Fluid

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
14 Mar	3:00 PM	P	Blackburn Rovers (H)	4	0	Win

So, I got to watch the full game last night, here are some thoughts and observations.

Sam Allardyce still hasn't figured out a way to stop Arsenal beyond cheating, cynical and, at times, downright malicious fouls. His approach to the game is best evidenced in the fact that the horrible El-Hadj Diouf plays for him. His foul on Almunia in the first half was unnecessary, reckless, should have resulted in a red card - though not in Big Fat Sam's opinion- and clearly contributed to a set to at a later corner between himself and our keeper (who got all Lehmann like for the first time ever) that still hadn't been resolved at half-time. But he wasn't the only one, Warnock somehow getting away with a foul on Walcott on the edge of the box, Kishanwhateverhisname is producing a cynical block on the same player as he attempted a give and go.

I thought Nasri, who was denied by crossbar and a good save from Robinson, Arshavin and Walcott combined in a wonderfully fluid manner and had Nick Bendtner's finishing been anywhere close to some of his approach play, Blackburn would have taken an even more serious beating. It turned out, of course, that Arshavin's first goal for the club was really an own goal. He made sure that that fact was academic as he ran on to a Denilson through ball in the second half, producing wonderful skill on the byline to beat Danny Simpson before lifting the ball over fat boy Robinson and into the far corner. This came soon after Bendtner had spurned three good chances and raised the ire of the crowd in the process- one chance coming after a nostalgically positive run from Kolo Touré, who fed Song, who played Bendtner in, who fired straight at fatty.

A piece of play after the second goal highlighted a continuing frustration with Arsène's Arsenal, Walcott played a 1-2 with Bendtner and put a lovely cross into the box. Or it would have been lovely if anyone had bothered to try and get in on the end of it. What's the point in playing Walcott in wide and not bothering to support him? Maybe they just couldn't catch him, I don't know.

As Allardyce looked on - and the phrase "bulldog chewing a wasp" was surely invented for him - Arshavin chopped the constantly booed Diouf to loud cheers before Theo spun and burst out of defence, blocked the ball fell to Song, who found Arshavin, who played Bendtner in who ... yes, over the bar this time.

Nevertheless he was clapped off when replaced by Carlos Vela. And here's the thing with booing your own, that he was clapped off drew surprised comments from Tony Gale, who obviously now thinks all Arsenal fans are scum. Perhaps sensing a more generous atmosphere, Wenger withdrew Samir Nasri and bought on Eboue to loud cheers.

Eboue was then inches away from connecting with an Arshavin cross following good link up play with Carlos Vela. But only after one of the most ridiculous dives of the season from Pedersen, who claimed a foul off Sagna, who was nowhere near him at the time.

Eboue, as we know, then did get on the score sheet, volleying home from close range after Robinson could only parry Arshavin's effort from Vela's cross. Eboue chose to celebrate in quite bizarre fashion, I don't know whether it was a funky chicken or what, but he looked ridiculous. Following a "chickens home to roost" penalty awarded for an Olsen foul on Vela and a well taken penalty (did Eboue feel left out after 8 of the team took one on Wednesday night?), he got to repeat the celebration and that, pretty much, was the end of the action.

All that was left was for an amusingly perfunctory handshake between Arsène and the defeated Allardyce. And for Allardyce to reflect on the fact that he'd just been handed his heaviest defeat as Blackburn manager, perhaps it was inevitable with Paul Robinson in goal.

Next up? Hull City in the FA Cup. An acolyte of Sam Allardyce, I wonder what Phil Brown can have taken from yesterday.

User Comments

muth

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 05:40 PM - Reply

Bendtner played well even if he didnt score.He handled the ball with confidence....Otherwise jobwell done Arsenal

Goonerbeall

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 03:14 PM - Reply

Paul, you are deliberately being cynical
questioning Eboue's dancing. What would have
said if Ashavin started dancing balalaika?
There in lies a small grain

delboy

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 01:46 PM - Reply

Great performance and win with the exception of bendner, no composure in front of goal. Cant really blame ref for not giving a red card to diouf. It looked nothing more than a yellow in real time until the replay. Alerdyce and phil brown are cut from the same cloth. They both love publicty and think a leg breaking tackle is great stuff. The two of them on 'goals on sunday' was pathetic. When do you ever see decent managers go on that. Wonder if brown will do his half time talk on the pitch on tuesday. It is on Setanta after all.

joshua3

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 06:16 AM - Reply

Yes, why no coverage on the flying studs on Almunia? It's getting ridiculous. Do we need another major injury and ankle dangling to get the ref to show the RED? Bolton or Blackburn or Birmingham - they are all the same. B grade teams in the Premierleague

Onasis

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 04:30 AM - Reply

every thing was right on that except bendtner.

goh

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 02:39 AM - Reply

surprise again no english media talk abt the tackle!

cupid4real

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 02:06 AM - Reply

you need to watch more african goal celebrations and stop being cynical.

Tony

Posted on 16 Mar, 2009 at 12:06 AM - Reply

Pederson dive was SOOO good and embarrassing. There's no doubt that it was and dive and should of been booked like he was against Man U.

sharaye kolade

Posted on 15 Mar, 2009 at 10:22 PM - Reply

just want to register my appreciations to all gooners and most especially my players....so, we are now experienced and confident....i think people should look more closely

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