Arsenal play drunk against Liverpool
It was like the Gunners had just finished an all-night bar-hopping binge minutes before the game and had managed to tie 20 pound stones to each of their feet just to make things ‘interesting’ against Liverpool. Maybe it was the confidence of already having beaten Liverpool three times this season that they decided that a dismal sloppy effort would be enough to get them through or maybe it was that comfy feeling that finishing third or fourth in the league doesn’t really matter, so why exert more thought and effort if you don’t really have to.
It was unbelievable watching so many Arsenal players simply just fall down on the pitch. It was like they were shot in the head by a phantom sniper just as they were about to receive a pass or about to make one. Alexander Hleb being guilty on multiple occasions of this perplexing behavior. All this would have counted for nothing if only they weren’t three steps too slow in every facet of the game, Peter Crouch capitalized early by getting his foot on a low cross after some clever Liverpool heel-passing on the right ended in a great cross for Crouch. Lehmann had little chance and dove to his right as a formality but you can’t really blame him since his defense chose to get confused with stuff you might see on your middle-school playground.
Liverpool had all the chances in the first half and whenever Arsenal did manage to break forward, Hleb, Fabregas and Diaby were trying to craft designs that were as intricate as hand-made Persian carpets. Of course, nothing of substance came of it and an early cross might have been a good choice as it might have at least somewhat threatened the Liverpool defense. Speaking of Arsenal chances, there was a legitimate one. Down only 1-0, Adebayor came in from the left and set it up for Baptista who had plenty of time and only an out-of-position Reina to beat from about 15 yards out. You don’t need me to tell you what happened next, but I’ll say it anyways: he shot it 20 yards wide of the goal. This guy needs to be burned at the stake before we send him back to Madrid where he’ll be buried so deep on the bench, he’ll dream of Carling Cup minutes.
After Crouch made it 2-0 before the half, apparently Jens Lehmann was yellow carded for spitting water on a fan. Just great, he’s the only goalie who’s actually managed to get suspended through yellow cards this season. Gerrard almost made it 3-0 in the second but Lehmann was up to it, on the counter-attack Adebayor smashed the inside of the post and the ball went to Baptista who should’ve just offered a shot and instead tried to pass it off to somebody only he could see, obviously the ball was intercepted bringing the Arsenal threat to a convenient end.
Arsenal’s defensive efforts were laborious at best and the third goal was only a matter of time. When poor Clichy was incorrectly deemed guilty of a foul, the free kick ended in Danier Agger sneaking one past Lehmann officially closing the book on this match. It’s not like Liverpool did anything great in this game, Arsenal were sloppy and lacked pace, and when you lack pace you’ll always be behind the play which is a death sentence in any football match.
Rosicky and Ljunberg were brought in midway through the second and it had a positive effect and we finally managed to string together some 1-2 passes and were finally rewarded with a Gallas goal off a free kick. It didn’t matter and any hope that might have been restored was quickly extinguished by Peter Crouch’s third of the game.
When somebody passes you the ball, you have two options: 1) to wait for it and risk somebody else intercepting it or 2) to step towards it and challenge any threat. If you consistently get beat while doing 1, wouldn’t it make sense to at some point try doing 2 and see if it makes a difference? Almost every midfielder and forward were guilty of this today and it’s not surprising that our passing game sucked. This was one to forget. Thanks to Arsenal Clips for the highlights.
well, it’s sort of a payback for what the gunners did to them in the cup..
If Baptista had finished his chance and Adebayor’s shot was an inch to the left, this would’ve been a different game. But I agree with the post, we were a step too slow all game long.
What you saying Arsenal passing game sucked? We dominated liverpool with our passing game but the only problem was the end product. Also, i really got a question for you “sir arsenalist” Are you really an arsenal fun? I have never seen anything positive in most of your posts your write when arsenal draw or loose. I have noticed all you write is gabbage about the arsenal players. This leaves me wondering wether ur really a fan. Yea, i understand frustration but sometimes it really doesnt make sense when you say,
“Gunners had just finished an all-night bar-hopping binge”
“It was unbelievable watching so many Arsenal players simply just fall down on the pitch. It was like they were shot in the head by a phantom sniper just as they were about to receive a pass or about to make one” Now that’s just straight up outrageous and a total lie. I never did see an arsenal player just fall down unnecessary as you make it sound. Ok…lets continue.
“Hleb, Fabregas and Diaby were trying to craft designs that were as intricate as hand-made Persian carpets.” OMFG, intricate? Hand made persian carpet? dude, i think this is just a tactic to fetch in more readers using such unnecessary words. Diaby played good today though he could have put in more energy.
In conclusion of my argument, never have i ever read a sensible post about arsenal on this website that could leave me saying, “Damn, that guy can write, it was worth it.” All i’m trying to say is you dont really seem to be a true arsenal fan. your posts say it all.
I’ve been reading this blog since it started and I can say that although the author is VERY critical of Arsenal, he is obviously a dedicated fan. All fans feel frustration and some more so than others. I can understand the man’s point.
IMHO, our passing game did suck today.
I know but he needs to choose his words correctly, trying to fetch in readers doesnt work like this but chases them away including me.
Just to add, sometimes i wonder wether we watched the same games based on his analysis in his posts. His analysis doesnt add up. Just out of curiosity, arsenalist, when did you start supporting arsenal. Plz be Honest.
Did you guys wonder that when they took out Diaby and Baptista, our attacking game was at least 50% better?
I don’t think arsenalist intends on providing great point-by-point analysis in this blog. It’s more of a venting platform than anything. From the Arsenal page:
“If you’re looking for a really good and comprehensive Gunners blog, there are many out there including ArseBlog, The Cannon and A Cultured Left Foot. The space reserved for the Gunners on this blog is for heartfelt rants and thoughts at random times. Video highlights are often added to keep things fresh.”
There are many exaggerations but they do revolve around legitimate points. kevinbatesg, I completely disagree that our passing game was good at all today. This was probably the worst game we played all season.
Sex Fabregas, I think it had more to do with Ljunberg and Rosicky coming in than Diaby going out. Baptista was at his miserable best though.
kevinbatesg,
What did I do to piss you off? See Greg’s post and the quote he pasted from the Arsenal page.
You can’t possibly tell me we played well today. We started off horribly and our back four were leaky all game, it’s a shock Liverpool only scored four goals. Obviously the drunk part was a stupid attempt at humor but we did actually just fall down (not on purpose obviously, slipped or whatever) at least five times in the first half – two of them Hleb. Look at the tape.
I like Diaby and I think the world of him but I counted at least three times in the game that he was involved in completely unnecessary passing with Fabregas on the left side instead of one of them just firing a cross in. They were trying to be way too intricate than they need to – this is not new news, it’s just how Arsenal shoot themselves in the foot so often. If you don’t like the Persian carpet analogy, I understand that.
I mean, what did I say that was totally wrong? Yes, I’m critical of Arsenal that’s because I have really high expectations of them and even though we were without big players, a 4-1 loss and playing shitty (as Wenger said so himself) pisses me off. I have trouble seeing the silver lining at times but as far as this game goes, there was very little good about it.
I don’t claim to be a great writer, I’m an IT guy. I’m just trying to be as honest as possible, thats it really. When did I start supporting Arsenal? Not long ago, I moved to Kansas City, MO back in 1995 and thats when I first started checking Arsenal scores. Too bad I had no chance of catching a game, even though I had all the channels one could possibly have. When I moved to Toronto in 1997, I used to catch a game on tape delay on some of the stations. Still, not a great following but really I had no means.
Until about 2002-03 is when FSW, TSN and Sportsnet starting showing regular games, I used to catch Arsenal and Juventus games whenever possible. Juventus a lot more because there’s a big Italian community here and they have their own channels where they show Serie A games. But I got my Arsenal coverage from fbtz.com which used to be a great video site for football.
From that point on, coverage got a little better and since P2P streaming started about two years ago, life has been great. But why am I on trial here? Does all this make me less of a fan than you? If you really hate what is posted here, just don’t read it. I’ll keep writing away even if I’m the only reader.
I gotta stick up for the arsenalist here. He might take it a little too far in his posts but there’s still truth to what he’s saying. I can see why kevinbates might be upset because he sees it as an insult to the players through cheap humor but thats not really whats happening, it’s just emotion. I rolled my eyes at the Persian carpet reference too but it was kinda funny. Kinda.
I started reading in January (Liverpool 3-1) and usually check out the blog after each game. There’s like no news posts on this blog whatsoever, just post-match stuff. I think everybody who reads this blog should read the disclaimer on the Arsenal page first and then they might enjoy it more. Hey arsenalist, put that at the start of every one of your posts. Just joking.
yeah Diaby is a good player, but he had some trouble keeping up with Liverpool’s players. Maybe it’s not his day or something.
But Baptista, Jesus Christ…I’m not sure if he deserves to be in the squad anymore.
“When did I start supporting Arsenal? Not long ago, I moved to Kansas City, MO back in 1995 and thats when I first started checking Arsenal scores”
So, all of a sudden you moved to MO and started checking Arsenal scores? wow, that doesnt seem right to me. How can u just start checking scores outt of the blue? wow. its just like saying, i moved to canada last year and started checking mapleleaf scores..that doesnt seem right.
WTF? Get off my back. And why doesn’t it make sense to check out Leaf scores in Canada?
stop being a bitch kevin
“And why doesn’t it make sense to check out Leaf scores in Canada?”
Because i’m not a hockey fan..and basically know nothing about hockey. it just sounds stupid when you say you moved to MO and started checking out arsenal scores…be specific bro.
Ruben, i stop being a bitch? yea, i will continue bitching until this fella speaks the truth. Always bashing our players in most of his posts even going to the extent of calling one of them a S.O.B. Yea, i understand frustration but every post you make? that aint right.
I have read the-cannon.com blog and God i gotta say that fella who writes it as a genius. Atleast he combines frustration with a lil bit of humor compared to this guy.(arsenalist)
I moved to Kansas City from Saudi Arabia. Have you ever been there? Try following any sports when you have three local channels, two of them Arabic. OK, the first time I actually showed an interest in European football was at 15, before that it was all cricket. I’m guessing you were born wearing an Arsenal shirt?
kevin mate, stop reading if it upsets you so much. i think you getting all angry is exactly what arsenalist wants. and the post isn’t incorrect, it’s just really harsh.
I’m just waiting till you start asking for his passports and birth certificate….
Hahaha, why would i ask for his passports and birth certificates? what for? As you asked, “I’m guessing you were born wearing an Arsenal shirt?” not to sound sarcastic or anything, i actually started supporting arsenal around 5yrs old. My parents especially my father was and is still a huge arsenal fan..that’s where i got it from. FYI–i’m currently a soccer player at georgetown university in washington DC. So, just trying to make sure you know the person your talking to here.
I also believe so , perfectly composed post! .