Arsenal 1 – 0 Leeds United
1 – 0 Henry (78)
Arsenal progressed to a fourth round tie against Aston Villa with a blast from the past, history relived and a million headlines written. Proclamations of inevitability about the goal were too much but let us not kid ourselves, it was wonderful for a forward to come onto the pitch with some sort of hope or expectation of a goal.
The joy of the moment, the release of nervous energy and unbridled elation of the moment erupted in any heart carved of red and white; the years rolled away as Song slid the ball through the line of defenders, the left edge of the penalty melted as Henry’s body shape dictated where the shot was going and inevitably ended. This was Arsenal’s Sex Pistols at Manchester Free Trade Hall moment.
Yet it need not have been the defining moment of the night, simply the crowning glory. Arsène was true to his word and fielded a strong side. The defence was makeshift and even the inclusion of two callow full backs and Sebastian Squillaci could not cause the shipping of goals. Arsenal were simply too strong for Leeds.
Aaron Ramsey dominated the proceedings from the kick-off but Andrey Arshavin threatened to take the headlines, shooting wide inside five minutes and high shortly after; his accuracy was improving. Such was Arsenal’s dominance that Sebastien Squillaci provided a goal threat of more potency than anything Samir Nasri could manage yet still the ball evaded the back of the net.
Twice midway through the half, Arsenal might have taken the lead. Crisp passing across the baize allowed Ramsey a sight of goal, his effort looping over following a deflection before Arteta clipped the post. Leeds offered precious little before Becchio shot over and not much after.
A procession of chances went begging as Coquelin retired injured, the curse of the left back position etching a route across the defence. The clamour to dispense with Squillaci’s services this Winter may be quelled knowing that he is one of the few fit defenders at the club.
The second half started with a renewed vigour from the home side. Deliberacy in his effort almost rewarded Oxlade-Chamberlain, his effort fizzing into the sidenetting. He was not the only one who relished the second period. Having gone close as the first half drew to a close, the interval revived Arshavin but still the end product was missing as he volleyed and shot wide on separate occasions.
For all of Arsenal’s efforts, few had forced Lonergan to do anything other than scramble across his goal to make sure that shots missedthe target. That changed as the hour mark approached, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s drive blocked by The Peacocks ‘keeper.
And then Henry arrived, Theo Walcott providing a cameo in the same spell, Rupert Grint accompanied Harry Potter into the fray. The goal arrived and briefly brought Leeds attack to life, McCormack spurning the best chance for another late and unlikely equaliser in a cup-tie between the two sides.
Chamakh’s departure for the African Cup of Nations came on a relative high. He worked hard, perhaps relishing the opportunity to get some match fitness before the tournament. If the interruption provides a spark of confidence, Arsenal will benefit. His contribution was more evident than others. Park’s absence from action has been explained, his acute narcolepsy meant that he could not be roused for a substitute appearance.
Much of the post-match focussed on Henry. Wenger’s enthusiasm for the subject shows that his admiration for the player has not been dimmed through absence. A weight has been lifted with Henry’s “debut” and replaced by the millstone of expectation. Wenger suggests why the player is capable of reacting positively to that,
Thierry is a proud guy, he does not want to disappoint people. He knows he will be compared to what he has done before. That is what champions are about. They always say ‘I have no pressure’, but they want to be seen as people who do well. It is a kind of a comeback and you know you want that to be a success as a player.
Talk of starting places is surely premature and robs Wenger of options in future matches. And in any case, who wants to talk of the what might be, just enjoy the moment.
All that remains is to point you in the direction of the newest addition to the ACLF blog family, Arsenal On This Day. From one legend to another.
’til Tomorrow.
jack was man of the match against barca when we wiped the floor with them…thats one of the many great games ive seen him play..
Diaby has not had the chance to be consistent. Thats the main problem.
When did we wipe the floor with them JJ?
Did I miss that game?
But Yes He was great against Barca.
I will apologise unreservedly.
@NorthernGooner on twitter
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road?
Answer: Because it was stuffed inside Antony Worrall Thompson’s pocket!
Alright George quit the attitude.
As ever it’s all a matter of opinion.
Diaby may have appeared in many more games but I, for the most part, have seen a mercurial player who, whilst capable of moments of brilliance, is also capable terrible inconsistency. Personally I have seen Diaby play brilliantly in but a handful of games.
Wilshere was damn consistent for pretty much a full season. Diaby, even in the rare moments when he stays fit, has not yet achieved close to that for me – and that is in spite of the fact I very much want him to.
obviously goerge
not as many as what diabys missed though eh??
Did yesterday really happen?
yes it really happened
but arguing over players who dont contribute anything is more important..
“but arguing over players who dont contribute anything is more important..
”
Just the arguing JJ. Subject is not important
1-0 Palace at HT
If we use the disclaimer that each player is healthy and has been healthy for long enough to be sharp then Diaby probably goes into the first team ahead of either Rambo or Jack. As long as our wide forwards are not scoring regularly, we neeed goals from that position. I really thought Rambo would be scoring quite a bit this season. He had shown a nose for goal in his limited starts before this season. Unfortunately that has not worked out with him as a regular starter. Jack only had 1 goal all of last season despite playing the most minutes on the team in an attacking position. If Theo and Gerv start scoring regualarly then you don’t need goals from that position as much and may be Jack is the most consistent of the 3.
So lets get this straight Diaby has played nearly 100 games more than Wilshere but has never had the chance to be consistent…
i wonder if henrys presence in training will help the others learn how to shoot and if he chips in with a few goals in the next few weeks i wonder if wenger will contemplate keeping him..
to be honest id like him to stay, i dont want to see him leave again as far as in concerned hes home but this is the problem we were all saying about the 2 month loan..
he comes in , lifts the atmosphere, does a job for a few games and then it all returns to normal with all but one player slicing it wide, kicking drop goals and smashing wormburners straight at the keeper..
very true dups..
Oh I see Jack is beyond question.
1goal and 3 assists in his ,how did Jonny put it ?
“Wilshere was damn consistent for pretty much a full season”
Now I like Jack but come on.Its hardly numbers that shout out “I am first choice” Or does he get special “English and cockney” dispensation?
George you dismiss ‘numbers’ when it suits you but use them when they suit you. Are you really suggesting Wilshere was not one of our best players last season?
I think part of the problem here is that some fans get almost evangelical about certain players – and you’re, more than most, one of those types of fans.
why is it whenever a players good enough we have to start using the english thing
is diaby better because hes french??
nationality doesnt matter, talent does and wenger used jack as a midfeild anchor last year even though hes an attacking player..
hes that good…we had nobody else, denilson wasnt good enough and lost his place instanly.. diabys always in and out of the team with brittle bone disease or whatever hes got, wenger put jack there and the lad come good..adapted his game, learned the role…became key in the title challenge last year until everyone faded at the end..
artetas here now..so jack can go back to what he was doing in the reserves, the youth team and in friendlies at the emirates cup and thats playing as an attacker who beats his man, drifts from flank to flank and creates havoc around the pen box…only this time hes got a couple of years of defensive teamwork under his belt so he fits the role that wenger asks of his modern day 10..
this is why i want to see jack..he could be from the moon for all i care..
Diaby is an awesome player. He has been consistent, so fuck you jonny
The obvious problem is injury, not consistency. Seen Diaby in the flesh many many times have brilliant games. Its so fucked up he is always injured though.
He is a far more potent force than Jack at present, Jack hasnt really contributed this season has he… Fucking injury prone bolsa wood made up waste of space that he is!
Block4
This is why I dont bother debating shit with you.
YOu are too fucking thick man. Pulling up a stat about our games with Fulham and then the Gervinho article as proof?
Go back to school and get sum ejjamayshun. No offence
No Jonny ,you critisise players who you want and get upset if someone does the same too your little darling.
He was a good player last year.Over hyped if you ask me though.
“but arguing over players who dont contribute anything is more important..
”
Just the arguing JJ. Subject is not important
” hi im here for an argument” – “sorry thats room 3, this room here is for abuse|”
Jack needs to add golas to his games. Diaby just needs to add games.
Dex.do you like tonight’s bait?
Mmm, yum yum.
Tasty, but a bit over done for my liking though.
I say, where is the information regarding this supposed signing this summer? Matias Suares?
Thanks
dex did you go last night??
This is my point George – who is my favourite player??
You cant tell me because I actually, really don’t have ‘a little darling’.
Well apart from Dex, that is.
I thought I might have overcooked it ,but no,still got some bites.
JJ
Nah man, didnt. Would’ve been nice obviously.
Jonny ,I think it is Jack.
I say old bean, http://pasiondemultitudes.weebly.com/1/post/2012/01/closed-matter.html
have you stopped going to the games this year dex?
yeah mate it would have been a special night
Well you might think that George, but I think you’ll find that you’re suggesting that primarily because it suits you to think that’s the reason. I actually prefer Diaby in most ways to Jack – and I hope he becomes the player that some are convinced he already is.
I just think Jack is ahead of him.
Lets hope they are both back and can fight for the berth on equal footing.
Well Jonny for the record Andrei Arshavin is my favorite, then Jack.
So where does that leave your theory about me?
PG, do you know anything about this?
“arshavin.eu: Let’s wait a while and see
… and one more question: after the victorious match against QPR, you underwent a surgery, how do you feel now?
AA: Victorious.”
Could that explain a few things?
I still think you let your heart rule your head.
It’s possible to like a player without over-hyping them and being able to see where they could improve. It’s also possible to not rate a player without being abusive and failing to see the things they do well. But you rarely see that in reality.
Of course I do Jonny.And I would recommend that heart over head stuff to everyone.
Passenal,I am confused by that
Passenal I would agree 100% if not for my little Andrei who just about makes me blind to any common sense,in his case.
But I never abuse any of our players,ever.
Jonny
Aww shucks! Thanks man.
JJ
Nah man, still going to games, although have had an extended Xmas break this year due to, ahem personal matters! Going Sunday though.
George:
I agree with you, but I am surprised to hear that Jack only had 3 assists last season. He is an eye catching player and he looked so good doing the things he did that I would have guessed he had double figures in assists. I’m sure he will start to score and pick out the final pass better as he gets older. Time will tell what happens. I have to admit I have always been a big Diaby fan so I am somewhat biased in saying I think he would be ahead of Jack if healthy.
Madrid 1-0 up after Willy did a Manuel in goal.
Willy’s cock-up against Madrid.
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Sorry about the source but good article from Keown in the Heil -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084847/Martin-Keown-Thierry-Henry-proved-dreams-come-true.html
Rooney, are you sure? In all likelihood, you should have more years to your career remaining than Sir Red Nose’s career.
“Sir Alex is the greatest manager of all time. Of course I would like to play under him for the rest of my career.
“He’s a great manager and is a big reason why I joined Manchester United. If I could finish my career playing under Sir Alex then I won’t have gone far wrong.
What is up with AA?
Lovely work rate, quick feet, why isn’t it quite happening.
Having had the chance to see what the manager is seeing week in week out, I think he is Rushin’. No I mean Rushing his passes, Rushing his shots. He just looks like he could do with what a commentator refers to here as ‘composure’ with his last ball.
A classic case of his mind being ahead of his feet, and then they have to rush to keep up. I think it is psychological. Messi should be the guide there: the quickest feet on the planet combined with a clinical desire to complete.
AA never was a consistent striker of the ball, whether you like it or not. I dont know the numbers but his shots to goals ratio must be pretty bad. Please dont compare him to Messi.
In Russia, he was a second striker and considered an intelligent man by the Russian coach Guus Hiddink. His intelligence is making good passes and finding the main striker. Occasionally, AA can finish as seen against Liverpool and Barcelona but dont depend on him to do it consistently.
New Post Ahoy, Cap’n!
http://aculturedleftfoot.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/henry-boost-needs-to-be-for-tomorrow-as-well-as-today/
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