This game wasn't televised at all so I can't really comment on it. Good news is that Arsenal were clinical in finishing Portsmouth off.
Goals from Dennis Bergkamp in the 7th minute, Jose Reyes six minutes later and a brace from Thierry Henry before half time sealed the points.
That's a first for Bergkamp this season (and his 200th league goal in total), a second for Reyes in as many games and an end to Henry's "goal drought."
I read that Mathieu Flamini put in a decent performance and a clean sheet should mean that Lehmann did well again (if called into action at all).
Here's a quote from Arsene Wenger on Flamini taken from www.arsenal.com: "I feel he played well against Chelsea. He is one of the players who is improving very well.
"He is very dynamic, his vision is improving and he has simplified his game. People forget that he is only 21 years old.
"For a 21 year old player playing in the centre of midfield is more difficult. It is not easy and it is a big responsibility for young players like that.
"He has a huge desire, and everyday in training he brings 100% concentration. I believe he will be a big player. I hope I'm right."
Now we have to see if they can build on these two victories (Charlton included) and carry on towards the Champions League spots. I feel they will but keeping fingers crossed and knocking on wood.
Here's the line up for the match: Jens Lehmann, Lauren, Sol Campbell, Pascal Cygan, Kolo Toure, Robert Pires, Gilberto (Cesc Fabregas 72), Mathieu Flamini, Jose Reyes (Emmanuel Eboue 67), Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry.
Unused Subs: Manuel Almunia, Freddie Ljungberg, Philippe Senderos.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Charlton Ath 0 - 1 Arsenal FC
A welcome respite from a slump in form that's seen us lose three games on the trot. I don't remember another time I've seen us lose three games in a row like that.
It was a scrappy match with Jose Reyes tapping in his first goal in ages. Bonus was that he scored with his right foot so I guess it's can be useful after all.
There really isn't much to say about this match.
We weren't at our best and Charlton were just poor so not many positives to take from it.
The team isn't gelling and Pascal Cygan is still an atrocious shit. He has a habit of giving the ball away. Someone please shoot him!
Hleb had a decent game but like I said, wasn't gelling with everyone else.
Perhaps the only one who was consistent was Lehmann. At the risk of jinxing it for him, I must say this is probably one of his better string of performances. I can't remember when he last pulled off a major howler. Germany's no.1 at the next World Cup? Perhaps...
It was a scrappy match with Jose Reyes tapping in his first goal in ages. Bonus was that he scored with his right foot so I guess it's can be useful after all.
There really isn't much to say about this match.
We weren't at our best and Charlton were just poor so not many positives to take from it.
The team isn't gelling and Pascal Cygan is still an atrocious shit. He has a habit of giving the ball away. Someone please shoot him!
Hleb had a decent game but like I said, wasn't gelling with everyone else.
Perhaps the only one who was consistent was Lehmann. At the risk of jinxing it for him, I must say this is probably one of his better string of performances. I can't remember when he last pulled off a major howler. Germany's no.1 at the next World Cup? Perhaps...
Arsenal FC 0 - 2 Chelsea FC
I somewhat expected this result. Not meaning to sound negative but merely being realistic considering how Arsenal were outmuscled in the past two games.
Chelsea started with Lampard, Makelele AND Essien in the middle of the park so no prizes for guessing who won that battle...
The team huffed and puffed but could barely get past the two defensive midfielders.
Apart from the two chances in the first half, there wasn't really anything Arsenal could do to trouble the well organised visitors.
One of those two chances created, and finished, was the talking point of the match - Robin Van Persie's disallowed goal.
It was a perfectly good goal but the officials got it wrong. Had it stood, the match might have ended differently, though I'm not too convinced of it.
However, I don't fully blame for the linesman for getting it wrong. It was clear enough on the replays but officials often get those wrong because they've got their eyes on the man who was offside - who in this case was Henry.
I don't condone it but I don't blame the loss on the bad decision. If Arsenal were really a team destined to win the Premiership or come really close, they would have picked themselves up, like many times in previous trophy winning seasons, and worked something else in.
But they didn't and the title race is definitely over for us.
Lehmann could have perhaps done a little better on the first goal but I can't really blame him because Chelsea were a bit fortuitous though still they worked the chance well.
Both our fullbacks are not accustomed to playing in the positions they were employed in that match.
Arsene Wenger decided to put Lauren at the troublesome left back position and he screwed up against Joe Cole to gift Chelsea their second goal.
On right back, Wenger played Toure. As good as he's been for us in the heart of defence (apart from the match away to Bayern Munich last season), he's just got cut to play on the flanks. He should always play central. Even if in midfield.
Senderos did relatively well in central defence but Campbell barely did anything to pressure Cole on the second goal. Then, it was lights out.
Chelsea started with Lampard, Makelele AND Essien in the middle of the park so no prizes for guessing who won that battle...
The team huffed and puffed but could barely get past the two defensive midfielders.
Apart from the two chances in the first half, there wasn't really anything Arsenal could do to trouble the well organised visitors.
One of those two chances created, and finished, was the talking point of the match - Robin Van Persie's disallowed goal.
It was a perfectly good goal but the officials got it wrong. Had it stood, the match might have ended differently, though I'm not too convinced of it.
However, I don't fully blame for the linesman for getting it wrong. It was clear enough on the replays but officials often get those wrong because they've got their eyes on the man who was offside - who in this case was Henry.
I don't condone it but I don't blame the loss on the bad decision. If Arsenal were really a team destined to win the Premiership or come really close, they would have picked themselves up, like many times in previous trophy winning seasons, and worked something else in.
But they didn't and the title race is definitely over for us.
Lehmann could have perhaps done a little better on the first goal but I can't really blame him because Chelsea were a bit fortuitous though still they worked the chance well.
Both our fullbacks are not accustomed to playing in the positions they were employed in that match.
Arsene Wenger decided to put Lauren at the troublesome left back position and he screwed up against Joe Cole to gift Chelsea their second goal.
On right back, Wenger played Toure. As good as he's been for us in the heart of defence (apart from the match away to Bayern Munich last season), he's just got cut to play on the flanks. He should always play central. Even if in midfield.
Senderos did relatively well in central defence but Campbell barely did anything to pressure Cole on the second goal. Then, it was lights out.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Newcastle United 1 - 0 Arsenal FC
Arsenal were outmuscled on the pitch yet again.
I think the loss of Patrick Vieira is getting more and more evident now.
However, Jens Lehmann had another decent game and couldn't really do much about the goal.
It also deserves mention that the referee was a biased bitch all throughout.
Never have I seen much worse refereeing than in this match.
Gilberto got sent off with 30mins to go for two bookable offences but they certainly weren't the worst during the match.
Alan Shearer deserves special mention for being the filthiest bastard to grace the game.
Nevertheless, I feel that the team didn't really perform all that well and central
midfield was again worryingly soft.
I do feel however that we could have pulled off a draw if we had all 11 players on the pitch.
Whatever...the title's out of reach so now the Gunners only have the cup competitions to worry about.
I think the loss of Patrick Vieira is getting more and more evident now.
However, Jens Lehmann had another decent game and couldn't really do much about the goal.
It also deserves mention that the referee was a biased bitch all throughout.
Never have I seen much worse refereeing than in this match.
Gilberto got sent off with 30mins to go for two bookable offences but they certainly weren't the worst during the match.
Alan Shearer deserves special mention for being the filthiest bastard to grace the game.
Nevertheless, I feel that the team didn't really perform all that well and central
midfield was again worryingly soft.
I do feel however that we could have pulled off a draw if we had all 11 players on the pitch.
Whatever...the title's out of reach so now the Gunners only have the cup competitions to worry about.
Arsenal FC 0 - 0 Ajax Amsterdam
The 0-0 draw against Ajax at Highbury on Dec 7 wasn't televised but I hear that it was quite scrappy.
Henry missed a penalty, which sucks, and Hleb came through 60 minutes unscathed, which is great news.
Henry has been shite with penalties for quite some time now. Sigh. Hopefully he improves or we at least find another able penalty taker. Hleb?
I don't think the kids did much to impress, especially Quincy who, to be honest, never really impressed me from the beginning.
True, he may be great at dribbling but he doesn't have that killer instinct all strikers (or at least potential goal scorers) need.
Hopefully it's something that will develop soon.
Eboue seems to be getting more time on the pitch and it's great to see Sebastian Larsson getting a full game under his belt.
That has got to be his biggest game for Arsenal so far in his fledgling career.
Kerrea Gilbert also got 20 minutes on the pitch.
Other than that, nothing much else to report apart from Reyes going out injured.
Apparently he will miss Arsenal's next match against Newcastle. Big deal.
Here's the Arsenal line up for that match: Manuel Almunia, Jose Antonio Reyes (Robin van Persie 65), Lauren (Kerrea Gilbert 72), Alexander Hleb (Cesc Fabregas 62), Thierry Henry, Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Sebastian Larsson.
Unused subs: Mart Poom, Pascal Cygan, Johan Djourou, Arturo Lupoli.
...Oh, and ManUre have been dumped out of Europe. Their 2-1 loss to Benfica in their final group match means they finish bottom of their table and don't even qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Cheers! :)
Henry missed a penalty, which sucks, and Hleb came through 60 minutes unscathed, which is great news.
Henry has been shite with penalties for quite some time now. Sigh. Hopefully he improves or we at least find another able penalty taker. Hleb?
I don't think the kids did much to impress, especially Quincy who, to be honest, never really impressed me from the beginning.
True, he may be great at dribbling but he doesn't have that killer instinct all strikers (or at least potential goal scorers) need.
Hopefully it's something that will develop soon.
Eboue seems to be getting more time on the pitch and it's great to see Sebastian Larsson getting a full game under his belt.
That has got to be his biggest game for Arsenal so far in his fledgling career.
Kerrea Gilbert also got 20 minutes on the pitch.
Other than that, nothing much else to report apart from Reyes going out injured.
Apparently he will miss Arsenal's next match against Newcastle. Big deal.
Here's the Arsenal line up for that match: Manuel Almunia, Jose Antonio Reyes (Robin van Persie 65), Lauren (Kerrea Gilbert 72), Alexander Hleb (Cesc Fabregas 62), Thierry Henry, Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Sebastian Larsson.
Unused subs: Mart Poom, Pascal Cygan, Johan Djourou, Arturo Lupoli.
...Oh, and ManUre have been dumped out of Europe. Their 2-1 loss to Benfica in their final group match means they finish bottom of their table and don't even qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Cheers! :)
Bolton Wanderers 2 - 0 Arsenal FC
Disappointing...utterly disappointing. I have not seen such a lacklustre Arsenal side such as the one fielded against Bolton Dec 3.
They were beaten flat and deservedly so.
There wasn't enough aggression and the Gunners were totally outmuscled all game long.
Notably, Jens Lehmann had a decent game and couldn't do much about both goals.
The first one was a free header that I feel Cesc Fabregas should have dealt with while the second was simply Gilberto making a fool of himself.
With a mistake like that I wonder how he keeps getting into the Brazilian national team and has a World Cup winner's medal to his name.
The strikers were isolated for most of the game basically due to a weak central midfield.
That's that. Hoping for better...
They were beaten flat and deservedly so.
There wasn't enough aggression and the Gunners were totally outmuscled all game long.
Notably, Jens Lehmann had a decent game and couldn't do much about both goals.
The first one was a free header that I feel Cesc Fabregas should have dealt with while the second was simply Gilberto making a fool of himself.
With a mistake like that I wonder how he keeps getting into the Brazilian national team and has a World Cup winner's medal to his name.
The strikers were isolated for most of the game basically due to a weak central midfield.
That's that. Hoping for better...
Monday, December 05, 2005
Arsenal FC 3 - 0 Reading
The match against Reading wasn't televised at all (not even delayed) so, obviously, I can't comment much about how the team performed.
However, apparently, reports suggest that the kids (and Manuel Almunia) made a good account of themselves.
Of note, Robin Van Persie was back at it scoring a goal and even Jose Reyes, who I feel is a huge disappointment considering the amount of money spent on him, got in the act with a goal for himself.
But more impressive is the fact that Arturo Lupoli, Arsenal's own teenage goal machine, came off the bench and netted one of his own.
I wonder why Arsene Wenger doesn't give hime more opportunities to show what he can do on the big stage.
He's Arsenal's Michael Owen...the fox-in-the-box they were looking for a couple of seasons ago where they ended up with that idiot, Francis Jeffers (who incidentally has disappeared off the face of the earth).
Anyway, here's the line up that showed Reading the door in the League Cup: Manuel Almunia, Philippe Senderos, Emmanuel Eboue, Johan Djourou, Sebastian Larsson, Kerrea Gilbert, Fabrice Muamba, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Nicklas Bendtner 83), Mathieu Flamini, Jose Reyes (Pascal Cygan 75), Robin Van Persie (Arturo Lupoli 63)
UNUSED SUBS: Mart Poom, Matthew Connelly.
However, apparently, reports suggest that the kids (and Manuel Almunia) made a good account of themselves.
Of note, Robin Van Persie was back at it scoring a goal and even Jose Reyes, who I feel is a huge disappointment considering the amount of money spent on him, got in the act with a goal for himself.
But more impressive is the fact that Arturo Lupoli, Arsenal's own teenage goal machine, came off the bench and netted one of his own.
I wonder why Arsene Wenger doesn't give hime more opportunities to show what he can do on the big stage.
He's Arsenal's Michael Owen...the fox-in-the-box they were looking for a couple of seasons ago where they ended up with that idiot, Francis Jeffers (who incidentally has disappeared off the face of the earth).
Anyway, here's the line up that showed Reading the door in the League Cup: Manuel Almunia, Philippe Senderos, Emmanuel Eboue, Johan Djourou, Sebastian Larsson, Kerrea Gilbert, Fabrice Muamba, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Nicklas Bendtner 83), Mathieu Flamini, Jose Reyes (Pascal Cygan 75), Robin Van Persie (Arturo Lupoli 63)
UNUSED SUBS: Mart Poom, Matthew Connelly.
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