When Ibrahimovic scored that lob over Almunia 27 seconds into the second half, I thought it was over.
Note: Almunia beaten at his near post again
When the same Swede scored another from the same side to make it 2-0, I thought it was over.
Again.
And the final score? Arsenal 2 Barcelona 2
Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.
Happy April Fools.
The clown in goal, decided that he's the keeper for the big games. He kept us completely in the game in the first half, having to pull off 6 fantastic saves from Barca in the first 30 minutes. And then conceded a stupid one when the half time break was over. From zero-to-hero, and then hero-to-zero, and again, zero-to-hero. I'm speechless on this.
Wenger took 2 gambles before the game. He played Gallas instead of Sol Campbell and started Fabregas. Both backfired, and you can understand why he doesn't like to rush players back too quickly or play them when they're not fully fit. And then we had Arshavin who definitely suffered something serious because that guy has been playing through minor injuries for us. For him to come off that early into the game and go straight down the tunnel after the substitution says it all. That is 3 players lost in one game, one unplanned and unanticipated.
Like everything about Arsenal, everyone would simply write us off as undeserved, no matter what we do. So whatever. 2-2 it is, and it's down to the Barca defence who couldn't deal with Walcott's pace. I would start him in the second leg, and that's a very high possibility, considering Arshavin should miss out.
Denilson came on for the injured Gallas and Song moved to centreback. Song could have done more about the two goals but otherwise, did well. Denilson did an Almunia and put in a very good performance. Excellent in fact.
The ref, on the other hand, was poor. Very very very very poor. That douche. You know, when the touchline ref held up the number '8' instead of '3' for the substitution, you damn well know that he suffers from ASTIGMATISM. Not sure if good eyesight is a requirement by FIFA for referees but they seem to only concentrate on the physical aspect. What's the point of running up and down when you can't fucking see? Needless yellows were flying here and there, and the time Pique brought down Cesc illegally, he waved play on. Then he sent off Puyol. Ha? srsly? One red and one yellow for the 5 of Arsenal. The worst one was the one shown to Fabregas but I'd expect him to miss the return leg through injury anyway. If we do get a result there, then at least we'll have him for the semis. Thanks to the ref, both Puyol and Pique will miss the next match. If the Barca defence can't cope with Walcott's pace then they're pretty screwed.
Our tackles were flying in, totally legit, and the ref managed to penalise us for it. Does he not watch English football? Such a wank of a ref, who decided it was necessary to 'protect' the Barca players. When will any ref decide that they have to protect us too? No one in Barca has had their leg broken by opposition. FIFA is a fucking shyte organisation that cannot function, so is UEFA. For two games now, since the knockout stages, the ref has threatened to ruin the game. From Barca's point of view, the red card was retarded. If yellow cards flew at this speed in the BPL though, shawcross wouldn't have been able to break Ramsey's leg. All these lame ref associations should decide what they fucking want or what they fucking think is best and have some continuity in their decisions. Don't come fuck around with a crazy cards party. Playing football by the rules is what most people (I exclude Shawcross) want to do, but it is baffling when the rules are according to the ref's personality. Maybe this Swiss bloke thinks it necessary to book a player who got the ball in a challenge that is purely legit in the English game, but completely out of it in Europe. Get it together. I'm sure no one can work like robots but at least be close to a certain standard. These refs owe the game at least that.
Now now, while the whole wide world is lamenting Arsenal's draw, they should take a step back to consider the following:
1) Both of Barca's goals, come from LONG BALLS and not intricate passing from their supposed BRAND OF FOOTBALL. When they tried to pass into the net, they were stopped by the clown in goal who wasn't a clown until the long balls came.
2) We had only 2 shots on target. (excluding the penalty; Theo's goal + Bendtner's saved header) How many fuckers out there have said over and over and over that goals count more than the attempts and the possession? Now that Arsenal have 2 shots on target and 2 goals, all of you shits can shut the fuck up on this one. Barca didn't make all their possession count, when we had the ball we made the difference and we're level. Where's the fuss?
3) The best team in the world, made Manuel Almunia look like a top top top top class keeper. Nuff said.
4) Valdes had only 3 saves to make - from Theo, Bendtner, and the penalty. Only pulled off ONE.
5) we lost 2 players duing the game (excluding Cesc who was hell bent on continueing in spite of), had to make 2 unplanned subs, leaving Wenger with just 1 to make a difference. Had he had 2 more with 2 of our first choice players on the pitch, we could have turned the game on it's head even more, as much as the Arsenal haters and Barca fans would disagree. Now now, look who pulled 2 goals back?
6) A draw, felt like a win. It really does, considering the whole host of chances that Messi couldn't put past our top top top top keeper Almunia. Their attack on our weakest link was really toothless to say the least. You can't even put the ball past Almunia? There's something really really really really wrong with you. You might want to sign Kevin Phillips.
The world would see this game as a triumph for Barcelona over Arsenal, both who pride themselves on their desire to play football the way it should be played. Barca simply showed the world how to be wasteful and paid for it. Had they been clinical at the same time, it would have been a different story. Still in disbelief they let Almunia foil that. How was that possible?! 2-0 up and you still could be pegged back to 2-2. 2-0 and you thought you won the game. Well I thought it too, but who knew? The mental strength this Arsenal team possesses is epic I tell you. Any team 2-0 down to Barca really need a whole lot of balls to pick themselves up from it and come back from it. Theo came on with all the balls in the whole wide world and didn't get starstruck. Fabio would be pleased as hell with his impact. This is an Arsenal team with balls. Balls they never had before. If the douches of the world tell you that Barcelona showed Arsenal how football is played, then Arsenal showed them what sheer mental strength and determination is. Only Manchester United have came to the Emirates in Europe and came away with a win, in the last 28 games.
Statistics, don't lie.
It's not over yet. We have 5 players on yellows so that'll be a big problem if we do go through but it's a worry I really want to have.
A not so glamourous Wolves tie is coming up. The games are coming thick and fast in April. We need the 3 points to stay in the title race while Chelsea and United fuck each other.
I have a fucking epic headache from staying up for the game and the intensity of the match fucked my brain so bad.
Carlton Palmer called Almunia the 'clown in goal' and QUITE RIGHTLY SO.
For a game that would mean absolutely nothing for Birmingham in terms of the standings in the table (Europe is a damn fucking long shot for them), they put in a fantastic display against Arsenal who had an entire week off. They played Blackburn at Ewood Park midweek and nothing showed.
Just as well hauled ourselves back into the title race, we're falling behind yet again. Story of Arsenal isn't it? It would take nothing short of magical to win the title, and something spectacular to win the Champion's League, the other competition we're still in.
Not going too much into the game because recalling it will be utterly painful. Walcott didn't threaten with his pace, Rosicky couldn't provide the spark, neither could Cesc, Clichy still can't cross, Bendtner's touches suddenly grew heavy again, Denilson is back to being the Denilson of old, and yes. Almunia really is a clown.
For all of the team's individual failings, if you could at least rely on your keeper for a bread and butter save, then the result would be so different. Almunia really needs to go. A big club like Arsenal cannot cope with a shitty keeper like that and Wenger needs to know this.
Anyway, I thought Sol, Song and Diaby were the team's top performers regardless of the crappy shift the rest of their teammates decided to put in. Diaby in particular was fantastic. His touches were perfect to say the least and he was making things happen.
So, this game was down to maturity and Arsenal do not have it yet. Barcelona looms and the manager said that a win at Birmingham would be the best preparation for the big game but obviously, the lads did not share his sentiments. He needs to get in their ears again and scream at them the same way he did at Anfield. Today, they really weren't fit to wear the shirts.
About our run-in being perceived as easy, going to play the not-so-top sides means shitty pitches. St. Andrews is just one of them. We still have to travel to the DW stadium which probably is 100 times worst.
The title was never in our hands. St. Andrews once more, isn't a good ground to go to.
Don't know if I have it in me to keep believing.
P.S. not completely gutted. nothing new about Arsenal who can't defend even if their lives depend on it, in the 90th minute.
How are Gooners feeling now? Well after going through the 5 stages of grief, I'm sure a win over Liverpool makes it all fucking better.
Thank you Liverpool. Not too long ago, we won at Anfield, thanks to Wenger's screaming half time team talk. And from there, we went on a great run to make up ground.
Now, we got a 1-0 win at home off them and that makes it 6 out of 6 points off them.
This is a very significant result, considering that Man Utd drew with Villa and Chelsea lost the Everton (hahahahaha), it sure makes the lead those 2 have at the top much smaller. For all of Ballack's bleatings, you stupid cunts beat Arsenal just to lose to Everton. I'm sure it's more satisfying to beat Arsenal but YOU DROP 3 POINTS you stinkin blue cunts.
And then there's Harry Redknapp and Steven Gerrard who were targeting third spot. With this win against Liverpool and Sp*rs losing to Wolves (yet another hahahaaha), we've put 8 points between 3rd and 4th, which is massive.
Who knew a 1-0 win against Liverpool could be worth this much.
All that remains now is to keep winning the remaining fixtures and the table could look very different at the end of the season. As Wenger will put it, we have an 'outside chance'.
On the game... I think both teams started pretty slowly in the cold. Defensively, there were major improvements. Almunia actually showed why he dethroned Jens Lehmann and look a lot more assured at the back. He made a fantastic save from Ryan Babel's shot and that was a match winning save. The back four operated better as a unit and Clichy managed to reclaim his former self from the devil. Eboue and Clichy did very well going forward and it is obvious that in our formation, the full backs make good contributions too, and to do that, you got to be in control defensively first.
Eboue is proving to be a very useful player. The difference between him and Sagna is that he brings a lot more to the plate offensively. No disrespect to Sagna but Eboue has very quick feet and he draws the foul much more easily, save for his theatrics.
Bendtner did well. He led the line and it helps to have a big striker in place to hold up the ball and play in the rest of the attacking players. He had a couple of clear cut chances which he screwed up but you can't argue about his commitment. I hope Wenger sees that starting a striker makes a huge difference. Arshavin was doing what he does best - feeding the striker. Had Bendtner done better with the chances Arshavin gave him, we would have been a goal up sooner.
Things are looking bright again. We got the win, the top 2 who beat us didn't. And Sp*rs lost. I enjoyed that one the most. Teach twitchy Harry to not state ambitions he can't live up to. And screw Ballack.
Lastly, we all know that this win is going to be marred with Cesc's handball. Not going to give a shit. A win's a win.
First of all, we fielded a strong team. We wanted Song back and he was. The back four were as we wanted as well. Front 3? It was Nasri-Arshavin-Rosicky.
Arsene Wenger has refused to sign a striker yet he doesn't trust Bendtner enough to start him. Could be fitness issues, but we really need a good enough striker in Van Persie's absence.
Arshavin did his best to carry the team but he was left all alone most of the time. If he wasn't getting support you'd imagine everyone else to be busy defending their arses because of a United bombardment. We however found ourselves on the back of a 3-0 scoreline on 55 minutes.
By that time, the game is all over no matter what you do.
Almunia continues to be crap and I don't know what it takes for him to be dropped. He got Jens out of the club and was looking to be a solid replacement until this season came and we might as well not play a keeper there. His distribution is ever so poor and his throwing is nonsense as well. Then you look at our 2nd choice and it's Fabianski. Everyone wants to be the number 1 keeper but no one is good enough. It's all talk and no nothing else. Mannone has jumped on that bandwagon too, by declaring his intent to claim that number 1 shirt just after signing a new long term deal at the club. Goalkeepers often train separately from the rest of the team because it's a more specialised position so I guess the 2 behind Almunia should have an inkling that the position is there for the taking. But nooo, they all become best friends and talk a load of crap and under perform when given the chance. Mannone did well when the season started but if Almunia is dropped, Fabianski will be the one with a chance. It would take nothing short of a disaster for us to drop our first 2 goalkeepers if injuries do not play a part. Anyway, perhaps Almunia will get a dodgy 'chest infection' now. I really hope he does.
Then now we come to that left back position. Clichy got crocked. Gibbs filled in. Then Gibbs got crocked. Traore filled in. Traore was doing so well until he got owned. And then he got owned some more. Clichy came back. And he's getting owned. We have 3 good left backs and one who has been proven to be defensively sound with good pace but he's getting owned. And I thought the only criticism of Gael is that he can't cross. Otherwise, he does a good job. Now it seems that he has forgotten everything else. And still can't cross.
United haven't won at the Emirates in the league and now they have. They've won here in the Champion's League and by the same scoreline. Those were warning bells weren't they?
The Villa game should have set the bells ringing already. But they didn't. No goals in the game, and had Vermaelen not pulled one back for us it would have been 2 games in a row without scoring. I'll bring you all the way back to the FA Cup game at Stoke where our form was fantastic. Had we fielded a stronger side we stood a better chance of winning it. Going into the Villa game, the players will be a tad more tired but they have more belief. Perhaps they could have won and then this game could have been a lot more different.
As it stands, we're out of the FA Cup. Our title hopes look particularly bleak at the moment and it's almost as though the lads need the media and the rest of the world to write them the fuck off before they start producing the goods again. It's as though sitting atop the league isn't big enough for them to prove anything. The battle's not lost. Chelsea still to come and I think a loss sends more urgency though their veins more than a draw. Had we lost at Villa, the importance of this game would have been even more and perhaps they need that final push. Chelsea is in front now and if the boys still think they want to be in the fight for the league title they have to show it in the next game. United and Chelsea are to play each other and other difficult teams as well so there's a reason to keep on believing.
Anything less than a win at Stamford Bridge will be deemed a nightmare. We've got to claw back points and we've got to do it fast.
The transfer window slams shut tomorrow. Wenger will once again be faulted for not spending when there was a difference to be made.
Liverpool got out of their 4-game slump while we sink into one.
2 games may not make it a slump, but it sure as hell is following a pattern. This time, it was far more infuriating than the midweek game because we threw away a 2-goal lead.
And rather stupidly as well. 2-0 and they thought they were cruising to an easy win.
I don't know if it's complacency or over-confidence, the team really has to sort itself out because it's just idiotic to watch and this shouldn't be coming from a top side who wants trophies. Arsene Wenger promised trophies at the AGM and the players never rose to the occasion.
Frustrating to say the least, and no less regarding the goalkeeping situation. I don't know exactly why Almunia still hasn't regained his place. Mannone was only spectacular for the Fulham game and is still very very raw. I'm not showing any support for Almunia because he hasn't exactly impressed at all this season with the mistakes he has already made but things between the posts need to be sorted out asap. If Wenger's idea of all 3 of them being good enough then we shouldn't be conceding soft goals, whoever's keeping goal.
Midfield wise, the trio of Song, Diaby and Fabregas were doing extremely well. Basically, the entire team were doing extremely well until West Ham's first goal came. I don't get it. It's as though winning the game wasn't important enough. I think games like these are further exposing Cesc's shortcomings as captain. It is always going to be an easy job to do when the team is winning. The captain is supposed to be the one who makes the difference in situations like these.
Everyone has a part to play to ensure a win in the game and certain people have heighted responsibilities and the captain is one of them.
Certainly, a sound goalkeeping department would help things a lot. We've sorted out the defensive midfield position with Song stepping up well and Vermaelen has shored up the defence quite a bit. With these 2 done, yet another position coughs out more problems.
It is really high time we got it all right really. That's the only way we'll win trophies, not by declaring it and some meeting with the shareholders. The battles are won on the pitch and I cannot tolerate games being thrown away like that. It sure as hell does not make sense for wannabe champions to do things like that.
The penalty we conceded was stupid to say the least. Song blatently tripped Carlton Cole from behind so there you have it. Such carelessness shouldn't be tolerated.
As always, after every game, win, lose or draw, we look to the next one. It's Liverpool in the Carling Cup in midweek and I'm not too bothered by that. If the lads do well then alright. If not, they'll all be shipped out on loan by January. It's the big game on Saturday that matters.
...and he says all the right things, at exactly the right time...
Impressive.
Arsha's first interview was funny because he didn't completely understand the questions and there was talk about Sp*rs. Plus, he accent blows you away ahaha.
Verm on the other hand is just impressive all around. You get the feeling he's really into his football and only strives for the best.
How many other vacations is Arsene Wenger going to wreck? heh.
The one story which stands out all the time is the Manuel Almunia one. He was on his honeymoon (!!) when he got the call. He rushed straight to London for a medical. Look where he is now.
It doesn't take a lot for me to fall in love with the Arsenal boys does it?
I am positively sure nightmares only happen at night
I had a torrid time sleeping at night. It is as though nightmares only occur at night. When I sleep in the mornings instead I don't recall having as much as a bad dream. Then I slept from 12-7 and I get up breaking out in cold sweat.
It is as nightmarish as the defence against Liverpool. I was chased by aliens.
Sleeping in the day is more like a nap or something, where the monsters afraid of broad daylight do not come out to play in your subconscious mind.
Or maybe it's just me.
At least I feel fresh but mentally tired. The doom and gloom of exams.
The morning's news are those associated with the next game at Old Trafford. Finally, I say. And we have Djourou and Almunia back. Almunia who did very well with whatever he had to do last night. My gooner friend pronounces 'Almunia' as 'A-lum-nia' which sounds close to alumni and it cracks me up each time. I tried to correct him but he continued so what was left to do was try my hardest not to laugh when he says it that way again. Heh.
Djourou had an uneventful game, which by any defender's standards, is a pretty good thing. Not until it can give you nightmares the way Silvestre did in the the defence against Liverpool and Chelsea.
So my point is, what's dominating the news ahead of the United clash is:
Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre is a major doubt to play at Old Trafford
which is the first line on the BBC preview page.
He has a back spasm, which probably happened at half time? I thought Djourou coming on was so he could warm up for the United game. Hmmm.
Arsene Wenger only watched the first half of MU vs Sp*rs and that game was United's version of a tale of 2 halves. And in the first half, Sp*rs was better. So perhaps, under Wenger's watchful eye United will play as badly.
And for future Sp*rs games, Pat Rice should stand in while Wenger takes a nice holiday in case the worst should happen, that is, Sp*rs doing well.
Over the Silvestre injury, I can't say how timely it is. But we are very fortunate to have Djourou back. If his season was over, Sagna would probably slot in at centre back. Actually, a Sagna-Toure centre back partnership doesn't look too bad doesn't it? Considering Eboue's best role is still in right back. He did have a torrid time with Malouda but overall, he's been playing there for the most of his Arsenal career and he didn't start getting bashed until he moved further up right.
Anyway Sagna-Toure isn't an option, now that Djourou is safely back and hopefully can last the rest of the season without any more niggles. His knees must have cramped up real bad from sitting on the bench since being demoted by Gallas.
Gibbs has been fantastic and I'm sure he will hold his own against United's wingers. Obviously there's Ronaldo who might not be as spectacular as last season but with this big game coming up, even glimpses of last season's form could take United through because he is a matchwinner.
Not to worry though, we have our own too. Captain Fantastic (as arsenal.com calls him) won the game with a brace. He's not exactly stretchy or anything but Cesc is a big game player and we can count on him to perform.
Nasri in a deeper role was more anonymous but superb. I never knew the defensive side of his game was sooo good until Liverpool and last night. His calling is definitely in the centre but with Arshavin ineligible to play, he'll probably slot in on the left. Not a big chance for a 4-4-2 so Adebayor will be the man leading the front. I hope Song plays and then it'll be down to one of Diaby or Denilson.
PLEASE CHOOSE WISELY ARSENE. I don't even know who's better because they both suck. Diaby's like the toss of a coin, either fantastic of downright horrible.
Sometimes Football Can Be a Game of One Halve Only
Drama drama.
First off, the results for today: Blackburn 1-1 West Ham Fulham 2-0 Man Utd Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal Stoke 1-0 Middlesbrough Portsmouth 2-1 Everton Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea West Brom 1-1 Bolton
Did ya notice that Arsenal's the only team to win away today? Fan-freakin-tastic.
We didn't completely have it easy though. Newcastle had a penalty early on and it was given, Almunia the perpetrator. And then Almunia the saviour. Frankly, I thought it was rather harsh. He was going for the ball to get it between his gloves and was a bit clumsy.
I had my brother's friend watching the game with me. He's an Arse fan. Just no cable at home and don't think he has been to the Liz before. Someday huh. Aha. But yeah, good companion. And I was telling him about that night in Rome where both keeper cmi. So I didn't expect Almunia to save it. And he did. Sometimes we just have to do away with expectations.
And you would have thought that the team would respond somewhat after being so close to being one goal down. Apparently not. By then I was wishing half time would come sooner so they'll have 15 minutes to have urgency.
And it didn't happen again. Like blast it. When they played like this before they either drew or lost.
And Arshavin who wants to be the greatest Arsenal player, was the one with the terrific delivery from a freekick on the lefthand side. It is almost exactly the same as the one Toure scored. So credit to Newcastle for replicating the terrible defending. What's awesome was Arshavin's delivery and Bendtner's leap. And header.
The thing about Nicklas Bendtner is that he needs confidence. With the goal to his name he started playing with fire in his belly, making more forward runs and having for to his game. Unfortunately though, I have to cover the part where the defence went to sleep and Martins was given the chance to level terms and redeem himself for the bad penalty. What a dramatic run to the technical area.
Too bad it was shortlived.
We got a freekick where it was blown for Diaby's foul on Steven Taylor, who has been rock solid all day with 2 crucial blocks from Van Persie's goal bound shots. And Diaby's foul put him out to the sidelines and Newcastle without him in the middle just crumbled. And who stood to benefit? Diaby himself.
So here's the funny part. Facebook has been pumping out veins with quizes. They all back. And the brother started complaining that he got Diaby after doing the quiz, answering every question as truthfully as possible. His friend says Diaby is a defensive midfielder. I said he's definitely not and there he went thundering through the middle with that ferocious shot into the back of the net. 2-1. The brother, on the back of the Man U defeat just looked stunned as we celebrated.
BAHAHA.
Not so bad being Diaby now?
Definitely need to find that quiz.
Samir Nasri knew just how bad it would be to carry on the game at 2-1 and wrapped things up 3-1 and Newcastle never looked like coming out of it.
I screamed into my brother's face that Nasri scores goals and Hleb doesn't. He thinks we made a mistake letting Hleb go. Oh please.
Nasri = goals.
I think Denilson and Diaby in central midfield is bad. Song pairs better with Denilson for reasons I don't know of or can't fathom. More understanding maybe. So I don't know how Diaby comes into the mix.
it's going to be international break! I've got next week to settle the last bits of renovations for my place and I'll be all set to move.
Then I realised that there isn't any need to set up cable since all we've got to do is bring the box over. lol.
Tomorrow's pool-villa game should be interesting. Pool wants to close the gap on United who managed 2 losses in a row and many many suspensions from these 2 games. Villa would want to keep up with us for a Champion's League spot. So.
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