The Mandate of Heaven - Arsenal hit Seven

Champions
By Boris Mellor
January 16 2006

After a match in which Arsenal had scored seven Wenger was more interested in praising his defence, and the way they remained unified. He also singled out Cygan for playing a key role in maintaining the clean sheets of the past few weeks.

Pascal could be out for three weeks. But the press didn’t want to discuss the humdrum business of defending. It was King Henry who was the discussion point for them.

One pundit asked another on Match of the Day if Henry was human? Watching him play against Boro it was hard to believe he is a mere mortal. It wasn’t just his glorious hat trick, or a series of splendid free kicks that on other days would have found the back of the net. It was the sheer skill, cheek and exhilaration of his play. On one occasion he feigned a pass with his left and passed with his right (or was it the other way around). I haven’t seen that in England before.

It was an awesome performance; he is without doubt the greatest player ever to don an Arsenal shirt. He has equalled Cliff Bastin’s league scoring record, something that even Ian Wright couldn’t do. It’s not if his new records can be beaten, but where will he end them? If he signs for four more years he could nearly double them, and then I doubt if any one alive to day will ever see those records fall. Next up is the 200 total, an exclusive club of a few players in league history.

The Arsenal crowd showed their appreciation as his name echoed around the ground. But this wasn’t a one-man show, Henry may have the Mandate, but the team is one of many talents. The crowd did everything it could to will the ball into the net for Freddy – but it just would not go in. But that shouldn’t detract from his performance, he Reyes and Pires were imperious in their forward and link up play. Pires scored one of the goals of the game with one of his high tempo chip or lob shots. How do you describe that technique of his?

This team is built to service Henry, the rapier thrusts often end up at Henry’s feet, but Thierry also laid on service for others. Also there was a diversity of scorers, including a powerful header from Senderos, and a more subtle header from Silva. Even Hleb finally got on the score sheet. The whole performance inspired one newspaper to declare that the game should be put on DVD to symphony music.

True Boro had an inexperienced team out, but Arsenal had a makeshift defence with a Swiss cheese centre that fortunately had no holes in it. We could be one fifth of the Swiss national team if Senderous and Djourou keep up this form.

Everyone’s spirits were high – before the match Henry declared money was not an issue, he plays the game for the love of it.

It was 1913 day and the crowd were supposed to dress in the style of that period, although for one or two who sit near me little adjustment was required.

The crowd sang "have you ever seen Chelsea play football like that?" Wenger’s transfer buys had also lifted spirits; I do love his stubbornness. It reminds me of a WWI Polish Calvary General who on being decimated by the use of the first armoured tanks wired the rear demanding more horses. It has been argued that Arsenal’s away defeats are due to the reliance on too many youngsters. So who does Arsene buy? A 19 year old, a 21 year old, and possibly a 16 year old.

Things you never hear said at Highbury these days (an occasional series).

We never score from headers.