Seven

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
02 Dec	7:45 PM	LC	Manchester City (A)	0	3	Lost

The film Seven came to mind last night. As I watched Carlos Tevez absolutely spank one into the top corner of the Arsenal goal; recalling my words on the blog yesterday about Alex Ferguson cast offs, I thought, "I've gone and done it again". Which is what Kevin Spacey's John Doe tells the detectives when he calls them to announce another murder.

Of course, the 3-0 defeat last night also means that since Robin van Persie's goal against Spurs (a gratuitous mention for the three Tottenham fans sat behind me), we have failed to score in 3 domestic matches, whilst conceding seven goals. We could go into the fact that Arsenal are being serially killed at the minute, but that maybe stretching it somewhat.

So, that all seems neat to me. Possibly, it's tortured to you, I don't know. What is true to say is that in the face of a vastly stronger, more expensive and experienced opposition, the boys didn't embarrass themselves. If anything it was the likes of Song, Silvestre and Rosicky letting the side down. I don't think any of them will be playing on Saturday, but for 50 minutes they withstood everything City could throw at them and then, before the second goal went in, had three or four chances to get back into it. On another day...

So, it wasn't to be. I said to Jo before the game that I could leave with us getting beaten as long as they were good goals and how City obliged us. You can talk about Carlos Tevez being allowed the freedom of the penalty area after Rosicky's possession concession, but his shot would probably still be travelling now had it not flicked off the crossbar and in.

And then, as I roused myself to respond to Gabs the Part Time Gooner's "Oh dear" text, and Silvestre backed off and backed off, Shaun Wright-Phillips exocet into the far corner would probably have beaten three goalkeepers. I don't know what it is with this little guy, seems to me he's taken the way his old man's Arsenal career was ended very personally and has made it his business to avenge "Wrighty" by scoring brilliant goals against us at every opportunity. I'm sure that's at least his 4th or 5th now.

The highlight of the game really was Lukasz Fabianski's decision not to rush out to Craig Bellamy but wait until he crossed to an unmarked Mr Adebayor, before rushing him. In doing so, he prevented the Togolese from scoring. He, perhaps unsurprisingly to us Gooners, had a quiet night. It's almost as if he feels that one goal against us proved his point, maybe it did but you'd think City fans would be wanting more from him.

Fran Merida hit the bar with a dipping strike late on, as seems to be the custom for whenever we hit the woodwork, the ball stayed out. Not that it would have mattered much by then, but it would be nice to see us score another goal before Christmas. We were then treated to the sight of Mark Hughes sarcastically waving le boss down the tunnel as he had disappeared before shaking hands.

Now, I have to be honest and say that at first I was pissed off with Arsène for that, because I think it was not only disrespectful and slightly peurile of him and also because he's now opened himself up to cheap shots from the likes of Gary Megson. But then I considered, having read a few blogs and being easily influenced, that Hughes had afforded his opposite number little respect during the game and so why maintain a charade?

They obviously have previous and I think, rather than saying things like "maybe Arsène can't take losing", Hughes could have been a touch more honest about things, we all saw le boss shake Carlo Ancelotti's hand on Sunday. But I guess that wouldn't serve him so well. Arsène's interview, I thought, had the potential to be car crash tv, but the Arsenal manager knows better than that and handled himself well, saying only that he was free to shake hands with whoever he wants.

I wonder though. After a promising three months, the season seems to be turning to sand, slipping through our fingers already. The "told you so's" are coming, the mood is changing and; looking at the manager last night, I find myself wondering how much is too much?

And on that, slightly cryptic, note...

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