Gunners bury North West as Henry Gazelles it

Celebration
By Boris Mellor
November 12 2006

According to Alan Hansen Arsenal’s title hopes will die in the North West, but it now looks as if one NW teams hopes has died in London. In the Arsenal Times preview I wrote Arsenal have only had two kinds of Premiership result at the new stadium, either winning 3-0, or drawing 1-1.

That’s three 1-1 draws and two 3-0 victories.Now its three 3-0 victories, I wish I had the courage of my own convictions, instead I predicted 2-1. I was certain Arsenal would gift a goal, and they nearly gifted 2, fortunately they were both offside.

The Arsenal crowd was up for this one, from the start they sang Arsene’s name, they bellowed out every players name, even Almunia’s. Jens had a sore throat, but it was rumoured that Lehmann wanted to wear his army uniform, and surround the goal with sandbags for the minute’s silence, but Arsene wouldn’t have it.

The first half was not the greatest Arsenal performance ever; we have definitely played better, several times at the Emirates, and fared worse. But went in at half-time a goal up thanks to Flamini. He might not have the skills of Rosicky, or Hleb, but presented with an open goal he knows how to finish. It was probably a half chance as Flamini was falling over as he stabbed it in.

The second half was a cake walk, Liverpool tried to build up momentum to break down the Arsenal defence, all they managed was to leave themselves open to counter attack from Toure the worlds only overlapping centre back, he took the ball towards Reina and passed it beyond him into the net So on 58 minutes Arsenal were 2-0 up, there was no way they were going to get less than a win. Liverpool now looked the poorest Liverpool team I have ever seen, indeed it was almost embarrassing. Pennant came on as a substitute to prove that Wenger was right to let him go. I wouldn’t have swapped one Arsenal player for any Liverpool players. They used to say every week Benitez picks 9 donkeys, a Giraffe and a Lion, now its 9 donkeys, a Giraffe and a pussycat.

The Arsenal fans rejoiced, and at last the new stadium felt like home, and more than that a fortress. Gallas felt upset at Kolo equalling his scoring record, one each. So he went up for a van Persie corner and netted with a most brilliant header, two – one to Gallas. By now the stadium was rocking and all the Mickey Mousers could come up with was "Champions League you’re having a larf". No need to reply to that, as scousers having been ringing up chat shows all night complaining that Benitez is having a larf when it comes to the Premiership. Besides most Gooners didn’t hear them, they were too busy celebrating.

It was surprising that no forward scored for the Gunners, but then if they can’t score the defence, and midfield, should step in, it works for Chelsea. However the forwards did play well, with plenty of skill. Indeed one incredible bit of ball skill from Henry inspired one North Banker to shout out "Henry’s gazelled it". So when it becomes a cliché like hospital ball, or nutmeg, don’t forget where you heard it first.

Down at the Bank, it was celebration time, both Spurs and the Hammers had lost, which put the fans in an even better mood. As Wenger says the Gunners can do it against the big teams, they have got to do it consistently against all teams. We are back in the race.