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

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.

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

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.

Arsenal v. Chelsea 1-2 18/Apr/09

Exactly when the Gunners had a fairly decent run of no-defeats and that certain form of game play had been cementing regarding new players, injuries and rotation, Chelsea destroyed them, apparently in an easy and very hurtful way for Wenger's men and Arsenal supporters.
Even though that in the last match Arsenal overcame the Blues with a superb show by van Persie this time it was "Tito" Drogba who neglected the young Gunners in a dismal and dreadful performance by each and everyone of the north London players, except Gibbs whose performance was not that troubled as the previous ones. Now the Gunners' hopes rely on Champions League glory only if the best of the best performance could arise from the young Guns feet.
Next match is against title contenders Liverpool in the context of the 20th anniversary of the tittle as well as the Hillsborough tragedy.
We can remember five years ago, in February 2004, Reyes show as well as a clear dominance from Arsenal to Chelsea in 170 games played. Again it were the amusing and intelligent comments of Quique Wolff and Miguel Simón that animated ESPN's broadcast.







It was Arsenal's dominance that brought them the lead, with an overwhelming pressure and talented gameplay, at 18' when Gibbs crossed tp Theo who after a deflection on Cole's hand, scored. In the follwoing miuntes the pressure piled up for the north London side and even though the defense faced a solid opposition Hiddink's men easily overcame the Gunners and meanwhile, at 25', all seemed to pass through Lampard's boots. The equalizer came after the ex-Hammer made a long and apparently offsided-pass. Malouda took the advantage of the defense distraction and scored on Fabiasnki's goal, who could have done a better job in both goals. Of the first minutes were completely sided to the Gunners the next forty five were of the Blues.







Again Chelsea's momentum seemed not to disappear and Adeabayor's attemtps wide off the mark only highlighted the job from the defense. The match went quite the same as the first half with not many arrivals to mention until the alleged penalty kick on Walcott. From then on the Gunners mental state grew tired and after several arrivals from Chelsea three substitutions came, thinking in the following thirty minutes. But 'Tito' Drogba made it certain, that the Gunners were not going to contend in Wembley next month. Again Lampard, with a fine long ball, set Drogba who only waited for the right moment to joggle past Silvestre and to wait for the premeditated exit by Fabiasnki. Obviously the goal was a punch that the gunners could hardly recover. One thing to mention was Silvestre's performance: "Silvestre se ha resignado." prayed Simón. I completely agree with him. Later repetitions shown that he seemed reluctant to the fact that Drogba would lead. That, dear reader, is not the attitude of a professional. Again English silverware will have to wait another year for the Gunners.

Arsenal v. Hull City 2-1 17/Mar/09

With an apparent offside goal by William Gallas, the Gunners will face next month in FA's Semifinal rivals Chelsea. In any case the match became difficult enough and it was the Dutchman van Persie who equalized things to give the Gunners a late hope. In the outcome of nexts travel to the Tyneside the Gunners fiercely need three points in order to secure the fourth place. In other news Friday's draw will have the attention of more than one Gooner in what could be another elite clash against one of Europe's best. Nevertheless the worst part of the year is coming and a ban from the alleged spit on Hull's asistant by Cesc appears as an awufl prospect. Well, then come on you stupid Spaniard!







Arsenal started quite lively the first half; the Tigers with solid defending and the Gunners arriving without many effective opportunities. The deadlock was broken by Nick Barmby powered by the deflection in Djoruou's leg in the 11th minute when he volleyed past Almunia to grab the early lead. Even though the London side attempted more and in the next fifteen minutes nothing with substance enough came the game stood still. With Arsenal approaches growing in number but decreasing in quality the half ended with yet more complains from Wenger to the fourth officer and many corners, all cleared by Hull's solid defence. In the last seven minutes, with injury time, Arsenal pondered heavily on Hull's goal, but nothing alarming to fear the Tiger's keeper.







Throughout the second half Arsenal dominated possession and thus the siege began. In the first fifteen minutes 60% of the balls were for Arsenal as the home side kept and continued several times and through several forms the attack. With the huge gaps left by Arsenal's midfielders the visiting team began to attack. Two players came in for Arsenal in the 65th minute, Nasri and Bendtner, the first to give depth and creativity and the latter to basically score. Arsenal's attempts grew in quality with van Persie's freekick nearly entering Hull's goal at 69' and a header from the same striker at 73'. It was not until the following minute that the Dutchman equalized, due to the lack of prowess and pressure by Hull's defense. Now that the Gunners had the upperhand they looked sharper. The late lead came in the 84th minute through an alleged offside header by Gallas. It is not clear if Hull's keeper touched the ball after or before Djorou but if the latter did, it was suppossed to be disallowed. Obviously the northern team attacked the Gunners through the final minutes but nothing really came to bother Fabianski. With the final whistle Arsenal are going to face Chelsea at Wembley.

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

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







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







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

Manchester United v. Arsenal 4-0 16/Feb/08

Apparently, it does not seem enough to loose against Tottenham horribly, but against the other arch-rival Man Utd proportioned the London side a beat that will live strong in the memory of the 'Red Devils'. It was almost a 'revenge' from the loss of points against Man City, and Man Utd did a warning on the EPL title race. They are still one and more alive than ever. It will be a tough campaign from now on and the tie later in the year will be decisive.
Regarding the game the Manchester side destroyed completely the Arsenal FC. There are no other adjectives that can qualify the perfect way the Manchester side played, and the way the London side was diminished. It was a single way traffic of the ball, and could even be more than four goals.
In the formal analysis of the match, it was a game to forget. Even against the Spurs at the Carling Cup showdown in the semifinal, the team struggled and fought against the powerful nemesis, but here it was a relentless massacre. The first minutes were contemplative, a measuring by both sides, in which strengths were paired, it was the nerve of the game, that took the slow pace of the Arsenal. It appeared that he center back that has raised hails in this blog, was strong and did not loss the pace that characterized it since previous seasons. Lehmann had a few savings until the goal arrived. Man Utd players, specially Anderson, begun the generation of the game with a good solid flow of un-marking. Anderson played excellent, making the necessary support to the forwards and organizing as well as creating game, providing chances and finishing with shots on goal. All plays passed on his feet. The goal, another set piece creation was a good header by Rooney, which had a very good game, showed the reluctance of the game play by Justin Hoyte. I will comment on his game later, which has been one of the worst performance of an Arsenal FC player through my entire life. Immediately, at 20', Nani made a play on the wing which drove nuts Hoyte (all the game actually) and Fletcher took advantage on the terrible mark by Gallas which also had an awful match. Nani has proved a very good prospect on Mr. Ferguson. His role in the wing, similar to Cristiano, has been a delight the 'Theater of Dreams' this season. There are many similarities but we must not mix these players. He played a terrific match and in my opinion he diserved Jav's Player of the Match, with a very respectable double-shared honorific mention to Wayne Rooney and Jens Lehmann. The midfield of the London side was invisible, Eboué was imperceptible although Hleb tried to be the link that has been missing when Arsene lines up Edoardo and Bendtner together. The Londoners were dimished physically. Exhaust took its toll among players like Cesc or the recently returned Touré. The position of Man Utd against the fewest of the chances that Arsenal produced was strong, as Juande Ramos planning in the Carling Cup semifinal. Gallas failed, in this game and the previous mentioned game, to be a leader that is supposed to be. Flamini's leadership lacked and was until he came out of the bench that looked a bit more manageable. The inexistent defense by the London side was clearly pictured in the set pieces, and specially in the memorable offside trap.
The sent off of Manu Eboué was completely correct. He forgot about the ball. He was violent and totally lacked fair play. That play affected emotionally the team, it was a catharsis of the frustration. In seventy minutes the Arsenal was not capable of making a good goal occasion. It would have been more goals if it was not fo Lehmann. Arsene did the three changes in order to reserve his best players to the game on Wednesday. One of the three matches to forget this season, all againsty direct rivals, and not that direct: Seville, Middlesbrough, Tottenham and Man Utd.
Justin Hoyte is different theme. Nani drove him mad all the game, all the game plays came from that side and he lacked everything. He played not awfully, but horrible, a performance not worth of a "first division player". He is in danger although Arsene will keep him, the people at the Grove will certainly not look him the same.
Finally some rumors about Arsene Wenger moving to the city of Barcelona next summer as well as the return of their privileged child Fábregas, popped out greatly among Spanish media reaching unendeavored heights to the extent of both members of the club reassuring that they are going nowhere for a long time.
Both teams manage to make the right replacements due to the UCL matchs against AC Milan (Arsenal) and Olympique Lyonais (Man Utd). Those matches are very important and though the FA Cup was a very high stake in the schedule of Mr. Wenger, the focus of the Frenchman and the team is evidently put in the EPL and UCL respectively. It would be a tough campaign for both English sides facing top teams at their leagues. The case of the AC Milan is a very special one. Throughout the first part of the season they did not won a single home game, until 'Pato Maravila' arrived and made a perfect debut; as posted in this blog earlier and also in Miles'. A bad news for the Gunners is that both Kaká and the Brazilian youngster will be ready for the clash at the Grove. The London team as barely coped with the injury season that stroke the team this season. This injury crisis is even worst than the one faced in 2005/2006. Nearly elven players were not available for this game and presumably the figure will not narrow in frequent days. This though injury setback leaves Arsene limited to a pick of 14 to 16 players. This will be a major setback in the final part due to the same 14 to 16 players playing at a regular two-competence games (if Arsenal advances in UCL), this will cause exhaustion and more injuries. It will be a very hard time for the club, and is the reflexion time when one thinks that in the winter transfer window could have brought a high quality player (such as Samir Nasri) would be a good selection. My bet on the national cups win is broken and I see very though with the 'hospital' that the Arsenal is, to win more than one silverware this seaon. If Arsenal wins one and in case wins both, next season will be even tougher one, due to recovery of injury setbacks.

Arsenal v. Newcastle 3-0 26/Jan/08

Another 'Soliloquy' type of match against Newcastle United at the Grove saw the Gunners qualifying the next round of the FA Cup to face arch-rivals Man Utd.
The Tyneside showed a pragmatic start against the overwhelming power of the Gunners who found in Manu Adebayor the center of the team, as Cesc in previous season. Cesc level has diminished a little with the incursion of Mathieu Flamini. Flamini is more offensive than Gilberto and the fine equilibrium that the Spaniard and Brazilian had has been replaced by a different equilibrium, with both moving upwards, mainly in a tandem sort of play. The Absence of Ivorian Touré has left the space for push ups in the hands of the young Frenchman. The early change showed the direction of the game. Sub Edoardo came out of the bench to replace Tomás Rosicky in what appeared to be a muscular problem. From this moment the dynamic of the match was was purely offensive. The sudden attacks began by Cesc were like waves. Something that is representative of Arsenal since the days of the Great Herbert Chapman but interrupted by the Boring Arsenal of the 80's and early 90's. The generation of chances and ideas was almost unstoppable. The game was balanced, a 50-50 stake, although Arsenal dominion was manifested in many challenges, it seemed that the Tyneside could have reached the goal before Arsenal.
The goal came right in the early stages of the second half when the rebound of an Edoardo shot hit the post just to end in Adebayor's control and in the back of the net. From that moment Newcastle lowed the guard and even with some fine saves by Shay Given they could not end the miserable suffering attenuated by the worthless substitutions. Steven Taylor really did a great effort in covering the swaying strikers. For me himself and Given are the only ones that can be saved from the critics in this new team built up by Keegan.
Jens Lehmann proved again, with a very few occasions, that he is fit again and capable of recovering his place towards the EURO 2008. Diaby was another player that has been stablished in recent months with first team activity very often. Senderos at least showed more improvement than previous games. That offside trap, a reminiscence of Tony Adams style, has been used massively in every game this season. Senderos recovered the 'tradition'. This trap is a very difficult one, I have already mentioned its inconvenients in previous posts.
There have been a lot of rumors going on last week about the young starlet Theo Walcott. I have criticized him several times and Jon Carter in his soccernet.com article has given a good, full perspective on this talented but reluctant player. A 'little scare' is what a manager in México will do; a salary cut, exclusion from the first team by a couple of weeks or even taken him to the reserves or youth team. This is not the most orthodox of styles, but in many times works as a reminder that he has to push it even harder.
The second goal was a special one. While the tremendous technique involved in the creation, it was evident that two team mates were in better position than him to score. His attributes are clear and his proved effectiveness is never denied, but Edoardo and Flamini were following the action and a clear pass to Edoardo would have been the better option, not counting the finishing form the Togolese. This kind of situation make furious to other players specially striker. When you are in a better position to score that other striker, and the partner simply tries to get the ball in the back of th e net (whether it does it or not) makes some kind of resentment. So no wonder why a resentment has rise between Nicklas Bendtner and Manu Adebayor. Intestinal struggles between strikers can lead to two opposite things. The growth of the offensive in a natural, competitive and healthy environment or the hostile and aggressive search for the goal. Int he first example wonderful partnerships have figured like Bergkamp-Henry, Cruyff-Neeskens and Klose-Podolski. But in the other hand the struggles were brought up by D'Alessandro-Milito, Borgetti-Blanco and the latest which we are referring. I hope the Togolese is not making himself of another Thierry Henry; with an egocentric attitude towards the other players, he has to be remembered that he is part of the team, he can make a difference but here are another ten men behind him. One player that has disappointed me is Michael Owen. The Golden Ball at twenty two seemed to be England's next hope but everything fell apart when his infructuous move to Madrid and his ACL and PCL injury kept him sidelined from action almost a year. He has lost the speed, technique and even the strength to play. It is a shame that these type of players with a terrific future are misplaced, mismanaged, and mis transfered.
A very good tactical movement made by Arsene was the liberation of Cesc. He had been doing it the last season, but in a lower pace. It seems that the switch is completed an Arsene wants to make him more offensive in every way and by any means. Thus putting two midfielders such as Gilberto and Flamini. We will see the development of this movement in close.
The final minutes were a pure soliloquy of the London side, adding it an own goal by Nicky Butt, which added more suffering to the traveler from the Toon. This goal (as I always like to resume) was a cameo of the game; the good effort and attitude but overwhelmed by the talented home team. Arsenal faces Newcastle again in the context of the fourth round of the FA Cup. We'll see what Mr. Keegan could got from feedback, and see if he can apply it to his style.
A terrible, and inevitable fight, draw on FA fifth round saw the London side face arch-rivals United, as quoted above. This match should be the one that catalyzes the struggle for the EPL. We know from previous encounters what Ferguson will bring to the table. Not so with Mr. Wenger. A Match not to miss, stating that the fight for title should be on even in that date.
Another international gossip that circles around every sports analyst in the world is the squad named by Fabio Capello to face Switzerland on February the 6th. I have made my own list in what I will consider hi s choices; We will see how many players out o f twenty three can I score. Here is:

-Scott Carson
-Robert Green
-Joe Hart
-Steven Taylor
-Phill Neville
-Micah Richards
-Joleon Lescott
-Mathew Upson
-Rio Ferdinand
-James Milner
-Michael Carrick
-Owen Hargreaves
-David Beckham
-Steven Gerrard
-Jermaine Jenas
-Joe Cole
-David Bentley
-Luke Young
-Theo Walcott
-Aaron Lennon
-Andrew Johnson
-Gabriel Agbonlahor
-Peter Crouch