February 1st 2004
Arsenal v Manchester City Match Report by Jonathan Creedy
Arsenal regained their place at the top of the Premiership, overcoming a resilient Manchester City side on a rainy day in North London. Unsavoury scenes marred the sweet taste of victory in the dying minutes of the game, when Nicolas Anelka, ex-Arsenal sulk, was sent off for violent conduct after a confrontation with Ashley Cole. Thierry Henry, although perhaps not at his best, was nevertheless instrumental in the 2-1 win, and was joined in the second half by Jose Antonio Reyes, Arsène Wenger’s most recent acquisition from Sevilla.
The game did not pan out in the way many expected. Man City, mainly due to the influence of Kevin Keegan, are known for playing attacking football. In the past, they have come to Highbury and done exactly this. In this game however, Keegan had instructed his men to stifle Arsenal, and for much of the first half, with 10 men behind the ball at all times, they were successful. In fact, they limited Arsenal to very few opportunities in the first period.
After some creative approach play from Ljungberg and Lauren down the right, Henry hit a post with the goal gaping. Ashley Cole strived to get forward on several occasions, often to good effect. The goal wasn’t forthcoming though. Paul Bosvelt and Joey Barton worked tirelessly in central midfield for City, while the pace and skill of a certain Nicolas Anelka and Sean Wright-Phillips did cause a few problems for the reunited duo of Toure and Campbell at the back. It was a half of few clear-cut chances, as Arsenal were at times over reliant on the long ball. Credit must go to the Manchester City midfield to restricting Arsenal to such tactics.
After 36 minutes, Arsenal made the breakthrough. Anelka was dispossessed in the midfield, and the ball broke to Parlour. He fed Bergkamp, who subsequently released Henry in his customary left-sided position. His low cross was heading to Ljungberg at the far post, but Tarnat, the City left back, attempted to intercept. In an almost impossible situation, the German slid in and put the ball into his own net. After the goal went in, Manchester City players complained to Alan Wiley that Gilberto had fouled Anelka in the build up to the goal. Replays showed that contact was minimal and the goal stood.
At half time, we were treated to the operatic voice of Tony Henry, Arsenal fan and talented tenor. In the driving rain, he came out to the centre circle and sang two songs which, to be honest, did little to liven up half time proceedings. A choir of Arsenal fans singing Arsenal songs that everyone could join in with might have been more successful. The whole concept of Fans’ Day, in my opinion, was largely unsuccessful. The weather (cold and wet) prevented most from wearing their red home shirts. What percentage of the crowd own red home shirts I wonder? The song sheets that were circulated around the ground had little effect, as it is not that supporters don’t know the words to songs, but more the fact that they don’t want to sing. If all the people that are willing to sing were to sit in the same stand or area, the atmosphere at Highbury would surely improve.
The opening of the second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first. Man City had a few good chances, with Sun Jihai, Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin all forcing Lehmann to make saves. Ljungberg was replaced by Edu, since the Swede had taken a knock in a collision with the tenacious Joey Barton. Robert Pires and Thierry Henry still looked dangerous going forward, but although City were pushing forward in search of an equalizer, we were unable to punish them on the counter attack. It took the introduction of Jose Antonio Reyes with 20 minutes remaining to encourage Arsenal. As soon as he took to the field, Arsenal looked more dominant.
On this showing, Reyes is sure to endear himself to the Arsenal fans in no time. His first touch was sublime: a cute little drag back which fooled two City players. Seconds later, he flicked a cross into the path of Pires, but the Frenchman’s shot was blocked. After some good interplay with Henry, Reyes found himself through on goal. His shot was beaten away by David James who had advanced swiftly off his line. Then the Spaniard put Pires through on goal with a well-weighted pass, but Pires was unable to get a shot away. Within 10 minutes the game had swung back in Arsenal’s favour.
With 10 minutes remaining, an outstanding goal from Thierry Henry settled the match. Edu strode into the City half and passed to Pires. He laid the ball off first time to Henry. Having taken a few touches to steady himself and to cut inside, the French superstar rifled the ball into the top corner from just outside the area.
The game was slowly coming to an end when Arsenal lost possession in their own half. Sean Wright-Phillips flicked it through to Anelka, who duly slotted the ball past Lehmann. Ashley Cole, employing a bit of gamesmanship, grabbed the ball to slow things down, as most professional do when a game is drawing to a close. He was set upon by Fowler and Anelka, who pushed him to the ground. On getting up, he was grabbed by Anelka before The Incredible Sulk pushed him in the face. This was clearly a sending off offence, but it lead to a whole series of incidents. First, Ashley attempted to strike back, but was pulled away by Wright-Phillips: good man. Edu came flying in and went for Anelka, but was unsuccessful. Henry then came over and ushered Anelka away: a sensible move. Alan Wiley gave Anelka a straight red card, and then gave Cole a yellow card too. I’m sure we have yet to hear the end of this though; the FA has a tendency to look into Arsenal incidents more than those of other teams.
All in all though, it was a good day. The pressure was on as both Man Utd and Chelski had won this weekend. We remain two points clear of Man Utd and six points clear of Chelski. Arsenal are now entering a particularly busy period: as well as 4 more Premiership games this month, Arsenal will face Chelski in the FA Cup, Boro in the Carling Cup and Celta Vigo in the first leg of our Champions League game. Our squad is sure to be tested in the coming months, but the recent addition of Reyes may prove crucial, judging by today’s performance.
Arsenal v Manchester City Match Report by Jonathan Creedy
Arsenal regained their place at the top of the Premiership, overcoming a resilient Manchester City side on a rainy day in North London. Unsavoury scenes marred the sweet taste of victory in the dying minutes of the game, when Nicolas Anelka, ex-Arsenal sulk, was sent off for violent conduct after a confrontation with Ashley Cole. Thierry Henry, although perhaps not at his best, was nevertheless instrumental in the 2-1 win, and was joined in the second half by Jose Antonio Reyes, Arsène Wenger’s most recent acquisition from Sevilla.
The game did not pan out in the way many expected. Man City, mainly due to the influence of Kevin Keegan, are known for playing attacking football. In the past, they have come to Highbury and done exactly this. In this game however, Keegan had instructed his men to stifle Arsenal, and for much of the first half, with 10 men behind the ball at all times, they were successful. In fact, they limited Arsenal to very few opportunities in the first period.
After some creative approach play from Ljungberg and Lauren down the right, Henry hit a post with the goal gaping. Ashley Cole strived to get forward on several occasions, often to good effect. The goal wasn’t forthcoming though. Paul Bosvelt and Joey Barton worked tirelessly in central midfield for City, while the pace and skill of a certain Nicolas Anelka and Sean Wright-Phillips did cause a few problems for the reunited duo of Toure and Campbell at the back. It was a half of few clear-cut chances, as Arsenal were at times over reliant on the long ball. Credit must go to the Manchester City midfield to restricting Arsenal to such tactics.
After 36 minutes, Arsenal made the breakthrough. Anelka was dispossessed in the midfield, and the ball broke to Parlour. He fed Bergkamp, who subsequently released Henry in his customary left-sided position. His low cross was heading to Ljungberg at the far post, but Tarnat, the City left back, attempted to intercept. In an almost impossible situation, the German slid in and put the ball into his own net. After the goal went in, Manchester City players complained to Alan Wiley that Gilberto had fouled Anelka in the build up to the goal. Replays showed that contact was minimal and the goal stood.
At half time, we were treated to the operatic voice of Tony Henry, Arsenal fan and talented tenor. In the driving rain, he came out to the centre circle and sang two songs which, to be honest, did little to liven up half time proceedings. A choir of Arsenal fans singing Arsenal songs that everyone could join in with might have been more successful. The whole concept of Fans’ Day, in my opinion, was largely unsuccessful. The weather (cold and wet) prevented most from wearing their red home shirts. What percentage of the crowd own red home shirts I wonder? The song sheets that were circulated around the ground had little effect, as it is not that supporters don’t know the words to songs, but more the fact that they don’t want to sing. If all the people that are willing to sing were to sit in the same stand or area, the atmosphere at Highbury would surely improve.
The opening of the second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first. Man City had a few good chances, with Sun Jihai, Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin all forcing Lehmann to make saves. Ljungberg was replaced by Edu, since the Swede had taken a knock in a collision with the tenacious Joey Barton. Robert Pires and Thierry Henry still looked dangerous going forward, but although City were pushing forward in search of an equalizer, we were unable to punish them on the counter attack. It took the introduction of Jose Antonio Reyes with 20 minutes remaining to encourage Arsenal. As soon as he took to the field, Arsenal looked more dominant.
On this showing, Reyes is sure to endear himself to the Arsenal fans in no time. His first touch was sublime: a cute little drag back which fooled two City players. Seconds later, he flicked a cross into the path of Pires, but the Frenchman’s shot was blocked. After some good interplay with Henry, Reyes found himself through on goal. His shot was beaten away by David James who had advanced swiftly off his line. Then the Spaniard put Pires through on goal with a well-weighted pass, but Pires was unable to get a shot away. Within 10 minutes the game had swung back in Arsenal’s favour.
With 10 minutes remaining, an outstanding goal from Thierry Henry settled the match. Edu strode into the City half and passed to Pires. He laid the ball off first time to Henry. Having taken a few touches to steady himself and to cut inside, the French superstar rifled the ball into the top corner from just outside the area.
The game was slowly coming to an end when Arsenal lost possession in their own half. Sean Wright-Phillips flicked it through to Anelka, who duly slotted the ball past Lehmann. Ashley Cole, employing a bit of gamesmanship, grabbed the ball to slow things down, as most professional do when a game is drawing to a close. He was set upon by Fowler and Anelka, who pushed him to the ground. On getting up, he was grabbed by Anelka before The Incredible Sulk pushed him in the face. This was clearly a sending off offence, but it lead to a whole series of incidents. First, Ashley attempted to strike back, but was pulled away by Wright-Phillips: good man. Edu came flying in and went for Anelka, but was unsuccessful. Henry then came over and ushered Anelka away: a sensible move. Alan Wiley gave Anelka a straight red card, and then gave Cole a yellow card too. I’m sure we have yet to hear the end of this though; the FA has a tendency to look into Arsenal incidents more than those of other teams.
All in all though, it was a good day. The pressure was on as both Man Utd and Chelski had won this weekend. We remain two points clear of Man Utd and six points clear of Chelski. Arsenal are now entering a particularly busy period: as well as 4 more Premiership games this month, Arsenal will face Chelski in the FA Cup, Boro in the Carling Cup and Celta Vigo in the first leg of our Champions League game. Our squad is sure to be tested in the coming months, but the recent addition of Reyes may prove crucial, judging by today’s performance.
left winger 
