Mental mountain

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
16 Feb	7:45 PM	FA	Cardiff City (H)	4	0	Win

Burnley. Hull Or Sheffield United.

That is the barrier to Wembley Stadium for Arsenal now after a comprehensive demolition job, the like of which I haven't seen since the Carling Cup performance at home to Wigan. It was, of course, inspired by the man who, 51 weeks ago was lying in a hospital bed wondering, perhaps, whether he would walk again and, almost certainly, if he would ever kick a ball in anger again. That Eduardo owes the rest of his career, at least in part, to the quick actions of Gary Lewin and the subsequent work of the rest of the Arsenal medical staff and fitness coach, Tony Colbert was made apparent last night, as he celebrated his second goal, and Arsenal's third of a comfortable evening at the Grove, with the Arsenal bench.

Though, in a way it would be wrong to ... no actually, it's not wrong. He was inspirational, his quickness of thought, his movement, his ability to make the opening goal, which came about after a give and go with the excellent Carlos Vela, look so easy. It was a joyous surprise to have him back in the ranks, that he managed to bag two goals was perhaps less so. The first I knew of his involvement last night was as the team was read out for the final time just after me and Pete took our seats. The prospect of a tough evening seemed realistic for at least as long as it took Arsenal to go close something like four times in the opening ten minutes. Bendtner guided a header just wide, Touré went close and a lot of Cardiff's defending was of the last ditch nature. Eduardo went close with a cheeky chip and it seemed a matter of time before the goal came.

When it did, it perhaps became evident just how much the "little guy with the mental strength of a mountain" and his ability to tear up the containing strategies of the opposition has been missed. The result was never really in doubt from then on. Bendtner duly added a second from a Nasri corner, before a comical miss which had half of us in stitches just before half-time. A Vela shot was spilled by Cardiff's excellent keeper, Bendtner was first to the rebound but, being charitable, was slightly off balance as his left foot shot cannoned back off the post with the keeper stranded, his second attempt was blocked by the keeper's left leg.

It didn't seem like Cardiff seemed particularly interested in reducing the deficit, but there again perhaps they just given a foothold into the game, Sagna was as excellent as he was shaky in the original fixture, Keiran Gibbs had a night to suggest that should Clichy ever fall from the lofty standards he continues to set, we have a more than capable deputy. we just weren't ever troubled and the only question in the seocnd half was how many more we would add.

As it turned out, we were to get two more. A decent, or what looked a decent penalty shout from where I was, was turned down, seconds later Eduardo was chopped to the floor. He picked himself up and cooly dispatched the penalty, before uncooly celebrating with the whole team, Fabianski sprinting from his goal area to celebrate with the rest of the team and bench. Eduardo departed soon after, apparently he has a slight hamstring problem, but nothing too serious. To a man everyone was on their feet. Even the Cardiff fans, who showed their class by booing him roundly. Hope it took them ages to get home. Twats.

Another of their ranks showed even more class in throwing a mobile phone at Fabianski as we defended a second half corner. I didn't see it happene, but I heard a couple of lads talking about it at the game and it was the talk of the office this morning. Honestly, to look at these guys who spent the last 20 minutes looking like they just wanted to fight, well, it's like evolution missed Cardiff somehow- apologies to any of you from Cardiff, but that's how it is. That phone was the only danger to the excellent Fabianski, who commanded his area well, caught the only shot he had to save cleanly and just generally looked the business. I heard two guys discussing him after the game and how they'd prefer him to Almunia and I, no surprises here, have to agree with them. To me the difference is Almunia, improved though he is, will only ever be a shot stopper. Fabianski is a goalkeeper.

The final goal of the night came about three minutes after I said to Pete, "I don't think another goal looks likely, but you never know with these guys". Glad I stayed, Bendtner played a lovely looking ball through to substitute van Persie who smashed in the cherry on top of a very tasty cake.

Kevin Whitcher makes the point that last night was possible because, born of neccessity, Arsène removed the famous and fabled "handbrake" and played players like Carlos Vela who was a constant threat to Cardiff last night. I don't want to go on about it, but the only threat Eboue seems to carry is towards his own team. The difference between Arsenal last night and the Arsenal of the last few weeks is simply having the players capable of playing pass and move football and doing so intelligently. Eduardo and Vela were clearly at the forefront of that, ably supported by Nasri and Bendtner. It would be a crying shame not to see Vela start on Saturday, unfortunately, it wouldn't be surprising.

Not to end on a downer though, and it seems that with Theo expected back for one, if not both of the Roma matches, Cesc Fabregas will be returning to training within the fortnight. If that isn't good news, then I don't know what is. Doesn't the world seem a better place this afternoon?

User Comments

m f

Posted on 21 Feb, 2009 at 06:27 PM - Reply

well, i did seem like a better place, until saturday afternoon rocked by. so so so dissapointing.we actually player reasonably well, but we have no threat up top, apart from asking van persie to do it all on his own, bendtner is no touch on adebayor, and vela surpases him with ease. why wenger persists with bendntner is beyond me, yes, eduado had a major impact on monday night, he gave the team a lift, as did vela, who looks like he is the perfect arsenal player. but with eduardo out for 2 more weeks, today, we just looked empty of ideas. i dont want to jump on the bandwagon of moaning about wenger, because i do have serious faith in him, this team will win things, maybe not this year, but hopefully next. but there lies the problem, if we dont win anything, will the same players still be here next season? barcelona are flying, and if they come knocking for cesc and ade, being honest, who could blame them for giving it some seriously serious thought!! out best bet is the FA cup without doubt, and as long as we can get through the next round, hopefully cesc, eduardo and theo will be back to put a bit of zip into what can only be described as a lacklustre team.

Mannix

Posted on 20 Feb, 2009 at 09:21 PM - Reply

Yes ofcos it is, good spirit & determination came from those young guys bt i'll not be suprised at all to see Arsene drop Vela in favor of Eboue, Eduardo/Bendtner in favor of Ade when they will be back. Its a high tym to offload ths guys (Eboue & Ade) and move on.

elninio

Posted on 20 Feb, 2009 at 12:59 AM - Reply

Yep.. and we still got to see what Arshavin has to bring to the table. We have in fact got a fantastic season finale to look forward to with all the players coming back to fitness... Finish with a flourish, a pre-cursor for a power house 09/10. CL spot is an absolute must tho'.

joseph kabuleta

Posted on 19 Feb, 2009 at 07:17 AM - Reply

it is amazing how one result against mediocre opponents can get fans to dream land. First pray, u can qualify for the champions league to a shame the nation yet again.And wenger will keep saying he is building a team. anyway, he got u as far as the club will ever go(1 Fa cup as only trophy in 5 years)

daryl

Posted on 18 Feb, 2009 at 01:06 PM - Reply

wow another one of those unintelligible rants... nice to see Eduardo back though, I have to agree.

Splurger

Posted on 18 Feb, 2009 at 12:41 PM - Reply

All well and good, but it's too late. we're still finishing 5th mate!

tom lee

Posted on 18 Feb, 2009 at 12:39 PM - Reply

another very good article. the cardiff fans threw a shoe on aswell, idiots. bit harsh of clichy- who admittedly hasnt been on top form but still is a quality player and not everyone performs to their best all the time. hope Vela starts on saturday, might bring diaby back in aswell to add a bit of drive to the centre midfield against a side that is probably aiming to repeat west ham's perfprmance at the Emirates. Clichy, van Persie will return aswell i expect which is good and i agree with you about Fabianski. Good article mate.

Red1982

Posted on 18 Feb, 2009 at 12:15 PM - Reply

Nice 1 paul, I have a big cheesy grin on me face now!!

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