Arshavin, Ramsey & Henry – well well well….
When was the last time that Arsene Wenger made three substitutions and each one made a difference?
No idea is my answer but yesterday each one did, they changed the game.
Ramsey wasn’t on long before his shot from distance battered both posts and landed in the net.
Arshavin played a peach of a cross to find Thierry Henry who volleyed home for a 2-1 victory….
The massive downside to yesterdays win was the injury sustained by Per Mertesacker and Arsene Wenger confirmed that ‘he is not good’ – the injury is suspected to be ankle ligament damage and he’ll be scanned today. Not what we needed before we fly out to Italy on Tuesday ready to face AC Milan the following day. We should find out later what the extent of his injury is.
We kicked off with great intent, we were lively – clear cut chances on goal though were hard to come by – Robin whipped in a corner which Vermaelen got his head to but his effort was blocked by Sunderlands keeper. Then Koscielny lost out to Sessegnon who in turn set up Fraizer Campbell but his shot went wide after getting a deflection.
Most of the comments on HH at this stage was about the state of the pitch, it wasn’t anything like our boys are used too…
Walcott had a chance on goal but his shot went wide of the far post and then soon after he hoofed a volley dreadfully high over the crossbar – not the finest from our young Englishman after a good cross from Song!
As time went on, Sunderland tried the old ‘hit them on the break’ tactic, that was their only real option and we had all the possession – boring eh!
Not long before half time and a big decision went our way, Colback crossed the ball into our penalty area and Merts slipped as he tried to clear the ball and his big frame landed on the ground and the ball hit his hand (or hand hit the ball) – much to the disgruntlement of the home fans, referee Neil Swarbrick waved play on. Big Big moment…..
As we ended the half it was pretty much all about our possession but as we have seen so many times this year, it was also about how we weren’t able to make that possession count…
Same old as the second half got under away, and to be honest, Sunderland dealt with all with had to offer with ease – too much ease..
The home side had a chance with O’Shea but he hoofed a loose ball well over Szczesny’s bar…
That chance, which was without question Sunderlands best one seemed to give us a bit of a kick in the butt as we pressured the home side but still without an end product!
Then, just before the hour, Sunderland had a good spell, Szczesny made a great save to his left after a great strike from distance off of Craig Gardner’s left boot – only to find all of his efforts were in vein as the offside flag had gone up.
Gardner had another chance soon after but again our big keeper saved and took control of the rebound.
Wenger then made the first change on sixty-six minutes with the old man Thierry Henry coming on in place of Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain.
It wasn’t long after that the deadlock was broken and in freak circumstances…
Sagna played the ball back towards our goal to Mertesacker who was under no pressure whatsoever but as he turned, his foot seemed to get caught in the playing surface and over he went, clearly in pain.
Sunderland’s McClean took advantage and gathered the loose ball – carried on towards goal and placed his shot into the far corner of Szczesny’s goal……
What a bolt out of the blue that was and another horrid injury picked up by one of our defenders!
The big fella left the pitch on a stretcher and in his place came Ramsey.
Our young Welshman has been taking a bit of stick recently but it didn’t take long for him to justify his inclusion in this current Arsenal side. In fact it within five minutes of gracing the dodgy turf, he’d made it 1-1.
Arteta had taken a shot on goal but it somehow arrived back at the feet of Ramsey, he took a pop at goal, not the cleanest of strikes admittedly but it found its way past their keeper, hit the inside of one post, then went along the line and hit the other post but thankfully, it crossed the line that mattered…
Fifteen minutes left and we raised our game, Walcott went off on 87 minutes and on came Andrey ‘The Meerkat’ Arshavin – and I have to admit that I thought ‘what the heck will that change do’?
Talk about having to eat your words rico!!
Shortly after, well, on 88 mins, his cross from the left found Robin unmarked but his header went straight to their keeper and it seemed we would have to settle for a share of the points but then…….
Arshavin delivered the inch perfect cross into Sunderland’s penalty area and who else would be lurking other than the old man and he doesn’t miss from close range does he?.
2-1 and game over – what a stunning result at The Stadium of Light against a side who are rejuvenated under Martin O’Neil, a side that not long ago beat Manchester City…..
We should take a lot from this result, in fact let’s take it all the way to Italy shall we – and that should be Thierry Henry’s last game, but will it be?
Over to you fine folk to chew the cud…..
Have a good day all…….
Away from Football – RIP Whitney Houston……..
Good morning guys and chicks of the Gunners’ faith.
Good match report Rico.
Regarding Arshavin…..I do not think each one of us needs to eat back our words. It is his job to deliver inch perfect crosses. And do it game in game out, and not sulk because he wants to play only in one position at the detriment of the team.
At the same time one needs to say that Arshavin knew where the king would be and where he would make that run. Do the others we have make those types of runs? Never.
However hats off to him for two peaches in crossing perfect balls.
Morning devil and all….
I don’t think so either re AA, he showed yesterday what he can do when he feels like it, his sulky attitude though means he can’t always be bothered….
shame really…
good game but it was not a headed goal by Henry.
Henry didn’t head home he volleyed Arshavins cross in.
thanks donkatron, on my stream it looked like his head but i watched later and realised, but forgot to change the post….
shame she had a lovely voice.
Of Mertersacker (spelling?) I noticed whilst watching football First’ that prior to him twisting and falling over clutching his right ankle, he had been rubbing the and flexing the same joint several minutes earlier. Had the damage already occured and was he trying to ‘run it off’? Probably, a shame as he’s not a bad player, a bit slow and cumbersome, but largely dependable albeit hardly exciting, but whaty do you expect – he’s German!!
Wonder how long he will be unavailable? Ligaments are slow to mend. Maybe he’ll be back for the Champions League final!!
Happy days or not.
Good win yesterday. Sunderland are never easy to beat no matter where they are in the Table.
Hoorah for Henry!!
Re: Whitney – don’t take large amounts of prescription drugs and pass out in the bath. All the same, RIP, tragic waste of talent.
2 wins in February, lets push on and beat the rosineri!
Rico….
“Arshavin played a peach of a cross to find the head of Thierry Henry who volleyed home for a 2-1 victory….”
This does not say that he headed the ball in…..it simply states that the intention of Arshavin was to find TH to head it in. But then TH VOLLEYED it in. I have never seen a man volley a ball with his head. There is a difference between Arshavin’s intended cross and the final outcome…that of a volley.
Later on you wrote
“Shortly after, well, on 88 mins, his cross from the left found Robin unmarked but his header went straight to their keeper and it seemed we would have to settle for a share of the points but then…….
Arshavin delivered the inch perfect cross into Sunderland’s penalty area and who else would be lurking other than the old man and he doesn’t miss from close range does he?.”
Nowhere did you say that he headed it. The first paragraph is explaining an action which happened before the goal, a ball which the keeper caught cleanly.
The second paragraph states that TH does not miss from close range.
There is no sentence which states he headed the ball in.
Hi Wavy,
Unsure how long Merts will be out for, we may find out later after he has is scan..
Henry will be back, i think he has one more PL game in him 😉
Walcott has to go. He actually said that TH14 or TH12 can learn something from him. I hope he is sold to Bolton then we shall see how good he is without Fab, Jack, and VP. Arsenal contolled and when Walcott gets the ball he loses it. Can he really do anything wilth the ball, like head it, dribble it, cross it, pass it? First touch is a lottery with him. More chances of losing than winning. Please do not give me the rubbish about Champions League heroics. The only reason Arsenal play well in Europe is because we play a European game and other teams are good enough to play us and therefore the games have open spaces rather than bank ten men on the edge of the penalty box. What is most sickening about Walcott is that he actually believes he is a superstar. I would be too if I played for Arsenal and everyone cuddled me and made excuses for me.
Hi TT, thanks, have ammended the post…
devil, it was wrong, i have updated it – thats what happens when i write a post late in the evening, its all sorted now though hopefully 😉
Wavy…if its just pulled ligaments its just three to four weeks.
If its thorn ligaments its 12 to 15 weeks.
Rough estimate because all people are different healers. And what usually takes 1 week at AFC it takes 1 year.
So I just saw the updated post. 🙁
And I was defending you with all my heart. 😆
I know devil, you are a gent and thank you 🙂
Nobody can ever know why Arshavin has lost form,lacked effort and just been ordinary for so long.
It’s a bloody shame he’s gone that way.
Shut up dg, andrey deserves better. He did create the chance didnt he? Anyway morning hh great win huh?
So try and go to live in Australia Rico….that way you would get to write a report early in the morning. 😆
Or ask Scott.
Welcome – Walcott ithinks he is better than Thierry Henry…
Theo will always divide fans opinion…. Thankfully RvP likes the player so i guess he’ll be staying 😉
Hi Scott – it is a great shame, we all know what a skillful player he is but only he can be the one to bring that to the pitch…
GOOOOONNNNIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Where the hell have you been you little twerp????
Wait till I get you. You will not be able to sit down due to a sore bum for a whole month.
AND DONT YOU DARE ABANDON US AGAIN.
Devil,I was trashed before,during and after the game.
I’m watching the replay now,and catching up on everything I missed first time around.
Anyway,Rico reports better than i ever could lol…..
Hi Goonster, how’s the CS going 😉
Now there’s a couple of good ideas devil 😉
Scott 😆
Just saw Mertesacker go down,and I still can’t believe its an ankle.
No twisting or turning….incredible.
Rico,its a wasted talent,whatever the reason.
Morning all,
Nice one Rico, it looked like a header on my stream too but i noticed later it was a guided tap in with his right foot. I felt we were pretty lucky yesterday, not that we didn’t deserve the win, after all we had most of the possesion, but what gets me is our very slow build up, we used to break quickly, was more direct, but we have slowed down and tippy tappy passes have now started in our own half where it used to be on the edge of their box. I watched our noisy neighbours and noticed that they now play like we used to, probably why their streets ahead as far as points are concerned. I blame this on our midfield they are not the most adventurest midfielders in the league but they must be the slowest and started to be a bit boreing. We have a relativly good squad but they couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewry. this must be down to the training or the formation. Many guys on here could probably work out what formations for what teams but Wenger seems to have trouble with it.
Hi dg been too busy to blog. I ve got to do a bit of “community service”. So how are you my man? Still grim reaping are ya?
Grim reaping??? I’ll tell you what you greasy little toad.
Community Service my a….!!!! With the ladies you mean. Busy. HUH.
We are fine mate. But with you we are finer.
Exactly Scott..
Morning Steve – we must have been watching the same one 😉
The pitch had a lot to do with it, we couldn’t pass the ball around like we can on much better surfaces – saying that though, that’s when we need a plan b….
Credit where it’s due though, we fought until the end and got all the points, not too long ago we could easily drawn or even lost that match…..
Do we dare ask what you did to be ordered to do Community Service Goonster??
Not moaning about the points Rico, nor our goggedness just the movement 🙂
Bout time we heard from you Stan you had your hands slapped then. Was that Irish schoolgirl under age then 🙂
Watching the replay,Ox was seriously affected by the playing surface.
It was a disgrace.
:Ddg you ll never change. Hahaha, anyway am done with chasing skirts. I ve learnt the hard way. Don’t ask:x
Should have been doggedness
Arshavins cross looked even better that time lol.
Loving the replay.
Morning all,
I thought Goonster was doing brewery service.
I knew what you meant Steve 😉 We play like that all too often, may wednesday was on the players minds 😉
😆 Micko, morning to you….
Makes a change for Sunday Supplement to be talking about AVB not knowing what he’s doing….
Learned the hard way ehhhh????
That means SCRAMBLED, POACHED OR BATTERED.
And you know what I am talking about.
And no….I will never change. Why should I when I have you back??? 😉
Catch you later family coming to dinner.
Have a good one Steve…..
Devil, one of the 10 commandments for footballers is ” Thou shalt have no other Gods before the one true God known as Work Rate”
This is where Arshavin lets himself down everytime, we all know he has the quality but he can’t be arsed to put a shift in.
Enjoy Steve.
For the benefit of everyone
http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/108531354#pm_cmp=vid_OEV_P_P
Wonder what changed in Arshavin or has he always been like that, some footballers so often seem to strart well at a new club as though they have something to prove and then fade after a seaon of so…
Ade was another….
Love the new avatar my man.
You mean my avatar Goonie??
if yes than thanks.
Rico, I think his dream move was always barcalona but it never materialised, their team doesn’t carry any passengers, no room for luxury players, like you say he started on fire for us but has now become a bit part player, Siberia beckons.
Was newcastle shit last night or what? They made the swampies look like barca…and talking about barca how stupid did cesc look last night.
Yeah dg…its groovy.
nice highlights there devil 🙂
I thought he might still leave this month Micko but his 3 minutes of magic might convince Wenger to keep him 😉
We can’t afford passengers, sadly though we tend to have a few hitching a ride these days….
Boo! rico, How lovely to win and not have to moan about our team. 🙂
Goonster, you just get into all sorts of scrapes don’t you? 😉 How many hours do you have to do??
devil, I liked Orlando Bloom in Elizabethtown. 🙂 🙂
Micko, AA still has it in him, I think. He’s capable of the truly sublime, but he has to try harder.
You guys see Mark Davies goal yesterday for Bolton, surely he’d prefer to be doing that for Arsenal 😉
boo to you agag, there is always something to moan about, today is theo’s turn again 😉 😉
Hi ya agag still have a couple of hours left… I should be through in a few weeks time. So how’s my favorite lady ever? Miss me?
Hi agag, I’ll believe ya, thousands wouldn’t !
rico, if we had lost, I would be one with the many saying that Theo has no awareness, runs like a headless chicken, gets dispossessed so easily, blah blah blah. As it is, we won, so you won’t hear a peep from me. 😛
Actually even if we did win he was still headless, doesnt know how to cross etc etc etc. Better still he knows them but cant be arsed to deliver them every time.
Agag…Goonie does not get into scrapes. Lets say the scrapes run after him and he keeps slipping on dry surfaces.
Mind the wet grass Goonie!!!!!!
Micko, I sort of don’t believe myself either. 😛 But when I remember that match v. Liverpoop, the goal v. Barca, it is not so hard to hope that he can find form again.
Goonster, a couple of hundred hours, you mean?? 😛 I’m good. Busy with work though. 🙂 🙂 My theory on you absence was that you wanted people to forget “Stanlina”/”Goonerette”. 😀
I’m fine thanks goonster 😉 😉
agag, same here 😉
Got to pop off for an hour, back laters….
…when I came in the pub and saw the screen I was shocked…only thing missing was an old stone fence and John Smith with a bowl of hot soup…I though we were playing some charity game in a middle of a swamp…couldn’t recognise the team style as it was impossible to keep the ball on the ground,even so,saw just 35 mins of 1st half then had to go to work,when checked on BBC live score and saw we are 1 down I had this familiar feeling,so just left it and decided to check once game is gone,and was pleasantly surprised-we won…
…now,Henry is a legend,and Ramsey/Arshavin,I love to hate them…Andrei just proved time again what a huge potential,skill,class he’s got,but one thing that’s missing in his game is passion,I don’t know when it went but,it’s a pity,just hoping he can do another ‘Barcelona’ on Wednesday…
Godamn you micko..don’t get wath back on my case.
Got to run guys. See ya.
Now dont you run away.
Get back.
Anyone got a leash????
Tlailaxu, sunderland set their stall out early and put everyone behind the ball, it worked well for 75 minutes but they eventually run outta puff and our quality shone through, more of the same next week me thinks.
I don’t think the pitch was that bad yesterday, we’re just so used to seeing them in good nic these days, I remember the Chelsea pitch years ago when it had the electric fence rounding around it, they never switched it on but it was a right bog hole.
Devil, if you were being chased by a bunch of skinheads you would run as well ! Go goonster go, run for your life.
I am off for a bit guys. See you in about three hours. In the meantime if you get hold of Goonie tie him down. That way he wont escape again.
Take a look at this lads……
http://www.footballfancast.com/2012/02/premiership/newcastle-united/the-premier-leagues-bosman-xi-up-for-grabs-in-2012-some-team/attachment/jussi-jaaskelainen-2
Offski
Dev, I’ll go look for a short one, so Goonster would be easier to rein in. 😀
Micko, you do make me laugh. 🙂 Hello, Tlailaxu. 🙂
120 minutes 3 goals.. Thats not a bad return is it?
I thought Rosicky played very well yesterday, still a shadow of the player he use to be. Remember the days of 30 yard screamers?!
Any chance Red Bulls would take Chamack and allow us to keep Henry for a bit longer?
Did anyone see Ryo play yesterday?
Here ya go – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkQDouj-Jmg
Hey Gaga…=p…
Howdy good people, Think we should buy TH from Redbull anyone
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico.
That was a great post by Oliver. 🙂
So i missed Staninho. I just wish you would learn to chill Stan. Then you would stay on the straight & narrow.
When are you getting your Arsenal shirt with Ramsey on the back then ESP??? 🙂
Mick made a good point about Sunderland running outta puff yesrerday.
Unfortunately, the roles will be reversed this coming weekend.
Sunderland will have a free week to prepare for the FACup.
Arsenal will a tiring journey to Milano to recover from followed by a tiring journey to Sunderlando.
It’s gonna be tough in the cup.
O’Neill will have his players hyped up looking for revenge.
I’d take a draw and a replay at Ashburton.
Gotta hit the road. Lata.
ESP, Henry has scored more goals than Chamakh and Park put together this season, that’s a sad indictment on our strikers.
I remember Rosicky scoring a screamer in the 2006 World Cup after just finding out Arsenal had signed him, think that was the last time i saw him score, he’s lost his shooting boots, he doesn’t know where the goal is these days, whatever you say about Ramsay he’s always prepared to have a pop, he’s not goal shy like some of our players.
Don’t think the tea lady will be putting any sugar in Mick McCarthy’s cuppa tomorrow morning…….
Afternoon fine folk, that hour got extended, a loft clearing, a bonfire, walk of the mutley all made sure of that 🙂
Blimey Mick McCarthy is in big big trouble.
A shame as he’s a good guy. Doesn’t bullshit like most of his fellow managers.
Hi Rico. I just love a bonfire. Don’t forget some jacket potatoes.
Kev, and kenny dalglish apologising for his behaviour yesterday, not that becoming of a liverpool manager, he’s twitching.
Yeh, he rich and fat AK………………. 😉 make that very very very f’kin rich 😀
Last count was 12.4 billion to be exact.
It’s gone up since then Micko, he’s sold or is selling his shares in facebook…..!
He’ll soon be mixing in the same circles as you then wath.
No Wath, i heard a rumour that he’d passed the 30% mark of share ownership. Therefore entitling him access to the clubs books.
I’ve heard that as well AK, if true it’ll come out on the OF-EX market next day or so as he has to make an announcement althoug maybe he keeps it just under 30% with agreements of sale and only puts it through when he feels the time is right…!
It fits in with April being end of the buy-out agreement from last year and a 12month agreement on keeping the status-quo…………
Hi AK, ddin’t burn long enough 😉
Hiya W.A.T.H. Have you caught Goonie yet???
Must put him on a leash.
Did I read that Usmanov has passed the 30% mark???
Goody then. That would open up a can of worms maybe. And by force the others have to offer him a seat on the board of directors then. Maybe he will whack quite a few bums.
Should force PHW to do community service around the area of Scum lane.
Speaking of Community service…….is Goonie on a 24/7 community service?? How come he never writes when he is off??
U ok Sir AK??
agirlagunner says:
February 12, 2012 at 12:03 pm
rico, if we had lost, I would be one with the many saying that Theo has no awareness, runs like a headless chicken, gets dispossessed so easily, blah blah blah. As it is, we won, so you won’t hear a peep from me.
______________________________________________
C’mon, Theo is still a headless chicken, albeit he had improved with two or three more synapses in hsi football brain.
Yesterday, OX and Theo were shown up by a tough tackling and swift closing down defence which will not allow them to turn or control the ball.
OX is still raw and will keep improving..perhaps too many games in such a short epriod and shown in his sluggish performance.
Theo?
No excuse really and still his dreadful self.
Any other defence will not be so generous as Balckburn giving him space and tiem to run at then, and to pick his crosses.
Sunderland shown up Theo why he is dreadful as a flank player.
Gus and Gals
NEW POST IS UP 😛 😛
Evening fine folks. I see wolves were mauled at home. Good i hate those bastards. Hi ya wath…
Merlin – i’m forgiving Theo for yesterday as Sunderland parked the bus, evryone struggled to break them down…
Wenger should have realised and changed things, when he did, we got the breakthrough 😉
Am off again guys…see ya.
It’s snowing and cold in Milan . On Tuesaday night will be also like that. So we must be preparing for playing in those weather conditions.
City 1-0. How can they play like this? Both have the same colours!