Clean Sheet Nothing to Moan About Like watching Brazil
Ole
By Boris Mellor
September 16 2010
It seemed strange in the circulating area at half time, the team was 3-0 up and there was nothing to moan about. Everyone looked happy, and the level of chatter was less animated, more a pausing for breath. Fans had been deprived of their favourite pastime – moaning.
It’s a long time since we have gone for the halftime break with nothing to worry about, it almost made me feel lightheaded. It was like the old days when Arsenal destroyed teams in the first half and rested on the wing for the second. It was so less stressful.
Yes, it was only Braga – but that’s not quite true is it? They had knocked out Sevilla, beaten them twice, and all the pundits agreed they were no mugs. Arsenal were short of Vermaelen, Walcott, Diaby, Bendtner, Ramsey and RvP, that’s half a top team there.
Wenger had avoided Ferguson’s mistake of underestimating the opposition, and played his strongest possible team, it paid off, and after an hour he was able to rest key players Song and Chamakh. That is important if the team is to avoid the pitfalls of visiting Sunderland. Always a tough game, and even tougher after a midweek game.
Like watching Brazil
Braga had 14 Brazilians in their squad including a no 99, but it was he (Matheus) who was substituted, looking rather flaky, and it was the Gunners who played like Brazil.
Sheer Heaven
This was the best performance by any team on match day one, are you watching Tottenham crowed the fans. True Arsenal will face sterner tests, but why not enjoy it. Why should the future destroy the enjoyment of the present.
It was a thing of beauty, move after move, flick after flick, back heel after back heel, touch after touch, defence splitting passes and all at high speed. Every player played their part, everyone I talked to afterwards felt the squad was looking stronger.
Fans were impressed with Squillaci and Koscielny, but they were not tested that much, but they did what they had to do well. I loved Squillaci’s professional block when a player nearly got by him. Song could learn a lot from this guy.
Fans loved the way that an industrious Jack Wilshere released Fabregas from deep midfield responsibilities. Fabregas played up field for most of the match, behind him Song and Jack kept the motor going.
Chamakh was everywhere, on the left, right and centre, holding the ball, good passing and control and a wonderful finish for his goal.
Fabregas was on a hat trick and you could feel the crowd’s, and his, disappointment at not getting it. The team didn’t ease up until the 6th goal, the crowd reprised the ole’s of Saturday, and after seventeen passes were rewarded with a goal.
Arshavin misplaced the ball on several occasions, ran into cul de sacs, but still scored a glorious goal, and gave an assist. Soon he will be back to his best,
The crowd remembered the Clock End/North Bank Chant, it didn’t quite reach the intensity of the old days, but it is on its way. It was pleasing to hear the soul of the crowd return.
This was fantasy entertainment, no one, apart from Barca fans, gets to see football like this. What does it mean for trophies – who knows, it’s not the time for judging that. It’s a time to enjoy the moment. A more suitable time for cold headed appraisal will be after the Sunderland and Chelsea game’s.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:09:19:11:00:24 by Padre Pio.
Our two Cbs were not troubled very much but did what was needed,some moaned about Andre but he is a class player and as an opponenet I would dread facing him.
In conclusion well done all,onward and upward.
But as I think the 2nd and 3rd goal ware class to kill their moral..
its a good point. Although Chelsea fans would say they do.