The King Returns!

It was a goal of an orgasmic proportion.

You just knew the moment he received the ball, where the next destination of the round rubber apparatus going to be. It was like watching Thierry Henry of old again, the one that scored lots and lots of goals for Arsenal, all 226 of them.

Now they stand at 227, with 12 of those coming against Leeds United on 12 occasions.

I am hoping that it would not be the last and there will be several more to come, especially against the likes of Manchester United (Jan 22) and of course Sp*ds (Feb 26).

There was this feeling of being comfortable despite not having top-scorer Robin van Persie in the squad and seeing Maruoane Chamakh in the starting line-up together with Andrei Arshavin and defender Sebastien Squilacci. The three of them could have been a recipe for disaster.

Fortunately it was not on this occasion.

In fact Arshavin did a great job with runs and shots that gave a hint of his true capabilities. In fact with a bit more confidence he would be back to his best in what could be his last few months in Arsenal colours.

It was good to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain getting a start and he also did not disappoint even though his influence on the match was not as much as he would have liked it to be.

The only thing that could cause a few concerns was when Francis Coquelin having to go off due to hamstring problem, which compound the injury crisis plaguing the Arsenal defensive line, already in a bad state as it is.

But for now, lets relish in the glorious home-coming of the King, and may he rule and prosper for the short  time he be with us.

COYG!


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Late Song of Joy

As expected the London derby between Arsenal and West Ham at The Emirates turned out to be a nervous affair for many watching Gooners around the world. On paper Arsene Wenger's men should not have much difficulties in disposing the bottom side but this being the Premier League, one is never certain of the outcome of any match.

Wenger's Arsenal were on a four match winning streak and were looking forward to making it the fifth. Of course, West Ham being West Ham, they just would not lay down and play ball. After creating a few openings the feeling was we would be celebrating an Arsenal goal soon.

Unfortunately Robert Green in the Wet Ham goal had other ideas. Why it is always against Arsenal that goalkeepers tend to show their best? (with the exception of Tim Krul on Thursday) Green performance should catch the eye of Fabio Capello in the stands saving from Cesc Fabregas and Sebastien Squillaci.

Based on this he should be back for the next England squad for the friendly against France. Another player who should be in that squad too is Theo Walcott. His introduction after 67 minutes caused more concern for the visitors and many Gooners thought he had scored soon after coming on but his attempt despite beating Green hit the post and the loose ball went safely into the goalkeeper's hands.


Earlier Samir Nasri had hit the bar with a long range effort and this had the fans thinking this could be one of those days. Nasri who had a good scoring run coming into this match would likely to be in the French squad facing his team-mate Walcott during the friendly.

If this was a drama, the scriptwriter could not have written it better. With just minutes before normal whistle was blown a cross from Gael Clichy found it's way into the six yard box and looked like it had evaded everybody until Alex Song stooped low to divert the ball past Green.


It was cruel for the goalkeeper but as a Gooner I was glad to be cruel just as long the three points were safely on the board in order to keep up the pace with other contenders.


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Aidil-Fitri Joy for Gooners

It has been a wonderful Aidil-Fitri celebration in kT for this Gooner.

The first two days of the celebratory period have been terrific. Then the joy is further increased when Arsenal put four past Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates. There are four different names on the score-sheet which bode well for the attacking aspiration of Arsene Wenger's men.

However, the manner Johan Elmander levels things up just before the interval for the visitors is a cause for concern. Laurent Koscielny whose goalmouth prod put Arsenal ahead after 23 minutes, committed an error which results in the equaliser. It could prove fatal against stronger opponents.

Fortunately for the French defender Bolton are not the solid team they once were. Marouane Chamakh header on the hour restored the lead for the Gunners. Then Alex Song shows he is not all brawn with the third when he lifts the ball over Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who is playing due to the suspension of Jussi Jaaskelainen. Then Carlos Vela adds the gloss with the fourth seven minutes from time after a one-on-one situation with Bogdan.

It is certainly good to see Arsenal raking up points with the win seeing them amassing ten out of twelve on the offer. Another plus point is the assured play from Sebastien Squillaci in the heart of the home defence.

Up next is a Champions League assignment against newcomer Sporting Braga of Portugal. The Arsenalistas as they are widely known locally due to their red and white strips are an unknown quantity but Wenger's boys would not be underestimating them.


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