Written by Paul Williams on Friday, November 7, 2008

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
05 Nov	7:45 PM	CL	Fenerbahce (H)	0	0	Draw

Welcome to another schizophrenic blog post.

You might be forgiven for thinking that after Wednesday's no score draw in the North London enormodome, I'm currently hanging from the rafters with a noose around my neck. Not so.

I thought that it was very obvious that; a) Fenerbahce arrived in London determined to avoid any semblance of a repeat of the events of two weeks ago and, b) once again Arsène Wenger rotated his team with a huge game looming on the horizon.

Fenerbahce didn't, in my opinion, come to play, they came to sit 10 men behind the ball and frustrate. They achieved that end, if not admirably then competently. That foul on Robin van Persie as he turned to go one on one with the keeper being the highlight of a night of cynicism and negativity. The foul that left Silvester on the floor for a couple of minutes was so well executed that neither the referee or the linesman saw it. See, it's things like that that grind Arsène's gears.

Concentrating on us, I thought Aaron Ramsey looked really good in the first half before tiring and beginning to give balls away as Francesc Fabregas did seemingly all game. Another of the players I wanted to see in last night did well and proved that not all Arsenal centre backs have to be scared of heading the ball. Every time Johan Djourou has begun a game at the back for the Gunners this season, we've kept a clean sheet. Coincidence? Probably, but he needs to be given the chance to stand or fall. Lukasz Fabianksi had little to do, but in the main he handled well, the only problem he had was a rush of blood to the head in the first half. Finally, Carlos Vela was given the opportunity to try and break through the yellow brick wall, but was maybe guilty of trying to do too much too often.

Our attacking threat seemed mainly to be carried through van Persie, who Cesc played in delightfully early on, but his shot had to be taken quickly and fizzed wide of the post. Robin didn't have a great night, but was probably unlucky, later on, to see Demerel's fingertips divert the ball onto the crossbar and away. I also thought skipper Kolo had a lively game at full back, also going close with a chipped free kick. It's a shame though that when it comes to final ball, he lacks a bit of composure. He was by no means the only one last night though.

So far, so normal. I close here though, with this assertion. We will beat Manchester United on Saturday afternoon. I have no rational reason for this belief, and I can't see how we will score a goal, whilst I can see all too clearly how United will, but football is never played on what should happen, it's played on what does happen. And I think what will happen is that one player will stand up for us on Saturday and win us the game.

Rational? Me?

User Comments

16

Babz

Posted on 9 Nov, 2008 at 07:54 PM - Reply

C'mon Arsenal... Beat them 6-0... We'll beat them!!!

15

Yusuf

Posted on 8 Nov, 2008 at 03:01 PM - Reply

Well, that's exactly what happened. Samir!!

14

JUAN LUIS SANCHEZ (PERU)

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 09:05 PM - Reply

ROBIN VAN PERSIE IS NOT HAVING A GOOD NIGHT AFTERNOON AND MORNING SINCE A LOT OF TIME.
FENERBACHE DID SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO TOMORROW IF WE DONT DO THAT . AT LEAST THIS GAME IS GOING TO FINISH 0-5
YOU ALL THAT YOU ARE IN ENGLAND PLEASE TELL WENGER THAT HE IS WRONG
I HOPE I AM WRONG PLEASE I WANT TO BE WRONG
I LOVE ARSENAL

13

arsenal_baku

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 08:28 PM - Reply

we have to win! this is the crucial game of the 1st half of the season. We are doing well at the CL. We have to win over MU and we'll start the season from the fresh list

12

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 07:55 PM - Reply

I am looking forward to this game as I believe we will turn the corner tomorrow & lift off from there. I too have no rational to say this but this is football & I am a believer.

11

David

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 05:10 PM - Reply

Mr. Wenger is again telling everybody that he won't consider buying in January. OK, then, win tomorrow and you may not need to buy. Draw or lose, Wenger, please leave this job to someone else who knows more than you do what we are lacking! Period!

10

Norman

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 03:52 PM - Reply

Well said
Have faith, I do always

9

Wengers love slave

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 03:28 PM - Reply

Finally someone being optimistic for once! Whoop Whoop!

8

Advait Deshmukh

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 01:57 PM - Reply

Yah.....I am agreed wid you!.....we have to win!...

7

MUHAMMAD AHSAN

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 01:23 PM - Reply

ASSALAMU ALEKUM
excellent post dude...
true arsenal fan........

6

gunnerfreek

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 12:26 PM - Reply

yes it is time sum1 stood up. we have been battered, bruised and broken. it is time we set things right, it is time we win some games, it is time we prove our detractors wrong.....and there no better way of doing it than beating manchester united

5

Sonny

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 11:33 AM - Reply

We must buy!!

Eduardo will be back soon... so no need to go for Santa Cruz, Martins or Owen now.. although a forward that can head the ball too would be great..

I'd like AW to get 1-2 experienced players from EPL.. Barry, Upson and/or David Weir (though he plays in Scottish League )

and some of these players from abroad.. Veloso being one of them..

Rest can be Arda, Ayala, van Buuten, van Bomel, Baptista, Heitinga and Yaya Toure..

a top class goalkeeper like Coupet, Hilderbrand or Sergio Asenjo..

and for Christ's sake.. Strip captaincy off Gallas (the whiner) and give it to a winner!!!

I miss Henry.. a bit off topic but I feel sad to see him struggling at Barca

If a time comes and AW decides to go..

Marco van Basten is a possibility to replace him... but I'd not like to take that gamble..

for me its Capello or Guus Hiddink.. but I love Wenger and want him to fix the probs at Arsenal.

4

GWelch

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 10:32 AM - Reply

Thanks Paul, you have put a smile on my face today, I sure hope your right!

Calling all attendees, I wanna here some serious noise tomorrow, come on you all know the words, Elvis too! lets show them the Emirates is not so welcoming yeah!!! Let the team do there bit and we'll do ours RIGHT, right then, it's on.... UP THE GUNNERS!!!

3

Zaeem

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 09:58 AM - Reply

Its your belief in the team that gives you confidence of victory. Nothing less should be expected of a true gunner. I too believe we will win. BUT..... why do we not feel the same way when we face Fulham, Stoke or other small teams?? Where does our optimism go then? Why is their always a nervous feeling? If we can be confident of victory against a league giant, what makes us dread the worse against middle-table teams?

2

Alia

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 09:32 AM - Reply

We'Ll GeT Em ToMoRrOw ... *i HoPe*

1

Jijeesh

Posted on 7 Nov, 2008 at 08:51 AM - Reply

C'mon Arsenal... Beat them 4-0... we'll beat

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