The Rosman always calls twice – trois reprise
Line up
By Boris Mellor
April 18 2007
Something happened that we rarely see at the Grove, Arsenal went a goal up early on; I was so shocked that I messaged a friend that I couldn’t cope.
So there we were in luxury land, no need for angst, we could cruise. Now keep in mind that Man City have the best defence outside the top five, and big lads they are too. They organised well for 11 minutes and it looked like it could be a long night, but there it was 12 minutes gone and an early goal, surely it would be plain sailing.
Arsenal kept pressing but the City remained resolute, then the Gunners dropped the pace, perhaps the team had its mind on the NLD Saturday, or perhaps the need to replace Diaby with Baptista unsettled the balance of the team. Whatever the cause there did not appear any particular threat as the City attack was not that imaginative.
Then on 41 minutes Lehmann decided to pass the ball to Joey Barton who passed to Johnson, who knocked it on to Beasley, who ran into the area and beat Jens.
The crowd were incensed, not with City, but with Lehmann’s lack of concentration. He had ruined a pleasant spring evening at the Grove; surely it would not be easy to get another goal against this lot.
So Arsenal went in on level terms at half time. When the match resumed City had a firm grip, 10 men behind the ball, and the occasional effective breakaway. Meanwhile the Gunners attacks were not succeeding, mainly due to poor shooting or a lack of confidence. It was proving to be hard work.
The crowd were getting more and more frustrated – mainly due to the fact that it was all entirely unnecessary, but then no team must leave without a free goal. However they did begin to get behind the team and urge them on. On 73 minutes Fabregas almost reprised his goal against the Trotters, but it was from further out and an even harder hit volley. It was a great goal the stadium went wild.
Even at two one City still looked dangerous, and had a very close offside decision against them after netting the ball. A replay showed it was a good decision. It could have been squeaky bum time but on 80 minutes Baptista reprised his goal against Reading, (That’s enough reprising. Ed) same position but less of a toe punt, and three miles an hour faster. I had suggested in my preview that the striker goal scoring drought was about to end. If poor old Diaby hadn’t of been concussed then the Beast might not have got his chance, but he did, and ended it had. But this time he will not be goal of the month, surely that will go to Cesc, but he has a chance for third place.
When Georgios Samaras came on the crowd crowed who? Well the answer was that he was the player who would have scored with three minutes to go, if Jens hadn’t of made such a great save.
Well it’s a good job you made that save Jens, or I would have to raise the memory of your German ancestors, or even worse than that the other big bloke who keeps goal for Germany. So pay attention – you have been warned.
