Out of Thun Arsenal win the group 100%

Freezing
By Boris Mellor
November 22 2005

The result means far more than the actual game on this occasion, this was Arsenal’s second hardest game of the group. The first being against Thun at Highbury.

 Ironically in both games a team was down to ten men and then proceeded to play well, except this time it was Thun with the ten. Van Persie was cynically brought down just outside the area on the way to a clear cut scoring opportunity. So Thun were down to ten. The free kick was saved.  

Why not give the kick inside the area, and not send the man off – this would soon stop this cynical ploy.

Henry was not at his best, perhaps tired by his international journeying and recovering from groin strain. But van Persie was very effective, and in the end was rewarded with a penalty for his efforts. Any team that brings a player down as often as Thun did can’t really complain when they finally concede a penalty. The linesman was definite that it was a foul. Pires hit it straight and true no hesitation.

It was not Arsenal’s greatest night in Europe, and they rode their luck with two disallowed Thun goals. But as Arsenal Times suggested in yesterday’s preview, "Wenger may tell the team he wants a win, but footballers are ornery critters, and may forget his instructions in exchange for taking it easy."

But by the end Arsenal were looking the stronger of the two teams, they they should have finished the game far earlier.

We haven’t a big squad that allows for the luxury of two separate teams, so that one can take the day off whilst the other plays in CL. True several players were rested, but the strike force was playing its second game in a few days. The weather was freezing and the pitch played poorly. So perhaps they were exerting themselves as little as possible. It paid off in the end, but hardly memorable.

Against greater opposition that approach could have cost the game – but were they convinced it really mattered? I wasn’t for one. However we are top with an amazing 15 points – and could end with 18, we are unassailable the group is ours. Yet we could still end up with a very tough draw. Then the team will have to step up a gear.

True its not the strongest of groups – but played 5 won 5; 10 for and 2 against ain’t half-bad. It will ensure we can now rest – Wenger can experiment even more for Ajax. We have three months for a clear run at the Premiership. Now for some real tough opposition on Saturday when we play Blackburn Boxers.