IT MAY WELL BE AN OUTDATED CLICHÈ, but Saturday afternoon’s game at Villa Park was unquestionably a game of two halves.
The first period was Arsenal personified. Exquisite passing, intricate play and complete dominance in terms of possession. The second was a display of what some believe Arsenal have lacked in the last few seasons; grit, determination, hard-work and belief.
Villa took the lead after 14 minutes when Gardner pounced on a deflected cross and shot low and hard past Almunia. Many are blaming Flamini for losing possession in the build-up to their goal. If true, he was to make amends minutes later.
On 24 the seemingly ever-improving Flamini smashed home a low Eboue cross with his left foot. A great strike, capping off the great display of passing and movement that had been on display so far.
The lead was ours just 12 minutes later when Adebayor headed home after leaping beyond two defenders from a lofted cross from Sagna.
At this point Arsenal were cruising and were unlucky not to add to their tally with a host of chances falling to various players.
The second half was a different story altogether. Villa started brightly and we struggled to keep hold of the ball for most of the half. Carew hit the bar midway through the half, and it just began to seem like it was going to be Arsenal’s day.
Gilberto came on for Rosicky after 73 and helped steady things defensively. From then on, it was simply a question of keeping the ball and keeping it tight.
Three points from this game were vital. Following the loss in Seville and it being the first of three tough away games on the trot, the importance of a result like this one shouldn’t be underestimated.
It is also important to note that we have won our last two league games without Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie. The two players that most claimed that we couldn’t do without.
The win puts us five points ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand and marks Arsenal’s best ever start to a Premier League campaign.
December is an absolutely crucial month for this team. We need to show spirit, character, determination and class. It has begun with three away games, including our game in hand against Newcastle, and Chelsea straight after. If we continue to pass the tests like we did on Saturday, it will be extremely interesting to see where we stand come the new year.
But Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are all showing championship-worthy form. The simple fact is that Arsenal have been better.
So far, so good.
I have to say, the “wengerboys” have been answering all the questions the doubters were asking before the beginning of the season and every game we play is seen as a test!!
If we win all our games in December, I’ll like to see what other “tests” they’ll cook up for us. Credit to the team for Saturday’s display,it was a game of two halves but each half, arsenal came out as victors.
Gunner4life baby!!
Comment by Naija-Gunner — Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
the whole world are jealouse of english premierleague,this is just because of quality of players playing in the league.if english fa allow this quotas of a things,it wiil kill the league and english premiership wiil be an history
Comment by kazeem Balogun — Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
There is something about this team that one cant seem to lay hands on, they have gotten better in all aspect of the game and grow in confidence game by game, credit must go to wenger for a job well done. That said, but after watching yesterday dwell against newcastle i now realise the two things missing in this team. One=this team plays through a creative mifielder in the mould of hleb and fabregas who were all missing in that game not forgoten flamini who is the engine room on wich arsenal revolves this season ,so another creative midfielder ala modric will be a welcome developement if arsenal are to continue with this pattern of play when injury come calling. Two=this team needs a proven goal scorer in the mould of either anelka or benzema, believe me if arsenal could get any of this guys with this style of play this team will be unstopable . Arsenal will do well to get another tall defender who is good at set piece, ala chris samba.t That said, i see no reason newcatle should be boasting as if they won last night dwell cos if this team fields its missing players last night newcatle would have been giving a hiding, i believe the atmosphere and events at newcatle did help their cause, they where fighting for their lives and you dont want to mess with a drowning man. My advice to wenger reinforce in january and win the league its as simple as that ,injury to both van persie and adebayor and this team is dealt a soccer punch but when both are fit i think arsenal will easily win the league if not ,its there for man u to reclaim the title.
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