Karma Police

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
21 Oct	7:45 PM	CL	Fenerbahce (A)	5	2	Win

Not quite sure where to start or how to even begin to summarise the madness that unfolded last night. So, whilst I consider how to do that, let's consider the words of José Mourinho, who having spent two or three years defending Didier Drogba, finally came clean and admitted to the world that Didier is a diver. Somewhat bizarrely, he also lumped our own Robin van Persie in with him and then proceeded to tell the world that these foreigners were coached how to dive in England, though quite who was coaching Didier to dive is not made clear by Mr Mourinho...

Anyway, whatever the merits of Manchester United's 3-0 win at home to Celtic last night, the ITV bosses must be feeling a bit gutted that the real entertainment was consigned to the digital world. They weren't the only ones feeling a little silly last night (if, indeed, they were).

I questioned Manuel Almunia's captaincy credentials and alluded to doubts over his suitability to be Arsenal number one, yet he was majestic in goal last night; making a great save at 0-0, which set the tone for his evening, a heroic display of blocking and sweeper keeping behind a high defensive line which enabled Arsenal's midfield to weave its' pretty patterns at will. I think that was Manuel's best game for us. I also wondered whether we'd put two good halves of football together, so good were we in the first 22 minutes, we didn't really need to.

Arsène Wenger said yesterday, as I noted here, that with a weak defence, Arsenal would look to attack. They did so. He also said that we would look to silence the crowd in the first 20 minutes. It may have taken maybe a minute longer, but Arsenal also managed to achieve that. Comprehensively so. A blog post by Baselgooner yesterday noted that he would like Arsène to give the racist Aragones a bloody nose last night. Mr Wenger didn't need to, his team did it for him. That the opening 4 goals were scored by, respectively, Adebayor, Walcott, Diaby and Alex Song surely the salt in a festering wound. Yes, the Karma Police were out in force last night.

And what goals, Fabregas' slide rule ball after ten minutes, taken on and slid home by a man who has been infuriating of late. Adebayor only needed four touches, and Walcott to nimbly get out of the way, to complete the job like a man born to do it. Jo had barely returned to the kitchen to get on with dinner when Walcott sped onto another Fabregas pass and rounded the keeper and slotting the ball inside the near post- are there really Arsenal fans still doubting this boy? Really?

It could have been three almost immediately after as Samir Nasri took maybe a little too long to get his shot away and drew a fine save from the keeper. It might have been a crucial save, as Fener got back into the contest via a very unfortunate Silvestre own goal. However, Abou Diaby, who must have been close to his best performance in Arsenal colours scored a cracking goal with his left foot. And all of this took place in the first 22 minutes, Jo managing to miss all 3 goals.

The sting was entirely taken out of what might have been a tricky second half when Alex Song lashed home from the corner of the 6 yard box following a free kick. Whilst Dani Guiza got on the score sheet towards the end and my favourite pantomime villain Emmanuel Eboue made two astounding blocks in quick succession to prevent what looked a certain goal, Arsenal were pretty much in second gear for the majority of the second half and so we saw Aaron Ramsey make his Champions League bow. If he was awed, he didn't show it, coming on demanding the ball, knocking it around from side to side and even trying a cheeky backheel (like the one for Bendtner a few weeks back) before, as the game hit injury time, scoring a wonderful goal from the edge of the box following great work from (gasp!) Eboue. I said of his goal for the u-21s last week that he probably wouldn't beat it, but this wasn't far off. And there's so much more to come.

It was a breathtaking attacking performance, incisive and clinical. We were open at the back, but I think it was entirely understandable for a defence playing a high line (for the most part) well and missing 3/4 of the regular performers. Arsène doesn't get much credit for his tactical insight, but in my opinion he deserves it here. The high line gave us the platform to play off and his deployment of Abou Diaby was inspirational. The defending, you would think, will have to improve come Sunday afternoon and Upton Park, but with Gallas and apparently Sagna due to return, you would hope it will.

So, another great European away day for the travel club to savour, and qualification from what was thought to be a tricky group can be guaranteed, with two games to spare, when Fenerbahce come to north London. Bring them on!

User Comments

rosisky4u@yahoo.com

Posted on 23 Oct, 2008 at 01:36 PM - Reply

one of your fans in nigeria i am realy impress with the champions league triumph keep it up i want coach arsene wenger to make more correction in the attack thanks

Will Seabrook

Posted on 23 Oct, 2008 at 10:37 AM - Reply

Mourinho did not say that these players were taught how to dive. He said that the English Leagues are different and that players are taught to not just go down and play football. Therefore, the foreigners from different leagues find it hard to adapt at first because in THEIR leagues they are taught how to dive to help their team win the game.

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