The Awful Had Already Happened The Late Early Show
Night
By Boris Mellor
February 12 2008
In yesterday’s preview, I wrote, “any old win will do - but a bare bones eleven should still be too good for Blackburn. However, with all this disruption, and I hope I am wrong, it might not be Arsenal at their most fluid". Well it was a bare bones eleven, as Fabregas had to leave his sick bed and play out of position, and Senderos and Flamini had barely recovered from injury.
Even Gilberto got a game in midfield, and Gilbert got on the bench, unusual days indeed.
Arsenal might not have been at their most fluid, but this was a big big victory. Last Saturday week was indeed Super Saturday, and this was Grand Slam Monday. Arsenal are, as I predicted, the favourites for the title.
It would be nice to have the luxury of pretending we are no hopers, but that has long gone. No team with 63 points and 54 goals, at this stage, can deny they are in the race to win it. Yes, the championship is not guaranteed, and the squad may be stretched too far in the next fortnight, but championships do not come easy. This team now faces only two options, glory, or ignominious failure.
Last night was a big test of the team’s character, and it passed it with flying colours. It did not seem like that, at times, to the crowd, there were moments when the crowd was fretful, and others when it urged the team on. Sitting in the upper tier it seemed a white-knuckle ride. True nothing settles the nerves like an early goal, and they do not come much earlier than Big Phil’s header from Eddy’s brilliant corner. The crowd was ecstatic.
The Awful Had Already Happened
Arsenal dominated for the first twenty, but then Blackburn got into the game for the next twenty. For all the Gunners pressure they went in at half time only 1-0 up. That was what made the crowd fret. We all remembered the wobble against Birmingham, and as the second half progressed, we felt sure it could happen again.
Yet with Santa Cruz and McCarthy, playing Blackburn probably forced one decent save out of Lehmann, meanwhile at the other end Friedel had to perform heroics. However, there was no need to worry, the awful had already happened, Blackburn were not to get a lucky goal like Birmingham.
The Arsenal defence remained solid, and as Blackburn got more desperate they finally left themselves open to what the crowd craved – a second goal. And what a superb goal, only Ade could beat Friedel from that distance, using placement and spin. With only a minute to go I almost felt sorry for the big Yank, but not sorry enough to stop cheering my head off, and singing the Ade song. The early show had finished late, but the three points were there. It might not have been pretty at times, but it was an immense performance.
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Could have been 5 or 6 in the end, but to go 5 points clear within 2 games with so many players missing that Ferguson, and so many "neutrals", were expecting and hoping we would be the ones dropping points, is brilliant.
And to have caught up on goal difference in such a short space of time is the icing on the cake.
We need to get the likes of Rosicky, Kolo, RvP, Eboue, Song, Almunia & Djourou fit or recharged asap as we have big games coming up thick and fast.
As well as Swiss has done, against the type of players ManU & Milan have upfront, Kolo is vital to us. These games are unlikely to be ones where we will be attacked in the air very much.
And Tomas can make a mug out of Brown if he is fit and on form.
Only problem is I beginning to worry that Tomas is a sick note.
but hey, Eboue is back so that our right flank is not as exposed as before when Hleb switches to left and left onyl fabregas to fill right flank.
We need our forgotten man - Walcott - to be up to speed to paly on the right, especially as a supersub in 70th minute to tear up a defence ran ragged to peices and win tight matches in the 80th something minute.
Now is the time for Walcott to stand up and be counted. His transitory period is over, and it is make or break for him.
No more excuses as he is 'still young" as he had 2-years training and coaching with us.
Having watched the Arsenal v Blackburn again, it is very apparent to me that Flamini covers alot more ground than Gilberto and Flamini is more often in advanced attacking positions than Gilberto. Gilberto looks more passive in his play while Flamini on the ball is always looking for passing options. Won't be surprised this is Gilberto's final season with Arsenal.
Since the end of WW1, 1919, when the FA restarted its 4 tier football league, with Arsenal fc in the 1st div, there’s only ever been one club to have never been relegated from Div 1/ EPL.
Arsenal fc
Let’s keep making history
While Gils performance in the last game was pretty decent, we can all see how much more Falms contribute to the cause.
Don't want to see anybody talking about titles - not with 36 points still up for grabs.
And I don't give a monkey's about the FA Cup or the CL this season, I really don't. If we do win you know what then it might just be Le Boss's finest hour
He is no longer capable of being an offensive midfielder in this tempo team. Its a shame Diarra went, but that wasnt Wenger's fault.
Yes its important that nothing is taking for granted, titles are won in May not March, however Arsenal are in pole position and they wont be allowed to forget that. So they will have to put up with the pressure, not hide and lead from the front. Teams will have to fear them.
This was a great result, and it was a good, althogh dull, performance. The crowd, including me, were anxious, but we will have to learn not to live on our nerves, or it will spook the team.
I was at the game Monday - a first for me this season. Have to say that the crowd's 'anxiety' sounded at times exactly like old-fashioned moaning!
This was first time Blackburn lost in 7 games, crowd think we have god given right to walk over all teams. that all games should be won 4-0. Thats fairy tale stuff
Quote:Padre Pio
Well thats why they moan, they are anxious, but they did get behind the team at times.
This was first time Blackburn lost in 7 games, crowd think we have god given right to walk over all teams. that all games should be won 4-0. Thats fairy tale stuff
Hey, I beleive in fairy as in "Once upon a time..."...
And the only team we whup is Derby 5-0.
Another team is overdue for a whupping.....
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