Charlton 1 Arsenal 3 -winning ugly gets prettier.

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By Boris Mellor
January 8 2005

With Chelsea winning at lunchtime this became yet another "must win game" for the Gunners. Charlton got off to a bright start forcing an Almunia save in the first minute.

 However normal service was quickly resumed as Arsenal soaked up pressure, and then threatened with effective Henry runs at the defence.

On about 20 minutes Danny Murphy was unable to take advantage of a clear opportunity and Almunia was able to gather. Charlton went on the offensive effectively using their 4-5-1 formation to launch attacks. A Bartlett shot rocketed over the bar. Charlton pressed hard making it hard for Arsenal’s mid field to get the passing game going.

On 30 minutes Almunia fumbled a cross, letting the ball through his fingers, but Bartlett was unable to take advantage of the chance. With 12 minutes to go Arsenal were being penned back into their own half. Ljunberg was having a quiet game when he suddenly lost his marker seven yards out and lashed the ball in, from a great Vieira pass. With ten minutes to go Arsenal were 1-0 up from their only second shot of the game.

A few minutes later Henry sent a 25-yard shot over the bar. Almunia was then forced to save from Charlton determined to equalise. The game was now becoming end to end football. The rain was light but persistent as half time approached. Arsenal conceded a free kick and with only a minute to half time Charlton scored from a, heavily disputed, El Karkouri 35-yard free kick into the top corner of the net. The old free kick curse had returned.

The teams went in level for half-time.

Second-Half

Ljunberg was clearly unhappy with the state of things; a good final pass from Fabregas saw the Swede score with the second-half barely three minutes old. Charlton came back and this time another El Karkouri 35-yard free kick failed to find the net. Rommedahl was giving Cole a torrid time, Cole earned a yellow card giving away a free kick very near the box. Once again Campbell and Vieira were immense defending high balls in, as Arsenal were pushed back by Charlton pressure.

Thomas found the back of the net, but Arsenal had stopped playing, as it was offside. Arsenal counterattacked, a foul on van Persie saw a Henry free kick headed off the line. Meanwhile the conditions got worse as the rain continued to fall. Charlton made substitutions to change to a more attacking formation. But within minutes Charlton lost concentration and suddenly missed a cleverly timed van Persie run that ended in a cleanly hit shot – 3-1 to the Arsenal. Once again Charlton came back on the attack, but Arsenal were now dangerous on the counter. Van Persie was substituted by Pires with 18 minutes to go, Wenger clearly looking to Tuesday nights match against City.

The travelling library now happily sang "one Arsene Wenger" and "you’ll never sing that song" as Charlton fans glumly contemplated how such a good first-half performance had become a 3-1 deficit.

Sol Campbell had to go off for treatment after landing badly from an attempted header. Campbell declined to be substituted, but was replaced by Senderos after 83 minutes, meanwhile Charlton took advantage of his absence with a few high balls into the area but Kolo and Almunia were up it. Arsenal were now playing possession football. Pennant was now brought on for Ljunberg with a few minutes to go. Charlton kept on pushing hoping for a late goal.

In spite of enormous pressure of the earlier Chelsea result the Gunners had demonstrated why they are Champions.

Ljungberg 35 El Karkouri 45

Ljungberg 48
van Persie 67