the fresh substitutions combined forces and the Frenchman shot. Again Hart's positioning save the home side.

The final fifteen minutes were crucial: two goals -and particularly the second- appeared both in sudden fashion.
Nasri pulled a cracker as he shot crossed to the opposite post; the only way Hart's goal could be pierced. Even when the Frenchman's influence made an immediate impact in the Gunners' game, the score fell apart when Birmingham equalised in such a deceptive manner. In the dying moments of the game, specifically in the 92nd, the Blues got a step ahead as Manuel Almunia again proved to be worth a penny when he let Kevin Phillips put the ball in the back of the net for 250th time in his career. The previous three chances that Fábregas, Nasri and Arshavin scrapped had were greatly missed.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Arsenal v. West Ham 2-0 20/Mar/10


At Nyon, the final result of the draw.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Of all possible teams in Europe's elite competitions Arsenal drew today FC Barcelona. Again, the media will make one of those storms with Cesc return, Cesc and DNA, Cesc and robots, Cesc and Hitler, Cesc and Facebook and who know not. It is also the return of one of Arsenal's favourites, Thierry Henry.

What it appears more attractive, at least on paper is the clash of styles which are dubbed as "similar". I think, on a more personal basis that whoever gets through will have nearly one half trophy. Again, I must extend my hate for FCB. I want blood for what happened in Paris four years ago.



Denilson gives the early lead to the Gunners.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


Reactions were varied to say the least. Arsene comments bordered between anxiety and reality. It was also a trip down to memory lane for the gaffer as he kept wining about the tie being 50-50, of Cesc and Messi and who knows what else.

Following the draw an immediate impressive amount of reactions came from all non-Arsenal quarters throughout Europe.
From Txiki Begiristain to Vicente del Bosque. Gerard Piqué, Barcelona's centre-back, made some statements too.

The mailbox from F365 had also some words from fans. Anyway, I just want to reiterate that I fucking hate Barcelona.



Vermaelen, astounded by the referee's decision.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


After the Champions league draw the Gunners made a another comeback at the top of the Premier League table, as they beat the Hammers. In any case, the first half produced some wonderful football, mainly occurring on the West Ham end. It took the visitors only five minutes to break the Irons, and it was through Denilson who laid a low shot after some tough job. This early goal created expectation from the crowd; strangely, this dreamy stage appeared to give the home team that extra punch that in so many matches they have lacked.

The game of Zola's men was resumed to heavy challenges and a set of opportunities that managed to scare more than one spectator at the Grove. Again the Gunners relied on their lofty touch to weave different kinds of plays -some which, in the case of being scored would have paid the ticket for the local supporters- mainly by Arshavin and Bendtner. Reaching the thirtieth minute, the north Londoners were pushing so far to the edge their rivals that their defence, led by ex-Gunner Upson came to the rescue in no more than three times.

Near the end of the first period, Vermaelen made one of those doubtful tackles and obviously, my fellow countryman Franco went down. This was the actual turning point of the match, where the Gunners were with ten men expecting to Diamanti to score and take things to another level but the fact that Almunia saved halted the match and gave a tremendous psychological advantage to the home team, despite being with eleven men.



Another clean sheet from the Spaniard, here saving the spot kick.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


With ten men infield, Wenger adjusted some things, including Song as the centre-half partnering Campbell. It took not really much for the Frenchman's eleven to see the product of Vermaelen's sent-off: the full power (if it can be called that) of the Hammers attack proved the Gunners defence. Nevertheless they withstanded it with resilience until the entrance of Diaby, in the 58th. His presence was required to balance the loss of control in the midfield section.

The imminent threat the Hammers posed was assured by the woodwork that Cole hit in the 78th minute. The home team made the Gunners suffer for at least the 80th until another penalty kick was awarded, this time after Upson handed in the edge of the box a lob from Cesc. The captain converted the penalty to give supporters a smile, and the travelling fans a rough travel to the other end.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Hull v. Arsenal 1-2 13/Mar/10


Nicklas Bendtner on the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Arsene's cosy post-match comments added nothing to what we already know: Arsenal have a strong appetite for leaving it late as another one of those tricks were pulled by Bendtner today at the KC Stadium. The immediate result of the evening, aside from the fact that the visitors renewed their title credentials once more, is the sacking of Phil Brown.

In any case that should matter to a minimum, since the London's team attentions are faced in the upper end of the table. This win comes to no surprise, despite the mistake made by Mayhall: eight matches to go in the quest for the Premier League with all of them 'winable'. Next Saturday, the troubled Hammers will see the other end, as they travel to the Emirates to face their London counterparts in what promises to be a difficult spell, following their defeat at Stamford Bridge. Again, if the Gunners prove to be worth and fortune favours them, we could see another setback of Ferguson's men, as the Super Sunday arrives.



Sol Campbell and Venegoor.
[Photo: Craig Brough/Action Images via Guardian]


In spite of the early success that Brown's men had (68% of possession by the 12th minute), the Gunners managed to overcome the physical challenges and ended up ahead in the scoreline with a goal from the Russian magician. After some build-up from the right side, Bendtner fed Arshavin who, with enough luck, overcame two defenders and stroke with the tip of the boot to give his team the lead. The superiority of the visitors could be felt in all aspects, when at least two chances were provided.

Unfortunately, the referee made a bad choice when Campbell, stomped Venegoor. The penalty kick was cheaply bought and Bullard levelled things. In all fairness, Venegoor searched it, and watching the inevitable contact with the Englishman, let his body in the way and the rest is history. Whether many Arsenal supporters have deemed nearly every Premier League team of being overtly violent, Hull gave a class on how to be physical without being violent at all.

In the following twenty minutes after the goal, both teams looked for the lead. Arsenal gave possession too quickly and looked complacent. That changed in the 37th minute, when a revitalised London team came in pursue of the win. Arshavin's luck again showed that he has not passed his struggle with Russia, after failing to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.



Mayhill could not purge his mistake
[Photo: Mirror Football]


If the first forty five minutes showed a will for Hull to shares the point, there was no particular play that could have got them in a winning position. Instead Wenger's men made some approaches, all wasted. Emmanuel Eboue's, who for some reason was substituted despite his good performance, gave his place for Theo Walcott, when the clock was in the 66th. The pull of Bullard gave Hull a slight hope but again, Arsenal's defensive apparatus came to the rescue.

Andrey Arshavin scrapped at least in two occasions in front of the goal, as Bendtner and Theo set him. With six minutes added by Mariner -mainly by the injury of the Hull player- the Londoners seeked the vital chances that could give them the three pints. In the 93rd minute, those prayers were answered, as Denilson took a long shot, which was palmed by Mayhill straight in the position where Bendtner prowled. The Dane, without further ado, put the ball in the back of the net to kill all hopes from the locals. Remaining minutes were a mere distraction to see Phill Brown sacked.

Arsenal v. Porto 5-0 9/Feb/10


The 'Big Dane' finally got his hat-trick.
[Photo: Adam Davy/Empics via Guardian]


Today the Gunners completely ravaged an unuseful and insecure Porto team. Whether this reads as another one of those biased headlines, it was the particular way in which this team managed to beat in such a surreptitious fashion another team that, at least on paper, tried to be a threat. Nonetheless an outstanding exhibition by Nicklas Bendtner, Samir Nasri and particularly the Russian Arshavin completed a night which had its nervy moments. Even when Porto were on full attack, it seemed impossible for the Gunners to lose the grip of the match.

With the absence of the star of the team, the panorama looked rather murky as the Gunners needed to pull off a one-goal deficit to enter the next stage. The Portuguese team had another miserable evening when they drew against Olhanense at their local tournament. Even with the hazard of the two strikers Falcao and Hulk, the Gunners relied on their local support to go past the quarterfinals.

Media highlighted the fact that Arsenal do not need Cesc; this only probes that he is not needed against lesser opposition such as the one at the Grove today. Following his disastrous cameo against Burnley, Bendtner's confidence must rise as he earned a place in history books, in Europe and in England.

Regarding Nasri's goal, Phillipe Auclaire -France Football's commentator for English football- wrapped it up in his Twitter: "This was a very big test Samir Nasri, who passes it with flying colours, and the best goal of his career. Un chef d'oeuvre." Denilson, also had his reaction. Another description for the goal, came from the Guardian.



Zinedine Zidane in red and white?
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


With the start of Campbell and the Ramsey banners waving throughout the stadium, the Gunners began a match in quite an uncomfortable way; during the first ten minutes, possession was lost and the willfull Portuguese team managed to keep at bay the home team. The critical shift of the evening was Samir Nasri: through his first efforts the Londoners managed to escape the different approaches the opposition made.

In one of those escapades, Andrey Arshavin received a goal-kick from Almunia, and later, Nasri set him; the Russian released Bendtner who comfortably put the ball in the back of the net. Following repetitions showed that Andrey Arshavin was indeed in an illegal position but this claim does not take away the fact that the Londoners were dominating and truly deserved the goal. Even when the home team managed to give some time and space, there was no real threat for Almunia's goal. Nasri, in one of his most delightful appearances so far, gave his team the push and craft they needed to go forward.

Again the Russian, provided some of his witchcraft as he beat four Porto defenders and set again Nicklas Bendtner. The goal bolstered the Londoners confidence and even when the prospect of retaliation was present, with this scoreline -and above all the performance- there was no real way in which we could see this turning off. Nasri's creation dispensed Arshavin with another tremendous pass. With another shot from the Frenchman the surviving temperament of Porto was fading way as well as their time to counteract it.



Clinical finish to secure his three-goal tally.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


The image posted by the broadcasters really was of an utter joy until Harry Redknapp appeared in the stands. Really 'Arry, do you want to qualify to the pre-Champions stage to get dumped by Fiorentina or Atlético Madrid? Well that would be funny. In any case the visitors made a couple of substitutions which proved to be worthless. With a couple of interventions by the Portuguese offenders, there was not much to be done by them. Falcao managed to scare more than one in the stadium with a point blank shot that was decently saved by the Spanish keeper.

Reaching the 65th minute Wenger substituted Rosicky for Eboue. This change seemed to un-favour the already broken visiting defence, since many of their attacks were coming form the sides. Indeed the manoeuvres was not wise when Samir Nasri, inspired and fully deploying his attacking repertoire, gave us an absolute cracker. Not only did he summed up his participation in the match, but gave us a real beautiful option for contention in the Season Awards. Passing two defenders, who ludicrously waited for him, he stormed into the box, to shake off the other markers with a swift movement worth of a ballerina. The rest is history, firing from an acute angle, that Helton could not save.

Afterwards the fourth came when the masterful skill of Andrey Arshavin gave Emmanuel Eboué his deserved goal. In another killing counter-attack, the Russian wizard went past three to pass a through ball to the Ivorian who dribbled Helton and scored. The night could not have been sweeter as Stan Collymore took all the stick of the whole Emirates. After some substitutions the Gunners were awarded a penalty, Fucile the infractor. Bendtner scored clinically to earn his hat-trick has he celebrated with Eboué Arsenal's qualification to the quarterfinals.

Arsenal v. Burnley 3-1 6/Mar/10


Arsenal players with support shirts.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images via Guardian]


Within the narrow span of ninety minutes positions changed three times at the top of the table: first the Gunners went up following their suffered victory over Burnley but were later ousted by the Mancunians as they overcame Mick McCarthy's Wolves by the minimum difference. Indeed Ferguson's men sit uncomfortably at the top of the table with the title race still on pursue. Arsenal sored to first and then dropped into second, and finally returned to their original position after mathematics were done.
Cesc Fábregas, again the catalyser of the match, had to come off near the 40th minute due to an injury scare. After a magnificent definition all thoughts are on the fitness of the harmstring of the Spaniard for the crucial match on Tuesday against Porto. Aside from the football perspective the moving banners displayed at the Emirates reminded the support that this team has for Ramsey. It appears that Theo is countering the strong criticism in his week's display for England. Although the fact that he remains in that tempo is highly unlikely we shall see his determination for the World Cup rather than for the team.



After his goal, the captain went into the treatment room.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


During the first fifteen minutes, the Gunners enjoyed wondrous precious amount of possession which developed into a handful of opportunities against Jensen's goal. The main artificer of this was Theo Walcott, whose havoc emphasised the deplorable state in which the Clarets were to be found. During a good part of the following minutes, the Londoners had the excessive number of 67% of possession.
Obviously Burnleys' stand would not last any longer when a precious lob from an on-fire Nasri saw Cesc face Jensen, and the former nutmegged the latter to give the Gunners the lead in the 34th minute. Nicklas Bendtner, the purveyor of the miss, began his uncanny tally of sitters of the evening, as Eboué set him twice, and that same number went wide.
The match ended amid the frowns of many supporters when Cesc Fábregas came out injured, replaced by Diaby. Whether the current state of the game demanded little of the brilliance from the Spaniard, the crucial shock against Porto in midweek remained doubt.



Theo Walcott responding to criticism.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


As Bendtner scraped a beautiful cross from Theo, the match advanced in quite a negative fashion for the Gunners. Contrary to what they were producing so far. Exactly before the equaliser, the big Dane left out yet another one to show that his powder was completely and utterly wet. Incredibly enough, he had scored in the previous three matches, including the International friendly.
The Burnley goal was another reminder of the strong dissatisfaction that the Arsenal defence incurs week in week put. As Nuggent broke the offside a strange header from a friendly set him to beat Almunia and Sylvestre who were by miles slow. Suddenly what appeared to be one of those matches that could have easily ended with the shocking score of five or six, turned into a niggling pain in the ass.
Reaching the 60th minutes, the Londoners were all over their opposition and the incredible, laughable amount of misses that Bendtner led him to being substituted in the 74th; he took it rather philosophical with a sardonic smile as the crowd cheered him. Strangely, in opposition to the striker, Theo was still on fire as he taunted each time Foz in the right hand side. In one of those escapades the England international managed to beat two defenders and finished to Jensen's far post.
The crowd could breath, as one of those games of restless attempts was spared in a matter of minutes. Not much came from the visiting side and Andrey Arshavin, after a series of misses, produced the third, late in the 94th minute. His emotional celebration came handy; many of these misses could be argued as the jetlag of the international week.

Mexico v. New Zealand 2-0 3/Mar/10


David Villa scored the first as France were battered at home.
[Photo: Benoît Tessier/Reuters via Guardian]


It took over a year here at the blog to review the last International friendly, and this time, in the preview of the World Cup, we found ourselves merged in what some call a "dreadful interlull" but for me, a delightful paradise of eternal football bliss. And in what better fashion could we celebrate the final countdown to the summer's tournament with nearly one hundred days to go. Some credit has to be given to the extraordinary effort that Paco Villa has been putting in Televisa Deportes' site, especially with the fantastic Retro World Cup. One hundred fully-digitised original broadcasts of the best classic 100 World Cup matches of the history.



Crouch came from the bench to beat Egypt with a brace
[Photo: Telegraph]

In other news, our watch for Mexico's rivals is in hot pursue. France were royally annihilated by a powerful team of Spain. With goals from David Villa and Sergio Ramos, the head of Raymond Domenech hangs by a thread, even within months of the tournament's start. Though, their second kit is gorgeous.

Here at Deviations, I assume that by early May (middle June) I will have updated all the Arsenal matches. I am battling through with it, watching some delayed matches. I will not make a preview, rather you could find a useful or I will recommend some; instead I will make a quick survey and fully inform you on a daily basis of the gossip and etc. Each game will be properly reviewed since I have prepared for the last three years for this event. I find utterly hilarious that I finished high school exactly the day Germany played Costa Rica and that this time, I will finish my undergrad course four years after, in a similar fashion of football. And they say that football does not domain lives?



Hernández scores the first? of the night.
[Photo: Televisa Deportes]


The match began with some fresh faces in Mexico's squad: Monterrey striker De Nigris as well as the two Dos Santos brothers and Luis Michel, Guadalajara keeper. The Mexicans began the game with a set full of variants, mainly with Guardado and Giovani in each flank providing some speed and crosses. While the New Zelanders defended fiercely, there was an exact effort by the Mexican's to prove Americans and Paisanos what is the team up to.
Instead the "home" team attacked mainly through overlaps and crosses.
In one occasion, Jonathan Dos Santos managed to stroke the ball with a powerful volley that moved the framework of the crossbar. Within ten minutes to end the first half, the could not convert any chances created. That would have to wait until the next half.



Aguirre and Márquez finishing details.
[Photo: Saúl Molina via Récord]


And it was Hernández who headed a beautiful cross from Salcido that gave the lead to the Mexicans. The way the striker jumped and managed to stay up before striking the ball was superb. Not even five minutes from the first the second arrived: Arsenal's number 12 ran past two defenders and moved with easiness the third to pull a Zidane-esque effort and give Mexico the two goal lead.
After some substitutions were made the match entered into a strange zone were neither team made any proper judgement to pursue one or another goal. In that way the match ended with a devastated visitor against a merely brilliant Mexican team.

Stoke City v. Arsenal 1-3 27/Feb/10


Everybody in shock.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]


To define today's match as "bitter-sweet" would be something of a gross understatement. Instead the Gunners' performance was set by the shadow and light as the Londoners came back from a one-goal deficit at the Britannia Stadium. If there is some hope and cheer after Chelsea's defeat against Man City at home it vanished into the darkest of nightmares as some horrid memories from Eduardo's nightmares came to light, when something of the sort happened to the young Welsh international Aaron Ramsey.
As the live images for supporters and neutrals arose after a violent shock between the Welshman and Shawcross, the awful fact that his right leg was broken sparked the most furious responses from players infield. Cesc Fábregas, main witness of the previous fatality on Eduardo moaned as another terrible image came to live again. Immediately after Bendtner and others requested immediate assistance.
As Shawcross left in tears the pitch, some players were gutted, but at the same time the away win meant much more than the three points at this stage -loosing one contending and promising youngster. Any prognosis made on the subject would be to early to tell since this kind of injuries tend to end careers.
In the context of the Carling Cup final, the Gunners confronted the Potters to earn another win in their solid contention for May glory. In a rather suffered fashion the Gunners took advantage of several mistakes and even when they faced a tough proof due to the fact that many of the injury-hit players were in the treatment table. The words of John Toshack, Wales gaffer, really sum up particularly well the situation of Shawcross: "The tackle by Ryan Shawcross was at best mistimed, at worst reckless and desperate."



Horror, fear, anger.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


The fact that this has happened "in five years I've seem three of them" as Cesc claims, really proves nothing. What it seems more close to an argument on that train of thought is the game developed by Arsenal is antithetical against the likes of Stoke, to say the least.
In the internet atmosphere many made dangerous assertions; probably the best were, naturally by David Young and Phillipe Auclaire in an special appearance in the Arsecast.
One thing to mention was the display that Cesc Fábregas gave to the match. He captained the Gunners' sinking boat, from the abyss to the final end with composure worth of world class player. That he remains as an Arsenal player must be vital for the development of the club in years to come.



Stoke players showing some respect.
[Photo: Lindsey Parnaby/Epa via Guardian]


Just as in the previous matches, the obvious psychological burden of Rory Delap's throw in took another victim. This time the dismal defending by the Gunners costed them the lead as early as the 8th minute. Puigh found himself completely unmarked as he headed past Almunia. The horrific scenery was enhanced by a dominion of Stoke throughout the following twenty minutes: if the Londoners slowly recovered their breath, the Potters were ready enough to challenge back.
The lack of product from the visitors was mere rubbish; that changed in the 31st minute when Cesc lobed to Bendtner, who, with ease and calm, headed to Sorensen's far post. Reaching the final third of the first part, the Gunners seemed to have a complete control of the situation at Britannia: 68% of possession reaching the end, was a real encouraging prospect for the Londoners to face the next minutes.



Clichy's dismay and Bendtner's reaction.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


The incessant work of the visitors came thoroughly in the second half. Four minutes on the clock and Aaron Ramsey went down after an alleged penalty. The attempts and the poor performance by the home team was meant for the Gunners for the taking, but in the 66th minute, the previously commented event on Aaron occurred after a strong challenge with Shawcross. After several minutes, the Welshman was taken to the nearest hospital for an emergency procedure.
Rosicky substituted the injured, and the Gunners' momentum came to an end. Afterwards the main question was how the Gunners could overcame such a burden. What happened two years ago in St. Andrews was a remainder of the powerful shock that such an injury made. Instead, and after two substitutions, the Londoners completed their journey to justify and give Aaron the deserve, when Bendtner found Puigh's hand in the way of a pass.
Already in injury time, the Gunners got the precious kick from the spot. The demoralised team went on for the charge and Cesc beat Sorensen. The end of the hideous match was finished when Vermaelen just pushed the ball from point blank after Cesc shot. After crossing some words with Pulis, the Spaniard Gunner lead the way as a true captain to win a game to put the visitors a step closer on Chelsea, but mainly, for Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal v. Sunderland 2-0 20/Feb/10


Nicklas Bendtner scores after a magnificent pass from Eboue.
[Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images via Guardian]


In yet another rollercoaster ride for the title, the Gunners are again back for the thirtieth time on the title race as they beat the Black cats by a two goal difference. After the troublesome defeat at Porto and the slip of Man Utd at the hands of Everton, the path to title seems scratchy but more amicable. After the epic amount of games lost by Bruce's men, again the southern team did not disappoint with its current mediocre form at the Grove earlier this Saturday.
When the storm is yet to calm over the two unpredictable and childish errors of the Polish international, the match came handy for the Londoners. Games against Stoke, Burnley and Tottenham, pile up in the near future and the prospect of getting the maximum point from them is rather important.



Emmanuel Eboue, man of the match.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


The manager included Aaron Ramsey, Mikaël Silvestre, Emmanuel Eboué and Theo Walcott from the beginning. Aside from the speculation that this could bring, the Gunners did not show anything interesting during the following twenty minutes. Shots from Cesc, Nasri and Ramsey opened an early possibility for the Gunners. With Nasri creating havoc down the left side, there was no real intention for the visitors to pursue anything but a draw, if lucky.
This was emphasised when at the 27th minute, the big Dane broke the deadlock after an astonishing run down the right parcel by the Ivorian Eboué. From then on the Londoners enjoyed little but no resistance to find Gordon's goal. The Welshman provided that balance the team lacked in the absence of the striker; some stability and control to Song and Cesc, leaving the Spaniard free to charge forward when needed.
The match went on with plenty much to offer to the home team, as the Black Cats ventured to resume their attacking spree with two attempts on Almunia's goal. This unnecessary defensive frailties were kept down thanks to the lack of a real striking talent in the Sunderland ranks.



Cesc scores the second from the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


While the Gunners had a rather astounding dominance on both flanks -Walcott and Nasri's- there were plenty of chances for earning another goal. One of them was a free kick delivered by Thomas Vermaelen which went directly to the Carson's hands. The fierce menace that the home team posed was reassured as Walcott, Cesc and Nasri made strikes.
Reaching an hour of game-time the Gunners were complacent enough to award some possession. This lead to an increasing effort of delivery which ended in Bent's blunder. Sunderland were poor in their finish since twice they had the time to equalise. Before the substitutions of Nasri and Walcott, the Londoners created several chances on target.
Although the power of the Arsenal attack was greatly diminished when the substitutions were made, charges by Emmanuel Eboué (now in a suitable right winger role) were the main threat throughout the rest of the evening, and particularly in the final minutes. In that span, Cesc found himself at the edge of the box and Campbell stumbled in an effort to regain the ball. Even when the tackle was not really harsh the referee awarded the Spaniard a penalty, who converted from the spot to finalise the contest.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Porto v. Arsenal 2-1 17/Feb/10


Shambolic, dreadful -to say the least- the Pole scoring in his own net.
[Photo: Guardian live matchcast]


In a a night full of contrasts and controversy the Gunners lost thanks to one of those appalling appearances of the so-called replacement of Manuel Almunia. Lukazs Fabianski attacked the first with the fear and inexperience of an eight year-old child from an amateur league in Arkansas. Certainly with this type of blunders there is not much to expect from both goalkeepers. As a matter of fact, the young Polish did not atone his first mistake and committed yet another, in an act of extreme inconsistency and unfocus, when after some trouble with Campbell, Martin Hansson awarded the home team a legitimate indirect freekick which derived into the second.

Still the fact -as said in many sites and even by visitors Manger- that the Gunners had previously taken benefit from these situations in the past does not sum up the whole issue. This is just an extension of the status of the defensive apparatus: a lack of leadership overcomes insecurity despite the strong performances of one of Arsenal's best players throughout the season.

The following game is at least three weeks from time. Wenger and the team should feel relieved enough when securing a precious away-goal: another one at the Grove without conceading an the fairy tale should miserably end for the Portuguese side.



Campbell did not enjoy a good return to European elite football.
[Photo: Mirror football]


The hectic and diabolic start of the game saw the Portuguese team enjoying several variants before taking the lead: Falcao ran past Campbell, just when Hulk strike went just wide and Mikael strikes to save from Vermaelen not even in the 4th minute. Cesc nearly scored in a counter from Nasri but then the dreadful episode began at the 11th minute when Varela edged out Clichy down the left and the unexperienced Fabianski flapped it in to give within the first minutes the lead.
Arsenal appeared not to be entirely given up, since Porto's attack had diminished. In the 19th minute the visitors held a corner which after some bizarre defending, Campbell headed; the Gunners were back on track. Helton made some vital savings when Rosicky went past three defenders and later shot with fierce effort. With thirty minutes already played it was evident that the match was dominated by the English team despite the defensive mistakes.
The prowess of Vermaelen and Campbell gave composure to the visitors' defence. This was proven again by Nicklas Bendtner whose header, in the 37th minute, was fingersaved by Helton. At the end of the first half Porto was no longer a threat.



After the first mistake nobody thought he would have another.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


Arsenal began dominating the final third and at any time a goal could have arrived. Instead in the 52th the idiocy of Fabianski paired with Campbell's and a quick reaction from Falcao gifted Porto another goal. The problem with this situation was not the legitimacy of it -which was completely justified- but the fact that Hanson missed a clear penalty on the other end. The immediate result of it was the Portuguese goal.These inexcusable mistakes showed that similar share of contrasts that appeared in the last season.
With twenty minutes to play, the Gunners introduced Walcott with the hope of delivering some speed on the right flank. Although it proved a bit useful there was nearly no real striking capability. With ten minutes to go, Wenger was so desperate that brought Carlos Vela in. Again, the effort was futile. With the lack of "nominal" strikers each attempt singled out the necessity for one in the next transfer window.