Arsenal - Game Over
Sunday, 19 April 09, 03:45 AM · Comments(3)
by Joel Abraham
Arsenal's season is over. They won't beat Man United over two legs. The FA Cup was their most realistic chance at a first trophy in four years, but after yesterday's poor performance, it's back to the drawing board.
Arshavin's omission made no sense. Wenger attempted to pack the midfield to stifle Essien, Ballack and Lampard. Chelsea's two goals came from Lampard being given too much time and space on the ball to pick out Malouda and Drogba respectively.
Walcott's goal was lucky. A deflected shot that Cech should've kept out. Arsenal got what they deserved. For all their possession, they created very few chances. Fabregas had a bad game by his standards, Diaby repeatedly gave the ball away, and Adebayor was completely isolated. The side were crying out for the creative, incisive passing of Arshavin, yet his introduction was far too late.
The makeshift defence coped well for the most part, but Eboue should have stopped Malouda, Silvestre was emphatically beaten for power and pace by Drogba, and Fabianski should've done better with both goals. Kieran Gibbs again looked impressive, setting up the goal, but his double header against Ronaldo will show us if he's really up to scratch.
A familiar sight for Arsenal fans
The game was painfully similar to the Carling Cup final of 2007, with Walcott giving Arsenal an early lead and a late Drogba charge killing off the game. Will Arsenal ever learn to cope with this man? Every season he has single handedly beaten Arsenal: Community Shield 2005, Stamford Bridge 05/06, Carling Cup Final 06/07, Stamford Bridge 07/08, and now we have another game to add to his tally.
Would Almunia and Gallas have fared any better? Take a look at how they dealt with Chelsea's long balls during the league match at Stamford Bridge last season, and the answer is no. Didier Drogba knows he is too good for the Arsenal defence to cope with, and he is many, many times better than any of Arsenal's strikers.
In short, it seems that Arsenal haven't learned their lesson. After three seasons of constant torment from the big Ivorian, they still can't deal with him. And in that time, Arsenal have failed to win any trophies. Coincidence? Unless they can defend against the world's best, then Arsenal will not win anything.
Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo await.
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tomcruise said:Its very good .. I like it
student loans consolidation
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
tomcruise said:Its very good .. I like it
student loans consolidation
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
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studentsofthegame
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We really should be getting paid for this.
3 Comments · Add yours
dude u serious? u'll probably be the first one heaping praise on Wenger when ARSEnal beat ManUre in the champions league. u remind me of barca's supporters last season. pitiful. the squad selection was without doubt questionable, but IF the score was reversed, no one would have even noticed that arshavin was absent. don't blame wenger, too much, blame Fabianski for a very Valdes-esque performance. being critical is sensible, but condemning your team is absolutely shameful. Barca'll be waiting for ARSEnal in the final. prepare your rantings for when you get owned again.
I'd love to be proved wrong. But the performance yesterday was bad, and Wenger has to take responsibility for picking the wrong team, which didn't create enough chances. I'm not saying he should be sacked, but he clearly got it wrong. But I'm pointing the finger at the defence this time, mainly Silvestre, Eboue and Fabianski, and the two cheap goals we conceded had nothing to do with the side Wenger picked. I can't see us beating United with that defence. Hopefully Almunia and Sagna will be back soon.
you are a knob mate. arrogant twat.