Arsenal 6 – 1 Southampton
1 – 0 Hooiveld o.g.(11)
2 – 0 Podolski (31)
3 – 0 Gervinho (35)
4 – 0 Clyne o.g. (37)
4 – 1 Fox (45)
5 – 1 Gervinho (71)
6 – 1 Walcott (89)
A bit later this morning than expected, a Bandcamp half hour to wake up and feel the groove turned into a Bandcamp hour which is the beauty of the site, click on a tag at the bottom and a world of unknown bands (to me at least) is at your sonic control. But you don’t want to talk about music, you want to talk about footbal although the two do combine beautifully in the first forty-four minutes of yesterday’s performance, a footballing Bandcamp if you like when you are surfing the aural waves until every now and then something unpalatable turns up on your doorstep; entitling an EP, “Beach, Girls & The Ramones” and you need to deliver…
I’m guessing that, on the whole, Arsène will be enjoying the sixteenth anniversary of his appointment – of course you read it every morning as regular as clockwork, don’t you – as Arsenal manager; it would be churlish not to I suppose but that will tinged with the knowledge that there is still work to do. Relieved that the awkwardness in front of goal has seemingly disappeared but concerned that the defence is still chancing its arm every now and again. Probably scared that Alan Hansen praised the defence. I genuinely could not recall that happening in the past and had to retreat to the drinks cabinet for a Licor 43 to soothe my fears that the end of the world was nigh.
Arsenal started brightly, Southampton forced further back than they were already planning on the playing. Rather than the cynical parking of the bus which occurs normally, the visitors were tempted into a passing match and combined with their naive defensiveness, they were made to pay. The gaps were there to be exploited and Arsenal did so, Kieran Gibbs in particular making hay in the Autumnal sunshine and with Southampton offers the gaps at the back, they were duly exploited.
Two changes from the impressive display at Anfield, no surprise that Mannone made way for Szczesny nor that Giroud was replaced by Gervinho. Playing the Ivorian was different to expectations and paid dividends with the Ivorian grabbing two goals. I am sure that Giroud was itching to get onto the pitch but perhaps there is a more poetic first goal to come on familiar turf in this week’s Champions League. What message Theo Walcott derives is only known to him but disappointment will come into play somewhere, seeing another centre forward at the club…
Southampton had been warned by efforts from Podolski and Cazorla of the footballing storm to come, the German brought the first waves crashing onto their shore. Fighting for the ball against tepid defences, he battered through the midfield before splitting the defence with a finely weighted pass into Kieran Gibbs path. The full back rifled his shot across Davis before Hooiveld Keystone Cop-ped the ball into the net.
Per Mertesacker retained his place ahead of Laurent Koscielny and I suspect that had as much to do with the change in goalkeeper as the German’s form. Don’t get me wrong, Per has played well, out-per-formed expectations per-haps but the reality is (or was) that Koscielny is the preferred central defender; has Thomas Vermaelen’s elevation to captaincy altered that dynamic? Whatever the case, the Frenchman almost looked on from the bench at his place in the side becoming more distant with Mertesacker’s header gratefully clasped by Davis.
With fifteen minutes to go to the interval, it started raining goals – Hallelujah! – as Podolski curled a sumptuous free kick into the net before Arteta lifted the ball over the visitors defence for Gervinho to gallop into the area and lash home the chance. The fourth was a more comedic version of the opener if that was at all possible, Clyne summing up the feeling that it was not going to be Southampton’s afternoon by scything Gibbs cross into his own net.
Then the worm turned. Szczesny blundered into a high cross, the communication between himself and Jenkinson non-existent with Fox slotting home the loose ball. Whereas Mannone had been saved at Anfield by his flapping over an orbital cross, the Pole was woefully out of position to collect the ball and duly punished. The bench was unamused, summed up with the observation that the first choice goalkeeper was less of a clear cut decision than believed. Had Ricky Lambert scored early in the second half and Szczesny might well have been missing on Tuesday night.
As it was, he didn’t and Aaron Ramsey joined the party at Coquelin’s expense. The young Frenchman did well and was economical with the ball yet for me at least, did nothing to support his presumption that he was on a par with the club’s more experienced midfielders. Plenty of youthful promise, for certain, but not a regular starter yet. Similarly, I wonder if a fully fit Theo Walcott will be chosen ahead of Oxlade-Chamberlain in the very near future? The youngster is performing well but dipping in and out of games, underlining Hodgson’s strategy of replacing him around an hour or so into games. Arsène concurs, the same happened yesterday.
Ramsey’s introduction paid quick dividends, dancing through the Southampton midfield and defence he was unfortunate to see his prodded effort rebound off the post. Gervinho didn’t care, having the time to control the ball before slotting home. Similar deflation and disarray was evident from the visitors when Theo Walcott scored the sixth.
The fewest goals conceded in the division, the most scored, the best goal difference; this was notThe Plan, this is not how Arsenal were supposed to fall apart following another Summer of Love but it is what it is. There is nothing premature in welcoming in the form thus far because it is those two words which are key; enjoy the moment and what has gone before, there is more work to come, anguish to mix with the pleasure but why torture yourself with what might be?
Live for today, worry about Manchester City next week. Montepellier are the supporting act before then.
’til Tomorrow.
Playing a midfield of Arteta, Rosicky and Santi will probably mean 99% possession (1 % to the opposition for fishing the ball out of the net several times).
lol Evil I know, weve got insane options in the midfield if/when they’re all fit. Santi Rozzer and Arteta would be possession porn lol.
HAPPY ROSH HASHONA
I’ll stick my head out for this one. Only Cazorla on current form can keep JW out of the 1st 11 in Wengers eyes. Once he’s match fit (to pre-injury performance levels), Wilshere will play. Time will tell if I’m wrong
Sorry George, but there is a difference in completely overlooking a (fans fave) player’s faults, while being over critical of a less populist player and simply appreciating the qualities of a player, faults and all.
I think Szczesny can be an excellent keeper, he isnt there yet, BUT he has all the attributes to get there. He makes mistakes, but as I have already stated (and others) so do all keepers. That isnt brushing his errors under the carpet, its just looking at the bigger picture.
Comparing Szczesny with Almunia is not a valid comparison in my opinion. I thought manuel had good spells, one season in particualr he was solid. BUT he doesnt have the natural ability or talent, or ondeed temperament of the young Pole.
A better comparison would be the treatment of Fabianski, IMO. He is a hugely talented keeper, who was/is slated disgustingly if you ask me and he has as much talent as Szczesny. But has never been forgiven (by some) for his high profile fuck ups.
As for Jack. I just hope we dont have to try and rush him back as that will mean one of Santi, Diaby or Arteta, or (please no) more than one of that trio are injured. ATM, he isnt missed, but it will be a massive bonus having him fit. If the kids beat Coventry then hopefully he can play in the following league cup game and maybe even feature as a sub for the CCFC game.
Hopefully all this chit chat over Szczesny is done and dusted now and I can get back to bending the legs on my RvP voodoo doll now.
You can buy them from my website for GBP £9.99.
I don’t think it had much to do with Scz – more a spleen venting exercise to rag on those who dissed Almunia.
It’s total non-starter of a conversation.
I genuinely like Almunia as a man but the fact we sought to replace him with Mark Schwarzer is a decent yardstick to his level as a keeper. As is the fact he has not been sought by any other clubs (other then West Ham on loan).
Another keeper we were after was Reina who is currently making young Scz’s woes look small by comparison. There is no doubting that Reina is an excellent keeper struggling for confidence.
Scz at least has the excuse of youth – which is not to say he should be free from criticism but then I don’t but into the idea he ever was – he just commands a little more respect than Almunia as he is clearly far more talented.
As you point out Dex, bashing Scz to prove your a about unfair criticism of a player in the past, is perverse logic at best.
As you point out Dex, bashing Scz to prove *a point* about unfair criticism of a player in the past, is perverse logic at best.
I’ll have 4 RVP dolls please – one for each wheel of my car.
You need to see a psychiatrist. We can all contribute £9.99 for your medications.
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=9510
Today’s post but please forward all £9.99 donations to me, there are a fair few in need of medication…and some putting down.
Hold the presses, we have an even better definition of irony for the new Oxford dictionary.
Being called crackers by a dribbling wreck like ateeb is funny as fuck.
Actually Shotta did have a point about players biases within the fan base. For instance, Wilshere can get away with shit lot of mistakes, but Theo won’t. It’s quite obvious. Haven’t you read some people’s views here on Arshavin?! It’s like he scored 50 goals last season.
As for Dexter. I wonder what he will do when he finds out that Arsene most probably criticizes his own players in the training, half time or after defeats.
‘ARE U A FUCKING DOOMER ARSENE!?!? How dare you question the abilities of Arsenal players’
Such are the arm chair supporters with blind fields.Dexter is a complete joke when it comes to offering any constructive analysis of matters related to Arsenal. It’s like he’s living in a Utopian world where Arsenal has never lost a match for a decade-and hence beyond criticism. No wonder he lashes out like a dog with that dirty tongue of his when anyone comes with a different opinion. It’s obviously difficult for him to digest the gap between his Utopian world and the reality he has to confront with when people criticize. Grow up dude. Stop playing with dolls. And you’re completely bonkers along with your ilk for having a go at Shotta. The only contribution you make to this blog is point out the fucking obvious about players who have played well. Yeah, Einstein we can see that our selves.
Well at least he isn’t a milkshake drinking yo-yo.
He puts more effort into supporting THE ARSENAL than many on here including you.
LONG LIVE THE AWAY FANS / SUPPORTERS
UP THE GUNS
A great performance form the team on Saturday, just watched the highlights and the team play looks better than it did in real time.
Henristic “I’ll stick my head out for this one. Only Cazorla on current form can keep JW out of the 1st 11 in Wengers eyes.”
You couldnt be more wrong on that. I think all members of the midfield fit, Arteta and Carzola start then it is a battle between Rosicky, Diaby and Jack.
I dont know why people think Jack will just pick his form from where he left off, maybe he will prove me wrong but one year is a long time to be out, he will need time to bed in and lucky for him and us he’s got the likes of Diaby, Rosicky, Arteta and Carzola to cover for him while he does that.
I think it comes down to egos. The RVPs and Rooneys etc want to b paid in the hugest bracket as a status symbol for where they sit in the pecking order of players – wank, wank
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It’s simplistic to sluff it off as ‘egos’ since it applies to all of us. If the man beside me at work was performing at 70% of my level and earning 40% more I would not be happy.