Craven Cottage is not an easy place to visit, especially for Arsenal for the past few seasons. Despite getting the required results most of the time from there, it also witnesses heartbreaks when Arsenal fail to reach their level of football. Even though a rarity but Arsenal are also known to grind out results despite not reaching that level.
Last night was one such cases. Fulham 'in-your-face' attitude did not allow Arsenal to really settle down and the trip to South London could have been a disastrous one if not for the heroics of an Italian young goalkeeper, Vito Mannone.
The saves he pulled from the likes of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora were first class and it kept the hopes up for Arsenal who scored the winner when Robin van Persie's deft first touch enabled him to deliver a quick finish just before Mark Schwarzer could deny the Dutchman. It was skipper Cesc Fabregas's vision and delivery that opened up the stout home defence.
It is still very early to judge Mannone even though the signs are good. I am sure Arsene Wenger will revert to Manuel Almunia once the Spaniard recovers from his illness. But one thing for sure, the competition for the place between the sticks will heat up, though I hope it would not escalate to a 'Lehmanesque' proportion.
Andrei Arshavin had a quiet match though there were a few moments that could have turned the match in his favour. But it was good to see him coming back especially with the Champions League match against Olympiakos coming up on Wednesday morning.
The three points from Craven Cottage are sure sweet but Mannone certainly provided the icing on the cake for me.
Go Gooners!
...
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Saturday, 19 September 2009
2009-10 So Far...
Seven matches into the new season mad redo1 feels that it is time to write again.
The new season for me does not really look that promising with the lack of major signing by Arsene Wenger. However, there is this quiet confidence that the Gooners would be able to mount serious challenges in every competition they enter.
The departure of the Togolese mercenary is most welcomed though the decision by Kolo Toure to seek better pay up north is not really what I want to see. However the arrival of Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen gives me some re-assurance of an adequate defensive unit to last throughout the season.
15-08-2009 Everton 1 Arsenal 6
It was a dream start. Getting six goals on the road on the first day of the season certainly gave you the shot of confidence that you need. It was a dream start too for Vermaelen who scored with a good header thirty seven minutes into the match.
18-08-2009 Celtic 0 Arsenal 2
It was not an easy trip to Glasgow but in the end lady luck favoured us with a goal scored via William Gallas' bums and another through an own goal by Steve Cladwell. The two goal lead certainly put us in the driving seat for the return.
22-08-2009 Arsenal 4 Portsmouth 1
Gallas continued to score freak goals with another one against Pompey. This time it was his face that did the business. Abou Diaby scored twice and a cool finish by Aaron Ramsey saw Arsenal finding the net for the twelve times in three matches this season.
26-08-2009 Arsenal 3 Celtic 1
The match would be remembered by the Eduardo alleged 'dive' that brought post match action by the UEFA. In the end it was an efficient performance by the Gooners capped by a wonderful goal by Andrei Arshavin though the strike by Italian Massimo Donatti for the Scots was equally impressive.
29-08-2009 Manchester United 2 Arsenal 1
The 'Master Diver' did his stuff again for the Red Devils to earn the penalty that equalised the score after Arshavin's wonderful shot had put the Gooners in the lead at half time. Inept refereeing saw Arsenal were denied a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher brought down the Russian in the box. But it was an Arsenal player who did the most damage. Diaby under no pressure nodded the ball past the stranded Manuel Almunia from a free kick.
12-09-2009 Manchester City 4 Arsenal 2
An additional edge to the match was the first encounter with the Mercenary since he changed his colours to the light blue of Manchester City. It was a see-saw match with the home side opened scoring through a lucky goal when Almunia's back deflected the ball into the net after it has came back off the post.
A wonderful shot by Robin van Persie brought the teams level again but Mercenary decided to do the damage physically on the Dutch striker. Then after bringing the score to 3-1 to his side, he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate it in front of the travelling Gooners who of course would not let the baiting went unpunished.
16-09-2009 Standard Liege 2 Arsenal 3
Going two goals down inside the first five minutes could be a traumatising experience for anybody. But a strong fightback saw Arsenal winning by the odd goal when Eduardo scored through his knee. It was elation all the way.
Tonight's match against Wigan at the Emirates should be used to regain the momentum which has been lost after the two consecutive defeats in Manchester. Even though Roberto Martinez's side should never be underestimated.
Not at your peril.
...
The new season for me does not really look that promising with the lack of major signing by Arsene Wenger. However, there is this quiet confidence that the Gooners would be able to mount serious challenges in every competition they enter.
The departure of the Togolese mercenary is most welcomed though the decision by Kolo Toure to seek better pay up north is not really what I want to see. However the arrival of Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen gives me some re-assurance of an adequate defensive unit to last throughout the season.
15-08-2009 Everton 1 Arsenal 6
It was a dream start. Getting six goals on the road on the first day of the season certainly gave you the shot of confidence that you need. It was a dream start too for Vermaelen who scored with a good header thirty seven minutes into the match.
18-08-2009 Celtic 0 Arsenal 2
It was not an easy trip to Glasgow but in the end lady luck favoured us with a goal scored via William Gallas' bums and another through an own goal by Steve Cladwell. The two goal lead certainly put us in the driving seat for the return.
22-08-2009 Arsenal 4 Portsmouth 1
Gallas continued to score freak goals with another one against Pompey. This time it was his face that did the business. Abou Diaby scored twice and a cool finish by Aaron Ramsey saw Arsenal finding the net for the twelve times in three matches this season.
26-08-2009 Arsenal 3 Celtic 1
The match would be remembered by the Eduardo alleged 'dive' that brought post match action by the UEFA. In the end it was an efficient performance by the Gooners capped by a wonderful goal by Andrei Arshavin though the strike by Italian Massimo Donatti for the Scots was equally impressive.
29-08-2009 Manchester United 2 Arsenal 1
The 'Master Diver' did his stuff again for the Red Devils to earn the penalty that equalised the score after Arshavin's wonderful shot had put the Gooners in the lead at half time. Inept refereeing saw Arsenal were denied a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher brought down the Russian in the box. But it was an Arsenal player who did the most damage. Diaby under no pressure nodded the ball past the stranded Manuel Almunia from a free kick.
12-09-2009 Manchester City 4 Arsenal 2
An additional edge to the match was the first encounter with the Mercenary since he changed his colours to the light blue of Manchester City. It was a see-saw match with the home side opened scoring through a lucky goal when Almunia's back deflected the ball into the net after it has came back off the post.
A wonderful shot by Robin van Persie brought the teams level again but Mercenary decided to do the damage physically on the Dutch striker. Then after bringing the score to 3-1 to his side, he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate it in front of the travelling Gooners who of course would not let the baiting went unpunished.
16-09-2009 Standard Liege 2 Arsenal 3
Going two goals down inside the first five minutes could be a traumatising experience for anybody. But a strong fightback saw Arsenal winning by the odd goal when Eduardo scored through his knee. It was elation all the way.
Tonight's match against Wigan at the Emirates should be used to regain the momentum which has been lost after the two consecutive defeats in Manchester. Even though Roberto Martinez's side should never be underestimated.
Not at your peril.
...
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