We are on our way to Wembley for the League Cup final, our first final since the inaugural 2006-7 Emirates season. As pleased as I am, I am probably more relieved at than anything else at this moment. Despite dominating from virtually the off, we labored and made heavy work. At the hour mark, I […]
Category Archives: Match review
“Al Habsi saves” – “Robin scores” Repeat the former seven times and the latter three times, and you have covered what transpired at the Emirates yesterday. While it does not quite tell the whole story, it accurately captures Arsenal’s dominance on the day… We could have had six in the first half alone – Robin, […]
A replay we didn’t need and as with our two recent cup ties, there was plenty of going-in speculation regarding the squad Arsene would name tonight. Our starting eleven consisted of Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Nasri, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner. Shea, Clichy, Eboue, Cesc, Jack, Theo, and Robin made the bench up. I […]
We certainly have three, possibly more magical players but this is not what I am referring to. Three points? We got them today, and certainly needed them. But with Man City winning earlier in the day, all these three points did is keep us in third place. Our magic three is three goals. So often […]
There is a saying which goes “There is no such thing as a sure thing.” Not even a team that just sacked its manager last week, was crushed 7-0 by Chelsea on the weekend, and is sitting in the lower reached of the Championship can be taken for granted. Only the Arsenal players who figured […]
Not since 1992 have we been knocked out of the FA Cup at this stage of the competition. Yesterday that so very nearly changed. Nine changes made from the side that started against Manchester City but when I saw the team I thought it was strong, certainly strong enough to get us through to the […]
So the grueling run of matches continues. No excuses, we knew this was coming and it is up to Arsene and the players to adjust. A primary concern remains rotating the squad enough to sustain a winning run, while still giving key players the opportunity for rest, and others the opportunity for much-needed match action. It […]
Better finishing? Check. Better awareness and organization defending set pieces? Obviously. The European Cup? Of course. But…On the heels of this afternoon’s performance and result, I consider harping on the aforementioned a little churlish of myself. We all know there are things we can do better and we all know precisely what they are. However, […]
Monday, we finally beat one of the big two during the past 24 months, and did it in convincing fashion – could we build on that result, take care of business, and keep the pressure squarely on the two Manchester sides? The pre-match buzz was almost as interesting as the match itself. It was generally […]
Wigan on Wednesday night; now that our fortnight break has ended, the games come fast and furious and we need to make sure we do not squander what we have achieved tonight. After Cesc’s frank admission of our mental weakness following the capitulation at Old Trafford, I began to wonder if we would ever shake […]
Last night was another situation where I had to step back after the final whistle and get away from this for a while. It allows me to calm down and put things in perspective. It is hugely disappointing to lose to United – again. For me, the worst aspect was our limp, toothless performance in what […]
……….Is qualifying for the Champions League last sixteen from a cupcake group…At least if you are Arsenal FC, that is. I did not enjoy this evening’s match – not one bit. In fact, I commented after the final whistle that I cannot recall being so angry after a match in which we won. Fortunately, I […]