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

[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. Liverpool 2-1 27/Oct/09

[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.

Arsenal v. West Brom 2-0 22/Sep/09

Jack Wilshere suffering from the abuse by the opposition.
[Photo: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport through Guardian]



The young Arsenal squad began its latest endeavour with a home win against West Bromwich Albion in the context of the Carling Cup. While previous encounters with the Baggies proved favourable and light-hearted for the London team this ones was one of those games of 'two halves'. Although the young Gunners battled through the first fifty minutes to score, the sent-off of Thomas and West Brom's forwards misses gave the home side an extra edge to finish their aspirations.
One of the delightful events of the evening was the inclusion of several players of the last FA Youth Cup Final. The progress these youngsters have had over the last few months could be evaluated by the Gunners' faithful.




[Photo: Mirror Football]



Two headers from Senderos in the first five minutes gave tone of the encounter. As the Gunners dominated throughout the first fifteen minutes, there was a sense that there was no real threat by the Baggies. The latter argument was proven by the number of times Ramsey and Wilshere touched the ball. Where Wilshere nearly opened the score, Cox curled the ball just to Szczesny's hands. Silvestre's defence confirmed the previous argument wrong, and in the next two minutes the threat seemed more live than ever.
Wilshere provided some dribbles that broke the visitors defence. The dexterity of his technique allowed the Gunners to attack thoroughly between the 25th and the 35th minutes. The controversy began when Jerome Thomas was sent off and Cox booked. Strangely, the incident was aggravated by the fact that apparently Wilshere did not wanted to greet Thomas, who lost his head and baffled the Gunner. With two minutes added in stoppage time - and Ramsey's dreadful free kick - the first half ended.




Aaron Ramsey's effort over the bar.
[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]



Despite West Brom efforts throughout the first fifteen minutes, the Gunners found the back of the net some time after the substitutions. Vela and Randall came for Coquelin and Sunu: the entrance of the Mexican international provided more weight to the Gunners' offence. Probably another cameo of Arsenal's first team antics was the anxiety in which these reserve players were falling into.
Reaching the 68th minute the dominance that the visitors held for extended periods started to take its toll on the youngsters physical fitness. Fortunately for the home side - who had the running clock above - Watt scored after a rebound from a Vela shot. From the goal on, the Baggies completely surrendered: Vela finished a delicious chip from Randall in the 75th minute. The goal was a demo of the determination that a striker can have.
All in all, the confidence the first goal brought let the Gunners open the game against a quite decent and combative team such as West Brom.

Burnley v. Arsenal 2-0 2/Dec/08

Young guns dreams of advancing in the so-much criticized Carling cup were shattered yesterday at Turf Moor, courtesy of a double pounder by Kevin McDonald. Even when the Clarets showed resilience the young Guns deserve a strong applause as far as their goal was reched; with nine goals in two matches any team of Academy prospects might have never dream in their wildest of reveries. Particular dissapointment was brought from Spaniard Merida, that appart from playing apathetic, seems to have the back of the common reader and the press.
Wigan at home, previous clash in the Carling competition, visits the Emirates next weekend providing several results afar from the desired three points.





The "Capital Punishment III" thus began, in a rather difficult environment. The pitch had been ravaged by rain and snow. Hostilities commenced with an aggresive home side enquiring and putting both possession and speed in the game. A Jansen save on a Bendtner attack proved how moving the match could be, at 5' already. But the quiet night went not favorable for Arsenal as McDonald gave the lead to Burnley at 6'. Certainly a tempestive exit by the young defense lead the Scottish freeway to score. Then on at 10' the Dane failed to put the ball in the back of the net in what now could have appeared to be a two-goal lead for the Gunners.
Ramsey and Wilshere kept the team moving when playing close but the wide variants by the Gunners seemed not to work specially with Vela and Merida. In both wings Arsenal's defense faced strong opposition regarding Eagles and Blake. Pace and tempo obviously diminished and Fabianski was exceedingly nervous. Several aerial arrivals by the Turf Moor side scared the faulty Arsenal full-back. If it were not by Fabianski reflexes Arsenal would be, at least, four-up, at 35'.
Strangely enough Rodgers seemed to play in their right full-back position since his immense thirty-meter gaps between him and his defense partner Silvesttre. Arsenal passing and possession appeared in the last ten minutes of the first half, all attempts ended wide off the mark. All in all Ramsey's attempts to bring an idea on an equalizer were dull due to the solid defending of the Clarets. Jansen became the hero with not even a half of the match playes; a brilliant stop after a Bendtner-Vela combination.




I apologize to you dear reader due to the lack of the next forty five minutes. McDonald scored at 68' the final bummer for the north Londoners. I apologize again dear reader, this beign the first time I review a match not in its entire ninety minutes but from half. I promise that this would never happen again, this also being brought by the poor quality of the second half's transmission and the lack of replay. Again sorry.

Arsenal v. Sheffield 6-0 23/Sep/08

The young Guns overwhelmed and destroyed in the most relentless way, as expected, the most ancient club in the history of England. Particularly fellow countryman Carlos Vela scored a hat-trick, raising different opinions among each side of the Atlantic. The Arsenal youngsters faced nearly no opposition and among the best were the mentioned Mexican, the "Robosaur," and Ramsey. Next round promises even more actions from the reserves and U-17 squads, in a move imitated by several top-flight teams inland and abroad.





Ramsey appropiated the ball in the first thirty minutes. With more possession in him rather than talent there were several orchestrating abilities that overpass Cesc's. Certainly his eagerness for the ball control is more noticeable than in Cesc's. Crosses from Randall in set up pieces and Ramsey's control were the average dominion of the London side. Nearly no attacks from the flanks came in the first half but the flamboyant Wilshere deployed an extremely excellent amount of ductibility against defenders. Two shots by Djorou and a fine shot by Wilshere, who took it a bit longer, were the Arsenal arrivals as far as the 29'. The first of the six goals came from Bendtner. Merida set Vela who made space for the Dane who finished right in the far corner. Certainly Vela managed to get the mark off from "Robosaur" who shot with the posts already in his mind. The defense had no real troubles and Fabianski had the luck to watch his team mates enjoying the game at the other end of the pitch. The two-nil came from the "Manipulator" Ramsey who did a brilliant pass to an on-side Bendtner who finished it neatly. Again Vela opened the field into the right side towards Ramsey who, after dribbling inbox passed Bednter to give him his second score of the match. The final minute gave the London side the third goal through Vela who finished classy in the far post.







Second half brought us the three remaining goals and the same unworried London side against the poor and meek United side. The team showed even more flexibility and freedom to sway between sides of the pitch. If the team could nor enter left, quickly it turned right or trhough the middle. Carlos Vela provoded us a jewel of agoal at 50'. He finished over the keeper in a subtle way. The brilliantness of his definition resided in the choice of the keeper rather than the peek of the ball. Vela knew that from the angle he was entering the box there was no other posibility of scoring a goal than that but the keeper hesitated and the goal was in the back of the net. The fifth came at 58' with a good Wilshere shot off the box. Kenny had a lot of participation in this goal but the last bounce helped him. At 63' Bendtner missed his hat-trick opportunity with a through pass by Merida. I found even more quick and elaborated the style of the youngsters than the one used by the first team. Maybe it is due of the desperation of the young mind but Ramsey, for example, is very quick and if he cannot find an accurate pass immedaitely searches for the other player. At 70' Landsbury, Simpson and Cocquelin replaced Song, Bendtner and Merida respectively. The final punch came from a Ramsey pass that completed the hattrick from my fellow countryman. The game went on in the final stages of the match until the final whistle put the Gunners on the next round of the Carling Cup.

Tottenham v. Arsenal 5-1 22/Jan/08

I feel miserable, even to the extent of not willing to make this review in order to not remember the events that happened yesterday at White Hart Lane. The team, Arsenal FC, was used to humiliate, to bombard teams, but now it was our turn the other way round. We bombarded teams such as Middlesbrough 7-0 in 05/06, Blackburn 6-2 in 06/07 and Slavia Prague 7-0 in this current season. It was for sure one of the most miserable and awful days as a Gooner. Twelve years of devoted faith showed very few sufferings, all countable; the UCL loss against FCB, the departure of Mr. Unamable, a couple of losses v. Man Utd, the retirement of DENNIS BERGKAMP, the departure of Robert Pires and Mr. Dein attempt to sell the club. But this defeat really has shocked me in a sense of despair. And as Frank Stubbs in the official Arsenal FC blog said it, with a naive tone; "Let’s be honest, we all knew simply by the law of averages one of our teams would eventually lose but would we swap last night for the previous nine and a half years where we have remained unbeaten?". Nine and a half years of paternalism concluded and in a way nobody expected it. The unbearable singing went all over the night. The Spurss fans have waited long time for this, they dreamt to crash the Gunners in a way that was even unimaginable for them. It was the 60' and I could not see the the end of the devastation. They will never forget this match, a highlight just as Gazza's goal at Wembley.
What was supposed to be a thrilling match right from the beginning was shadowed by the Jermaine "Gooner Undertaker" Jenas. The precise start with the touch play different from the previous clash was worthless. The defense was reluctant on the mark allowing him to get straight into the box and striking to the surprise of Polish keeper. The own goal by "Dinosaur" Bendtner showed the weak side of Arsenal at set pieces, again. The Dane was not affected by the sudden blow and had a very participative game, with an early strike in the woodwork in the beginning of the second half. The 3-0 was the complete 'burial' for the match. The Irishman took a very good chance and gained the challenges on what it could have been a save by Fabianski. This particular goal set another of Wenger's flaws tactically; the counter-attacks. Obviously this mode of play is enhaced by spaces created, but in this occasion huge gaps between the lines. This gaps and bad-marking were the leitmotivs of the fourth and fifth goal. The fourth one specially a mistake of Gilberto Silva. The midfield suffered particularly, more than any other region of the pitch. The core of Arsenal's style, the nucleus of the game was shocked by the early 18' substitution of Denilson. Cesc entered to give a little more space to the center but Juande strategy worked perfectly. It was this way: Two gunners in midfield with the aid of a winger (in this case Hleb) to help restoring the game and create more touch. Tottenham used two midfielders also but with one exception, to create game you need at least four meters and when an Arsenal midfielder, particularly this three had the ball immediately three or even four men made pressure in order to negate all game play. The key of the game was this tactic, which Juande Ramos really did well. He watched tapes, and although it is not difficult to reach this conclusion he really made an impressive display of tactic, playing with the game of Arsenal, he ensured that his team could stop Arsenal at his flaws. Enrique Sacco on ESPN said the evident: the efficiency and effectivity of Tottenham.
Theo Wlacott did nothing. Patience is one of Mr. Wenger top qualities, but everyone runs out of it when the results do not show up. Justin Hoyte is as well another who could run out of luck in being named in the squad. Overall the players that at least showed the dignity to fight against the result were the previously mentioned 'Dinosaur' Bendtner, Manu Adebayor, Alex Hleb and Abou Diaby. A good attitude was shown by this players specially in the goal. A very few hope and the slightest of chances against a tremendous Spurs. Even the desperation of Arsenal FC reached its peak at 75' when it was evident the formation used (although indirectly, off course): 2-5-3. The struggle between Bendtner and Adebayor was a resumée of the game; the frustration in the crisis. Bendtner complained Manu in a set piece regarding marking, the Dane wanted cover, but Adebayor on the rush of the game did not listen him something that upset Bendtner. Finally Gallas interposed and crossing words with the 'Dinousaur' reaching even the confrontation until Gilberto cleared them off. A situation went out of hand both to the manager and the captain, which will not go far from that. We hope.
Tottenham played very well,excellent, without mistakes, although it hurts me saying it, its the truth. It was evident and no one can not deny it. My relief is that Tottenham still has mediocre players such as Jermaine Defoe whose failing aptitudes seem his born officium. Now the only thing left is to look towards the UCL, EPL and in a minor term the FA Cup.

Arsenal v. Tottenham 1-1 9/Jan/

I was getting used to winning and getting annoyed by a tie or very upset by a defeat. I was in the mood of a winner; nor like previous seasons, a survivor. Arsenal have played vary great matches so far showing a pure display of quality with such a young side, but in the other hand games such as yesterday's or against Middlesbrough showed the ineffective measures that a unhandled match can sustain. This game was one of them. Arch rivals handed out a very natural style, attending to the strength of their midfield and relying on players such as Berbatov or Jenas. The quality of the Spurs has never been put in question, but is for certain that the mediocre Martin Joll would not take the team to the height thy have reached with Juande Ramos. Spurs played well the entire game, it has to be admitted. The Gunners played in different tempo and intensity, which eventually lead to the tie and the resolve of this match at their ground. It will be an even tougher game at White Heart Lane, and Mr. Ramos has some secrets pending.
Again in ESPN's Latin American edition the innovative and entertaining style was shown. I have to say that due to the lack of narrative options in Mexican football media (after the quit of Jose Ramón Fernández and the late Don Ángel Fernández) me and my brother began looking for options such as Fox Sports which features Argentines Diego Latorre, Gustavo Cima, Javier Tabares et al. ESPN's English commentators such as Derek Rae and Tommmy Smith are quite favorable and good but not as much of The cople of Argentines that has a lot of Mexican sports chronic tradition. They deliver a pure and singular way of narrative in the game, even with strange and funny facts such as the origin of the name of Steed Malbranque or the comments on Bendtner's style or Alex Song' relatives.
Regarding the formal events of the game the overall was a bad game. In many ways the Spurs could have take a chance to win through Berbatov as their best man. Previous seasons his appearances showed improvement to the pint of Real Madrid asking for his price. A extreme hyperbole although he may worth it, how is the actual state of football in which clubs overrate their players and the best example on this is Boca Juniors' latest transfer Ever Banega. The quantity paid for him by Valencia was enormous and even he is not the player that may reach the 5m euro deadline. No wonder why Wenger prospected Berbatov in his time at Leverkusen.
The defense was a mess. In the first half Fabianski showed a great deal of safeness, although confidence went down on the second half particularly in the set pieces in the first fifteen minutes. He has a lot of future but the defense really din not help him. The chaos with this part of the field, came with the election of the tandem Senderos-Djourou. This couple does not resemble in any way the Touré-Gallas combine which complements each other. At the first stages of the match the combined Swiss center back showed a good start, with synchronization. The remaining seventy minutes were a complete disaster. The 'synchro' was completely overrules until Djourou was replaced by Hoyte. Even though the offside trap worked during some plays. But as Spain in the Germany's World Cup played the offside trap against France, it was obvious that with a player like Berbatov or a filtered pass by Jenas this little recurrence will fall ot. Time and time again when the arm was lifted a peculiar analepsis occurred; Tony Adams famous offside trap, a trade mark of Arsenal's defense through out a decade. This trap ended on the goal by Jenas who in previous seasons has become the undertaker of the gunners many times, this time in the 37'. Traore appearance was not like in previous. He was shy, and not many arrivals preceded, all of this because Aaron Lennon's ability to scoop beyond the line. He has been a very difficult asset in the latest encounter, with Gaël Clichy performing a cover all the game. In the other side Justin Hoyte assured his position as the most predictable player in the pitch. He seemed unwilling to participate on that flank and with his switch to the center back he showed nothing but laziness at the time of set pieces and one to one engagements. The change in defense, which was abnormal knowing Mr. Wenger procedures, was not by the bad performance of Swiss Djourou but for a groin injury as wel as van Persie. The Dutchman has simply being out of rhytm. After a long sideline of injuries including knee ligament damage, muscular strains and even a flu, his quality is still untouched but he may focus on fitness ahead the EURO. The same with Gilberto. An antithesis in last season game is crearly depicted by the Brazilian skipper. The midfield was diluted, the same as the big names featuring Mr. Wenger squad. Denilson had great chances in set pieces, all dismissed. Although he played a very neat game showing interest he was unnoticed. Diaby had an average start followed by a very good initiative match; he seemed the only one along Bendtner to have the equalizer. A very positive attitude instead of a provocative.
Regarding the forward Niklas Bendtner showed why the boss is always pending on him. His disposition to sacrifice and the effort made to assist and recover, even if that is returning into midfield, showed is will on remaining a first choice. Walcott is a rare player. Nearly a Mexican archetype. He can shine with a brilliant play or can stay outside the game for great spaces of time. In the late equalizer he was lucky enough to had the rebound in his chest. A good thing, although not a very good idea, was his transition between winger. he did many times this in the first half moving through a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3. Edoardo, who has been very criticized on this blog, was very accurate in the assistance and has proved that he is capable of delivering the extra boost to the Arsenal attack.
The trademark on this game was the lack of game play typical of Arsenal in the last seasons; touch, possession and brilliance. All of this is encouraged by what I call the 'fantastic four'. This group has been predominant in all of Arsenal's game and responsible for the game flow. Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fábregas, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Hleb. Certainly would have been a different game if any of these players had been in the pitch.

Blackburn v. Arsenal 1-0 18/Dec/07

'Tormentous' could be the most suitable word to define the match played today at Ewood Park. The effort made by both sides was gigantic and even with ten men, the London side could manage to get to the top four. Although it was a difficult win it proved to be very riskful; with impressive U-17 for Holland Nacer Barazite getting injured, and Denilson getting dropped out.
Right from the beginning the Gunners showed the varied display that always break them through against other teams. Diaby's early goal and later Edoardo's showed the enormous display of attack even with reserves that Arsenal has. Later Roque Santa Cruz scored two magnificent goals that showed why he is so valuable for any team. Arsenal's defense was a mixture of good and awkward results. While Phillipe Senderos showed more confidence regarding previous matches in the EPL he was a good reason on Fabianski conceding two goals. Justin Hoyte long wait for first team action had its moments but he seems not to care about fighting for a place. Armand Traoré was the best in this line, finding himself even more dynamic in defense than Clichy. A good prospect for Wenger. Finally Alex Song showed the lightness and creativity of a libero and although his physical aspect do not help him in his development as a defender, he showed a very peculiar way of defending with the clearance as his most prudent weapon. The Polish goalkeeper had a great amount of work most of them through mid-distance shots, proving a very capable fighter in the position, thus this edge of the turf is very well covered with the current Spaniard and Lehmann right behind him. Even with Santa Cruz bummer in the later stages and Samba's header in the final seconds, Blackburn could have evened or gained the match. A lucky away night for the Arsenal boys.
Finally Robbie Savage seem to not forget that beautiful nutmeg by Fábregas in the 6-2 match in the last season. That kind of 'destructive' players, such as Gatusso, would get any chance offending a rival and if that kind of advantage is taken by any means he should be welcome it.
ESPN's Argentine narrators, Enrique Saco and Miguel 'Gambler' Simón, responsible for the transmission in Latin America agreed with the election of Alex Song as Man of the Match followed by impressive Roque Santa Cruz and in third place Croatian Edoardo Da Silva. Richard Jolly in his famous reviews at soccernet.com put Bendtner in the podium. My final decision would be for Edoardo Da Silva and Nacer Baracite with the Jav's Carling Cup Breakthrough Boot. Arsenal's tough month is coming to the decisive battle against the all-time rivals Spurs. The North London derby is something you would not like to miss, and as I said the decisive match both for teams' aspirations and the lads in the pubs.