Mellor’s Musings – a good Xmas?

Best team?
By Boris Mellor
January 5 2006

This is not a traditional match report, but just a few thoughts on the game against Man U, and also on the last few days. Also it is a consideration of how successful the team was over Xmas.

 Firstly I was surprised that some Arsenal fans were not happy with last night’s result against Manchester United. This against a team that had just put four past Bolton, a team that can still raise it self for big events, ask Chelsea.

 

Both teams could have won last night, true not that many chances, but both faced open goals and blew it. The Gunners had more possession, but Man U had slightly more chances, so a draw was a reasonable outcome.

 

As Wenger has pointed out we are the youngest of the big four, and in transition, last night will have boosted the youngsters confidence no end. Secondly it was our fourth clean sheet in a row; we conceded four in this fixture last year. Fortress Highbury is being carefully rebuilt at the back. We also defended as a team and showed great spirit.

 

Another plus was that Gilberto played extremely well, he blocked ball after ball, shielding the defence and even finding time to pass forward. If he can keep playing like this you will hear no complaints from me. Reyes also had a good game, and is beginning to learn how to deal with the hackers.

 

So we didn’t score, but it is pointless putting Henry under the microscope, the poor bloke only has to stop for breath and he is accused of wanting to go to Barcelona. He did not get that many chances; they mainly fell to other players, though I wish he had taken the final free kick rather than Reyes.

 

No it wasn’t a great match, but it wasn’t poor either, both teams showed commitment it just lacked guile. What genius decided to put a key match like this on after three matches in 8 days? You could say it’s the same for all teams, and at one level it is, but only one team got 12 out of 12 points, Chelsea. Man U and Arsenal both got 8 out of 12, not bad, but it means that Chelsea move ahead another 4 points. Are Chelsea that much better, possibly, but having a depth of squad that even Man U cannot maintain is part of the explanation.

 

Wenger, perhaps, could have got 3 points at Villa if he had played a stronger team, but he had to husband his meagre resources with the next match in mind. Go for broke at Villa and be broken by Man U? Some fans were demoralised by a draw at Villa, how would the team feel after a defeat by Man U at home? I think I know which manager is most satisfied with this result. Its something that can be built on and take the whole project forward. Meanwhile Henry, at last, can have that rest on Saturday.

 

Time to defend our cup and get that CL place.

 

(due to admin error comment box not attached - please click on messages bar on top left to join in discussion or go here)