What a difference a day makes – Man U 0 Arsenal 1
Celebrating
By Boris Mellor
September 17 2006
At 4 p.m. today Arsenal languished just above the bottom three. Hardly any pundit, and no bookmaker, made Arsenal favourite for this match. For this was to be Arsenal’s worst season ever, and Manchester United were about to romp home with the championship.
Indeed it would be all over by this evening. Arsenal would be 13 points behind and out of reach. Mark Lawrenson confidentially predicted a United win.
The pundits stressed that Arsenal had not won at the Theatre of Dreams since 1942 (I made that up) and without Henry had no chance. Even with him they would have no chance. Arsenal Times was expecting more "It won’t be the first time Arsenal have gone to Old Trafford without any first choice strikers, and still came away with something." There is something about being the underdog that inspires this team. Nobody, apart from Gooners, thought Arsenal would win at the Bernabeu, or turn over Juve. Of course once Arsenal won the pundits suddenly realised these teams were crap.
No doubt it will suddenly be discovered that Manchester United weren’t that good either. Though some Arsenal fans did suggest that was the case, that they hadn’t faced a real test to date. Today was to be the day that Manchester United consolidated their best start to the Premiership ever. It didn’t happen. Sir Alex was gracious in defeat, but why were they more tired? They played at home midweek. This was Arsenal’s second away game in 5 days.
I’ll put my hands up and say that I didn’t think we would keep a clean sheet today. I was expecting at least a draw, if not more, but not on the basis of a clean sheet. Lets hope this means that soft goal syndrome has been exorcised. Maybe it’s all down to Lady Luck, because as Arsene said we hadn’t played a bad game all season.
There is no need to report here, every Arsenal fan has seen, or heard, or read about, the game. The game turned on three moments – two saves and a goal.
First save
Adebayor's well-earned penalty, taken by Gilberto was saved by Tomasz Kuszczak. All credit to him, but it was a lame shot barely wide of centre. Instead of being demoralised Arsenal played all the harder.
The goal
Then came the second half goal, with barely minutes to go, wonderful footwork from Fabregas set up Adebayor whose finish was exemplary. Very few players would have reached the ball, yet alone steer it so well beyond the keeper. Arsenal were on their way, but Manchester United never give up in any game.
Second save
With 5 minutes or so to go, Ole Gunner Solksjaer whipped in a great shot, from nearly on the goal line, he nearly turned to celebrate, but somehow Lehmann got a finger or two to it. This save was as important as the goal in providing victory.
The whole team was excellent, Toure played on through the pain, Djourou and Gallas were class, Eboue tormented the Manchester defence. Once again Gilberto and Fabregas dominated midfield. The Spaniard was excellent – 8 years? That’s not enough Arsene – make it 15. Well deserved man of the match.
Rosicky refused to be intimidated and had one, or two, great shots. Hleb and Freddy ran and ran, tackled and blocked, blocked and tackled, passed and passed. Adebayor led the line – he was the line - magnificent and unlucky not to be man of the match. Baptiste came on and had a shot, I could have sworn it had gone in, but it just narrowly missed. He put the fear of God into them. Flamini snapped at their heels and made sure we kept a clean sheet. Well it smells like team spirit to me Ashley.
This was no lucky win, this was magnificent, nor was it just about defending, the team was packed with attacking players, Fabregas, Rosicky, Hleb and Ljungberg are attacking midfielders, not defenders. Even the Beast came on and went straight for the jugular, often finding himself ahead of Adebayor.
At 4 p.m. today Arsenal languished just above the bottom three at 6 p.m. they were in 10 th place with a game in hand. Arsene says they are Championship contenders. For a while his mockers are silenced. Now’s the time to get down to the bookies while the odds are still generous.
What a difference a day makes