Deviations

Three!

2010-11-09T01:11:00.004-06:00

Thank you!

So we reached our third year (somehow last year's was on the 4th and the first on the 29th of October) without any pompous celebration: this belated blog might seem dead. Obviously that is not my intention but the workload I've had and the fact that I'm trying to finish a pretentious and consuming dissertation for my undergraduate course have not helped. I beg you, if you once followed or read this blog, to be patient. I hope that by the end of the year, all World Cup match reviews will be uploaded as well as Arsenal's current campaign. It's been a disaster but bare with me loyal readers.

(I know that's not a cake but it was the cakiest thing in the house.)

Of course I'd like to thank each and every person that has read this site, being a mere coincidence, a Google search or a frequent reader. Again I could not be more emotive. The entries and visits over the past year have duplicated and its a nice thing to see, that despite my lack of time and so on, there's still interest in the internet for the site. You know that the feedback is precious to me so please keep in touch. I'll try to revamp the site's image by the end of the year and certainly should post the ideal four times a week. I'm on Twitter if you use that (@javbrad). Thanks again.

Spain v. Honduras 2-0 21/Jun/10

2010-10-12T02:26:00.003-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group H, Day 11. (32 of 64)

Here, the first of the two scored by the new Barcelona striker.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

The Spaniards can rest safely until the following match as David Villa's brace put them one step ahead of the qualification. After that "monumental lapsus" the Spanish looked for a controlling delivery. What they lacked was that gripping force we all saw in the last EURO, that spark and moment of inspiration and not perspiration. The sole genius of David Villa coped with certain defensive mishaps and was enough to see the CONCACAF affiliates off for the day. The Hondurans for their part, will leave home as any opportunity of advancing to the following phase was debauched this day. The following games will be crucial, as previewed in the last post.

And the second.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

Obliged to win, Del Bosque clearly intended his players to go forward in the very first moments of the game. David Villa had two great opportunities, one on the crossbar as Ramos also put his head wide on goal. It was not even the 12th minute and the Spaniards were all over the opposition. The Honduras team tried to neutralise the Spanish pressure when Suazo's runs became a niggling disturbance. Evidently, after all the hard work upon Valladares's goal Villa got a hold of a great lead after receiving, controlling and dribbling past three defenders inside the box. The effort was brilliant and even when he was falling over, he managed to make a solid contact to beat the keeper.

Still, Villa ran the riot on the left hand side in the following minutes. Navas also had a decent spell on his side even when the Hondurans could not manage to stop the attacking team. With ten minutes to go, Torres proved himself worthless and out of shape: two chances were scrapped by the Liverpool striker. Still his presence scared off many of the defenders and it can be argued that his sole being caused havoc among Chávez and Figueroa.

Multi-injured Pique.
[Photo: AFP via ABC.es]

As Welcome subbed Espinoza, Villa grabbed another goal in the match as he shot outside the box. Unfortunately for Rueda's men, the shot was deflected and the Hondurans were tracking with two goals. The following minute -52nd- Ramos set Torres who headed wide. The return of the long-awaited EURO style finally took on its victims and the Spanish were just confident enough to wander with the ball around the park. In the 61st minute Navas fell in the box and a penalty was awarded: Villa failed to produce a hat-trick as the ball went just wide.

Cesc came in and not much changed in the offensive apparatus of the Spaniards. The Hondurans finally began to peruse some of their physical superiority and pushed for a chance. Naturally this was risky due to the fact that a quick and sudden counterattack would annihilate any chances of qualification. Figueroa denied Villa his third as the match got to its end. The deep breath from Del Bosque was fair enough even when Spain miss that killing touch.

Chile v. Switzerland 1-0 21/Jun/10

2010-10-12T02:09:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group H, Day 11. (31 of 64)

As in the previous EURO, Frey goes out.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

This was an interesting match in the statistical world. Today at Nelson Mandela Bay, the Swiss imposed a new long-life standing record of 559 minutes without conceding (yes I know the penalties against Ukraine doesn't count) during the course of three World Cups. While the match was rispid, due to the sent off of Valon Behrami, the Swiss imposed certain pace and style while defended in a similar fluid fashion as they did in their last game. Chile are still on the top and with a combination, certainly the EURO champions could leave the competition earlier than expected.

The following game, Spain against Honduras, will be crucial for the efforts of all four teams and this again will prove to be another treacherous group in which nothing is decided yet. Both games will be played at Pretoria and Bloemfontein on the 25th. Probably the most expected match will be the one of Spain but if you ask me, my football hunch tells me that the other one will prove to be the decisive one.

Offside.
[Photo: EPA via Daily Mail]

During the course of the match there were five bookings and one straight red card. In what appeared to be the dirtiest of matches in this World Cup, the Saudi referee Khalil Al Ghamdi did not manage well the situation from the beginning. It is a bit harsh that the note is on the disciplinary thing rather than the sportive. For example Arturo Vidal shot, which was countered by another fierce shot, were kept aside as Benaglio responded well. Carmona got booked on the 22nd, after making a harsh foul on Behrami. Probably this sparkled some of the near violent acts that got both teams into deliberating kicks and tackles: the best example was Behrami who punched with his elbow a Chilean player and got sent off with nearly fifteen minutes remaining.

The interesting stuff came with the next forty five minutes and naturally the game opened itself up due to the different things both teams tried to achieve. Despite a real interest of both squads in taking the three points the tackles remained the same with Inler and Fernández getting booked in the 60th minute. The goal was a beautifully woven masterpiece which was in offside position, hard to tell for the linesman since it was a close close call. Substitute Valdivia made a beautiful pass that split the defence that for the moment worked. Paredes, Fernández sub, crossed to find a lonely Gonzáles who hammered the ball and gave the late lead to Chile.

The opportunities that follow were clear but not enough to see a Chilean team securing their victory. Paredes, after a great set, missed the opportunity and took off wide. Valdivia also had his moment when he cut from the inside and shot after a great counter. The Swiss team were attacking fully and as they deployed their depleted arsenal cracks appeared in their defensive line due to the missing men. In the end Derdiyok shot wide after a great build up and the chances of a resurgence came all to a ghastly end for the European team.

Portugal v. North Korea 7-0 21/Jun/10

2010-10-12T01:51:00.001-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group G, Day 11. (30 of 64)

Ronaldo lucky to score.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

This is the first match of the tournament in which we saw a clear and overwhelming team that did not make a single mistake and procured to exploit their opposition's mistakes. Seven goals came as the national pride of the Asiatic nation was shattered into shreds. They will be going home early as expected by the "reasonable" punditry around the world. Even when Jong Hun's men (is it correctly spelled?) surprised us with some special moves and a very decent goal against Brazil, the main fact was that they did not offered much of a competition and the Portuguese took advantage and strolled past them in quite a fashion.

This match ended Cristiano's goal drought that had lasted for about 16 months but that won't matter as they take Brazil in the over-hyped match the following 25th that we've already previewed in the last post. What is to note is who will apparently get the punishment of facing EURO 2008 champions Spain since the Iberians recent form could put them in a position of facing either Brazil or Portugal: a final?

Modelling session?
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

In spite of the outrageous result there was a bit of a concern since the Portuguese opened the score until the thirtieth minute. Before that, there were a bunch of chances: one by Carvahlo that hit the post in the 6th; Jong Hyok thundering wide strike in the 11th; Yong Jo cross in the 18th. It was in the 29th that the Portuguese unleashed their wrath after Simao set Meireles in the box to later finish. With the rain now getting heavier, the Europeans were cautious enough to not let spaces for Yong Jo to filter balls. Nevertheless the damage was done and it was more likely that the Portuguese midfield seized the game rather than the North Koreans made some sort of epic journey into glory.

It was until the second part that the Queiroz made some subtle tactical changes and the downfall, as the pouring rain at Green Point, began. Six goals, all scored from the 53rd onwards made the Korean team, which impressed at some specific times, a feeble copycat of a Sunday league amateur team. It was Meireles -eight minutes from the start- who after a great succession of pin-point passes returned the favour to Simao who finished deftly. The following goal arrived three minutes later when Hugo Almeida headed past Myong Guk. The play was a typical counterattack in which Thiago released Coentrao who crossed for the Bremen striker.

The damage was apparently done but more pain came from Portuguese four minutes later when Almeida, Ronaldo and Thiago associated to finish the game off. Although no more attacking opportunities came from the Koreans in the remainder of the match, Queiroz's men Meireles and Ronaldo missed their targets, the latter being a cracking shot which was deflected in the bar. Liedson, who was the replacement of Almeida, stroke a powerful volley ten minutes before the end in his first touch of the match. The following two goals were a strong statement regarding the fatal state in which the Korean defence manifested itself: Ronaldo got a gift from the centre-halves and after some rebounds over his head he found the ball and took it past the keeper; the second, was a well-timed header from Thiago as Veloso crossed.

Brazil v. Ivory Coast 3-1 20/Jun/10

2010-10-06T02:46:00.001-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group G, Day 10. (29 of 64)

Arsenal's tormentor again on the scoresheet.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

In the spectacular Soccer City, the Brazilians got another powerful yet not with an attractive performance against an empathic African team of Ivory Coast. Where in the previous game the Brazilians struggled during about thirty seconds to grab the lead, here they provided a strong statement in the form of Robinho. The City forward was absolutely brilliant in all plays and a large amount of this night's success is due to him. Whether this will raise some eyebrows in the other side, Sven Goran Eriksson might not be completely certain of grabbing a qualification spot since the Portuguese face the tricky side of North Korea tomorrow at Cape Town. Regarding the refereeing again we saw the failure of the staff at FIFA to point a decent authority on the pitch since Stephane Lannoy did not punish Luis Fabiano twice-handed ball in his second ball as well as sending off Kaká.

The following games are going to be probably the best-attractive in the paper and least-attractive in their group situation; Brazil, already in the last 16 will take Portugal in the highly anticipated game that will probably decide who are the best two of the group while the Koreans face the Africans in an attempt to snatch something. The games will tale place in Durban and Nelspruit respectively on the 25th.

Luis Fabiano scores the opener.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

The match began with an unabashed frantic attack from the Brazilians as Robinho pursued and took a far chance for the target in the 1st minute; he had two players ready to strike at will. Reaching the early stages of the 13th minute they were too desperate already to score and kept any effort from the Ivorians at bay. Strangely with the tremendous amount of men Sven piled up in his own half, the Brazilians managed to move the ball around until the first clear chance came: Luis Fabiano, after a delightful play by Kaká, shot a cracker into the near post. The fierce shot was not a match for anyone as the Americans rose in the scoreboard.

With twenty minutes to play Dunga's men were on the prowl again, trying to find another weak spot to finish off the Africans. The hardwork of the Ivorian midfield resulted in a fierce battle in the last seven minutes of the half where both teams came from end to end to grab the last opportunity of the first part.

Elano follows suit.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

Seven minutes after the beginning the Brazilians again took control of the game when Luis Fabiano completed his brace with a good but polemic individual play. The Sevilla striker controlled the ball with the hand then, flicked it over the defender to yet again controlled it with the arm and stroke past Barry. Just before the third Brazilian goal, Robinho and Kaká exploited all the space left by the Ivorian saga. A shot at point blank let Kaká on the fringe of scoring but it was Elano who took the third in quite a manner.

The City midfielder was released after Kaká dragged two defenders and crossed for him to take all the glory. It seem a rather easy enterprise that the scoreline was only with three goals of difference. The hope of the night came from Didier Drogba when he managed to pull one goal out of nowhere: the run made by Gervinho destabilised the defence and Lucio could not follow Yaya Touré who was trailing in the back. The Barcelona midfielder crossed and Drogba headed to give the slimmest of hopes. In the final minutes the French referee went mad and gave Kaká his second yellow after lightly pushing Keita in the chest. The overreaaction made Lannoy to send off the Madrid mastermind.

Italy v. New Zealand 1-1 20/Jun/10

2010-10-06T02:44:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group F, Day 10. (28 of 64)

Shane giving the pain.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

If you thought that the inanity of this hideous, flapping World Cup was supposed to continue, today the Kiwis gave us an spectacle far of what we could have imagined when they drew with the current World Cup champions at Nelspruit today. With that intrepid and interesting 3-4-3 formation, the New Zealanders embarked themselves into one of the greatest feats of an Oceanic team in the last couple years. Probably no one has told Lippi that this tournament has started -and after this, it may well come alive! To some this surprise would not have been the among the most welcoming, but for us lovers of football, a well-player, well-fought game that ends in a stalemate between the most ridicule of teams against a super power is not to be missed.

As in the vast majority of the groups things will be decided in the final games: 24th in Johannesburg and Polokwane were the Italians will try to grab a victory - plus goal difference - in order to aspire to win. The Kiwis, facing the qualified and relaxed Paraguay will hold great contest in order to snatch a pint and secure a feat which will probably live amongst the memories of all: New Zealand in the best 16 and Italy home. I look dear for that prospect.

Iaquinta from the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Whether one could think that the Kiwis will steal the day off, it mattered little in the very beginning of the match. It only took them eight minutes to put the world in the brink of madness after a controversial goal from Shane Smeltz. After a long freekick into the box, Reid pushed Gilardino after heading towards Shane; the striker did not hesitate and poked the ball past Marchetti. The following minutes saw the reordering of the Italian squad in the pitch. The Kiwi tactics had certain effect with that strange tactical deployment and only Montolivo and Chiellini came close.

After a couple of chances, the Italians reorganised themselves and put the New Zealanders into pressure. Many of their plays came from the mistakes of the disorganised and goofy possession of their opposition. Montolivo hit the post after a thunderous shot which Paston admired in its entirety. In the 28th minute the chance for the equaliser finally arrived as De Rossi was brought down in the box: Batres punished the Kiwis and conceded the penalty which Iaquinta converted. Before the break De Rossi shot at Gaston as the Jabulani did its dreadful thing.

Throughout the rest of the next forty-five minutes Paston was busy enough to save early, with a striking volley from Di Natale. The offensive changes made by Lippi seemed to make the squad move towards a positive direction despite the massive amount of bodies Herbert's men piled up. A shot from Vicelich was the sole effort the "visitors" managed to pull. By the seventieth minute, substitute Wood made a cheeky little flick to snatch off Cannavaro and shot just wide. Through certain moments, there was a sense of the All Whites pulling the game off. I thought about another "monumental upset" in the making.

Montolivo, Camoranesi and Zambrotta made decent attempts on target but Paston the hero was spot on on all occasions. Slowly the Kiwis had the feeling of a real happening while the Italian fans in the stadium were gutted, not only because they face a team of "lesser" quality, but because the horrific performance they were making. With the final whistle the embarrassment was completed and on the other side, happiness reigned.

Slovakia v. Paraguay 0-2 20/Jun/10

2010-10-06T02:27:00.001-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group F, Day 10. (27 of 64)

Another Americanista scoring.
[Photo: Daily Mail]

Sometimes football requires sacrifice and certainly one of the most valuable sacrifices made is not by the players, but by the hordes of fans who seemingly and with blind love get up early in the morning (Central Mexican time) to watch probably a game which nobody will - even some of the fans in their own countries. In this time the sacrifice brought us into another dismal match in which the Paraguayans edged the Slovakians with a solid and convincing two-goal victory.

Probably Paraguay are the team, based in their outstanding performances, who will have the edge in the next stage. Italy, a feeble ghost of that successful World Cup winning team, are far from being a contender and it wouldn't be a surprise or a shock that they could be left out due to their strange and despicable performances. All will be decide on the 24 at Johannesburg and Polokwane where the former World Cup champions face Slovakia and the Paraguayans feature the All Whites.

Skrtel versus Alcaraz.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

The beginning of the game was representative of what this Paraguayan team has been doing throughout the tournament: hard working, handy job without any type of overtly-hyped stylish gameplay. From the beginning the work of the South American midfield created a chance for Santa Cruz, which was palmed away by Mucha. The onslaught against the poor Slovakian keeper -unaided by his defence- kept going with Valdez, Vera, Barrios and Riveros who combined shots against the European target in the 18th.

A magnificent goal was a result from the combination of the genius of Barrios with the effort of Vera: the playmaker set Vera who managed to put the ball in the back of the net with the outer part of his boot, in the 29th minute. The weak and feeble chances made by Weiss's men were a wide header in the 37th by Saláta. Before the break there was a clear red card foul in Riveros which went only yellow when Sestak stumbled him.

The following half was the ultimate proof of the dominance of the American team. Riveros's cameo was outstanding considering the area from which the ex-Cruz Azul player scored the second to end all aspirations of the "local" team. Santa Cruz, whose sole presence in the box was haunting enough for the opposition, crossed for Vera to shot. The effort went wide in the 70th. In the final second minutes of the match the overwhelming activity on Slovakia's half took its toll as a Riveros shot gave the two-goal advantage and secured the game finally. Impressively the Slovakians made their first shot on target in the final minute of the match.

Cameroon v. Denmark 1-2 19/Jun/10

2010-09-08T02:37:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group E, Day 9. (26 of 64)

A great comeback sent another African representative home.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Disgracefully, the Indomitable Lions suffered a shocking early exit in their second World Cup game against the resilient and hard working Danes. Probably Paul Le Guen may be considering not just the tactics and the players but also the general attitude of his team towards the little part they played in the tournament. It is sad to see some promising youngsters go home early - such as Alex Song for example - but this remains a doubt in the pecking order since his relative Rigobert was ahead of the fresh starter.

The entertaining match was solved by the quick and sudden reaction of the Danish midfield. The terrible and hideous defending that costed the Cameroonians against Japan surfaced again. Most probably the next match will be the less to important with the qualified Dutch team facing a impotent African squad. The entertainment will arrive thick and fast when the Danes face Japan try to pick the last ticket of the Group E. The crucial encounter will take place at Rustenburg on the 24th.

Congrats!
[Photo: Myjoyonline.com]

I need to stop for a moment on this one: "Perro" Bermúdez - that dreadful hideous barking mug which narrates pretty often much of Mexican footy matches - fabianskied (or greened) his transmission of the match after making a comment regarding "Blackburn Rovers en el futbol de Escocia" [Blackburn Rovers from the Scottish Football]. As far as I am concerned there is no top flight team in Scotland with that name - we could find it in the country just below.

Anyway, the early lead came through Eto'o in the tenth minute: after another defensive mistake was seized by the advancing African midfield Eto'o's position between the two defenders was accurate and he finished it cooly in front of Sorensen. The defensive mistakes on both parts did not diminish even when each team took precautions: both got away with some nice chances. Eventually Bendtner took advantage as he was set by a cross from the right hand side. Eto'o took a chance at the post again by the delusional Dane mistakes when beginning the play.

The following half was hectic at best and mistakes from both teams led the game into an open season shooting. Eventually Rommedahl reverted the scoreline and put it in the back as he dribbled past two players and shot against the poor Souleymanou. The Danish could have broadened the score but the African keeper denied Tomasson. While the Cameroonians were on the full advantage of their capabilities, it was quite funny that the match still remained at a the thin margin of a one-goal lead. In the final minutes Idrissou scrapped to decent chances to give their team the last surviving hope of recovery.

Ghana v. Australia 1-1 19/Jun/10

2010-09-07T02:40:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group D, Day 9. (25 of 64)

Rosetti sends Kewell to the showers: two matches, two expelled.
[Photo: Daily Mail]

In the sunny evening at Rustenburg the Aussies were held in a one-goal match against the Ghana Stars in what is a new draw of the 452nd we have seen in this tournament. As in particularly every match so far, the referees made themselves clear and present as Rosetti sent off the poor Harry Kewell in what appeared to be an off-the-ball situation. To me, the ball came into his hand rather than the opposite. This tournament really needs something to lift its horrid and dreadful lull. Probably in future stages we will encounter some precious and memorable games nevertheless somebody sent a terrible terrible curse on the competition and so far I dread this awful start.

Again all options will be left in the final moments of this group since the panorama looks decent enough for a late surprise by any of the contending teams. We saw the Germans fall and in the following matches at the exact time in Johannesburg - in which Ghana will face Germany - we could watch the EURO runners-up fall in an outrageous fashion whilst in the other side, at Nelspruit, the Aussies will look to upset the onlooking Serbians. This group seems to be one of the most balanced in terms of results and the final day will be massive for home supporters and neutrals.

"Asamoah Gyan hit his second penalty of the tournament".
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

The hectic pace of the start saw the Australians taking some advantages regarding the Africans; in the second minute Kewell fell in the box in what was supposed to be an alleged penalty. Bresciano took a freekick, in the 11th, that the keeper Kingson managed to pull in a Green-esque fashion; Hollman scored afterwards. Again as in so many previous games the terrible approach from the keeper, the incomprehensible trajectory of the ball and the torrid moment made the scene even more dramatic.

Ayew, the pacey right winger, was the main threat as his 13th minute shot got deflected. In another well crafted, yet lucky play, he managed to scrub two defenders off and set a cross. The result was a fierce shot that occasionally landed in the moving arm of Harry Kewell; Gyan converted from the penalty spot. Tagoe's shot and an effort from Kevin Prince Boateng were denied in the final minutes. The hunger from the Black Stars to get the lead was enough to see them winning.

The drive of the Africans continued nearly a quarter of an hour into the second half with the main chance used in the form of a Gyan shot. The Aussies had their chance with the sub Chipperfield, as he headed wide off the mark after a pretty decent effort from Wilshire in the 66th. The African response was a violent cross from Gyan and another failure in delivering by Boateng.

Kingson, who previously committed that Jabulani mistake, was becoming a factor in the game as he saved a solo effort by Wilkshire; the Australian was alone and virtually had the open goal to score. In the last minutes the Africans went with all their might for the lead as they produced two dismal chances, both late: the first, a Mensah header; and the second, a shot by the ex-Gunner Quincy Owusu.

Netherlands v. Japan 1-0 19/Jun/10

2010-09-07T01:32:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group E, Day 9. (24 of 64)

Dutch long range joy.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

In the monumental Durban, the Dutch national team secured their passage to the following round as they beat a lacklustre Japanese side with the minimum margin. Again another blunder was the main factor only goal of the game in what was a pretty much dull match. Sneijder shot was savable indeed but Kawashima - who previously had some decent matches, including the one against England - managed to pull a Green-esque effort to put his team in the thin line.

Again, whether it is the nature of the dreadful Jabulani or the simple meteorological conditions the sole fact that this match ball has been the main culprit of many of the previous mistakes is alarming. Despite this, what appears to be even more alarming is the other strange fact of underrated of the matches: if we are relying on the terrible mistakes to watch goals, probably we should revise the format, the date of the event, the calendars and so on. Strangely the Japanese have a good chance to qualify to the following stages: they just need three points and several goals in the next game against Denmark and the dream could become true only if they evade such a dreadful staging as the one we witnessed today.

Another one: how many there will be at this World Cup?
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

The clear dominion by the Dutch team was proved when Van Persie was fouled in the 8th minute. His fellow countryman Sneijder tried luck but shot a wide freekick. The attacks from the European team were mainly down the left hand side; in one of them Kuyt nearly made a wonder goal after an accurate cross. Nagamoto retaliated after a quick combination of passes that ended in another wide shot. Honda and Tulio headed wide for the "visiting" team near the 33rd minute mark. Whether the Japanese were making amends from the dreadful opposition they were providing, at least they grabbed several decent chances. One from Matusi and another from Van der Vaart were enough to kill the first part off.

The following half lacked emotion whilst the action remained: Van Bronckhorst provided Van Persie with an effective cross which the Arsenal man could not help but head wide. Eight minutes after the start, the London striker was able to control a loose ball and set Sneijder whose fierce shot bend Kawashima's hand and got in the back of the net. The response of the Japanese was a shot from Okubo in the 56th minute, several weak approaches were made by Okada's army but all were wide and weak. In the final minutes probably the encounter posed its best: Huntelaar and Afellay joined forces and the latter nearly scored. The following action, with all the Japanese on the prowl for the equaliser, was deemed to be decisive when sub Okazaki made a final decent shot as he chest-controlled and volleyed.

England v. Algeria 0-0 (18/Jun/10)

2010-09-02T01:06:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group C, Day 8. (23 of 64)

Edgeless score.
[Photo: AP Photo/Julie Jacobson via Cleveland.com]

It was probably - according to some - the easiest match for the English team. Strangely, or perhaps not so, Capello's men proved to be all wrong, not just with their tactics but with their attitude towards the game. The desperate cry of the captain summed it up all: the English team need the three points in a pretty much square group where the Americans have two points, the Slovenians four and the Algerians two, At any point "another monumental upset could happen." Probably to go out from the World Cup could have more disastrous consequences for the English football than that disappointment exit before the EURO.

The following matches are decisive: the English face Slovenia at Nelson Mandela Bay while the Algerians will battle at Pretoria on the 23rd. All depends on how the English will cope with that frantic and indecisive lack of cohesion that at least, from the bench onwards, they are showing. I'll probably watch the US match, knowing their recent form, probably they will exhibit some kind of dangerous, in-the-edge, ninety-minute equaliser that will get them through.

Furious!
[Photo: ITV via Telegraph]

The start required - for the English to work - an impulsive an uncared-for offensive attitude towards M Bohli's goal. Obviously this did not took place and the nervy English team went ahead on schedule to provide some naïve attacks that fell in the realm of the repetitive. Gerrard marshaled the team up the Algerain defensive apparatus just to find a shaky M Bohli who nearly got one in after a lob from the Liverpudlian. James did almost the same as a lone and sloppy cross reached his box; he saved the effort by punching away the ball.

A combination between Gerrard and Rooney gave certain advantages to the "home" team since the Liverpudlian striker supported any attacks by receiving and moving. Gerrard's shot went into the hands of the keeper. Naturally the most important arrival came form the right side, where Lennon was left alone to cross. Belhadj headed, the deflected ball coming into Lampard. The shot was well saved by the efficient M Bohli.

A "horror show" according to the captain.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

The following half was a particularly well made sample which showed how off-the mark were the English team. The exposition of the offensive display was countered with the quick ability of the Algerian defence to convert an impeding attack unto a somewhat efficient counter. The problem was that neither of the teams were able to justify their efforts. Terrible times came to the viewer: a direct freekick was one of the two occasions which the Algerians drew some advantage.

On the other side, Rooney nearly slotted one in as a defender managed to deflect to the corner the ball. Gerrard made another header form a corner but the luck seemed to be fading away. Despite all the defensive issues that the Algerians tried to cope with, the English were not even in the match, regardless of the incredible amounts of opportunities and the freedom the Africans simply gave out to them. The match ended with the booing by the English fans against one of the most mediocre performances in the history of the game in recent years.

Slovenia v. USA 2-2 (18/Jun/10)

2010-09-01T02:31:00.001-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group C, Day 8. (22 of 64)

Captain America scoring.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

The Americans got robbed; yes we know it, and we know that this is particularly new for them since the sport's popularity is increasing by the minute but this things happen on a daily basis and unless technology - in some sort of form - is applied we will have an endless repetition of these situations in every football tournament in the world. We, who watch it on a weekly basis, have witnessed robberies of the size of countries. There is absolutely no need for recounting them and I'm sure you'll have your private collection of amazingly stupid decisions by either local refereeing or FIFA.

With this I'm not contributing to the idiocy of defending with any argument the referee and also to the fact that we know what happens when we do this kind of unkindly apologetic gestures. What strikes me the most is the amount of media coverage - particularly in the blogs - this incident has had. Obviously one expects this problems at the local league and certainly no in a stage of the most important world sport event.

Probably this is another futile rambling of my very own stash of lunatic responses against American football media. Nevertheless the Americans will have Algeria at Pretoria on the 23rd. That match will prove decisive since any mistake made by the Englishmen later today will open a Pandora box as in many other scenarios in the distinct groups that conform this messy tricky yet exciting World Cup. Brooks Peck at Dirty tackle provides two decisive responses from the happening: the first, an immediate one; the second, a response. The well-learned blogger left aside his nonsensical humour for a moment to complain.

Another view of the late scorer.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

Obviously the first parts of the match were among this inevitable dull and shallow beginning where the Americans looked quite dazzled as in their previous game with Gerrard's lead. Efforts from the Slovenian right-backs helped to put a dominance in the early minutes. This offered a pretty solid chance for Birsa to strike as the childish American defenders looked at the way he stroke the ball. Howard could not help but watch the astonishing effort in the 14th minute.

Despite the efforts from the Americans to edge closer to Handanovic's goal the proportion was nearly three arrivals to one, favouring the Europeans. Torres' effort in the 37th, a delightful freekick from the right edge of the box, was kept at bay by the Slovenian keeper. Brecko stole a precious little chance from Donovan as the Americans edged closer but it was the handy job of the Slovenian midfielders that snatched the ball; Novakovic got the touch and beat the offside trap to release Ljubijankic; the striker slotted the lead past Howard.

With the healthy lead Kek's men relaxed a little to much when facing their opposition. Landon Donovan secured a chance on the right side as he strolled past one defender who missed the clearance to beat Handanovic with a fierce strike. Three minutes into the match and the Americans were back in the game after the nightmarish start. Whether the flak the Europeans were receiving was not good enough for the equaliser, Altidore made some attempts which again Handanovic saved sternly.

If the match appeared to be brusque or sloppy in the very beginning, the crucial moment was coming in the final stage. It was again Captain America Michael Bradley who left it late with equaliser to give a thin ray of hope. The American special of the house, a quick counter attack followed by a late goal, was administered when a long ball came in for Altidore to flick it; the rest is history as Bradley slotted it and squared things up.

In the final moments, 85th to be more precise, the nightmarish previously mentioned occasion showed as the linesman disallowed the legitimate goal by Edu. Bradley's complains were completely spot on as what appeared to be was probably a penalty kick on at least two American players. Novakovic and Radosavljevic provided final chances by the prowling Europeans, nonetheleess time was up and the points were shared.

Germany v. Serbia 0-1 (18/Jun/10)

2010-09-01T02:02:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group D, Day 8. (21 of 64)

Neuer, effortless.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

When Löw and his players were over the moon due to that previous win, the reality check came quick and sudden when the Serbia National team stunned one-goal against the EURO runners-up. In what appeared to be one of the toughest contest for the Germans, Antic's men rose above the dismal and unlucky performance they gave against Ghana to edge title contenders Germany. The game was tempestuous; everything that appears in a Copa Libertadores match - moronic bookings, handballs, numerous shots at woodwork and so on - was present in this polemic tournament.

Löw's attacking tactics were not enough to counteract the struggle that the defensive Serbian apparatus provided. There was the feeling of a lucky evening for the Germans since many of the attacking options were deflected by inches. Another faulty mistake by the Mannschaft and it will all be over sooner than what they think. Ghana will poise a several threat to Germany's ambitions at Soccer City on the 23rd. Uli Hesse, as always, gives a polite and well informed verdict on the mistakes by Lahm's men.

Another view of the goal.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

The first half was a competitive struggle between each of the offensive forces. While the Germans provided a solid display in the left side, the Serbians did the same in the opposite. During the first fifteen minutes the Mannschaft tried to go ahead with arrivals from the flanks. The scrappy match, mainly by the fact that three Serbian players were already booked by the 20th minute, took a slightly interrupted rhythm.

A minute before the goal Miroslav Klose collected his second booking of the day. It seems, with the repetitions, that the decision was a bit harsh to be fair. The lack of attention of the German centre-halves was the main culprit of the goal in the 38th minute. Badstuber missed the cross by Krasic and Zigic sent Ivanovic who shot at point blank. In spite of Neuer's acrobatics the lead was well deserved, particularly with that dismal defending. Before the following part, the Germans had the precious chance of scoring the equaliser. Unfortunately for Khedira, his shot went into the crossbar as three Serbians were defending ferociously almost inside the goal.

In the repetitions, Klose sent off seems "a bit harsh".
[Photo: EPA via Daily Mail]

If the first part was chaotic, the next one proved to be all the more strange. The Germans tried for large parts of the game to break the stalemate that, in the 54th minute, the defence led by Vidic posed. Podolski was set by Özil twice and in the latter opportunity the Köln striker hit the side-netting. Stojkovic became the hero as he stole the goal from Podolski in the penalty shot. This was originated by the silly handball of Vidic, similar to that which gifted Gyan the penalty in the previous match.

The following minutes were a dismal and desperate effort from the Germans to score. Where this seemed to happen really fast, it was the prowess of Vidic's commanding decisions that the scoreline remained still. The strange tactical disposition of the Serbians allowed them to counterattack any minute they wanted to. The main problem was the fact that Antic's men did make an outstanding effort to double their lead until the end of the match.

France v. Mexico 0-2 17/Jun/10

2010-08-19T01:46:00.003-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group A, Day 7. (20 of 64)

Hernández edges past Lloris, in clear offside.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

In Peter Mokaba, and with a hungry nation back at home, the Mexican side comprehensively edged a torn, battered and childish French team. Even when the display of Chicharito is being hailed here in Mexico as the uttermost football value of the recent years, the truth is that Aguirre's team beat a side that is in complete chaos, to say the least. The frenzy media has taken their time to cover up the French deception with lauds of glory as if we have already achieved something extra special in the history of the World Cup.

Hernández goal had a little history about it but all in all, it was in offside (of course that any French who complains would be taken in short time to Henry's antics). Despite the different reactions from the media here in my country, the Mexican team has a fairly good advantage in reaching the following stage. Obviously that still has to be decided when the tied-in-points countries face each other at Rustenburg on the 22nd. Zonal Marking's piece is remarkable, especially with the Mexican analysis.

Gourcuff and Gignac gutted.
[Photo: AFP via Telegraph]

Despite the hectic start by the Mexican forward all chances went out wide, beginning with Vela's in the 8th minute. Franco made a couple of dribbles and found himself in shooting position against Lloris -the ball went wide off the mark. Mexico's superiority was proved by Salcido, whose shot warned Lloris again. It seemed a delightful start, such as the one in Soccer City some days ago but the problem remained in putting the bloody ball in the back of the net.

Salcido's incursions were the most dangerous approach the team could offer in the first half but as if this was another Arsenal match, the impatient Mexican supporters back at home requested a lead before the break. Also, as if it were another Arsenal match, Carlos Vela went out injured; he was substituted by Pablo Barrera in the 31st. The very last minutes of the first part saw a particularly offensive French team -Ribery led the attack but time was up.

Blanco scores the second from the spot.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

As Gignac entered replacing Anelka, the Mexicans continued their pursuit just to encounter a revamped French squad. Malouda's shot was palmed by Pérez in the 56th. The time for another Mexican substitution arrived when Hernández came in for the booked Juárez. The problem began when the French attacks were more constant and deadlier. As the match wore and Blanco came in, in the 62nd, the cameo of Johannesburg was looming in the air.

Fortunately for the "visitors" Hernández pushed the defence and got himself in a pretty decent position to score -offside- and went past Lloris to slot it. One-nil and everybody was predicting Mexico as the newest football super power. The French team pressed with the little morale they already had; their desperate attacks left huge gaps in the defence and in one of those occasions Barrera edged two defenders and went down, although with some contact, with a weak challenge by Abidal. With ten minutes to end, the penalty kick was converted by Blanco and the match was pretty much over.

Greece v. Nigeria 2-1 17/Jun/10

2010-08-19T00:37:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group B, Day 7. (19 of 64)

The Greeks overcame one-goal disadvantage.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]

Although matematically speaking the Nigerians still have certain chance of going through the next stage, their hopes seem well and buried, most probably because of their torrid way of playing. Today in the Free State Stadium we witnessed an entertaining game that only saw some amusing parts in Kaita's red card.

Despite the terrific perfomance in the first minutes from the Africans, the former EURO champions managed to beat their opposition and took advantage of their defensive frailties after the sent off. It seemed as if the building that the Nigerians raised with effort, after scoring in the 16th minute, little by little fell apart with each storie encountering a terrible faith in the fall.

Uche scores the first.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

The game started quite positively for Lagerback's team since Obi Mikel took advantage of a free kick that was derived from a yellow card challenge on Papastathopoulos. It was the fifteen minute and Uche deviated the ball to have the lead. The nervy defending was of course a great part of the advantage. The Greeks took with philosphy the booking and were expectant in their own half. The captain Karagounis, always eager to get a shot from long range, took an opportunity and smashed it against the head of Yobo. What followed was a Pepe-esque style of mental rambling in the part of Kaita -he got the red card due to a stamp.

With nearly an hour to go, the Africans would have to work in the ten-men figure. Then on, it took some time for the Greeks to accomodate themselves as they hit twice in the last minutes of the first half. Samaras tried to flicked a rebound in the box -the effort was marvelously cleared off the line by Haruna. Salpingidis found the late equaliser when a fierce shot found Haruna's foot and went in.

In the opening minutes of the next half Tzorvas made an outstanding effort to prevent the second goal from the Nigerians when he palmed away an Uche cross in the 46th minute. Then the Greeks comenced their slow attack. One conclusion of that was that Gekas failed to poke the ball, in the 59th minute; what followed was a speedy counter which ended in the uneffective and misfiring feet of Yakubu.

Ten minutes after, Enyema saved again another chance to keep his teams' hopes alive. Unfortunately for the Nigerians Enyema's luck ran out when he made a mistake and Torosidis took the lead again in the 77th. Yakubu had a coupole of chances, none which were fully converted. Karagounis again took another shot and the story for Eneyema repeated itself. With ten minutes to go the costly mistake saw the poor African team going out of the World Cup too soon.

Argentina v. South Korea 4-1 17/Jun/10

2010-08-18T23:38:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group B, Day 7. (18 of 64)

Hat-tricker Higuaín on the spot.
[Photo: EPA via Telegraph]

Three goals from the Madrid forward seemed to be enough to oust a naïve team of South Korea. Even when they knew of what they were capable of against Greece in the first game, Jung Moo's men were unable to repeat the feat due to the fact that the gigantic (metaphorically speaking) and scoreless playmaker Lionel Messi played an influential part in all goals this evening at Soccer City. In the first game of the day one could have expected so much from the wretched and slow Argentinian defence; even when a goal conceded seems to give them no difference at all it could prove worth for future opponents in the following phase.

The already-qualified Americans will face Greece in the last day of competition in group C at Polokwane in the 22nd. One must expect the inclusion of a B team, in the search for the perfection of nine points while the Koreans must deploy all their effective arsenal to reach the following stage.

Messi tries to lob.
[Photo: AP via Telegraph]

During large chunks of the game Messi tried to either assist or grab a goal. In one of this instances he won a freekick through which Argentina took the lead. Strangely the offensive threat poised by the Argentinians in that particular set up was quite weak nevertheless the deflection provoked by Chung Young costed the Koreans the goal. Probably the Koreans did not plan suffering the lead in that way.

Things did not look quite positive for Jung Moo's team since many of the mistakes that led to that free kick were exploited by the talent of that Barcelona player. Again, Argentina's 10 was participant in the second goal: Maxi crossed after a quick corner and Burdisso deflected the ball to find a lonely and eager Higuaín, who did not miss, in the 33th minute. Di Maria had an outstanding effort saved by Ryong just minutes before the Korean goal.

A minute before the break Chung Yong made amends to give his team a glimmer of hope which turned out to be a vast, grand kick in the following half. The goal was the sole fault of Demichelis who failed to control the ball; although the rest is history the slow reaction from the defence was a surprise to some.

In the next part Ryon Jung became a factor for the Korean team since many of his saves, such as an Higuaín and a Tévez shot, prevented Messi and others to score. Before the third goal, certainly due to the offensive prowess the Koreans enjoyed from the 60th minute onwards, Maradona's pupils had a troublesome period in which Hun Yeom missed a clear chance against Romero.

The following minutes, from the 75th, were a feast for Messi, when he and Kun combined to give the Barcelona striker a clear shot on goal that hit the post. Marksman Higuaín was there to put it in as the Argentinians led by two goals. A similar play gave them the three-goal lead in which Agüero set Higuaín who headed without hesitation. Another great run by the Atlético forwards in the final minutes nearly broadened the panorama, since the Koreans eagerly tried to score in the other end.

South Africa v. Uruguay 0-3 16/Jun/10

2010-08-13T01:54:00.002-05:00

Second Round, Third Game, Group A, Day 6. (17 of 64)

Pereira heading the third.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

Today at Pretoria, in his second game, Forlán moved his team one step closer to the qualification as they beat the hosts with a three-goal advantage. The great moment of the Atlético forward was assured when Khune was sent off. Throughout the match the inexistant team of South Africa showed us their real face after that astonishing game against México. This step gives the Uruguayans the upperhand with a game in hand and knowing the result the Mexicans are pushed to get three points in their next encounter against France. Forlán and his minions face the Mexicans at Rustenburg in the 22nd and that same day the locals will try to beat France in Bloemfontein.

Pienaar can't get too close.
[Photo: EPA via Daily Mail]

Massimo Busacca started the game and immediately the 9.1 surround sound supported by the annoying, ever-present vuvuzelas came into the audience and broadcast. As early as the 8th minute, Suárez and Forlán combined to make a decent opportunity that ended in a wide shot over the bar. In several fronts the Uruguayan team dominated, largely in the flanks where Fucile's prowess was beginning to worry Parreira.

Near the 24th, Forlán got away with the opportunity to score and found the back of Mokoena; the deflected shot impressed more than two in the stadium and gave the lead to the visitors. Immediately afterwards Tavárez commanded the full attack of his forces and in the subsequent minutes Suárez had some decent opportunities, mainly with his shot in the side-netting.

Forlán on the spot.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

It seemed a matter of minutes before Uruguay scored their second; Suárez run riot in his side as he fell in the box after an alleged penalty. South Africa's response was an M'phela header. There was not much of an action in the second part as each side looked carefully for their chances, specially the South Africans. The second of the night was courtesy of Forlán as he converted the penalty kick. The foul that led to the punishment was at times difficult to spot, but the slight contact made by Khune was worth the decision.

With ten minutes to go, Pienaar was subbed to bring the replacement keeper Josephs. Already in injury time, Forlán -the mastermind of the tournament so far- crossed to the wing for Suárez who later set Pererira to have the three-goal advantage. The flaws and lack of efficiency from the Africans showed the true nature of their footballing capabilities: what Mexico barely managed to pull out, the Uruguayans did with comfort and class.

Spain v. Switzerland 0-1 16/Jun/10

2010-08-12T02:01:00.001-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group H, Day 6. (16 of 64)

Offside? Certainly an idiotic defending.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

"The strange thing is though, that the more you look back on the Spain v Switzerland match, the less surprising the result appears" wrote Phil Ball when the shock of a first-game loss still surprises people around the globe when the all-conquering EURO Champions could not break the difficult deadlock that the World Cup debutant Ottmar Hitzfield built.

It seems that without the talismanic Alexander Frei the Swiss could make that no-goal stance into another landmark as they took that statistic to 484 minutes without conceding in the World Cup after the last goalless draw against Ukraine four years ago. Zonal Marking -the newest site for tactic junkies- has the final verdict: "Apologies to Switzerland fans, but the story here is not merely that the favourites were beaten, it’s that the favourites played absolutely awfully."

Throughout the game we saw some reminiscence of that last year's Confederations match against the US. It was effective defending, I think, rather than brilliant and we tend to forget what is effective in football since Barcelona has commanded us to do it. El País called them "too baroque"; I cannot agree more.

Fernandes going mental.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

There appeared to be an urgent necessity for the Spanish team to go all the way forward and score with the first play. Of course it didn't happened as the match was in the good ol' list of stalemates at this World Cup. Xavi led some of his attacks as he pushed deeper with some through balls. Despite the effort and resistance from the "visitors" Piqué's position was wide off as he got to set Ramos on the right wing. The Madrid right-back played quick, escaped two defenders and shot wide in the 17th minute.

The match appeared more lively as in two minutes the clearer chances were made: for the Spaniards, Piqué took a shot as he found himself inside the box -Benaglio eventually saved it. The retaliation was on part of Ziegler, who had an opportunity with a freekick. It was a poor and weak effort as the EURO Champions began their full prowl for the victory. The siege was beginning to take some physical struggles and the EURO hosts as Senderos had to come out injured. The current panorama was dim in the light of a defeat.

Another shot of the goal.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

Again the Spanish got advantage of the full power of their offensive force, nonetheless, it was a lucky ball that gave the Swiss the lead. Derdiyok got a chance to go forward and eventually got pounded by Piqué. Then the Barcelona defender got back as Gelson found the ball and the series of strange and bizarre efforts from keeping the ball away on part of Casillas were worthless. The Swiss took the lead with an astonishing goal that was derived from the lack of positioning by the Spanish centre-halves.

Obviously after the stunners, Del Bosque ordered a full attacking deployment. Minutes later, with the substitutions being made, there were obviously some changes on the attacking order; Torres and Navas looked to bring some fresh legs onto the field. Despite the lack of form of the Liverpool man, the impact was immediate while Alonso could have equalised things when his shot went straight into the crossbar. When Iniesta came out injured, one could sense that feeling of dismay in the morale of the Spanish team.

The resilient defence was subject to heavy bombardment well into the last minutes. Three improvised centre-halves were not enough to stop the advances and the figure of Benaglio was vital for Hitzfield's aspirations. The urgency to put the ball in the box was countered with the calm of Switzerland's keeper to not play the ball.

Honduras v. Chile 0-1 16/Jun/10

2010-08-03T03:11:00.002-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group H, Day 6. (15 of 64)

An Americanista scoring.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

In the opening match of the Spanish-speaking group, the Chileans rose victorious in a quasi entertaining game. For the South Americans the score might have been bigger but their lack of options on attack were sound. On the other side Rueda's men got themselves in a difficult position since they have to literally go and beat the European champions in the following match at Johannesburg.

Another concerning problem for the CONCACAF team is the lack of mobility and fitness some players showed. Despite the tactically perfect offensive display Bielsa's men deployed, there is room for improvement in that department. The Chileans will face Switzerland at Port Elizabeth, as we are left pending with Spain's result today.

Palacios chasing.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

As the official FIFA match report cleared: "For Chile, it was a victory exactly 48 years in the making – the South Americans had not won a FIFA World Cup match since defeating Yugoslavia in the match for third place on home soil on this very day in 1962." But in reality it took us by no surprise waiting this time for the Chileans to find a gift in the back of the net. Before the lead, Bielsa's team took some advantage through his tactical mastermind. Possession and positioning were the key concepts for the model to work properly.

The match had its equilibrium: where the Chileans attacked, Rueda's men chased and quickly managed to weave some build-ups that ended in fierce rapid strikes. Fernández was the main threat as well as the incursions of Isla. In one of those runs, he crossed to find the unlucky leg of Mendoza, while the deflection went into Beausejour's knee. The strange goal was a solid reward for Bielsa.

In the following half it was the surprise in the very last minutes that could have given the Honduras team an equaliser, but before that, nearly through thirty minutes La Roja had all possession and control. Even when in the official match report (as quoted above) said the "home team" had effective counterattacks, it was only in the first half were the rapid succession of passes led to a good offensive display. Notwithstanding the fact that Rueda's men tried in the final minutes, it seemed very unlikely to me that a distraction could lead them to an equaliser.

Brazil v. North Korea 2-1 15/Jun/10

2010-07-30T03:45:00.002-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group G, Day 5. (14 of 64)

Robinho destroyed the Korean defence.
[Photo: AFP/Getty Images via Daily Mail]

In a memorable night for the North Koreans, Robinho stole the show with an astounding performance at Ellis Park to give Brazil the expected win. This, however, was not the most magnificent display from the five-time world champions; they lacked punch touch and the Santos player made it more easy. The spirit of the amateur team of North Korea is something to applaud -an historic goal in the last minute gave the crowd hope for a late equaliser which did not arrive.

One thing to note: Kassai kept just one yellow card in a clean encounter. Usually we do not give that much credit to the man in charge of justice but this time he deserves it. Brazil will face Drogba's team in the 20th at Soccer City as the Portuguese have the Koreans the following day at Cape Town.

Elano, seconds before being subbed.
[Photo: Daily Mail]

During large parts of the first half, Brazil were masters and creators of the ball. We could see in Robinho their brightest hope to beat the "amateur" side of North Korea. With a couple of touches the ex-Man City marksman provided some ability in both flanks. Attacks from Maicon and Bastos showed how powerful the Brazilian team could get on the flanks. With the eleven Korean members behind the ball, this match looked like a cameo of those played at the Emirates and reviewed here.

Although it appeared a matter of moments for the goal, the "visitors" held any attempt at bay. Roberto Gómez Junco, Mexican commentator attributed the fact that he was talking of the Koreans because the Brazilians did not appear. Although this may very well apply to this match, we know that this judgements are vague and crass. Statistics talked: 66% of possession in just the first forty-five minutes.

Yun-Nam's strike.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Elano's shot, in the 46th, opened the game. Neither Dunga nor Hung Hum were content with their squads' performance. It was not until the 57th that Maicon broke the deadlock in what appeared to be a cross. He ran his right side, edged a defender and shot to beat Myong Guk. Later repetitions seem dubious of his intention, nevertheless a goal's a goal and in this particular case, we better be enjoying it rather than ignoring it.

With Fabiano missing a sitter there was a need for the Brazilian team to broaden the score. Elano did that after combining with Robinho. With this score, they reminded each and everyone of us that the status of "world class team" cannot be passed that simply. The match faded into a dull practice until the North Koreans dared the unimaginable; Yun Nuam added the spice this tournament needed as he ran past two centre-backs and shoot. This proved that in the following seconds the match will turn into a nightmare for Dunga, which it did. Eventually his men with all their difficulties came out victorious.

Ivory Coast v. Portugal 0-0 15/Jun/10

2010-07-30T02:34:00.001-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group G, Day 5. (13 of 64)

The Ivorian keeper was beaten but the post prevented any celebration.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

As far as it went in Group G matches, the panorama looked bright with the sunshine in, ehm, Port Elizabeth when the Ivorians drew with Portugal in a goalless and nearly unemotional match. Even when points were shared there seemed to be at least three clear chancs and several factors must be taken into consideration: both teams' stars were under certain kind of spell. The Ivorian Drogba -Arsenal's tormentor- played with a cast and Ronaldo was fouled after putting a howler in the post.

Despite both team's inconsistencies, each managed to produce some mediocre chances on goal and some interesting deployments regarding tactical situations. The Ivorian's industrious midfielder Gervinho made some charming runs in his side while Ronaldo's brief ten-minute cameo should be enough to see him recover some confidence he left at Madrid.

CR9 facing the furious Demel
[Photo: AFP/Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Before Tiote's wide shot in the 15th minute, the best of the match was pretty much done as Cristiano shot twice; the latter, in the tenth minute, in the post. Barry's men, were defenceless against the possession the Portuguese were holding. With the passing of minutes the Ivorians regained possession and were able to reorder their defensive stance.

Fabio Coentrao's runs were practically the best the Europeans could show; on the other side it was Gervinho whose ability got him several times ahead of his marker, Paulo Ferreira. With fifteen minutes on the clock it was time for another exchange in possession as Danny and Deco made some frivolous attempts to grab a shot.

Cristiano and Meireles amazed.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

Larrionda's poor refereeing was a factor; when he should have shown a yellow he let the play go on. Probably this is one of the causes of Ronaldo's poor performance. The second half went as the previous one: a feeble exchange of possession between large chunks of the game. Liedson and Simao were the main providers Portugal's plays. With the introduction of Drogba, in the 66th minute, things looked promisory for the Ivorians.

It was obvious that the lack of game and training did its worst on the Chelsea forward. His injury probably got him into a series of poor challenges. Drogba's final effort provided his team of an unusual chance to head into target. The problem of this early World Cup matches is that everyone in every team appears to be out of shape. Probably for some Premier League players of both sides the exhausting campaign may have taken its toll.

Italy v. Paraguay 1-1 14/Jun/10

2010-07-29T03:56:00.001-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group F, Day 4. (12 of 64)

Alcaraz heads in.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

Aside from the fact that certain opinions of this World Cup had been taken into the usual common places -such as the Jabulani effect, the Vuvuzelas and the mediocre performances- today's first match of Group F had all those elements we could ask for a true exciting match. De Rossi's performance, as well as his decisive equaliser, was one of the main highlights of the evening as well as the strong position Paraguay took for nearly seventy minutes.

The defensive mistake that Villar made - another eclipsing situation of the tournament - paid dividends to the World Champions as they rose from another one of those dreadful performances to give their nation a sacred point in the group stage. The following match will not be decisive if neither of the teams prove to be worth enough the challenge.

De Rossi celebrates his late lead.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Actions in the first half began in a wet pitch. Just as if we asked for it, the weather decayed and the pouring rain, by the 20th minute, was affecting the game. The neatness and calmness of the South American team shadowed the Italian for almost thirty minutes since many of their approaches were poor and disorganised. Just after the Paraguayan momentum began to slow, the Italians took full advantage of their slip and won nearly all challenges.

Exactly in that tense moment, the "visitors" grabbed the lead just few minutes from the half time whistle. The dangerous freekicks and set pieces finally helped them as Torres set Alcaraz, who head past Buffon. Apparently the Juventus keeper got injured in that moment. The first time ended in the tonic of certain disgrace since the Italian keeper did not return and the panorama was sombre as hell.

The Roman edging three defenders.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

With the substitution made there was no big change in the way the team played; even after Camoranessi's entrance the Italians barely changed the approach they were making against the American team. Despite the efforts of Simone Pepe, there was little hope for the Italians in the ground; instead they had to take the aerial route and it was Pepe himself who set De Rossi as he pushed the ball to square things.

Villar's rookie mistake was absolutely pivotal for the development of the match. It was not until yet another substitution came from the prowling Italian team could capitalise their full attacking capabilities. As the match
wore, Di Natale managed to weave each and everyone of the plays that were salvaged by De Rossi. In the final minutes the Paraguayan team was devastated physically and the Italians, as they are, were content with the point shared.

New Zealand v. Slovakia 1-1 15/Jun/10

2010-07-29T03:42:00.002-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group F, Day 5. (11 of 64)

Reid left it late to steal the show.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

For many viewers and football junkies across the Atlantic, it was a gross achievement to wake up at 06:30 to watch a really unimportant match, regarding the result. Today, the "Kiwis" stole the show with a late late goal from Winston Reid at Rustenburg. Even when the two goals came in the second part, overall possession was shared as well as the attacking possibilities. If there was an actual emotion to the match, it was the prospect of watching the progress of youngster Vladimir Weiss as well as some starlets in the Slovakian team. For me it was the insane, yet tactically brilliant formation that Herbert posed: a pretty well-balanced 3-4-3.

Where Weiss's men will not be happy in gifting two points the reality in the group is open to at least three possible teams at the moment. The All Whites made an impressive leap forward although it can only be attributed to a fine cross and a decent header. Whether this match resulted in another one in the infinite series of dull games in the beginning of this World Cup, there still is room for improvement for both sides.

Vitek scoring the first.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

The game started in a low tone when Weiss's attempts in the first ten minutes caused little struggles. As the minutes passed Sestak and Vittek both provided short range challenges to Paston's goal. Smeltz proved luck but, at least for the New Zealand part, the powder (or any trace of game) was wet. Mainly all action was held at the Kiwis' door; another proof of that was when Hamsik shot was palmed away by the busy "home" keeper.

If the previous half was moved by long range strikes the following provided some excellent individual displays such as the own which gave us the early goal, in the 50th minute by the afore-mentioned Robert Vittek. Sestak provided some space and when he crossed the contact was enough to beat Paston. The keeper denied Weiss and his full back Reid denied the scorer after some handy work by the Man City youngster.

It was until the very late minutes that the All Whites wrote history as Winston Reid hammered one in to level things. Although it appeared to be a cheerless cross of two whites against three blues, the outcome was fatal for the Slovakians Again, as in other groups, the points were shared, giving everyone one a zero goal difference.

Japan v. Cameroon 1-0 14/Jun/10

2010-07-29T03:32:00.002-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group E, Day 4. (10 of 64)

Honda, the sole scorer.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

With key absentees Cameroon let the victory pass in the second game of Group E at Bloemfontein earlier today. Japan now stand second in the respective standings after today's previous encounter. The key goal of Keisuke Honda gave frail hopes throughout the second portion of a rather dull match. The Africans were not sharp enough to put some advantage and cope with that horrid pressure of coming from behind. Since their last meeting in World Cup, dated well back in 2002, the Cameroonians made one of those dismal appearances such as the one in the Africa Nations Cup some six months from now.

All that's left for Le Guen's team is to throw everything against the Netherlands; a win will definitely put the Indomitable Lions back on track although the prospect of piercing the armour of the well-oiled Dutch machinery is by far difficult. We only see the real results in these types of tournaments well onto the very last second of every game.

Here, congratulated by friends.
[Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP via Guardian]

Benquerenca, the Portuguese referee for the match, began the encounter as the Japanese took possession which ultimately was shared with their counterparts. The match being closed to the first twenty minutes, saw some opportunities but nothing really as clear as the one that Honda galvanised. Near the 40th minute he encountered a rebound which he shot past Souleymanou. With the advantage the Japanese went to the dressing room with such a precious upper-hand.

In the following half the desperate attempts from the Cameroonians continued as there were only two or three clear chances for the Africans: the first a fierce Mbia post that shook the cross bar; the second was a strong challenge that Eto'o managed to deviate to land in the unlucky feet of Webo who shot at point plank just for Kawashima to save. Any remaining attempts from part of both teams proved worthless as the match was pretty much decided with the vital early strike from Honda.

Netherlands v. Denmark 2-0 14/Jun/10

2010-07-29T03:05:00.001-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group E, Day 4. (9 of 64)

Kuyt finishes Elia's work
[Photo: EPA via Daily Mail]

One severely questions this match reports from FIFA when utter lies arise: "Fue un primer tiempo entretenido al que, si hubiera que sacarle un pero, sería la ausencia de un gol." [It was an entertaining first half to which if one should poise a question, it would be the absence of a goal.] Certainly neither the first half nor the whole encounter offered an "entertaining match" in any case; both teams, and particularly the Dutch, weren't able to truly find a way to work with the ball. Only through the bad luck of Agger and some flashes of brilliance by Elia the match had its "entertaining" bits.

I suffered, not just due to the schedule (6:30 AM in Mexico's time) but because on the dreadful state of the play. This match will probably go to the "worst" in the award section of every site and blog out there since it provided us some utter relentless gameplay. Bendtner and friends will need to step up the plate and win the following match against Cameroon if they are keen on scrambling any opportunites later. That will happen at Pretoria in the 19th and earlier that day, in the beautiful stadium of Durban, the Japanese will act as hosts of Van Marwijk's men

Well...
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

The news came in as Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner started as well as his fellow London team mate Van Persie. The match started with a pretty lively atmosphere (as you can see above) in a sunny half-emptied stadium. Where the Danish team played with an order worth of a troop, there were no real efforts nor highlights until a header from Bendtner that went to the side-netting in the 29th minute. In the final minutes Rommedahl shot wide as well as Kahlenberg. There was really nothing much to add to what was probably one of the dullest shows of "entertainment" across the world.

The second part began with a "goal" by Arsenal's Dutchman Van Persie. The forward managed to pull his mark away from the box and crossed; the result was a deviated header by Agger which found the back of Poulsen and also the back of the net. Sorensen saved with a perfect act of gymnastics the shot of Van der Vaart after a quick combo with Van Persie. When Elia came in for Rafael, in the 67th, things suddenly changed in that left side, as he thundered with a tremendous display of pace. Again Sorensen kept the efforts from the Dutch, specially Van Bommel's, at bay. In one of those escapades, Elia took advantage and set Kuyt who just pushed to double the lead. The match ended after some substitutions.

Germany v. Australia 4-0 13/Jun/10

2010-07-28T02:26:00.001-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group D, Day 3. (8 of 64)

Cahill sent off by Rodríguez.
[Photo: Sky Sports]

Were there was a consensus in the major bet houses of a Germany win, the fact that it was so appalling was not of a surprise but of recognition. Even when Löw's team remains one of the youngest that have performed in the history of German World Cup teams, the performance showed some solid arguments. In spite of the thunderous scoreline, the Germans remained calmed and missed, through Klose at least a handful of chances. Even when this outstanding show of character produced several smiles, the Germans did suffer when the Aussies nearly scored in the very first minutes with the frightened Neuer's defence.

After the dreadful and boring previous group match were Ghana edged Serbia, the panorama looks brighter for both winners; they will face other in the very last game and if Löw's troops repeat a virtuous feat like today's, qualifications will be guaranteed in the very early stages of the tournament. Uli Hesse final comment is by far the most critical and brilliant piece out there.

The Bayern midfielder finishes bottom right.
[Photo: Sky Sports]

The blue Socceroos, which anyone near a TV or at Durban could have confused with a Rugby team, got themselves quick in the match when Cahill headed and García shot; the effort got deflected in the following rebound as Neuer kicked away. This proved to be a vital lifeline for the Germans since, if otherwise the Australians scored, the following goal would have not take place at all.

In the following five minutes Poldi grabbed the lead with a thunderous strike to the far post. The play which was worked by Özil found its way into the Köln striker. Although the German attacks did looked with certain authority, there were Australian ones that did. García shot wide when some shaky defending let some advantage to the "visiting" team. Before Klose doubled the lead, he missed a sitter when Podolski crossed to find him unmarked.

The goal was a similar manufacture of the previous play, Klose headed when Lahm curved the ball beautifully; Schwarzer can get most of the blame due to his late exit. Before the break Özil find two clear solo chances were he faced Schwarzer: in the first, the young midfielder lobbed the ball but Neill came to the rescue; in the second, he found another Podolski pass but he could not control the ball.

Klose closes in to 11 goals in three World Cups.
[Photo: Sky Sports]

Even when the Germans were not clinical in their finishes the Australians gave up every chance of scoring. Müller's shot, after a nice combination with Lahm, flew wide in the 54th. In the following minutes Chiquimarco did his joke and sent off Tim Cahill after a challenge which seemed only to suffice with a preventive card. The decision nullified the Aussies' game and he went to the showers with that feeling of angst.

After some approaches the Germans released the full strength of their attacking prowess into a defenceless Australian team. Obviously the spaces left after Cahill's departure let Müller with certain freedom and he took it rather nicely when, after some dribbling, he shot crossed to Schwarzer's far post and made it three. It was only a matter of time and with some substitutions that the Germans scored another, this time through Cacau.

Serbia v. Ghana 0-1 13/Jun/10

2010-07-28T02:13:00.001-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group D, Day 3. (7 of 64)

The late and only goal of the evening.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

In the first match of Group D the Serbian team, through Kusmanovic, gifted the Africans all three points at Pretoria earlier in the day. The game from the Serbians was far from being brilliant; with performances like this I think that the state of such improvised tactics is by far the antithesis of what we would like to see at the World Cup. Even when Gyan had a late chance denied by the woodwork, the point of no-return made by Antic's men took its toll when in different stances Zigic and Pantelic scrapped precious chances.

Again as in the Algeria match, we saw a stupid mistake handball. Whether in that match it proved to be irrelevant, here it costed the precious victory. We saw in the opening game the inability of Mexico's full-backs to deal with the longer balls and this time, another miscalculation was what really costed the Serbians. Things do look ugly for they will face Germany at Nelson Mandela Bay in five days' time. On the other side Ghana face the Socceroos at Rustenburg.

Lukovic sent off after a moronic hand ball.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

Efforts from set pieces or from the sides were particularly what prevailed in the first half. The first of them was a cross from Tagoe which found the young Ayew; the play was called offside. Pantelic crossed to Zigic, who failed to strike in what appeared to be a clear goal-scoring opportunity for the Europeans. The long balls from the Serbian centre-backs were the main threat as they jumped down the lines to find the wingers. A Pantsil throw in the Rory Delap's style got onto Gyan's head, the outcome, a decent save by Stojkovic.

Aside from the usual exchange in possession in the first twenty minutes of the second part the African side did not offered much to break Antic's defence. Lukovic got sent off in the 74th after collecting his second yellow card of the night. As Gyan flew past him, the Serbian defender grabbed him by the arm and immediately was awarded with his second card. Serbia's attacking options appeared finally through a Krasic shot Kingson palmed. The terrible experience appeared when Kuzmanovic handballed in the box with seven minutes remaining; Gyan converted and he could have doubled the lead with a late shot on woodwork.

Algeria v. Slovenia 0-1 13/Jun/10

2010-07-27T04:52:00.001-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group C, Day 3. (6 of 64)

Fabianski has left school.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

It was due to a sloppy mistake, similar to Green's, that the Slovenians managed to grab all three points at Polokwane earlier today. Again some responses came from all quarters as the official match ball was blamed for the surreptitious flaw. With ten minutes to go, captain Robert Koren took the weak shot and Ghaouchi attacked the ball poorly. Even when the result seems pretty unfair, the Algerians suffered from the costly mistake in one of the most boring matches I have ever seen in the past six months.

The great step forward was made by the Europeans who sit relaxed in the top of the group with three points and one goal. In different parts the result will be welcomed more proactively.

Celebrating the lead.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]

The crass mistake occurred ten minutes before the final whistle but before that, Faouzi Chaouchi looked solid in the few chances that throughout the first forty-five minutes the Europeans had. In the other half, Handanovic palmed an "early warning" freekick from Nadir Belhadj. In the 40th minute a corner from Ziani saw Halliche failing to head correctly; despite his great effort a more effective contact could have put his team ahead. Just before the break a lovely shot from Birsa made its way into the post as Chaouchi tipped away.

In the next half efforts from Kirm and Brecko covered all attacking options form the Slovenians for quite a while. On the other side, Ghezzal was brought in in the 58th minute. He got his first booking minutes away from his inclusion and then, after Belhadj made a cross, he tried to control the ball; the problem was that he made it with his hand. Batres correctly punished him and sent him to the showers. Then, Koren did his feat; it seems strange that both matches in this group have been decided by similar mistakes from the keepers. Fortunately for Robert Green, he will not be the only one in the spotlight.

England v. USA 1-1 13/Jun/10

2010-07-27T04:19:00.001-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group C, Day 2. (5 of 64)

A view that most Arsenal fans are acquainted with.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

Robert Green - probably England's most hated men at this very moment- entered in the infamous side of the history of the World Cup after making a clownish cameo worth of Lukasz Fabianski. Whether the fault of the equaliser may fall entirely in his hands, I do think that the whole team is to blame; the unexceptional qualities of their attacks and the lack of concentration from the English kept them at bay from what could have been a two-goal lead without much effort.

The Americans did hold back from time to time and showed that, without all the big names, they could find themselves in a position to contend only against lesser and weaker rivals. The ratings at Mirror Football were without a doubt the best among a myriad of offensive pieces throughout British tabloids.

Fortunately for the Americans they play Slovenia, who remain a complete doubt, in Johannesburg the following Friday while England will be keen to make amends in Cape Town later that day.

Green fabiansking the match.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

Despite the abominable final outcome, the English did well enough to grab an early lead through the sole strike of captain Gerrard. The Liverpool midfielder found himself in a good position as Heskey set him between the two American centre-backs. The Liverpudlian finished with delight into Howard's opposite side. Notwithstanding the lurid joke of ITV the Americans got themselves into a horrid momentum. Certainly their defence was completely distracted and probably buzzed by the loathsome cry of the vuvuzelas.

Whilst England got the most of the situations of the first thirty five minutes, there was not a really dangerous effort from an individual play. Players like Milner or Lennon were frequently dispossessed. The advantage of the American team was by far granted due to the English mistakes. Onyewu headed wide in the 27th and Donovan's freekick were among the most dangerous situations just before James Milner got substituted due to an early injury problem.

Then in a pretty much naive play in the 40th minute, Dempsey shot a weak ball into Green's goal. The rest is history as he flapped the ball into his own net. One as viewer thinks of what was Rob Green thinking. Did the Jabulani made one of those famous strange bounces or was he not focused enough? The question barely needs any answer as he is the only one to blame. Giving goals in regular season is one thing but gifting a vital equaliser to the opposition in such a manner is hard as hell.

Terry demoralised.
[Photo: AFP/Jewel Samad via Le Monde]

Probably the terrible mistake hit the dressing room so hard that in the first minutes of the following half the Englishmen were completely lost. A reliable proof of that was the terrific run by Altidore who ousted the slow Carragher and shot on target; this time it was Green who prevented the young American striker from scoring.

Regardless the low morale due to the clanger, the English kept on trying. Probably this is a very spot on explanation regarding the effectiveness their attacks lacked. With the game reaching its final twenty minutes Rooney had two chances, one missed header and the other, a powerful shot that went just inches wide from Howard's goal.

The game for both team diluted into a classless match. The constant unsuccessful approaches from the Americans recouped with the ones by Gerrard made no decent match at all. Strangely the game ended with a dangerous cross from the unexistant Lennon, who nearly found Lampard alone.

Argentina v. Nigeria 1-0 13/Jun/10

2010-07-26T02:38:00.001-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group B, Day 2. (4 of 64)

Barcelona mega star at his best.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

In a pretty moved match, Maradona's men got an easy result to go second in the table after the one-nil win against their African opposition of Nigeria. The match was itself quite entertaining; Messi and company tried hard to double or triple the lead. Indeed it was the little Barcelona forward who at least got denied in three occasions by the Hapoel keeper Vincent Enyeama. The feat of the Nigerian stopper was by far as equal as the efforts form the Golden Ball winner.

After the match at Nelson Mandela Bay Maradona's men secured the second place. Nevertheless the fact that in this match the "home" team got just one goal may play a part with the crucial goal difference, although that remains to be seen. Following matches take place in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg: in the first venue, the former EURO Champions Greece will host Nigeria; in the latter Argentina will take Korea in what probably is the deciding match of this group due to the previous results.

Heinze the scorer.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

In the very beginning, in the 2nd minute, Obasi tried luck with a wide shot after a lovely trick. The following minutes proved to be vital: Enyeama saved his team with a vital reaction from a Messi shot. Previously Higuaín scrapped a clear chance created by the Barcelona forward. From the corner of that Messi shot came the only goal of the match. Heinze took advantage of the awful marking and threw himself to make a diving header that only saw the back of the net.

After the stunner, things looked troublesome for the Africans as they got themselves acquainted with the full offensive prowess of the Argentinian attack. With the spectacular runs from Messi and the threat of Higuaín the Nigerians only made a single attempt through the left side, again with Obasi. If it was not for the lack of firepower the "visitors" had, probably a quick succession of passes could have dealt a major blow to the slow Argentinian defence.

Messi shot twice, as Enyeama was converting into a local hero. His efforts, particularly when he denied the shot on the 37th minute, were outstanding. In the following part, in the very beginning again, the Americans had the chance to double their lead, but again, the effort was not worth the chance. Lagerback's men were not shy to attack and put in troubles several times Romero's defensive apparatus. It was not until the 65th that Argentina could break through down the right side with Tévez - again Messi tried to the far post.

Far from being brilliant - unlike their counterparts- the Nigerian attacks nearly got them the equaliser, in the 65th minute, when Taiwo's shot went just wide. With the attacks from the Africans increasing Messi found spaces throughout their opposition's defence and clearly exploited them. As he advanced through the lines the outstanding effort from Enyeama denied him the goal.

Republic of Korea v. Greece 2-0 12/Jun/10

2010-07-23T04:38:00.002-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group B, Day 2. (3 of 64)

Captain Park celebrates the win.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

The first match of the Group B had the first true winners of the World Cup as the Koreans knocked out of any possibility the Greeks. The match at Port Elizabeth was a mere spectacle for Asian supporters as their team became present in every aspect of the match. Possession statistics lie this time: 50% each even when the Koreans managed to pull a grand total of eighteen shots and six corners. The Greeks, with all their frailties, looked insecure and fragile in the back, despite they shared a limited number of chances.

Park Ji Sung became a part of history, collecting yet another highlight in his extensive career as he became the first Korean in scoring in three World Cups. The Greek team will probably go without much notice in the history of this tournament, their display was bland if not tasteless. They will face the tricky Nigeria in Bloemfontein on the 17th and the Argentinians will host the Koreans that same day in the other venue of Johannesburg.

The joy of winning
[Photo:Reuters/Howard Burditt via Le Monde]

The Koreans opened the score with a thundering strike from Lee Jung Soo in the sixth minute. All Greeks were expecting for something to happen and it did as least seven defenders battled five in the box. It was practically highschool defending. What was to follow was a series of attacks by both teams, where the Greeks appeared to have the goal, the Koreans managed to salvage their chances.

In the more moved second half, again the Greek team managed to escape in the first minutes but reaching the 52nd, a brilliant breakthrough came in courtesy Park Ji Sung. The defence is to blame completely for the goal: Vyntra failed to control the pass from the left and quickly the Mancunian player speeded to past the two on pursuit, the definition, superb. Despite some efforts from Gekas and Seitaridis as well as some acrobatics from Salpingidis the Koreans held the advances with rectitude and resilience to grab the first win of the World Cup.

Uruguay v. France 0-0 11/Jun/10

2010-07-23T04:30:00.001-05:00

First Round, Second Game, Group A, Day 1. (2 of 64)

Anelka controls.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

After the previous match in Johannesburg, the French and the Uruguayan team held goaless in the following match of Group A. The match at the gloirious stadium of Cape Town was another higly rated, highly expect showdown; the problem is that neither side took the edge or seem truly propositive. It was one of those matches when a mistake or a brilliant effor tcould have done the difference, nevertheless each team reserved the goals for another day.

As the official match report showed, the stalemate was identical to the one made nearly eight years ago in that dreadful World Cup. Now the group stands with the hosts on top and Mexico following -Domenech's team got the bottom this time. It appears this group will be decided until the very last day but prior to that, the Mexican take the French at Polokwane on the 17th and the Africans host the Uruguay team the previous day at Pretoria.

Gourcuff gets nullified
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Ribery's runs opened the match by a half-stunned "home" team. The Bayern winger found some way to go deep into the left side and crossed to find Govou; the latter missed the target on what could have been the opener. The match continued to favour the French although the physical presence of both Pérez and Arevalo, the holding midfielders, took some of the earlier French influence away.

The work force behind France's main assault was Abou Diaby. The young Gunner took the responsability to provide Gourcuff with several opportunities. A terrific shot from Forlán was well saved by Lloris in the 16th minute. In the following, Gourcuff tried luck with a long range freekick that was denied by Muslera. Depite the chances both teams enjoyed the following minutes became much of a bore. Each team saved their strong weaponry probably due to the respect each one had.

Gallas versus Forlán.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

The match went on as some of us in our homes were watching another draw in the first day of the World Cup. Where in München we saw a salvaging 4-2 on behalf of Germans and Costa Ricans (again my genitives) this time we obtained two matches, the latter a tactical stalemate in which, for at least twenty minutes nothing interesting happened. The so-called interesting highlight passed when who else but Thierry Henry called a hand ball in the box. It couldn't exist a more subtle definition of the concept of irony.

As a couple of subtitutions were made, one being Lodeiro for González, by each team the game went practically in the same tone, just that the runs from the French full-backs edged past the Uruguayan defence. With ten minutes to go Lodeiro got the first red card of the tournament as he salvaged Bacary Sagna's foot. It was a nasty challenge in which the Arsenal right-back got lucky. The following minutes were another siege, as in the previous group game, of the French trying to grab a late lead.

South Africa v. Mexico 1-1 11/Jun/10

2010-07-23T02:20:00.004-05:00

First Round, First Game, Group A, Day 1.

Tshabalala, Shubidubi... ehrm, WHATEVER!
[Photo: AP/Martin Meissner via Le Monde]

Today, the World's largest football tournament began after the long usual wait of four years. Each time, hundreds of thousands of supporters watch each of the 64 games in order to see if their country or their favourite will step up to the challenge. This time, in the very beginning it was the turn of hosts South Africa and Mexico to open with an scintillating draw. With millions of eyes watching the inauguration, some pundits believed that it was the South African team who could have got the three points: I disagree. And not just because I am Mexican, but because Aguirre's team, with all its horrid defending, should have brought to at least two goals up in the very first minutes.

It all began even when some previews gave the advantage to the hosts and when history was against Mexico, Aguirre's men rise to give one of the poorest exhibitions of football a Mexican side has offered. Even when the South Africa team showed a lack of order and were critically overvalued, it was the support of the home crowd that took them to such confident places. Zonal Marking verdict was brilliant, as always.

Márquez brilliant control earned him a valuable goal.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

As if Mexico's history in World Cups would endlessly repeat itself over and over, the visitors dominated large portions of the match. Already with the first chance, in the 9th minute and with such an overwhelming superiority, the vuvuzelas did not stop for a second. Even when Aguilar had a clear one-way run in the right side, he dared not to cross until the 20th minute. Efforts from Márquez and Dos Santos proved Parreira wrong.

Franco's strike was saved by Khune and as the match wore off, the deadlock seemed to be unbreakable despite the advantages the African team was giving. Seven minutes before the halftime whistle Vela got an goal denied; he was clearly in offside despite the most ignorant replies from some Mexican (and respected English pundits). The half ended when the Mexicans tried to push harder and encountered resistance in the form of possession. For the first time in the game, in the 44th minute, the South Africans took control of the ball.

Two on one.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

With actions well under way, the Mexican suffered a stunner with just ten minutes from beginning: Siphiwe Shubidubi, sorry, Tshabalala fired a cracker top corner after a thunderous counter. In previous occasions the Mexicans have been vulnerable to quick counterattacks and set pieces -this was a dangerous proof of it. With nearly thirty minutes to go, the pressure piled up so much that the entire set of Televisa Deportes was fuming with each of Irmatov's decisions. Practically the game was a well-played match despite the obvious help from the FIFA.

The dynamic of the match was decided: the African team should wait, due to the poor physical presence they had, and the visitors poundered with all their might A quick succession of passes led Mphela alone to finish but the solid pressure and work from Pérez earned him dividends. With all three substitutions made, the Mexicans had fifteen minutes to equalise the scoreboard.

That did happen when the dreadful marking of Khune's defence gave the chance to Márquez to fire a well-taken shot after some dexterous control. With seconds to go, Mphela again proved luck with a shot on the post. Luckily for the Mexicans, the game was over before another long ball from hero Khune could reach the box.

Opening Ceremony 11/Jun/10

2010-07-22T03:34:00.001-05:00

Dancers in "African" colours.
[Photo: EFE via Última Hora]

Just one day after the concert and a couple of hours before the game the Inaugural ceremony displayed an array of vast colours worth of and African ceremony - is there is such a thing. As nearly 90,000 vuvuzelas rang throughout the stadium we saw the display of several singers, dancers and artists from the continent. The absence of Nelson Mandela due to personal reasons was the sad note of the day.

I'll have to apologise for the lack of detail in the names since I-m not acquainted with the South African or even African music. Probably a lot more of research could have done the work but the real important thing was the match.

The dancers of the first section made an opening with a sort of flower of seven parts. In the second section a giant scarab appeared as well as a giant Jabulani. To tell you the truth one expects not really much from this type of ceremonies at this type of events; for example the last couple of Champions League finals have had some pretty spectacular designs in the build-up. Leave the opening, or the spectacle, to some other unworthy ceremonies (such as the Olympics).

Another take from the colourful display.
[Photo: Tiempo Sur]

Already in the third section a singer -completely unknown to me- stared, uh, singing. Canvas from different colours conformed South Africa in a very lively fashion. A group of rappers appeared and as things moved a second raper and Algerian singer joined the celebrations. The different sections featuring each singer whose country was involved in the tournament was a fine idea. Again with some flags opening and changing with the different African nations the forty-minute opening ended.

Mexico v. Gambia 5-1 30/May/10

2010-07-21T04:45:00.002-05:00

Vela assaulted from the back.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]

In the rainy landscape of southern Germany, El Tri managed to pull out a large and contrasting victory against their African counterparts to end a clear deficit in their latest European tour. Were the previous two matches exposed certain weakness in some parts of Mexico's defensive system, this time the meager opposition did not help, as well as the pitch, to provide some real contention.

Where there were three different scorers, the scoresheet was a real disgrace compared to what could have happened if the Mexican players would ensured to put the ball in the back of net the same number of arrivals at goal. To tell you the truth, this match offered mere commercial benefits, when the sporting ones are being left aside. Mexico's last and final European clash is against the current World Cup holders, Italy. Meanwhile the final list will be reduced to 23 leaving one player aside. My bet is on a centre-back but Aguirre will probably leave out Jonathan Dos Santos.

Team effort not enough.
[Photo: Digital ABC]

The terrible conditions of the pitch, along with three different starters were the main news. Bautista, Michel and Jonathan Dos Santos all have their place in this the third different starting eleven in three matches. The game started in the odd side for he Africans as they faced an overwhelming opposition that required certainly an effort they have never made before. It was not until Chicharo's goal, in the 17th, that the match did quite start.

There were some nasty challenges on Guardado and Vela but the team managed to compose their attitude and attacked as they had the possible chance. Guardado's incursions on the left, throughout the first half made the difference. Mexico's captain and Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez played in a deep right-back role.

In the second half, the team only began its successive run with Hernández finding the net to grab his brace. It only took five minutes, two substitutions and one well-crossed pass to give Mexico another goal that will ease up things in their front. Six minutes later, another pair of substitutions were made, among them Alberto Medina. It was the Guadalajara winger who took on the first charge after missing a sitter from close range but his assist on Bautista kept things rolling for the "home" team as they scored their third.

In the 65th minute, Ebrima Sonha exposed Mexico's tactical failure in marking. The defending was comical; one can only hope that this happens only in this exhibitions and not against the likes of South Africa or France. Immediately after, Medina and Cuauhtémoc set Bautista gain, who after some struggle, managed to put the Mexicans up one more time. The final goal, despite the fearsome Gambian defending came from Medina as well, just ten minutes until the end. Some substitutions by both teams ended the match in quite a shaken atmosphere.

Netherlands v. Mexico 2-1 26/May/10

2010-07-21T04:35:00.002-05:00

Kuyt congratulates van Persie
[Photo: EPA via Telegraph]

It only took Robin van Persie two out of four chances to finish the match in the rainy Badenova Stadion last Wednesday night. The so-called Mexican European tour progressed in another disgraceful evening and while those moments of truly genial manufacture against England seemed present there was no way the Mexican team could have been spared from a half-oiled Dutch machinery.

The poor start, paired with the awful weather, gave the Dutch players certain advantage that last for the whole night, as the Arsenal striker secured a brace after some comical defending. Nevertheless the drought was ended by Hernández, who continues to impress both here in his land and abroad. The Dutch striker was "pleased", according to Goal.com; no one could think otherwise as his efforts (particularly the second) were truly marvelous.

The next stop is near Bayern, where Mexico will fight their Gambian (is that the genitive?) counterpart. By the way, Arsenal.com published the related story featuring their two strikers, just in case.

Van Persie scores his second of the night.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

As early as the fifteenth minute, the Dutchmen produced at least, three clear chances, an offside, and a sitter wasted by van Persie as well as some woodwork from part of van der Vaart. It took less than two minutes after that to see the first goal by the team that was acting as "home": the Arsenal striker found himself free of mark - after some comical covering from Torres Nilo - just to push the ball in the back of the net. Ochoa and his defensive stratagem were ousted by a simple assistance from the captain van der Vaart.

Then, the Mexican managed to stabilise the game for at least some minutes, but again failed to impress as they lost possession and concentration. Over and over De Zeuuw regained the ball in nearly all his battles with the Mexican midfield. With the current agenda there was not a real threat from the North American team. Instead Afellay delivered one beautiful thirty-meter assistance to find a lonesome van Persie. The Gunner delivered all his class in a single well-executed volley to find the back of the net. With the second half under way, the team was two-goals behind.

With certain particular slow tempo, the remaining half began and the Dutch torrent started all over again, when the Liverpool striker missed a clear chance that would have put the final nail in the match. Instead with the passing minutes, the Mexican grew in confidence and assured some possession before entering into an attacking position. With the inclusion of Barrera this seemed seemingly planed as he provided speed and danger, with the most prominent attempts in the 58th minute.

It was probably due to the Dutch substitutions, particularly the dreadful display by Engelaar, which dropped the performance of the Europeans. Giovani made some runs, and nearly the Mexicans opened their score as both Vela and Hernández missed the dangerous cross from the Galatasaray striker. Six minute later in the 73rd, Giovani set Torres Nilo who crossed to Hernández who headed past Stekelenburg. Another row of chances came, one fearless shot from Giovani in a run and two set pieces: one by him and the other by Vela. With the high-spirited Mexican attack the match ended with another grasping match.

England v. Mexico 2-1 24/May/10

2010-07-21T02:45:00.001-05:00

Some Paisanos outside Wembley.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]

At last, Mexico's final rundown against World Cup giants began with an honourable loss against England in Wembley. Whether this match posed many responses from both sides of the Atlantic, all of them should be considered with a pinch of salt. Whereas in England certain aspects of the game were highlighted -such as Capello's pre-evaluations or Wembley's pitch state- there was a sense of either extreme complacency or sheer optimism.

The problem of the match was the casual manner of three of the four goals as well as the dominance and physical shape of the English team. Even with a depleted squad the England national team managed to poke three goals out of nothing whilst the Mexicans provided show, spectacle and promise. Despite Mexico's defeat there were some quarters of supporters that managed to underrate the performance, making some utter disappointing comments.

Previews in Mexico gave the visitors a rather optimistic view of the situation whereas in England sites such as Football 365 evaded football matter to be a little less than apologetic regarding the state of the pitch. Naturally the response after the game was a sort of praise for the in-form Mexico team and their lack of punch.

Zonal Marking made a particularly interesting piece on Mexico's tactics as well as well as overtly-friendly Soccernet's verdict. Next friendly will be at Germany against the Netherlands while the English will face Japan before their debut in Rustenburg.

Ledley King scores the opener.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

The first fifteen minutes were among the best played in an International friendly for Aguirre's men: they enjoyed thorough possession, played quickly, fabricated several clear chances and found themselves pretty much in the physical edge. This was mainly because of the previously one hundred matches played by the Mexican team in U.S. soil for the last month or so.

The first of a series of runs against Green's goal was Juárez's in the 2nd minute followed by two Franco shots. Capello's worries were enhanced by the dismal attacking approach of his team. The Mexicans were on the prowl as they did not appear to share possession. And as if it were another custom-made script the Mexican team suffered from a set piece in which Ledley King score, after a header from Crouch. The corner kick was a needless fluke from Aguilar.

As the English attempts were closing to Mexico's goal, "Maza" Rodríguez had to make an imperious tackle preventing Rooney from an one-on-one chance. With the game closing in its final ten minutes, Mexican London players Giovani and Vela had an interesting counter attack, which Green saved. Salcido took a 20-meter howler that ended in the woodwork; Mexico's offensive prowess was due to the fact that England allowed to much possession as Capello usually does. In the following minutes another goal came from both the English and the Mexicans closed the gap with their own: Crouch took advantage of the horrid defending and scored with his hand in what appeared to be an offside sort-of "header." Then franco scored; the Hammer poked the ball past Baines' feet.

Johnson, after scoring a cracker.
[Photo: Andy Hooper via Daily Mail]

The following half saw a large array of substitutes appearing for both sides. That took the game in a different direction from what was shown in the first twenty minutes of the game. In the third minute Johnson took a beauty shot top corner as the Mexican defence let him run past three players. His effort was outstanding but the lack of pressure was another mistake to be given to Aguirre's team.

With the substitutions, the visitors were completely disorganised as they faced a quick deploy from Walcott and Rooney. Spaces left the Liverpool captain shot twice on goal, nearly scoring in the 69th minute. Barrera and Guardado's introduction made some tactical changes despite the defensive performance of the hosts. A couple of shots from the former as well as some dangerous runs provided that spark needed although it was not enough to see off some contention.

2009/2010 Jav Arsenal Awards

2010-07-19T03:42:00.003-05:00

As the tradition that it is in this belated blog, I finally bring you the 2009-2010 Jav Arsenal Awards. In the previous seasons I have given this seemingly argumented award for the sole reason of entertainment and, ultimately, recognition. Always you can return to last season's prospects and see if our cherished oracle device could have spotted something in the fog. In the EURO 2008 we met some terrible players as well as some astonishing performances; this season is practically the same.

With the World Cup coming over the summer, I will make an extensive review of the tournament with each match played reviewed. The improvements made in this season's posts are the extensive grammatical revisions as well as the text blocks to facilitate reading. Original images from matches are available with the documented source as well as extensive links with previews and match reactions from other sites and blogs. The usual overall balance by each position is provided among with several common things with the other awards, and obviously new additions. Enjoy!

In the internet universe there are a couple of lists that include some type of awards. Tom Adams makes a thorough rating of all Arsenal players from last season. David Young produces some assessments which look into the next season rather than an actual score as we do here. Nevertheless his three pieces on the subject (1, 2, 3- duh!)
are particularly enlightening.

Gunnerblog's elections, although more brief, are similar to my ratings. There is no point in proving who an argument of who is right or wrong since this type of posts exist in the realm of the viewer and supporter's response and can easily fall in the biased section. Still his selection is well argumented. He also makes this incredible month-by-month season review which I highly recommend.

Best Young Player of the Season
Again, the average of age in the team, for this awards, is U-21.

Ramsey enjoyed a fairly successful season before his injury.
[Photo: Daniel Hambury/PA via Guardian]

Aaron Ramsey

The young Wales international made an outstanding start of the season enjoying 17 appearances and 4 goals. His form both physical and mental was absolutely and completely spot on. Before his horrid injury against Stoke the bloke made some key contributions and were his long passing kept him dissapointed in the past, he bounced off with more control and mental decision. We all hope the best for him in his long recovery; if he goes past it, a bright career in read and white looks promisory ahead.

Worst Young Player of the Season

One goal against Liverpool at the Emirates.
[Photo: Graham Chadwick via Daily Mail]

Fran Mérida

What in the name of the lord is Francisco Mérida making in Arsenal's first team? Is it because he his a fairly talented, young Spanish promise or because he fits the Cesc mould? I really ignore why the likes of this Spanish midfielder trains week in week out. He made two goals, one particularly good, and that was pretty much it. His contribution was minimum and the effort and passion driven by his feet was among the poorest standard. Probably when his contract expires he will return to his native land.

Best Player of the Season

The influential Spanish mastermind.
[Photo: John Sibley/Action Images via Guardian]

Cesc Fábregas

What more can we say about him? His best scoring tally in his stay at North London has booked him a place in Spain's World Cup final squad. Aside from the impressive 36 appearances he made 19 goals in all competitions leaving him as the sole maximum scorer; he was one of the four players in double-figure scoring. His contribution in key games as well as the inspiration and leadership took his performances worth of an Arsenal legend. It is imperative that Arsene keeps him this summer despite the ferocious attacks of Laporta.

2-Alex Song
3-Thomas Vermaelen

Worst Player of the Season

Deceptive, to say the least.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

Lukasz Fabianski

He made ten appearances: some of them covering an "injured" Almunia, some of them by choice and some of them because this world does not seem to have a rational logic from time to time. We all remember that night in Portugal and also that game in Belgium. Despite of all his crass mistakes, lack of commanding, technique and ability, he had several chances to prove some courage. Instead the poor Pole managed to pull in every single appearance a sardonic joke that raised eyebrows across the continent. The rest is history.

2-Manuel Almunia
3-Fran Merida

Best Match of the Season

1-Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona (UCL)

Cesc in the reencounter
[Photo: Liga Futbol.net]

Although the match ended with a two-goal stalemate, we saw one of the most powerful sieges the history of football has seen: within twenty minutes the Catalans put in the edge of the sword the home team. The Arsenal managed to escape with the point but the spectacle was worth the watch; probably the most important match held at the Emirates so far.

2-Everton 1-6 Arsenal (EPL)

Sad Toffees.
[Photo: Oleole]

Practically, this match set everyone dreaming: the performance though brilliant, was enhanced by the dreadful defending and poor pre-season work the Liverpudlian made. One thing to note, was the applauses many home supporters made to the Gunners' effort.

3-Arsenal 4-2 Bolton (EPL)

Moments of tension
[Photo: Robin Jones/Digital South via Daily Mail]

The Gunners are masters in the act of late goals - both when receiving and making - and this match was not the exception.

4-Arsenal 5-0 Porto (UCL)

Nasri, in a true moment of brilliance
[Photo: Sportinglife.com]

The game was in itself a dangerous sand-trap since the home team needed it to win in order to go through the next stage of the Champions League: they just did that and with two perfect performances from two men, Nasri and Bendtner. The sole action of Nasri made it astonishing and he has been awarded, for that goal, the goal of the season award.

5-Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham (EPL)

A remarkable performance from both players.
[Photo: AFP via BBC Sport]

Arsenal's first game against Spurs resulted in a tremendous show of pounding and humiliation. Cesc Fábregas took the evening by surprise stealing the show with a Zidane-esque effort.

*-Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa (EPL)

Beautifully taken.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

It took some twenty-some minutes for an injured Cesc Fábregas to take the game from a bore fest into a safe win to grasp the fourth place.

Worst match of the season

1-Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea (EPL)

Drogba, the tormentor.
[Photo: NOTW]

The battle was done and dusted within the first half as Drogba pulled another trick from his special delivery hat to Wenger's men. Th Ivorian striker was in his prime as he scored two past the wretched defence.

2-Wigan 3-2 Arsenal (EPL)

Walcott scored the first, then he deluded.
[Photo: EPL Talk]

Arsenal's deceptive stance continued as the Latics came back from a two-goal deficit at their home ground.

3-Standard Liege 2-3 Arsenal (UCL)

Euforic!
[Photo: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe via Zimbio.com]

Despite the positive outcome in Belgium, the Gunners enjoyed one of their poorest away performances in Europe for the past years. With the aid of the terrible defending of Vermaelen's countrymen, the visitors managed to pull all three points from the hostile ground

4-Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal (EPL)

The Welshman in the first minutes of the second half.
[Photo: Resultados-futbol.com]

When Garreth Bale scores you're pretty much in deep shit, isn't it?

5-Stoke 3-1 Arsenal (FA)

Full-er joy.
[Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe via Zimbio.com]

Arsenal's only real possibility of winning something went down the cliff as Fuller scored in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

*-Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal (EPL)

Rare view from the stands.
[Photo: Soccernet]

And well, the bitter end of the almost-comical Wenger came in the stands of Old Trafford was among the highlights of a strange match.

Best Goal of the Season

I just thought that it would be a blimey thing to set an array of three or five goals, so I put ten of the best goals Arsenal scored throughout the season. The official site compilation, contained nearly all of mentioned below.

1-Samir Nasri v. Porto (Emirates-UCL)
2-Cesc Fábregas v. Tottenham (Emirates-EPL)
3-Cesc Fábregas v. Aston Villa (Emirates-EPL)
4-Cesc Fábregas v. Blackburn (Emirates-EPL)
5-Andrey Arshavin v. Hull (KC Stadium-EPL)
6-Alex Song v. Portsmouth (Fratton park-EPL)
7-Aaron Ramsey v. Porstmouth (Fratton Park-EPL)
8-Tomas Rosicky v. Everton (Emirates-EPL)
9-Abou Diaby v. AZ Alkmaar (Emirates-UCL
10-Cesc Fábregas v. Burnley (Emirates-EPL)

Best Young Revelation

1-Alex Song
2-Aaron Ramsey
3-Craig Eastmond

Best Revelation

1-Craig Eastmond
2-Sol Campbell
3-Henry Landsbury

Injured player of the Season

Heh?
[Photo: Soccerfansnetwork.com Forum]

In the nurse's favourites section we have Mexico international Carlos Vela. Robin is not mentioned due to his enormous contribution to the club, even with a five-month absence.

1-Carlos Vela
2-Eduardo da Silva
3-Johan Djourou

Players to Watch

Replacing his fellow countrymen?
[Photo: Marek Biczyk /Agencja Przegląd Sportowy via Sport Interia]

Defence: Havard Nordtveit and Wojciech Szczesny are the available prospects in this department.

Midfield:

Against Bolton.
[Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe via Zimbio.com]

Craig Eastmond should establish himself as the best candidate to replace Song if the Cameroon midfielder encounters injury. Jack Wilshere's loan at Bolton gave him valuable playing time; he should be able to show his worth. Tom Cruise, Mark Randall and Henry Landsbury should secure valuable bench-places.

Forward:

Here Barazite in the Derby shirt.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

Nacer Barazite again needs to prove that he is not a reserve player anymore. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Jay Simpson should also provide some show in the Carling Cup.

Best Goalkeeper: A Lucozade bottle.
Best Defender: Thomas Vermaelen
Best Midfielder: Cesc Fábregas
Best Striker: Robin van Persie

Best individual performance of the season

Followed by two.
[Photo: Reuters via Que.es]

1-Cesc Fábregas v. Barcelona (Emirates-UCL)
2-Samir Nasri v. Porto (Emirates-UCL)
3-Cesc Fábregas v. Tottenham (Emirates-EPL)
4-Emmanuel Eboué v. Sunderland (Emirates-EPL)
5-Vito Mannone v. Fulham (Craven Cottage-EPL)

Football Posts made during 09/10 season (as for 19/July):

-Barclays Premier League: 38
-FA Cup: 2
-Carling Cup: 3
-UEFA Champions League: 13 (counting qualification round and the Final review)
-International Friendlies: 1
-World Cup Qualifiers: 1
-Others: 6
TOTAL: 64

Inter v. Bayern 2-0 22/May/10

2010-07-14T03:19:00.001-05:00

Zanetti lifts the European trophy, ending the 45-year drought.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]

Javier Zanetti's joy was one of the most delightful things this night at Santiago Bernabéu - the other watching Milito score a brilliant double to edge Bayern out of the Champions League final. The Germans, in all fairness, were comprehensively beaten by a tactically perfect team. Whether one loves Mourinho or not, the recognition of his endless genius as a tactician, motivator and circusman comes without saying. The Special One had a fairly troubled game despite the fact that his team won in the defensive department.

Inter has become in the sixth team to get a treble; it nearly took them up to 45 years. they have joined the likes of Barcelona(ugh!), Manchester United (double ugh!) and the lot. I thought that the night could have been worse for the Germans since the key absence of Frank Ribery could pay lots of dividends for them in that right side. This is the last call before heading to South Africa, where all sights will be set in the space of a month to see a new champion.

Milito gives the lead to the Italians.
[Photo: PA via Soccernet Photo Gallery]

There was a faint impression that the match was going to end as one of those epic encounters due to the fact that both teams opened up in the first minutes. It was a really hectic match particularly with two Robben runs in his right flank. For example, in the 10th minute with blistering speed the Netherlands international set twice as he found the side-netting. Inter's response came from a deflected and weak Maicon shot. The game was growing in tension as Haltintop unconsciously deflected a shot from Sneijder that Butt managed to save.

As the game marched on both teams made industrious works: Bayern in the offensive one and Inter in the defensive. Before the thirtieth minute mark Müller and Sneijder tried luck with shots but it was in the 33rd minute that the deadlock was broken: Julio Cesar cleared and Milito brilliantly headed the ball to Sneijder who later, released him. It was a matter of technique to see the Argentine finishing against Butt.

Time and time again the Italians made their nearly perfect covers, always with three or four players chasing the adversary. Again Robben shot wide in the 42nd. Inter's midfield superiority underwhelmed certain aspects of the German hardwork, particularly on Müller's side. Wesley Sneijder failed to score on combination with Milito in the following minute.

Milito takes his second and definitive.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]

The second half proved to be another well-played stratagem by the Special One. Even when this tactical battle seemed won on paper, the Germans made their way and within twenty seconds Julio Cesar saved an effort from Müller. Likewise Butt palmed away Milito's in the 47th. Hamit Altintop got just inches away from scoring after Lucio's defensive flop. That left-hand side that Robben exploited wasn't being covered sufficiently enough and again, the speedy winger run riot.

Klose's introduction, with nearly half an hour to go, made the Germans appeared on the verge of an attacking spree. And indeed Julio Cesar was troubled when both Müller and Robben had a couple of chances denied. As the siege advanced the Italians enjoyed some chances: van Buyten saved the day as Bayern siege still hammered. When Van Gaal's team was nearest, Milito again appeared in the scoreline with a splendid run.

His performance was overall poor, if we think the sacrifice that Cambiasso and other players made, but his effort in making the two goals out of nowhere was outstanding. Eto'o released him and the striker dribbled past the Belgic centre-back and finished top corner. Bayern attack went unnoticed as they produced nearly no dangerous approach; then Inter took control starting with the massive confidence. A couple of substitutions were made with another fail from Müller. The cheer of the crowd sufficed to let Milito more than happy with his astonishing performance: two shots, two shots on target, two goals.

Arsenal v. Fulham 4-0 9/May/10

2010-07-08T04:34:00.001-05:00

Van Persie and Man Utd's newest signing, Smalling.
[Photo: Alex Morton/Action Images via Guardian]

In an evening full of diluted emotions the Gunners assured the third place after a practical walk in the park, hammering four goals past Schwarzer's goal. Even when there were particular and special moments throughout the match, the players and particularly the crowd left with the feeling of dissatisfaction. After the terrible run of results there was a clear hunch from the supporters as the qualification for the CL spot was in danger of being overtaken by Spurs.

The atmosphere was overshadowed by the anxiety and fear from the supporters. The best thing for the current squad is either have a long break in some tropical paradise or to get ready for the maximum tournament in a month's time. We couldn't expect much from Fulham since their sights were ser in the Europa League finale.

Carlos Vela, seals another victory.
[Photo: Alan Walter via Daily Mail]

Fabianski has made himself the legend of a comical keeper: he ratified his recent dodgy form in another set piece as Riise crossed looking for Dempsey. It was a miracle that the ball was not in the back of the net. In the following minutes Schwarzer was busy keeping Van Persie, Arshavin and Nasri at bay. The home team opened the score in the 21st minute: atrocious ball control allowed Arshavin to steal the ball from the Australian keeper to later poke it. Van Persie was alone expecting the ball in an unusual greedy act from the Russian.

The second goal came as the Fulham defence dozed off when Walctot crossed for Van Persie, who shot and hit the crossbar; in the following strike the Gunners had their second. This was a walk in the park for the Gunners: thirty seven minutes and Baird made a "clumsy clearance" that was in the back of the net. With few minutes in the clock, some nice footwork from an accuarte, well-oiled team attack made some fine impressions such as Walcott's run in the 40th Van Persie's shot deflected in the 43rd.

This was already poised to be a tranquil game since Fulham's mind was elsewhere in Hamburg. There was a feeling among suporters of something of a preseason day, with really nothing further to add rather than an effort on the final day and the cheer of the fans before the World Cup.

The captain and the Welsh, in the final lap.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

In the first seconds of the following half, news came from Old Trafford as Chelsea were 2-0 up. A draw would suffice for the Gunners but the three points and the standing ovation was more likely to happen. Again we saw Arsenal's vice-captain Van Persie score in the last day of the campaign, as with Stoke's final game last year. Robin Van Persie missed a sitter in the 50th minute as Schwarzer double-saved. There were some worries for Fulham's European match as one of their defenders went out injured.

Johan Djourou finally ended his season-long spell and played his first game of the season -how odd does that sound! Silvestre finished his last shining unforgettable historic brilliant performance as an Arsenal player. After some clumsy defending from Campbell, who challenged Demspey, the American was substituted by Stoor in the 66th minute. After some penalty allegations, Eboué had another one as he blatantly dived again.

Again Fabianski made some strange things as he handed out a ball outside his box. More problems looked ahead in the near future for the North Londoners. With fifteen minutes to go, it was a real disgrace to see the Emirates with a lot of empty spaces; some fans left the building earlier the expected. Within seven minutes Carlos Vela did one of his famous lobs and in a day of "firsts," scored his first of the season -Nasri's pass broke the defence in two. Arsenal's season ended on a high note after four minutes added.

Blackburn v. Arsenal 2-1 3/May/10

2010-07-06T03:10:00.001-05:00

It seems that the Polish will be heading home with another team in mind.
[Photo: Carl Recine/Action Images via Guardian]

In the previous edition of this clash, the Gunners enjoyed certain type of superiority but this match was a sole exception. In the visit to Ewood park the Londoners pulled out another clown performance in part of our dear and good Polish keeper as they collected another consecutive defeat and their chance for European elite football, at some time secure, hangs on a thin thread that could be cut in the last day of the season by Hodgson's boys.

The match was obliged to end with all three points. Indeed as Goal.com says the match was pivotal after some horrid handful of results: "Consecutive away defeats by Tottenham Hotspur and, inexplicably, Wigan Athletic, followed by an anaemic goalless draw at home to Manchester City finally ended their hopes of catching either Chelsea or Manchester United."

Samba's header, inside the net.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

Three minutes passed when the Gunners found themselves with an unforgiving chance in front of goal, as Vela squandered a cross from Theo. What followed was a decent response from the home team in the manner of a freekick taken by Pedersen in the seventh minute. Not much followed as the visitors grabbed an early lead through captain Van Persie who scored yet another goal against the Rovers. A great header from a Nasri corner exposed the home team's terrible defending; all this in the first fifteen minutes.

The match progressed as both teams made little if no progress towards one another's goal. Arsenal's most dangerous approach was Van Persie's freekick in the 30th as well as another one by Perdersen three minutes later. Whether the attempts made by both teams were industrious, the match remained calm. A couple of Rovers supporters dozed off in the sunny warm evening and that was the image of the match: two teams with nothing to contend. Although the game was quite dull in itself David Dunn managed to poke one two minutes from time in in another deceptive performance by Arsenal's centre-halves.

Robin's tally against Rovers served little today.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Again the visitors relied in their perused style to move the balance of the game into their benefit. Arsenal's dominance was reflected in possession but instead of converting this difference into the scoreboard, Blackburn worried much more their opposition with the passing of minutes as Fabianski was beginning to turn into a decisive factor. With thirty minutes to go Van Persie made some quick movements in the box; apparently he should have been awarded with a penalty.

In the 68th, Arshavin substituted Carlos Vela who played no part in the game. Immediately after the home team went up in the score, again Fabianski was a determinant factor for the loss; nearly three men were left unmarked. Nasri's weak shot could have had another take if he had put on his shooting boots correctly. As the minutes went by, the home team seemed reluctant to add more attack, and as Allardyce's teams, begun to use those dreadful tactics -harsh tackles, time wasting etc. With twelve minutes to go Wenger brought Eduardo in an effort to add strength to the physical part. Wenger's men relied on the secret late show but this time as in the previous matches there weren't rewards for the taking.

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

2010-06-29T02:45:00.001-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-28T01:58:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-24T03:11:00.002-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-11T01:09:00.002-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-10T03:48:00.004-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-09T01:45:00.002-05:00

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

2010-06-09T01:24:00.001-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-08T02:34:00.002-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-07T16:07:00.001-05:00

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

2010-06-07T15:40:00.002-05:00

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

2010-06-07T02:29:00.001-05:00

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

2010-06-07T01:38:00.001-05:00

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

2010-06-07T01:16:00.003-05:00

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

2010-06-07T00:16:00.002-05:00

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.

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

2010-06-06T23:31:00.001-05:00

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.

Arsenal v. Liverpool 1-0 10/Feb/09

2010-06-05T03:00:00.002-05:00

Diaby heads in the lonesome? goal of the evening.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

In a swift movement of luck the gods of football made a strange gesture to Wenger and his team as the magical combination of Chelsea losing and Man Utd drawing brought the gap to 6 points adrift. In a match that seemed pointless at certain periods, Abou Diaby headed one in to put the Gunners in advance with the minimum difference. Whether Cesc's "clear hand-ball" after the Gerrard freekick was original, is to be discussed since the ball goes to the hand exactly when the Spaniard's arm reached its highest point.
Almunia made one of his torrid performances which, in another day such as last week's match, could have ruined the day. Strangely enough, the Gunners are yet not to be out of the title race as immediate rivals took no advantage of their previous failures. With three long months to battle for the first place, the Londoners need to get the maximum of points if they are to battle well through the last day of the season. In other fronts, the Portuguese champions are the nearest stop the following Wednesday at Stadio do Dragao. We have seen the Londoners suffer too much in these kind of games in which a single mistake could throw everything over the board.

Cesc at the wall, in an unusual freekick
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

Despite the Arsenal large imposed dominion, there was no actual threat on target until 24th. Both teams were naïve and without any interest in charging the lead. The jinxed Gunners were a little too precautious as the clock reached the 30th minute. again, Wenger's furious comments form the bench reanimated a bit the team but the atmosphere outside the playing pitch was more akin to the game that what the players in it actually played. The standoff seemed to break with Nasri's first incursion on the right; the Liverpudlians managed to build some ineffective counterattacks.
Bendtner hit wide in the 26th in the first open chance. After that attempt, the flow of the match began to occur for the Londoners as the clock reached half and hour played. Maxi had a close range deflected shot, but no penalty was awarded. The match began to move as both teams found several flaws regarding marking. Samir Nasri left off the pitch injured, while the Czech replaced him with ten minutes to go. Even when the Gunner's attempts were fair to put the Liverpudlians to the sword nothing was really conclusive as two minutes were added to the injury time.

The home team, ecstatic by the Frenchamn's header.
[Photo: Empics via Soccernet]

The first attempt from the Gunners, where they already had some dominion came from the Russian midget, who shot wide the side-netting within two minutes of the second period. Two sitters came from both teams in the 53rd minute, both from late decisions: the first, N'Gog failed to shoot as Gallas saved; the other Rosicky's touch betrayed him on an open chance against Reina. As the game was growing in emotion, the home team augmented their chances, reaching the 64th minute when Bendtner got booked after some blatant diving. As the minutes passed both the manager and the crowd were getting a little more than anxious over the stalemate. Rosicky's shot went just over the bar seconds after. The Russian playmaker was replaced by Theo Walcott, as the manager showed a more aggressive attitude.
And it was in the 72nd minute when substitute Rosicky "provided" a magnificent cross for Diaby to head one in. Immediately the Gunners went on for the second but found a resilient effort from Insúa above all. As the Liverpool defence advanced their lines, the whole team left wide gaps that Walcott and Rosicky exploited, nonetheless there was no effective attempt to go past Reina. Minutes from the end, there was some controversy regarding the alleged hand-ball by captain Fábregas: to me, it was a clear penalty as he raised his hand in a clear attempt to block the kick. The problem is not the hand, but the fuss that it created as Media waged a kind of mini-war on the Spaniard's attitude.

At last a post

2010-05-31T01:52:00.002-05:00

Two players that will play next month in South Africa.
[Photo: Bleacher Report]

It has been a torrid month. With Mexico's final European tour coming to an end in the upcoming week I've had a rough time updating Arsenal's match reports. I swear that by the 10th of June the page will fully be updated with the Gunners' reports as well as a quick World Cup preview and the typical Season Awards. I apologise again for the lack of interest.

I made an application for Soccernet's Correspondent job. Eventually some Mexican "journo" got it. It is crap reading, but it remind me of something: I need to be more committed and loyal to this blog, which in fact is all I have.

The stories regarding Cesc Fábregas and Barsa are known to everyone out there and the usual blogs cover in totality Laporta's wretched attempts. It'd be futile to sum up again what has been said. In the meantime, I'll leave you with one track of The National's newest album, High Violet. Enjoy, and get it. There's still some time before the World Cup begins and here at Deviations, we can't wait.

Chelsea v. Arsenal 2-0 6/Feb/09

2010-05-25T00:17:00.001-05:00

Again, again and again, Drogba, the tormentor.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

Didier Drogba repeated his already usual dose of backfire with a brace in only twenty four minutes to ensure Wenger who are the best team in England so far. With the competition nearly over, John Terry asserted back on track after a week of impulsive and tremendous watch by media. Scrutiny was not posed just in England's ex-captain but on what could Arsenal deliver. Whether there is a tendency that enquires on the fact that Wenger's cheapness indulged arsenal chances the truth is that with current crop of players, nearly one or two new options should be brought in each line, particularly in the front and the goal.
With nearly all odds of Arsenal's title contention out, the Gunners cold focus in the least probable to win competition: the Champions League. Strangely enough a third place could be a balancing act direct rivals Liverpool next Wednesday. Another mistake at the Emirates and what appeared to be a strong position could turn into other four spot race.

Nasri struggles to shake off Wayne Bridge's best friend.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

The match began with a particular close-up on John Terry's armband. The midweek allegations of the drama between him and former team mate Wayne Bridge were kept aside, as Martin Tyler said in SKY Sports broadcast, "to concentrate on football". The hectic start was paired with a series of mistakes made by both teams, probably due to the atmosphere and nervousness. Among the first attempts were one deflected Nasri shot and on the other hand, Drogba's goal.
Within the short span of eight minutes the Blues were one-up when Arsenal's tormentor appeared alone in the far side of the box to finish a header by Terry. Yet, the early lead proved the Ivorian's efficiency and the terrible marking by the visitors.
The game moved on and the Gunners seemed to produce many chances, one by Arshavin denied by Cech. With the clock reaching the twenty-minute mark, the proposal was that of an open game. Despite the visitors' luck, the only
offensive threat was the little Russian playmaker -obviously he couldn't match neither of the centre-halves. Three minutes later Drogba, again, finished the game in a blistering counter-attack led by Lampard. The Ivorian easily shook off two defenders and shot past Almunia.
With fifteen minutes to go the North Londoners threw all their depleted power towards Cech's goal. The Blues did not attempt any more sizzling counters, as the siege began to wear down the twenty two players. Even when the visitors enjoyed a fair amount of possession, there was no absolutely offensive threat. The diminutive Russian battled with two centre-backs that ousted him in the physical department. Fábregas and Nasri, tried to impress a rather godsmacked and defensively brilliant Chelsea team.

Diaby, Lampard and Song in the battle.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

There was no pivotal change in Arsenal's display in the following half: a couple of arrivals to Cech's goal were enough to get Chelsea in their own pitch and settling for what could be another horror Drogba show. Where Arshavin and Nasri tried to make that killer pass, a wall that encompassed between five and six Chelsea players was ready to repel every effort. Utter idiot mistakes by Almunia earned the ironic cheers from the home and visitors. With half an hour to play the dismal and futile attempts from Cesc and Nasri to find Arshavin were nullified as their London counterparts were completely in control at every moment of the match.
In that same minute -60th- Nasri had one golden chance to put the Gunners right in the match: the Frenchman hesitated to shoot past Cech. After the miss, Wenger's men tried to weave, with enough success to make Terry's defence tremble. Nicklas Bendtner came back form his spell at the sidelines within minutes from the critical miss. The massive siege that Chelsea withstanded was at its most productive stage until the end of the match; the reds battered with all their might, but apparently, it was not enough.
With a couple of runs, the Ivorian right back managed to impress the crowd at the Bridge. The main problem, again, was the icing on the top. Despite the desperate attempts from the north Londoners to bring at least one goal to the game, the Russians (oops!) managed to keep each and every attempt at bay. Slowly the title was fading in the midst of the rainy London scenario. Drogba hit the crossbar as Manuel Almunia watched comfortably from Row 1. The night was over with the passing of the last minutes. The Arsenal were again comprehensively beaten by Drogba and an advanced defensive system.

All over again

2010-04-29T02:18:00.002-05:00

Mourinho, now in the spotline.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]

Even the best team in the history of football has a downfall. It happened to Cruyff's 1974 team, to Cruyff's Barcelona 1990 team, to Zidane's 2006 and we could make an vast epic list. This time it was Futbol Club Barcelona who were the victims of the swift attack of destiny. First of all, my point of view shall remain neutral in order to put a decent discussion on the matter.

Today's match, had its ups and downs. For large and considerable lapses of the game, the Spaniards retained possession and created magnificent efforts from Pedro and Messi. Julio César did his job as Thiago Motta was sent off early after his second booking, not even reaching the half hour mark. After the half time whistle, the home team grasped a whole lot of opportunities, which were not capitalised by any of the attacking players until the 83th minute. Before Piqué's goal, Inter pulled a trick out of their sleeves and kept every attempt at bay.

After the outstanding goal from the Spanish centre-back, there were a couple of clear chances: Xavi's shot and Bojan's disallowed goal. Whether the ball went to the hand of the player and viceversa, the discussion is futile (just as Piqué's position in the previous goal). Here is where all the madness began. If you do remember well, a year ago, the Catalonians were handed a clear win over Chelsea. Tom Henning went that night bathed on insults as rumours of a conspiracy loomed over Stamford Bridge. If the Spanish team was benefited from the poor refereeing, why is it that they complain wholeheartedly now? It is just a matter of convenience.

Sardonic, and even spiteful.
[Photo: Daily Mail]

Even when all the hatred that Mourinho will inspire -an attribute that seems to quench his large repertoire- we must give him some kind of credit, as John Cross states. The Portuguese attitude is certainly disgraceful and his lack of professionalism behaving in such a way is by no means permitted. Nonetheless is not admissible the attitude of someone at the Nou Camp who turned on the sprinklers. In this hypothetical world, if this would have been done to the Catalan team, the world could've entered World War Three.

I just think that in these situations, Mourinho's mastermind and genius overshadowed the beautiful football that the Spanish side provide week in week out. In this case Mourinho is villain and genius. Just to note, the Barcelona fans should not be drowning themselves in tears, there potential could reach far different levels and if we know something is that football is far from being fair.

Mourinho nearly stomped on Váldez.
[Photo: AFP/Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Regarding Andrey Arshavin's latest comments, today Goal.com compiled some of his strangest, dullest and rarest quotes, as his hilarious page continues to produce unutterably laughing stock.

Beyond the boundaries of sport, we know turn to the music. Half a year ago I discovered this site, which mainly contains mini-essays on literature and philosophy, and mainly reviews from a wide range of alternative and indie rock bands. This time it was the turn of Caribou. The comments on the album are accurate if not brilliant. This site has good recommendations regarding music (well, everything except the dreadful and boring M. Ward). Check it, and in case you like the song, here's the complete LP.

Notes and books

2010-04-21T00:55:00.007-05:00

At some time in Writing Degree Zero Roland Barthes poses the idea of the object as an extension of some kind of physical self: something that stays with you as an extension, or lets say, as a member that carries certain function. In this case, a pair of shoes, a book or even an I Pod work as a conglomerate which by extension acquire certain value due to the uses they've paid.

In my special case, this object is a little Mead Magic Explosion Insects Version 150-paged ruled notebook. With this notebook I make annotations for what would later become the football match reviews, here at the blog. In this case, this loyal ruled friend accompanied me first when the EURO 2008 was beginning, particularly in the match between Switzerland and Portugal, and the heart-breaking Turkey v. Czech Republic nearly two years ago. The second match, as you could see, ended with an outstanding 3-2 on favour of the Turks. Obviously the state of the posts has improved tremendously (or at least that's what I think, or pretend to think).

One can see the actual end of something that is purely physical as a notebook and when one looks on the pages written ages ago, emotive times pass as a recreation of a memory. I went on an extensive search after that kind of notebooks, but the outcome was far from being prosperous. In any case, it was substituted, just as a player on the pitch.

The experience of writing in Spanish has been quite an adventure for me, even when it is my mother tongue. In Mexico there's not an actual government programme for the care of writing from very early stages of school development, despite all the prizes and awards made by public and private institutions. Nevertheless, my awful composition seems to be improving. I do it slowly, and strangely, one can end up with a four-year degree in English literature without having the least sense of a proper writing in an Spanish-speaking country. The odd thing would be that I care less than a rat's ass, but that's not the case.

In other news we have some music from Das Racist via Stereogum. The mixtape is right here. You can have a funny week if you listen to this New York Hip-Hop. It's amusing enough not to fall over your books when reading... ehrm...

Arsenal v. Man Utd 1-3 31/Jan/09

2010-04-15T02:07:00.001-05:00

Almunia, apparently a Man Utd fan.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

When a vengeful, full of hatred response from Wenger's team was expected today at the Emirates, the matter ended again in a sort of cameo of the last three matches sustained against the Red Devils: a powerful demonstration of which team is better equipped to challenge the title. According to the French manager some "massive individual errors" were made throughout the ninety minutes. If we think of responsibles it would be easy to pick a few (Almunia, Clichy and Denilson) but the problem extends to the point of a whole team.
Almunia's mistake prevented the upperhand in what was already a pretty fair and tough contest. The fact that no real attacking threat was shown highlights the importance of a top class striker and also, a top class goalkeeper. Even if Wenger keeps showing endless faith in the sloppy hands of the Spaniard, behind him are two young keepers that are far from being the best candidates to replace him.
Next match for the Londoners is another test of character against rivals and leaders Chelsea. As of today, the mistake seems an unsurmountable task, and another crash at Stamford Bridge should end each and every chance of local silverware next May. With one competition left - the least likely to win - the Gunners' focus should remain in strengthening the squad after the World Cup. Next season remains a coherent date for setting sights in a tournament of any kind. Again speculating, the title chance is still on and with some points dropped by the two leaders the interesting part of the tournament could approach faster than we expect.

Opposite angle, same misery.
[Photo: Tom Jenkins via Guardian]

The beginning of the match was tense: in fifteen minutes the Russian international made two approaches for the Gunners; Song saved from the line one effort by Rooney. Even when the Gunners staged both Vermaelen and Song, the actual feeling that the team would concur into the same defensive quarrels was showing with each minute passing. The Mancunian team made several mistakes of simple passing due to the tense and tough atmosphere. Cesc marshaled several counterattacks which all lead to nothing due to the marvelous intervention of the visitors centre-back.
Just when the Devils were at their worst, another defensive misjudgement arrived; Nani provided a magnificent run to escape from Nasri and Clichy in the right wing, to later cross. What followed is really in the realm of non-sense when Almunia palmed in the Portuguese's effort into its own goal. Minutes later another goal came, when Rooney finished a Ronaldo-esque job in front of Almunia. The similarity with the Ronaldo goal in last May was scary, although scarier is the defending and most probably, the way in which the Gunners failed again to provide some cover.

The South Korean scores in front of the Gunners again.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

If there was thin ray of hope in the supporters and players in the pitch, a quick assertive reaction should come as lighting. The Arsenal illusions for contention were fading away with the passing of the minutes, as the home team could not reach solid possession. The offensive-less Arsenal went on with the game posed by the Mancunians to find themselves in another trap as Park Ji Sung scored with an accurate finish. With ten minutes already into the present half, the matters were not as bright as wished.
The prospect of a comeback was hard to follow but the audience at the Grove were keen on their team to battle through. Cesc provided several chances, particularly from long range, and Song from close. The spirit of the Spaniard to go for the equalisers was unbequeathed; the skill to break the deadlock was not strong enough against a team that challenged far too beyond their lines.
After the risky substitutions, there was the feeling that with ten minutes remaining the Londoners could nail a swift move in order to put the Red Devils against the wall. Vermaelen did it, when the pressure was piling against van der Saar's goal, with a low volley that encountered Evans' leg. With this eventual outcome, the Gunners went on with all their little strength although there was pure intention and no real threat.

Aston Villa v. Arsenal 0-0 27/Jan/09

2010-04-14T02:46:00.001-05:00

Campbell makes his Premier League "re-debut" as Vermaelen limps.
[Photo: Daily Mail]

After last weekend's early exit of the FA Cup, the Gunners sights into the two titles in which they can rely to, at least, compete. The exit of both Cameroon and Ivory Coast of the ACN meant that the African duo composed of Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboué could join and watch only from the stands as they will wait for a chance in Saturday's derby. Eventually this match, alongside with the following three, will determine Arsenal's title credentials when the fixture congestion of late March and April arrives.
If the chance of a positive outcome is produced by the young guns in these weeks, then a real possibility of lifting any of the two competitions left -most probably the Premier League- will be in the horizon, just ahead the date in South Africa. In the favour of the Londoners the list of injuries has reduced to a single figure, only containing long term absentees. In the other end, transfers have gone quite calm with some players extending contracts and loans.

Arsenal midfielders battling through.
[Photo: ACTION IMAGES via Telegraph]

It was not the most heartening welcome for the London side (at least in football matters) mainly because O'Neill's team managed to put the visitors against the wall in a number of occasions, starting with Gabriel Agbonlahor's shot in the 4th minute. The Gunners retaliated with a Eduardo shot at 9th. From then on, there were one or two options for them as the home team took advantage of a weak Arsenal team. Vermaelen got booked and gave away a freekick, that luckily for the Londoners was wide off the post.
Reaching the 23th minute, the Villains seemed to get a decent control of the match creating some outstanding football. Arsenal's poor passing along with the fact that the forwards were not connecting with their midfielders was one of the many concerns for Arsene's halftime talk. Apparently Vermaelen injured himself and was substituted ten minutes before the end. Again Ashley Young terrorised Arsenal's fullbacks; Clichy was exposed as the English winger left behind him with demonic speed.
Aside from a poor freekick by Cesc, the visitors showed some proper work on the ball as they approached Friedel's goal. In the final minute the Spaniard shot after dribbling past two, but the ball hit the woodwork and in the following rebound, Ramsey got in Rosicky's way and wasted a terrific chance to grab the lead.

Aaron Ramsey concedes possession to Milner.
[Photo: Matthew Childs/Action Images via Guardian]

The Gunners' halftime talk was not reinvigorating in neither sense; they still suffered from the attacks of Young. The home side grasped every opportunity in the set-pieces, particularly on corners. Some scrappy defending led the Londoners to some moments of frantic nervousness. In the 61th minute after a great run by Arshavin, Cesc couldn't quite control the ball and somehow Rosicky found it as he shot a howler at point blank. The ball punched the crossbar and another chance was wasted.
With Arshavin spending more time in the box, it looked that the lead could be soon coming nevertheless, Villa's intelligent defending was the cornerstone of the game. The match suddenly turned open as both teams struggled for the late goal. The final minutes were a mixture of imposure by O'Neill's men: the fact that both teams played fairly good led to the conclusion that the points dropped were actually more painful that what appeared.

Stoke City v. Arsenal 3-1 24/Jan/10

2010-04-13T01:44:00.002-05:00

Ricardo Fuller at the double.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]

Today at the Britannia stadium, Arsene Wenger's priorities came into light as his team was outclassed by the Potters in a three-goal salvo today. The fourth round of the FA Cup saw the halt of a successful run of wins with Manchester and Liverpool both also exiting at early stages. Certainly this defeat will not lift a major burden as the next four matches are symbolical and crucial to the contention of the Premier League: Villa away, Manchester, Liverpool and Chelsea at home to later finish in the Champions League quarterfinal against Porto, all in a limited span of twenty-one days.
Campbell's return was ludicrous since the centre-backs - and particularly the wretched Mikaël Sylvestre - were the starting couple. Team selection has been widely criticised and probably the main culprit of the failure at this stage. All we can think about of youngsters of the likes as JET, Coquelin and the impressive Eastmond is that their growth has been advantaged, yet not to the extent of an FA Cup challenge.

Gunner comeback Campbell did not have his best game.
[Photo: Alan Walter via Daily Mail]

Any team that battles with Stoke is advised to take proper care against Rory Delap's throw-ins. Instead of that, Arsenal again fell into one of the Irish "crosses": in the second minute of the game Fuller took precious advantage of gaining the back of Eastmond to head past a childish Fabianski who waited in the line for the ball. With this rookie mistake, the "blue" Gunners battled a difficult fight against the negative outcome of Delap's deliveries.
If there was certain grip of the situation in the previous matches in which the visitors were outnumbered in the score sheet, this time that feeling was completely vanished due to the fact that the only attacking option that seemed to work was Carlos Vela. The poor performance of the midfield with the terrible defending that Sylvestre poised ensured the Potters a wealthy advantage in possession.
It was not until the 34th minute that a real threat shook Sorensen's goal. Despite the peak, the Gunners managed to grab a late equaliser by Denilson: a freekick taken by Cesc saw the Brazilian score after a series of deviations to put the visitors all square, just before the break.

Fabianski misses Whitehead final blow
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

Matters only appeared to improve for the Gunners when a long range shot from Fábregas nearly caught off guard the Stoke keeper. Vela proved luck by improving his presence in the box. Even with three substitution well past the hour of gameplay, Wenger's men proved to be nothing more than mediocre and dismal team in many of their attempts. Instead of assuring chances in corners or at least some quick passing the London defence let Fuller take another hint at goal, this time from a cross.
Sylvestre stand still as the Potters assured their lead for second time in the match. Then on, everything went wrong for the Londoners as another goal came into the goal of the nervous Fabianski. In the last minutes the performance dropped from horrid to dismal. The poor goalkeeping along with the terrible defending and the non-existent offensive threat helped the Potters to go through the next phase.

Arsenal v. Bolton 4-2 20/Jan/10

2010-04-13T01:11:00.001-05:00

The exact moment of polemic.
[Photo: Rebecca Naden/PA via Guardian]

BOLTON DOUBLE FEATURE: PART TWO

Again, in the final outcome of the double feature against Coyle's new team the Gunners assured yet another win to climb top of the Premier, just right ahead of Man Utd, who are one of the following teams in the fixture list. The Londoners suffered during extended periods of the match and for nearly 50 minutes were in a deficit of two goals, which they corageoulsy reverted to double the Bolton's original scoreline. With the players focused, another "Liege night" was avoided from what could have been a detrimental dump in the chase of the title.
Regarding TV coverage, the match was not broadcasted in the UK thus, many Gooners had to rely on dismal links and streams to watch the game in its entirety. I found my own way to watch the game with some links that were broken and although the quality of the stream was hilarious, I grasped a vast majority of the game with the aid of some match-casts, such as the one in Arseblog.

Returning Cesc on the scoresheet.
[Photo: Mirror football]

Just before Cahill grabbed the early lead in the seventh minute, strikes from Arshavin and Diaby went through the busy Trotter midfield. The lead, was consummated after a series of flops and distractions into a rather scrappy Arsenal defence. Three defenders let Davies head the ball back to Cahill, who finished opposite to Almunia's direction. In spite of the psychological blow that the early goal offered, Rosicky coupled with Arshavin to provide Fábregas with an excellent opportunity in front of Jääskeläinen.
As the minutes passed the Wanderers gained confidence and in the 34th, through Taylor, they doubled their lead with a penalty kick: Denilson harshly took Lee Chung-Yong off guard and the penalty was awarded. A dream and a nightmare for both sides and the match was moving into its critical phase.
Arsenal's efforts increased when Eduardo took a weak shot and Gallas headed to the crossbar just before Rosicky lighted the thin ray of hope for the comeback. Cesc held the ferocious mark to set the Czech in the right edge of the box: the following shot was a violent break through and the only way for the home team to narrow the lead.

The moment of the alleged tackle.
[Photo: Robin Jones/Digital South via Daily Mail]

In the following forty-five minutes, the Gunners assured themselves another brave achievement: three goals and a superb display were the outcome of the difficult yet entertaining match. Memories of the Liege game came into mind as another scrappy goal was produced in the midst of the polemic: Fábregas scored his 11th goal of the season past the legs of Jääskeläinen in the 52th. William Gallas deliberately fouled Davies: the Bolton player had to be substituted since the foul by Gallas showed the studs wide open.
Thirteen minutes from Cesc's goal, Vermaelen had the chance to give the Gunners the lead as they piled more pressure on Bolton. A tremendous and ferocious shot after a tight control inside the box was the final touch for what appeared to be the winner. With some acrobatics from the Belgian international captain, Arsenal managed to get several corners.
The visitors regained some control and won nearly every challenge in the air. Eastmond replaced the injured Diaby to enjoy his second ever game in an Arsenal shirt. Whether there was a sense of discouragement of Bolton, the efforts were getting dangerous by the minute. Another dodgy finish and with the aid of Bolton's defence, Arshavin scored to give Arsenal the two goal lead four minutes from the final whistle.

Bolton v. Arsenal 0-2 17/Jan/09

2010-04-10T22:57:00.002-05:00

The starlet seems to be on his way to sign a new contract.
[Photo: Jon Super/AP via Guardian]

DOUBLE BOLTON FEATURE: PART ONE

After a week of speculation in the latest transfer window, the Gunners assured a two-goal win away against a hapless Bolton side, who looked more aggressive than brilliant. With the entrance of Owen Coyle an apparent calm was looming in the Trotters as they saw a chance to improve their effort to leave relegation. One of the biggest news and a promise to look forward in the match was the inclusion of Sol Campbell -- rather than the re-inclusion of Fábregas after his injury at Villa.
Another one of his stunning displays will secure the Spaniard a solid place in the next World Cup and could sparkle that revolution which every Gooner intends to watch. Whether his arrival can or cannot change the face of this team is yet difficult to assure but if one thing is certain is that the other player, the English centre-back will give an enormous boost of leadership and experience, which sometimes seems to be lost in the mist of Arsenal's locker room.
Even when the danger of the threat that Bolton could impose, the engagement is not yet finished, when the Gunners face the Trotters in a double feature, common to this site at several stages over the last three seasons. The outcome of these pair of encounters should be more than interesting.

The Spaniard, with the lead.
[Photo: via Ian Hodgson via Daily Mirror]

The hectic pace in which the Gunners were involved by the home team lasted at least twenty minutes. In that time-span, Bolton's Finnish goalkeeper denied Cesc in two chances. Even with the powerful display of the Londoners, there were several leaks in the defence such as the enormous gap that Armand Traore gave away. Again the inconsistency of Almunia proved wrong believers right since a some scrappy defending nearly gave the Wanderers the lead.
Nevertheless Arsenal found their victorious way when an on-fire Fábregas grabbed another -- the goal came as he shot to defeat Jaaskelainen. Even with the respite of the Londoners, the inclusion of the young Craig Eastmond proved to be handy to replace Song, rather than Denilson. The aggressive and ridiculous harsh tackles by some of Coyle's players came back as an old déjà vu; particularly annoying were the efforts from Taylor, who could have been sent off as well as Rosicky.

Owen Coyle's homecoming was not really pleasant.
[Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images via Soccernet]

With no further ado, the visitors again started the second half -- as many of their visiting games -- with distress and a lack of focus, particularly in midfield. Advances by Bolton's midfield proved to be difficult to punch back. The London defence conceded a priceless opportunity to Taylor, who put the ball into the lowest orbit around the earth. With the early substitution of Eastmond the question of the holding midfielder remained, as Diaby covered the young Englishman's position.
After a couple of substitutions, and with the game waning in time, the Londoners were able to repel and counter; in the 78th minute, Cesc again made a marvelous in-control run down left midfield which landed in the feet of Mérida, who without hesitation, shot past Jaaskelainen. The final minutes seemed a mere watch, with the tie already in the grasp of the visitors.

Arsenal v. Everton 2-2 9/Jan/09

2010-04-07T02:59:00.003-05:00

Manuel Almunia: inaccurate and slow, even at avoiding friendlies.
[Photo: AFP/Getty Images via Daily Mail]

In the midst of an epic blizzard the Toffees travelled to the Emirates today to dramatically draw a game which was a complete antithesis of the the first game of the current season. The previous matches for the Liverpudlians resulted in two draws followed by two solid wins. For the most part of the encounter, the fans were frustrated as they saw a weak and nervy side without their best three players. All that is expected is just a Chelsea draw, that is highly unlikely to happen -- as Manchester drew earlier on with Birmingham. Next week there will be another double match fixture against Bolton; there the Gunners must take all their power to ensure their confidence and momentum keeps growing, despite this match against Moyes force.

Landon Donovan, one of the most hated persons throughout the Mexican republic, shone in his icy debut at the Grove, providing one valuable assistance and a great performance down the right side. For the most part of the match the Arsenal players were unable to deal with his constant threat.

Pienaar lobs in front of a helpless Almunia.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily mail]

In an arctic start Saha was denied a chance as well as Diaby just before the Toffeemen took the lead through a blistering header by Lee Osman. The mistake was due to some childish defending: again Gallas forgot what a defender must do in the box and let Osman head with a freedom of a striker. Again the old story was about to be retold in the freezing conditions: the Gunners regained possession and tried to build their way past the visiting defence. Throughout fifteen minutes they did it with quite easiness but no actual effectiveness until the equaliser arrived in the 28th minute.
Denilson, who scored in the first leg of the previously mentioned match, shot into Howard's, but a deflection helped the home team to square things up. With fifteen minutes to finish, the Londoners could not make a difference, with the likes of Nasri and Diaby offering little to a visiting side that stood resilient in front of goal.

Fortunate deflection for the Londoners.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

The fifteen-minute break did more damage than help to both sides, since a lot of snow covered some areas of the pitch in spite of the effort the stewards pitch maintenance crew. With a thundering display by the American Donovan, the Gunners suffered from his incursions in the left side, now deputised by Traore. Even with the possession in 72% favouring the Londoners there wasn't real danger coming from them
After a couple of substitutions there wasn't a good panorama at the Grove. Denilson was on the verge of another goal but it went out wide after a deflection. Even with efforts such as Vermaelen's, who nearly tickled one in, the Gunners kept their scoreline as it was in the previous half. Reaching the 70th minute, the siege by the London team aggravated the Liverpudlian defence. In that same play, the entire Stadium claimed a penalty, the occasion--the Brazilian Gunner went down inside the box.
But the South African Pienaar looked sharper to counter all Arsenal efforts as the defence was caught up off place and Cahill released him down the middle; he run into Almunia and chipped it in to give Everton the advantage. As the view looked gruesome the Gunners pulled out of their sleeves another late show when Rosicky got Arsenal back on track. The shot was fierce and there was nothing Howard could do.

West Ham v. Arsenal 1-2 3/Jan/10

2010-04-06T03:21:00.001-05:00

Eduardo scores the lead.
[Photo: Paul Childs/Action Images via Guardian]

The first match of the decade for the Gunners - in the FA Cup context - resulted in another late show to ensure their travelling fans, and supporters at home, a solid display of two goals against one. Zola's men provided a strange blend of tough direct attacking with some fearful defending. It only rests for the Gunners to wait until the next match away against Stoke, in what promises to be another strenuous and difficult match.
Previous matches have reported a deficit to Wenger's men. With the return of Senderos to first team and Ramsey's momentum, the north Londoners secured a troublesome tie. Palmer at Soccernet was adamant on the way the visiting second string of players assured another win.

[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

The match entertained very few as the deadlock was imposed through nearly all the first period. Attacks by Diamanti, Eduardo and Vela were held by both keepers. Whether the first forty-five minutes offered little in terms of football, the possession was not as equal as the attempts. The Gunners enjoyed a fair amount of it, whilst many of the West Ham opportunities were made in that wretched left hand side deputised by Sylvestre this time.
Wilshere's attempts were poor and the overwhelming attention by the Hammers on the teenager showed his lack of rhythm. Despite the effort from the visitors to square things, West Ham grabbed a late lead already in injury time: the fault was in the sloppy, slow ex-Manchester defender, who this time, allowed Alessandro Diamanti slip away into the offside trap and scored neatly.

Francisco Merida, a fairly mediocre participation.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

As if it were not enough for Wenger's suffering, Stanislas opened the second part with a strong right footed shot palmed away by Fabianski. Again the power of West Ham's midfield rose above Arsenal's and some evident weakness were shown. Merida, the obvious candidate for an early exit showed no more that a couple of passes but the entrance of the Frenchmen Nasri and Diaby provided the Gunners what they have been missing throughout the match: power and creativity.
The lack of a central striker was felt; Green denied three times attempts by Arsenal midfielders. Meanwhile the match was turning primarily entertaining for neutrals as both sides struggled to get a good grip defensively speaking; by the 78th minute the Hammers' grasp did not last long and the equaliser came in the hands of a brilliant Ramsey shot at left. Six minutes later, the insistence of the young guns paid dividends; Vela, after one assistance, set Eduardo who neatly lobed the ball into Greene's post--the finish, superb. The final minutes were as stressing as the first. In the end, perseverance gave five the Gunners the victory just as they passed through the next round.

Portsmouth v. Arsenal 1-4 30/Dec/09

2010-04-05T02:48:00.001-05:00

[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Arsenal ended their year and decade with a high and flamboyant success at Fratton Park after beating four to one relegation-placed Portsmouth. Certainly after the lucky streak of wonderful performances the Gunners will rather want to extend their successfull spell next Saturday as they face London rivals West Ham United in the FA Cup context. Whether this year proved to be cosy and motivational in some respects and dismal an horrid in others, the prospects of a bright future next May, in any of the three fronts, can be achieved in this tough but encouraging contest.

The Gunners' decade went from brilliant - clinching the Premier League title on two occasions with and unfathomable 49-matches unbeaten as well as the FA Cup three times - to a hapless five trophy-less years, losing one Champions League final and two semi-finals, another Carling Cup final as others can be added to the list. Certainly teams of the likes of Everton, Villa and even Tottenham, would love to be in the north Londoners' position since only elite teams are allowed to enter this stages.

But for a team such as Arsenal, the bar as gone well too high and trying to achieve feats such as the previous, demands the best players among the world. Hopefully - sooner rather than later- we can see a different outcome towards this situations. 2010 could be a year in which the Gunners could see those dreams lifting up - why not- a treble. Congratulations to Vic Akers who was awarded an OBE.

[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Within two minutes Portsmouth could have opened the score, primarily with Boateng's effort saved by Almunia. As the minutes flew by the visitors found some stability and reached Begovic's goal in several occasions. It was the lively effort of the home squad bolstered with appetite for a goal and not the fact that their opposition could not seem to find a way well into the game that made the encounter more attractive. As the clock ticked, Begovic denied Diaby after a quick succession of passes. In front of Portsmouth's area, the visitors were running riot and an inevitable positive outcome was fully expected by the travelling fans.
Unfortunately for Portsmouth, Kaboul deflected the path of the ball towards Begovic's far post and suddenly the Londoners found themselves with the lead. Not a clear response was made by the home team as the minutes passed. Again the dominance of the visitors provided them with the opportunity of breaking through a second goal, this time with the brilliant talent of Ramsey.

[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

Things could not have gone better for the Londoners since their grasp was placed through a huge amount of possession. Steadily, the pressure mounted towards the Pompey side, again to prove critics regarding Arsenal's away form. Without hesitation nor problem Ramsey stole the ball, shook off one marker to shot crossed Begovic's post. The Gunners were three-nil and another one of those epic marks was coming into light.
Nadir Belhadj brought a ray of hope to the home supporters as he scored against a rather clumsy and slow defensive back. Even when the home team made decent efforts to close the gap the visitors' threat on Begovic's goal was imminent.
Ten minutes to end, another goal of brilliant proportions took place when Nasri controlled a deviation just to clinically cross into Song's head who lobed the ball to beat again the Bosnian keeper. With a couple of opportunities scrapped by the visitors there were few minutes remaining for Portsmouth to raise the edge. Luckily enough for the Gunners the match ended with a solid three goal lead.

Arsenal v. Aston Villa 3-0 27/Dec/09

2010-04-05T02:15:00.002-05:00

The skipper completed in a thirty minute performance a brace.
[Photo: Jonathan Brady/EPA via Guardian]

In a twenty-seventh minute "cameo" Cesc Fábregas reassured his commitment to Arsenal's cause and put Aston Villa in trouble just as his brace made the difference. Despite the injury some thought that it was 'worth the risk. Within this brief span of thirty minutes, the Spaniard secured what for the Gunners meant a step closer towards the Chelsea in the hot pursue for May's silverware.

Whilst the battle between direct fourth-place rivals meant a lot more than just gossip from the media, the match resulted to be quite an attraction. After this troubled encounter the Londoners face a tricky four week schedule with a travel to struggling Pompey, a home fixture against Everton, an FA Cup tie against Hammers and a double feature at Bolton.

The exact moment of beauty.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

For most of the first half, the fight between the two teams was fierce. The opposition really did not give the Gunners much chance to score: meanwhile the efforts were neutralised by what seemed a really solid defence. Even when Arsenal created chances - mainly one by Eduardo and a volley by Nasri - the deadlock imposed by O'Neill's men was tough. For large periods of the first part, the Londoners appeared to have the upper-hand whilst many of the attempts came from the vigorous right-hand side. Strangely, not even a single cross was made by Traore. The physical contest was won by the home team, that by the break had made nothing more of a push towards their opposition.

Limping after his second.
[Photo: Guardian]

If the previous half provided the Gunners with plenty of possession, their hopes were revitalised when a rampant, brilliant and lucid Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to put his team back on track. Before this entrance, the home side made enough attempts to put Friedel on target several times. With the inclusion of the Spanish international, in the 64th minute, the home team rose above level. Cesc, marshaling all the players, reordered the midfield and in one of those occasions was kicked in the edge of the box by Dunne.
Immediately afterwards came the second consecutive free kick goal in the last two matches. If Denilson and Nasri were to take the ball, immediately Cesc grabbed it, and with a dexterity of a master, put he ball in the farther side of Friedel's goal; a wonderful cherry on top of the icing, the Spaniard was proverbial.
After the goal (and until the end of the game) the Gunners strolled past the Villains, creating at least three more chances. In one of them, Cesc was fed by Theo on the wing and scored. Unfortunately, although he completed his brace, the captain was limping and eventually got substituted. Afterwards, even with morale high the defence look focused enough to not give away two goals as in previous matches. In one rampaging counter-attack, Diaby finished with a trade-mark goal after passing through a couple of bodies before ending the game.

Arsenal v. Hull City 3-0 19/Dec/09

2010-04-01T03:22:00.001-06:00

Nasri against the thick of Brown's troops.
[Photo: John Sibley/Action Images via Guardian]

After the draw in Turf Moor last Wednesday, the Gunners received one team that has been annoying their aspirations - even if just theoretically . Whether the absence of Cesc Fábregas meant something of a void, the home team were able to cope with the absence of their talismanic captain. Particularly the work of the three man in midfield was outstanding: Diaby provided one and created another as well as Denilson's beautiful comb while Song proved once again that he is the driving force for all the creation.
Palmer's verdict could not be closer to reality: "A depleted Arsenal got the job done and they will need to win plenty more games like this if they are to push Chelsea close in the second half of the season. Their lack of strength in reserve must still be a major concern."
It was of the utmost importance to see a win, for many believed that after the previous draw, Chelsea could have regained a broader lead in the table. With the current situation the Gunners stand six points behind their London counterparts with a game against Bolton in hand. The other news was the Champions League draw: the Londoners were drawn with FC Porto, a team that in the past have proved to be a rather toilsome if not annoying. Last year it was Cristiano Ronaldo's long range driver that gave Utd the edge.

[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]

Most important was the question of Arsenal's midifield vacancy and Diaby did not disappoint. Where in the past he had received flak from nearly all Arsenal quarters, today he impressed in a rather industrious fashion. His shot at the 14th, as well as his fellow countryman's Nasri in the next minute, proved wrong the strange outcome of the first half. Whereas the Gunners made an effort to control the ball throughout the whole of the first half, the labour in which the physicality of Hull's game was based deprived most of the home jingle. Shots from Eduardo and Arshavin provided the necessary statistics against a pretty even match.
It was not actually just before halftime that interesting things happened. Nasri sparkled a riot in which the young Frenchman and Stephen Hunt saw yellow cards. Right after the incident, Denilson took what appeared to be a freekick in possession of the ex-Marseille midfielder. The Brazilian impressed the whole stadium by deliciously curling the ball away from both the defensive wall and the keeper. Even if the Gunners did not enjoy the usual football they deploy at the Emirates the tough force behind Arsenal's effort came to light.

Diaby sums up his performance of the day.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

Particularly enthralling resulted to be the second half. Arshavin set Eduardo a decent pass that ended in a wide effort or as Gunnerblog sums it in his Twitter: "Bergkamp-esque turn by Eduardo but he misses the target". Ten minutes after the halftime whistle, Sylvestre "pulled" Cousin's jersey to concede a penalty. Whether the lightness of the challenge or the rigour imposed by the referee were the main factors, Almunia did save in an outstanding manner the spot kick from Giovanni.
From then on the opposition cracked and vanished to mere dregs. Eduardo opened his personal account after a strolling counter on the box by Abou Diaby. If he proves to be consistent in this trademark events, we may be seeing the force of the replacement of Song when the ANC takes place in January. After a couple of substitutions the Gunners dipped yet another strike with the same Frenchman at the tip of the spear: a devilish strike after a play that he, with Song, manufactured throughout the final third of the pitch.

Burnley v. Arsenal 1-1 16/Dec/09

2010-04-01T02:48:00.001-06:00

The precise moment of the flaw.
[Photo: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images via Guardian]

Another travel to the north in one week saw the Gunners draw at Turf Moor against a hapless yet industrious side. Where at moments both teams struggled to find their own forms, there was one of those clashes in which both earn one point where actually the totality of the three could have made a lot happier either set of supporters and players. Burnley cannot be accused of playing to draw, neither Arsenal of underplaying: the constants that the Londoners face each time they travel to hostile grounds are, by this time of the season, measured and should be taken into consideration.
The previous win against Liverpool mattered little in this case. Even when the schedule seems to be an easy one, the fact that another pause comes between the home games against Hull and Villa could benefit the current situation instead of hampering it. Burnley resulted a rock on the path? as Wenger's ambitions once more took halt and should be no more than that as another lesson is learned.

[Photo: Mirror Football]

The haphazard beginning saw Vermaelen nearly scoring in his own goal, but Almunia palmed away timely. The northern team had several opportunities to counter the Gunners' approach. Within the first minutes they deployed their usual custom when visiting teams, specially with difficult travels such as this one. In the seventh minute, they took the lead through Cesc Fábregas after combining with Burnley's moronic defence
The London skipper made himself present for Carlyle's defence as he strolled past one defender and lobed the ball to shoot wide. The visitors made around five "warnings" when the clock approached the quarter of an hour. The clearest of them was a combo between Nasri and Arshavin; his try made the woodwork tremble nevertheless.
Pressure by Coyle's men gave them a bounty they could nor reject; Vermaelen gave away a penalty and Alexander squared things up three minutes to get to the half hour mark. From that point on, the Clarets made a crusade to grab a lead, which really did not seem strange taking into considerations the state of Arsenal's defence.
As the final minutes o the first half ended, the home attack began to grow as the Spaniard skipper had to be replaced by the young Welshman due to an early injury. Instead of finishing the first part at top gear, the sense that the Londoners entered into a kind of a no-way out trap appeared to be welcomed by the home supporters.

[Photo: News of the World]

Reaching the 56th minute the visitors had their first approach of the second part through a largely common, standard corner. Walcott summed up his terrible form with a wide shot at row-z, which was by far the clearest chance of the match for his side. As the Clarets took advantage, Eagles made a surreptitious move to edge Silvestre and Nasri; his subsequent shot hit the post violently, all this at the 62nd minute. Eduardo came on for Theo a couple of minutes later. From the sixtieth minute to the eightieth minute, Coyle's men scrapped a load of chances, beginning with Foster's at 65th. A disallowed goal broke the hearts of the Burnley supporters at Turf Moor as Fletcher found himself offside.
With the craft of Nasri, slowly the home team's dominance began to dissolve as the visitors' began to increase. Despite this great endeavour there should have been a penalty awarded to Burnley as one of those clumsy tackles by Sylvestre came out. Yet the final five minutes produced some desperate football by both teams. Instead the stalemate remained and the two teams shared the two points; probably any of the eleven men would have been happier with the three.

Liverpool v. Arsenal 1-2 13/Dec/09

2010-03-22T00:51:00.002-06:00

Childish defending gave Liverpool the lead
[Photo: Ian Hodgson via Daily Mail]

This time the "kamikaze football" had to wait as the Gunners finished the Merseyside team in "two halves". The Gunners are assuring a reputation of something like Jekyll and Hyde: sublime attacking prowess with tremendous effective goal-scoring abilities against dismal and depleted lack defending talent. Even when the key word for a successful run of games is consistency and considering external factors -such as injuries- permeate in the final decision it is imperious that the form is sustained.
Whether the halftime rant Wenger gave to his players was as surprise, it seemed to have the effect needed. Maybe one of those techniques from Football Manager really works.

[Photo: Tim Hales/Associated Press via Guardian]

In the "first half" the Liverdpudlians were very much abusing the young visiting team. The first attempt came from a link between Torres and Gerrard, which the Spaniard wasted. Another one came from Liverpool's main striker which ended in Gerrard blatantly diving at the feet of William Gallas. The hectic start of the match was combined with the inability of the visiting defence to cover the spaces left by the defence. Instead Torres kept terrorising the London back over and over, when the twentieth miute mark was approaching.
The hostility that the Gunners put was by far one of the poorest that we had seen in the season: flops, pass misses, poor challenges, no attacking dimension at all. With fifteen minutes to go the threat proposed by the home team was a real worry. Within a space of ten minutes the Reds managed to put their counterparts agaisnt the wall, mainly through the incursions of Glen Johnson. Not a single attacking chance came from the Londoners as the match wore off.
The first attempt was a weak driver from Nasri, in the 36th minute. Obviously Liverpool's efforts paid bountiful dividends within five minutes: Almunia made one of his common timid approaches to the ball and Dirk Kuyt tipped to get the ball in the back of the net after hitting a couple of legs.

Andrey Arshavin, again the saviour as the last season.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]

Following the late lead and the desperate measures that Wenger took, the Gunners went out with renovated spirits for the second half. Luckily enough for the visitors, the leveller came pretty fast after nearly seven minutes of game. Before Johnson's own goal, the threat of Torres set up several chances for the Gunner defence. The momentum that Liverpool had during the first ten minutes of the first half, was exchanged by the fierce and aggressive style Wenger's men deployed.
The lead came, as Andrey Arshavin grabbed a lost ball before striking it in Reina's net, with a reminiscence of that 4-goal salvo last season. If there was a moment in which the Liverpudlians could have closed the gap it was when Howard Webb booked two Arsenal players for a couple of fair challenges.
As the match wore off and two substitutions were made, the current result was likely to stay due to the absence of a decision by the Liverpool squad. Two more injuries, near the end of the game arrived to the already-depleted London squad. When Sylvestre and Ramsey came in there was a sense of an achievement by many of the visiting players. The final whistle - which came after five minutes of injury time instead of the announced four - was a relief to many supporters and at this stage of the tournament.

Olympiakos v. Arsenal 1-0 9/Dec/09

2010-03-17T02:39:00.001-06:00

[Photo: Giorgios Karahalis/Reuters via Guardian]

In another Carling Cup (sorry!) Champions League match, the young Arsenal "reserve" team lost their last game at group stage in Athens. With a place in the last sixteen already secured, the Gunners needed just a draw to end their comfortable group with a perfect record - a thing that it actually did not happen. This math was yet another exercise and a leap of faith from the high ranking officers in London to provide younglings with such an unfathomable test as visitors in Europe. With and average selection of 21 years, Kyle Bartley and Thomas Cruise were among the debutants. ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley asserted in an unmatched way the "unbeaten leaders of the Greek league against Arsenal reserves".

[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

As it seemed that the incredible atmosphere in Athens could break the young guns' hearts, they managed to please the the visitor supporters at least for the first twenty minutes. The fierce Grecian defence led the way from having the London team at their won end, to providing three clear chances in the following ten minutes.
Even though in the first ten minutes the young Gunners posed an outstanding disposition, the impetuous defending and the off-guarded central defenders showed a lack of unity. The visitors travails were acquiesced by the little resistance from the Greek side, such as Ramsey's wide shot in the 34th.
The Welshman, at the heart of every movement, managed to give pace to the Londoners' match. With two yellow cards in the final 6th minutes, they looked to end the half in a high note but instead the home team made a step forward just by winning in possession and confidence.

The best man in the field for the Gunners, just after wasting a valuable chance.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]

If the first half was outstanding regarding the age of the visiting starting XI, the Gunners let themselves and their travelling supporters down as Leonardo scored just within a minute and a half from start. The London defence was caught off guard and Leonardo just went past through the remaining dummies and finished against Fabianski. In the counterpart Ramsey fed Vela in an incredible opportunity, which was timely saved by Nikopolidis.
With half-hour to go, the Gunners really did not look as if they were able to break the opposition in two, despite the number of opportunities they created. Reaching the 75th minute, luck was running out as Galitsios crashed with Sylvestre, although both players continued; Sunu replaced Jack Wilshere.
As the minutes went, the difference that was established as minimum in the previous half, slowly passed away as the London youngsters proved to be nothing but a "childish" match for the Greek team. One thing is to play every one or two weeks a merely competitive reserve match, and the other is playing week-in week-out for the last three months in such a demanding league as the Greek. Mainly, it was the physical shape of the visitors which kept them aside for contending in the last ten or so minutes. Still, Ramsey managed to deflect a venomous corner into Leonardo's body, who covered the near post.

Arsenal v. Stoke City 2-0 5/Dec/09

2010-02-27T01:19:00.001-06:00

Andrey Arshavin scores the opener.
[Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters via Guardian]

The celebration for the 100th game at the Grove - with 94 wins - and Arsene's 500th Premier League match seemed perfect as the Gunners edged out the Potters without to much an effort. After two catastrophic defeats, the Londoners restored a little confidence by winning on a fair margin of two-nil. The contrast with other matches was the type of display that Wenger's men made - a sort of ambiguous decrepit offensive array mixed with laziness and a penalty miss, all included.
Probably the ratio between attempts, shot on and shots, made quite a difference since if those numbers would have been counted in, the margin could have been broader in many respects. Whether there was not a gulf in class between the two teams the threat posed by the visitors showed little but no resistance. Certainly this type of arrangements should serve as a preparation for next week's clash against Olympiakos at Greece.

Not a good finisher from the spot.
[Photo: Rob Noyes/Pinnacle via Daily Mail]

Very early in the match, the lone striker Arshavin was blocked by Sorensen. Where the Gunners made a very good start, the northern team managed to recover from a strong possession their opposition handled. It was not until the first quarter of hour that the terror from Delap's long throws diminished.
The Irishman, in a quite sudden frenzy tumbled Arshavin just after the Russian's quick feet made effect. Cesc Fábregas, from the spot, failed to deliver, as Sorensen saved. Whether it was a brilliant save or not, Cesc gave to much of the position rather than saving providentially. Arshavin again flapped one in but it went wide on reaching the 25th minute.
In the following minutes, after a varied series of opportunities, the Russian netted exactly when needed. Past three defenders he flicked the ball to the far post of Sorensen. The response was futile as the Gunners could have gone two up, instead Cesc shot into an empty goal to find Eboue between the ball and the goal. Near the break the only hope for the visitors was to regroup for an eventual comeback in the second half.

[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]

Obviously the comeback was not due to arrive, mainly by the craftsmanship that the Londoners showed in several occasions. The early substitution, probably in relation to a muscular problems, saw the Mexican teenager Vela advancing in Wenger's picking line. Sorensen suffered from the flak, as he saved in two occasions reaching the 53th minute. In that same span, the Welsh international Ramsey replaced Emmanuel Eboué in another injury worry.
With nearly half an hour to go, the Gunners assumed their resilient dominance but still they were not able to finish the match promptly. Shots from Arshavin on woodwork came hitherto in another effort to put Stoke on the edge. Where Arsenal looked frail and threadless, Stoke did not offered much of a fight: the input made by Fuller and Beattie was insignificant.
Instead, the Londoners made a leap forwards when, late in the match, Ramsey scored to double the odds and put Arsenal with all three points. As the Welshman stormed past three defenders, he just strolled outside of the box and netted his second premier league goal, with eleven minutes left.

Man City v. Arsenal 3-0 2/Dec/09

2010-02-15T01:37:00.002-06:00

[Photo: Ian Hodgson via Daily Mail]

In a similar fashion of that of last year's, the "reserve" team of the Gunners was minimised to shreds after a proper first team who defeated the Gunners in order, to reach the semifinals of the unimpressive Carling Cup. In no way this should be treated as a failure since focus that Wenger associates to this cup is to prove second string player and youngsters. While this tournament seems as another FA Youth Cup, some of Wenger's kids have to worry about their consistency within the north London ranks. Post match reactions by Arsenal's manager against Hugues have acquired a fairly indiscreet amount of coverage throughout the media.

[Photo: Daily Mail]

The Mancunians started the match with a large run of unanticipated fervour: Tevez shot as Adebayor retaliated with a wide header. Not even ten minutes into the game and the Gunners were facing an anticipation of what the rest of the match was going to be. The defence was shaky starting with Armand Traore. The offensive impression of the Gunners was reduced to a run by Vela, who finished above the bar.
Craig Bellamy ran riot through the right back just as one of his ferocious drivers went just inches from woodwork. Again it was Fabianski who saved a close range effort by Carlos Tevez. Even when the visitors gained possession and tried a bit more than what they were actually making, the attempts were futile as Shaun Wright Phillips still dominated the game on that left side. The second clearest chance for the Gunners was the one by Eboue at 34th minute, digging deep into the box to face Given.

Tevez celebrates his terrific definition that gave the Citizens the second goal.
[Photo: on Super/AP via Guardian]

Four minutes passed until the cracks in the Arsenal defence appeared. Tevez, against the reluctance of three defenders shot past the wall and finished top corner. In an outstanding definition, Arsenal showed some amateur defending. The experience of the home players completely outclassed the fresh, lively initiative of the Gunners' reserves. One could think that the captain in time, Mikaël Sylvestre, could pose some calm. Instead he was booked for some moronic defending worthy of a youngster.
With thirty minutes to end, the panorama did not look as bright as in the previous Carling Cup matches: even when Emmanuel Eboue and Ramsey provided Carlos Vela with chances, the Mexican looked like an ant against a dinosaur in front of two experienced centre-backs. If we come to think about it, there was no actual striker even when positions were reshuffled. As the time wore off there was no actual offensive threat from the Gunners. Sanchez Watt substituted Eastmond, and the momentum of the visitors grew. If there was a point in the match that the Londoners had an upperhand, was for about twenty seconds.
Immediately after Wright Phillips dribbled through two defenders and provided an outstanding volley in the back of the net. Within ten minutes to go there were more bookings made rather than the entire match. The final goal by the Mancunians was when substitute Weiss ended top corner; Merida final shot on woodwork was useless.

Arsenal v. Chelsea 3-0 28/Nov/09

2010-02-08T01:55:00.001-06:00

The precise moment in which Arsenal's defence broke down.
[Photo: Getty Images]

With another stunning performance by the Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and the complacency of Arsenal's defence, the Blues won today's contest in a fashion that was nearly a laugh. With eleven points behind the London rivals, the season seems (and only seems) over to Wenger's men as a precious opportunity to close the gap was wasted at the Grove.
The absence of Robin van Persie, Arsenal's best deliverer in the past three seasons, will be a haunting shadow as news from his recovery stressed the exorbitant amount of four to six months. The atmosphere and the build-up was as maniatic as the outrageous scoresheet; even the hideous Ashley Cole dared to put his name in the record. The problem should be passed on in order to regain the wretched confidence and utter disappointment.
If there is a thin ray of light in the Gunners' immediate future in the league, it is that of an absolute crash of the current rivals paired with another of United, and a flawless and magnificent display by the north Londoners. Where in many cases the beautiful game has its turnabouts, there is nothing sure in the nine-month unpredictable ride that is the Premier League.

One of the crosses that killed the Gunners' hopes.
[Photo: John Sibley/Action Images through Guardian]

Possibly between the first twenty five minutes of the first half, Ancelotti's men were slack and showed no real threat to the game the home team was trying to weave. Instead, they played the long dutiful, yet convincing game of growing in confidence and starting from zero. The Gunners' charge, led by Eduardo, did not jeopardise Terry's defence just as the clock reached the 29th minute.
The tense atmosphere between the two sides was escalating as the Gunners only took a weak effort from Nasri in the 24th. As the match wore, the confidence of the team led by Lampard increased to the extent of having the actual grip of the match. In one of those runs, Ashley Cole got himself into the left side and crossed to find a lonesome Drogba in the box. The Ivorian neatly finished as the ball bounced in the crossbar and entered.
As if this quick result was not crushing enough, another effort from the same full-back saw Vermaelen score an own-goal. The defence, in a hapless attempt to chase the ball, looked in line as if some magical intervention would keep the ball out of the way of Drogba; instead it went through the body of the Belgian and Chelsea, suddenly were two-goals up.

[Photo: Daily Mail]

The second half, instead of showing the Gooners the greatest of comebacks, was really a disappointing endeavour that highlighted the areas in which Wenger should invest in the following January. Particularly interesting resulted the fact that Samir Nasri provided the clearest opportunities, opposed to the hapless and off-paced Eduardo. Again the mental strength was a factor in favour of the Russians (I mean, the Blues).
As the match continued Wenger substituted the best man of the team, Nasri, to introduce the crafted player-type of player Rosicky. Whether this was a factor against the fresh inventiveness of the French against the passing of the Czech, it only helped to give certain advantage to Ancelotti's team. Despite some futile attempts of the north Londoners, the suffering did not diminish as Drogba stroke the last punch. A deadly freekick into Almunia's post and the match was virtually over.

Arsenal v. Standard Liege 2-0 24/Nov/09

2010-01-31T21:07:00.002-06:00

Nasri enjoyed a good match, scoring the opener.
[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]

After the troublesome visit to Sunderland last Saturday, the Gunners assured their qualification to the following phase of Europe's elite competition by winning against an insipid Belgian team. Whereas this step was considered granted, it was crucial for the aspirations of the title league. Restoring the confidence just before a massive clash against Chelsea on Sunday was as important as earning the win in Europe. Three points against the Blues on Sunday, will close the gap to a minimum. One of the most interesting parts of the season - the other beginning in March - is closing fast, with nearly seven games to be played between today and the break of the 19th of December.

Arshavin suffers from Gallas' header.
[Photo: Rob Noyes/Pinnacle through Daily Mail]

The start of Carlos Vela and Gibbs return were among the good surprises of the night. Vela's first start in the lead central striker role was a magnificent first test as Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are out. Already in the second minute, Arshavin set Song who missed just, as the Liege keeper saved. Shots from Nasri, Cesc and Vela were all saved by Bolat. The tone of the match was set to be this way: Arsenal attacking while Liege, well... just defended.
Again Bolat, with all the luck of the world, kept his goal on zeroes, as Vermaelen hit Arshavin hit, Vela the wood work and Gallas the keeper. The hectic moments of the 22nd handed 104 passes and 69% of possession. As the match wore off a terrible incident occurred: Gallas headed Arshavin's head, making the latter bleed. Within three minutes Arshavin was ready but Gallas was still dizzy.
Nasri took the lead after Moulemo slipped. The definition by the French was clinical. Certainly taking advantage of this mistake in the commotion of strangers was of the utmost importance. Fortunately the match ended before anything worse happened. Shots from Cesc and Arshavin nearly tripled the lead.
It was thirty seconds before the break when Denilson shot a terrible screamer that went straight in Bolat's goal. Even though this result was an advantage for the Gunners' aspirations in Europe, the main fear between the supporters and viewers was for the health of the French centre-back and the Russian forward.

Denilson enjoys his goal in his first match after his back injury.
[Photo: Nick Potts/AP through Guardian]

Fortunately for Gallas' health, Silvestre came in. The rampages of Liege in Arsenal's box were hilarious since they could not even shot on target. The Gunners relied, again, on the prospect of possession. This proved to be handy indeed, as in the 60th minute the offensive efforts by Vela went wide. Theo Walcott came in in that same minute for Nasri; Arsenal's last substitution saw Tomas Rosicky coming in for Denilson.
As the match went stall, reaching the 71st minute there was a sense that the score could have gone to a 4-goal mark to say the least. Although many more attempts came from Arsenal's midfield, mainly orchestrated by Rosicky, neither was as clear as the main two attacks in the latter part of the first half. Whereas the Liege forwards made decent attempts, one in the woodwork in the 85th, the sights of the Londoners were put on the crucial Sunday match. What is a real point for concern was that n a final shot, Gibbs appeared to be resented.

Sunderland v. Arsenal 1-0 21/Nov/09

2010-01-31T02:17:00.001-06:00

[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]

After the controversial and infinite international break that completed the 32 guests for next year's World Cup, Arsenal visited the Black Cats to earn yet another loss. With key absences the Gunners managed to make an lacklustre display against a team that managed to keep United at bay, and well, we all know what happened with that beach ball.
The recent setback reinforces the idea that the injuries are what is keeping this team from closing the gap on teams like Chelsea and Man Utd in England and Madrid and Barcelona abroad.
It is rather obvious that the different misjudgments among the media - that the season is over for Wenger's men - are no more than biased rubbish. Indeed it is a blow for the Londoners but the season is just coming to the interesting part, in which a mistake against a top team, such as Chelsea next week, will have strong conclusions in the immediate future. The only thing that is left for the Gunners is reassuring confidence for the Sunday clash against Chelsea.

The other point that sparkled the fury of the supporters - and at the club in all its quarters - was the injury of Arsenal's marksman Robin van Persie. While the international matches that are mandatory are difficult to avoid, the fact that the match in which he sprained his ankle to the extent of rupture, was worth less than a penny, remains inexcusable. With both teams qualified, the Dutch manager should have known better and instead of risking a top class player, and probably his best striker option, a strong test for a youngster from the local league could have provided something more to his insight instead of proving what is already there. His absence could be between the sights of four to six months, as the earliest. Initial reports are dubious with this type of injuries and more information should be provided when an accurate prognosis should appear.

[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]

The surprise for the visitors was the inclusion of Armand Traore in the team. The fact that the young French is ahead of Mikaël Silvestre in the contention for full-backs is a relief to all of us who enjoy football, let alone the Gunners' game. As for the game, there was not a particular difference with the other visiting matches that the London team has encountered: tough opposition in the first twenty five minutes that dilutes after an organised defence.
This was essentially what happened at the Stadium of Light. It was not until the 27th minute that the Gunners began to equip themselves with courage to withstand the stout efforts of the Black Cats. The proof of this was a "Play Station" play created by Song, which finished in a futile effort by Eduardo to hit the ball. A shot by Ramsey and the fear of a recurrent injury on Nasri were among the main concerns in the first half.

[Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images through Guardian]

Aside from the hideous comments that Gustavo Cima made about Henry ("a brilliant handball!") the second half began quite equal, with both teams making no difference at all against each other. It was not until the entrance of Andrey Arshavin, in the 60th minute, that the Gunners' game began working. Both Rosicky and Nasri displayed, what I think, was the worst game this season so far.
Plays came from both full-back sides, and no one proved to be effective enough. The home lead came by Darren Bent, after a strange bizarre defending in which, apparently all the visiting team was looking at the ball, took advantage of the header to score with his right foot. Then on the Gunners could not make a difference with possession. Arshavin tried, through a Song pass, as well as incredible amounts of crosses and shots: Vermaelen's volley, Vela cross and Walcott enormously wasted line touch. The match ended, with a discouraging score sheet, which could have been doubled.

Wolverhampton v. Arsenal 1-4 7/Nov/09

2010-01-31T00:28:00.002-06:00

Arsenal's captain in top form at the moment: fifteen appearances, nine goals.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images through Guardian]

Before a 14-day international break in which the remaining European qualifications spots will be drawn, the Gunners travelled to Molineux to catch the second spot in the title race. With one game in hand, the horizon for Wenger's men appears brighter, although in paper, a congestion of fixtures approaches with a demonic speed. Specially with rivals and league leaders Chelsea having a terrific start, the matches to follow will provide Arsenal the opportunity to prove themselves in this long road to May. With the injury hitlist at its toll certainly a buy or two should enhance the options of attack or defence in any case.

[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]

With the start of Ramsey the visitors did not enjoy their greatest moment in the first ten minutes: Gibbs saved from the line in one occasion and Gallas got booked. The usual form that is deployed in the visiting matches again appeared, since a tough and difficult start was joined by another set of indiscretions by the London back-four. As the Gunners struggled to find possession - and even the talismanic skipper was making mistakes - Diaby was stretched out and Song came in.
Whether this was a good augur for the visitors, it was clear that from the 25th minute, things began to look promising as possession was regained. Unfortunately for the Wolves Zubar's mistake after an Eduardo header in a corner kick, gave the visitors an awkward and practically undeserved lead. Again, in the 35th, Craddock deflected what was supposed to be a wide effort by the Croatian. Ramsey set him up and luckily for the Croatian, the ball went in after a magnificent lob.
Again within a matter of minutes, Fábregas continued his fine string of performances with yet another goal, this time from a fine team work just before half time. Sagna set van Persie, who with a flawless technique lent the ball into the Spaniard who flicked it in without a doubt.

[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]

As the second half initiated, the mistakes the home team made were not purged by any chance since an easy conceding gave the visitors the mental strength they needed. Despite that the Wolves did make a positive start for some minutes, but rather suffered from the hammering number of 89% of possession. A devastated home team could not get the advantage of the local support and instead received more punishment, this time well into the game, by Arshavin in the 65th. Previously
Whether the reaction of Wenger was of a nearly secure win, Nasri's entrance made quite an impact since many of his efforts went really close of another mark on the scoresheet. The attitude of the Wolves was of clear dismay: a match already lost in another unlucky night. Yet again, the Arsenal defence conceded an incredible goal as the clean sheet was broken by Craddock, this time in his right end of the pitch. The defence was poorest in all its meanings and the finish was average but incisive against the lack of marking.

Arsenal v. AZ Alkmaar 4-1 3/Nov/09

2010-01-29T02:00:00.001-06:00

Cesc celebrates his second, a touch of genius.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

After the last week's cheerful display in the north London derby, Arsenal took one step ahead in the pursuit for qualification to the next round with a fair victory over AZ Alkmaar. While other teams in England drew, the Gunners starred in a way in which not only had a decent lead but an outstanding match and a blistering deployment. The string of performances that the young Arsenal skipper is maintaining, after the change of role, is really reaching a level of a true five-star midfielder. If there was a time in which he was completely brilliant it seem that with the passing of time, he is moving towards a position that he can do whatever he wants, and that only benefits Wenger.
The return of Samir Nasri from his injury in preseason has boosted the squad's attacking intentions and certainly they will prove handy in the following matches at Molineux and Sunderland.

[Photo: Andy Hooper through Daily Mail]

With the absence of El Hamdaoui, the depleted options of Alkmaar played a fairly decent effort in the first half. Even as early as the third minute the Dutch team managed to create a couple of arrivals just to test the defence. Van Persie scrapped two chances in the 4th and 12th. With the cheer of the home crowd, the Gunners enjoyed a calm amount of possession throughout the following ten minutes. But all changed since the Gunners capitalised with a lacklustre shot by Cesc Fábregas in the 25th minute.
If there was a form in which the Londoners could have scored the preceding was not the likeliest, considering all the different options that they had provided in the previous minutes. Nevertheless, the lead was unquestionable - and for a matter of minutes - the home team would inevitably find another goal to set themeselves in the most comfortable of positions.
Still, there was no problem since the Frenchman Nasri returned in quite a dexterous fashion after breaking Moreno in two. A subtle dribble past the Mexican international and a top draw definition was his outcome with two minutes of regular time.

Nasri hits the second for the home side, after breaking Moreno in two.
[Photo: EPA though Daily Mail]

Meanwhile, a couple of minutes after the whistle, the Gunners extended their lead with another fabric by Fábregas after an outstanding piece of fluent game and velocity. The finish was superb and the pass, amazing. Despite the three-goal disadvantage (reaching the 57th minute), the Dutch team managed to hit the cross bar and pushed Arsenal to perform certain manoeuvres to manage the pressure.
Aside from several attempts made by the visitors the Londoners kept them at bay, even managing to make some substitutions to rest Fábregas and Robin van Persie. Almost Kieran Gibbs slotted one in with his weaker foot with twenty minutes on the clock. In the 71st the sublime style developed by Wenger came into fruition with an astonishing definition by Diaby: the counter attack lead by Ramsey continued by Eduardo, who flicked to Arshavin, who found the Frenchman alone in the edge of the box, to wrap it up tightly.
Another defensive frailty gave Lens a chance to win an honour goal, when he found himself in a good position. Almunia, once again, gave his near post and with a slow flick by the forward, he was completely trapped. The fail to keep a clean sheet may not be the worst scenario here but maybe, in a not-so distant future, against another team it may be.

Arsenal v. Tottenham 3-0 31/Oct/09

2010-01-25T02:27:00.001-06:00

Arsenal's captain celebrates the third goal of the evening.
[Photo: Reuters through Daily Mail]

After a run of strange and seemingly disruptive results, the Gunners secured a confident win in the traditional north London derby against the arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. A series of inquires were made regarding the way that Arsenal won the game; in matches with a pressure such as this, it really does not matter how you win. Instead of all the frenzy media watching a Tottenham side that made the most hilarious and childish mistakes, I saw a solid home team that displayed when necessary and with a regularity worth of a win. The goal by Cesc was not just sublime but Zidane-esque.
With this kind of win morale lifts higher than ever and we all hope one thing from the Gunners: consistency. In the end Harry Redknapp and his useless declarations just highlighted the supreme dominance that this group of youngsters has over their north London rivals. No more can be said regarding the performance that was light years' distant in comparison to the last match at the Emirates, which saw Jamie Redknapp gone mad. Now, who is laughing Jamie?

[Photo: Getty Images through Daily Mail]

Right on in the second minute Bendtner bowed an off shot right on top of Gomes. With confidence boosted as the Gunners enjoyed a very discreet amount of possession, David Bentley reminded us his class after a deliberate handball and a nasty challenge on Vermaelen. Again the momentum of the home side continued as Gallas deflected van Persie+'s 16th minute freekick.
Exactly when the clock reached the 20th minute Arshavin produced a chance that was finished by Fábregas. Then on the pace of the match moved slower even when van Persie had yet another chance on his left foot, he stroke it wide of the near post. With the minutes passing and the pressure piling more on the home side than on the visiting, the match turned into a quiet Mexican stand-off, that lasted for at least another ten minutes. Injury worries increased when Bendtner recurred in his groin injury.
Then, the house of cards neatly built by Redknapp's men, fell down with two blows of brilliancy. After a couple of swings on Gomes spot, Arsenal's number eleven took the chance of a lifetime as Sagna crossed into the box. Immediately afterwards the willingness, fortitude, talent and magnificence of the young Arsenal captain sprung out to put in the Spurs at the edge of the knife.
The Spanish EURO champion strolled with the delicacy of the most talented of players to steal a ball from the zombie-like stunned Spurs, dribbled through three players and put a magnificent icing on the top finishing near post of Gomes. A Zidane-esque effort granted the home team with two goals in two minutes near the break.

[Photo: Who Ate all the Pies]

For the sake of what beautiful football demanded, the Spurs could not even had a breath in the beginning of the first half with Diaby nearly scoring. Even when the Gunners were adamant in possession a sense of unity was being summoned by Redknapp and his minions. Gallas' handball at 57th was a reminder of the frailty of Arsenal's defence.
Frustration overcame Spurs as a gigantic hole was put on Almunia's goal. In that visitor's momentum a bucket of cold water submerged the Spurs into pure misery when yet another mistake by the defence granted Sagna with an unimaginable chance to cross and find van Persie again. With nearly a half hour on the clock, Tottenham's hopes vanished into thin air.
With a 60,000 cheer when a Gunner touched the ball , moral for the other north London half was completely broken. As the minutes passed, the confidence of the winning team nearly afforded them with a couple of goals. When substitutions were made the game was won; not just because of the hopeless opportunities that the Spurs had been wasting in the beginning of the half, but with their general mood ant also, the overwhelming presence of the Gunners.

Arsenal v. Liverpool 2-1 27/Oct/09

2010-01-10T02:48:00.002-06:00

[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]

With a rampant display from the Spanish U-20 midfielder Fran Merida, the Gunners rolled over rivals Liverpool to earn a place between the best eight in the Carling Cup. With Spurs match upcoming there was a strong point in setting Nasri fit. The disappointment was the miss of Wilshere due to injury; and also the appearance of Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool's "savour" according to erhm, well, nobody. With this kind of performance it appears that the Gunners, even with such a young squad, are near to what will be required of them in matches of pressure against better teams.

[Photo: Mirror Football]

The rapid start of the match showed attractive displays by both teams: Merida shot at 8th and Degen wide effort in the following minute proved that this match was moving as fast as it could. Nasri dribbles awarded him a freekick, which eventually went deviated. With the assistance of the Frenchman and a mistake by the Ukrainian Voronin, Merida stroke a wonderful shot to the post and then into the net.
But it was not too long for the Liverpudlian response: seven minutes later Insúa found his way through the defensive line of the Londoners to receive, control it with the chest and the punch a marvelous volley past Fabiasnki. Whether the quality of the goal is undeniable, certain amount of blame should be pointed at the Polish. the intensity provided by both sides saw them level in many of the clashes as well as possession. With eight minutes to go, the Gunners, and particularly Nicklas Bendtner, had a chance to grab the lead again after a series of rebounds in Cavallieri's goal.

[Photo: Tony Marshall/Empics Sport through Guardian]

Bendtner, just five few minutes after the whistle, broke into Liverpool's defence to give the Gunners an advantage. After some tangle in the box with Merida, the Dane managed to unravel the mark and stroke a powerful shot. the attack continued with Samir's footwork, which earned Arsenal a counterattack in the 54th. With the game moving as quick as in the first part the Liverpudlians managed to scare their opposition with a Voronin shot.
Reaching the sixtieth minute the momentum faded as both sides calmed a bit. Ramsey was again manipulating all the play as Merida and Nasri managed to create enough damage to the depleted visitors. Yet Liverpool remained calm enough to provoke some pressure after some injury time minutes after the 71st.
At the 77th the expected debut of the ex-Roma midfielder took place, among a cloud of mysticims. with few minutes in the clock, the same Italian provided some passes and even was on the verge of taking an alleged penalty, on the final seconds of the 94th minute.

West Ham United v. Arsenal 2-2 25/Oct/09

2010-01-08T03:01:00.001-06:00

[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]

Just after a midweek draw, the Gunners went on again giving the lead and assuring one point, that tasted as bitter and harsh as a defeat. Arsenal dropped two more points in this London derby and the lesson seems not to be completely understood by these players. Zola's men, taking into consideration their effort, were outstanding in levelling a match that was won.
With this attitude this batch of players will surely not reach more than the fourth place: it is of the utmost care to see dividends and start waking up from the laurels in which, many of these younglings, are resting. One can think of a more dramatic or catastrophic ending if this were to be repeated once or twice against lesser or better teams.

Well deserved for Zola and his players.
[Photo: Mirror Football]

At the beginning it was the Hammers irregular response who gave the visitors certain facilities to score: the first was an obvious lapse of irresponsibility when Sagna crossed to find a free van Persie, who just pushed the ball in the back of the net. The mistake was that Greene made an early exit, missed the ball and stumbled Tomkins.
Reaching the 30th minute mark the resilience that the Gunners showed was by far extended to defend than their London rivals. The efforts by Sagna were shadowed by the huge amounts of possession the home team had for lapses. Then on the siege began for the Gunners. Strangely the Hammers had fairly decent runs of possession and chances, such as Cole header in the 33th.
Arsenal then doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Gallas. The Frenchman strolled past the home defence to head back. With five minutes on the clock the opposition locked deflated and defeated and well, there was no other way in which the Gunners could not triplicate their lead.

[Photo: News of the World]

It was difficult for any supporter, whichever side was, to think that this match could end with a two-goal scoreline, even though the Gunners made no approaches reaching the 60th minute mark. Throughout the previous fifteen minutes there was not a lot of action on either sides; Arsenal holding pretty decent while the Hammers felt as if defeated. Cesc nearly pocketed a long range effort in the 63th minute. It appeared as if the visitors had already learned their midweek lesson concerning the lack of focus when the goal arrived.
Cole finished Diamanti's freekick just as Mannone seemed to palm in and assist the Englishman, all that in the five-yard box. While Arsenal defended discreetly there was a certain strange feeling that the centre-halves were not proven sufficiently fit. Still the Gunners insistence worked as Green denied Arshavin in the 73th minute.
Apparently the Hammers were back on track with Parker's alleged penalty but instead the referee awarded the home team another one: Song tripped Cole and Diamanti levelled at 80th.
Bendtner substituted Eboue in the 81th. Even when the supporters thought it would be sane enough to see the end of it, the late show continued as Scott Parker was sent off. The drama kept even in the final whistle to see the two London teams share the loot.