Arsenalist

Arsenal blog by a Canadian

Arsenal vs Blackburn MOTD Highlights – 2-1 (Walcott 20′, Arshavin 52′)

Posted by Arsenalist on 28th August 2010

These are the types of games that have proven to be problematic for Arsenal, and that’s why these are three great points to pick up. Arsenal weren’t at their best in terms of stringing those passes together, but the defensive steel they displayed is reassuring, and something different from years past. I’d like to think we beat Blackburn at their own game: for every strong Blackburn tackle, there was one from Arsenal and then some. Theo Walcott had another good game at the right wing, he always looked to be a threat and got rewarded with a goal via a precise far-post finish. Bacary Sagna deserves huge credit for the second goal as he was the one that kept the ball in and made the play possible.

Robin Van Persie was taken off after picking up an ankle injury (out for ten days which coincides with the interlull, so that’s good), so Chamakh was introduced. As I said on Twitter, he is simply magnificent at helping out in his own half and tracking back. His goals will come, but it’s good to see a striker who’s not scoring use his height and physical presence to be a factor elsewhere. Final comment is on Arshavin, he gets slagged a lot because of his effort levels, but I think the criticism is too harsh. He is a wonderful player who is always thinking a step ahead, I think it’s just a matter of time before he finds his mid-season form and becomes effective for the full 90 minutes.

The MOTD Highlights are below, or you could just see a clip of Hansen eat his words.

Here are the goals:

Walcott 1-0, 20′: Watch :: Download

Douchebag 1-1, 27′: Watch :: Download

Arshavin 2-1, 52′: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Walcott/Almunia Interview

In the interview, Wenger says, “For us, the transfer period is already over”.

As for Carling Cup, Wenger says he will play the young team against Tottenham.

BBC Wenger and Fat Sam Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs Wigan Highlights 3-2 – Meltdown!

Posted by Arsenalist on 18th April 2010

Our defense sucks and we need a goalie. What’s new? After the scum had done us a favor by beating Chelsea, we blew it all away by giving up a 2-0 lead to Wigan. The back four looked leaky all game and I’m surprised Wigan didn’t score much earlier. At this point, I just want the season to end because just like last year, and the year before that, we’ve shown that we can’t handle the pressure. Yes, injuries are an issue but we are Arsenal Football Club, we should be able to go to our second team and still get a result in places like Birmingham and Wigan. Up 2-0, we simply stopped playing and Wigan, which was knocking on the door all game long, just took the chances they were presented. Frankly, we deserved to lose.

MOTD Highlights:

Walcott 1-0 – Watch :: Download

Wigan dive + Silvestre goal 2-0: Watch :: Download

Oh no 2-1: Watch :: Download

Fab fucks up again, we really need a real goalie 2-2: Watch :: Download

So much for the title race 3-2: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Martinez Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs Barcelona Highlights 2nd Leg – 4-1 – Arsenal exit Europe, Messi Hattrick

Posted by Arsenalist on 6th April 2010

Outclassed by a team that is simply better than us. Playing a high line killed us two of the goals we conceded were a direct result of that. The injuries were obviously an issue with Gallas, Fabregas, Van Persie and Song out, but it’s not like the manager didn’t know that he was thin on strikers and defenders in January. It’s naive to think that we had a realistic chance tonight. As a supporter you always hope for your team to pull through, but fact is that Barcelona are ridiculously efficient with the ball whereas we tend to waste too many opportunities. There were a few instances tonight where Clichy, Bendtner and Rosicky made a mess of things when a team like Barceona, in the same situation, would’ve made a goalie work.

The inability of the midfield to hold the ball, string passes together and build some confidence in themselves while building frustration for Barcelona was mandatory and it didn’t happen. Diaby, Denilson and Rosicky had poor games and couldn’t keep the ball when under pressure from Barcelona’s aggressive tactics. Other than having a difference maker like Messi, that’s the main difference between these two teams – they have the grit to get the job done when they need to and we are lacking in that area.

Eduardo looks like a shadow of his former self and Bendtner, as good as he is in the air, is unable to think with the ball at his feet. You can see it every time he touches it, he can’t anticipate the action and doesn’t have the vision and creativity required to finish those half-chances. Walcott’s good, but he’s far from a refined product and I’m wondering how long we’re willing to wait. With another chance at a trophy gone by the wayside, is it time to give the youth movement another year, or will Wenger truly and honestly make a legitimate run at a trophy by bringing in high quality, proven products.

It’s a disappointing day to be an Arsenal fan, and the only good thing about this tie is that it was a complete hammering and there was no question who was the better team. There are no “what ifs” to lament about, it’s an old-fashioned beat down and perhaps we can learn something from it. With our league hopes dependent on Chelsea and Man Utd dropping points, it’s unrealistic to think we’ll end up with a trophy this year, but as always you keep hope. The difference is that in years past, that hope was predicated on proven quality and not just pure hope alone.

Bendtner 1-0: Watch :: Download

Messi 1-1: Watch :: Download

Shit, Messi again 2-1: Watch :: Download

I hate Messi 3-1: Watch :: Download

Messi is good 4-1: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Bendtner Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Same old questions

Posted by Arsenalist on 1st April 2010

I got an email today from hey k000laid which contained the following and nothing more. Worth a read. If you want to post something like this on this site, just shoot an email over to arsenalist at gmail dot com. Or you could just check out the Arsenal vs Barcelona highlights, goals and interviews.

This is not a knee jerk reaction to today’s game, its more of a reaction to us this season, and indeed, for the past few years that has to be said after seeing a team today that is everything we aspire to be.

It’s interesting to note that we are like an inferior version of Barcelona, not only in our playing style, but our personnel. We’ve all heard the Cesc/Xavi comparisons at this point, but given the former’s form this season, I think he is at least on par if not better than Xavi at this moment. All around it seems like we have somewhat clones of Barca players. When we shifted to 4-3-3 last summer, I thought Nasri could potentially be an Iniesta-tye player – the dynamic to Cesc’s static as part of the midfield 3 just like Xavi/Iniesta, and could fill in as a wide man when needed. Arshavin could have been our Messi, the unpredictable wing genius who we could feed the ball to and watch him go to work. And Bendtner has always reminded me of Ibrahimovic, the big man with good technique (allegedly), who can create as well as score (i wish), and he’s even well on his way to reaching Ibra’s level of arrogance and ego.

However, we are so far from Barcelona, its unbelievable. I know our goal is not to reach Barca’s level (an impossible feat in itself), our goal is to win trophies, but we are not a championship caliber team, have not been for the past few years and are deluding ourselves if we think that this squad can do it next year. When we were manhandled by Manu in last season’s semi’s, Wenger seemed so visibly upset, I thought he might actually ring the changes that we’ve been crying out for years now. However, the only monumental change was the switch to the 4-3-3 a decision I nonetheless applauded, because I thought we had exactly the personnel for it. However, as the season has worn on and our predictably brittle players have gotten injured, and Wenger lost his balls on occasion, it has resembled a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-2 with Cesc as something of a second striker. With that said, move onto our players…

I blame it entirely on Wenger. He built this team. He puts his faith in these players time and time again. The funds are there, as has been said repeatedly over the years by the guys upstairs. It’s ok for a manager to have a boner for one or two players on their squad that everyone else can’t be bothered with, really, what manager doesnt? But the amount of question marks surrounding almost every area of the pitch is down to Wenger.

Almunia is a dodgy keeper. Today encapsulated him perfectly, series of otherworldly stops, then one abject fuck up. We are also suspect heavily at center back. Vermaerlen is a beast for sure, and Gallas is no slouch. But Billy is old has needed replacing since last year, with a strapping bloke that takes no prisoners in the air to get rid of our weaknesses at high balls. And we all know the weaknesses in our cover – Silvestre, Campbell, Djourou.

Denilson has long been reviled for not being proficient in any discernible skill that a midfielder must possess. Nasri has become so hesitant, its almost like watching Hleb again, play him in the centre where he’s useful, not on the wing where he always waits for Clichy to overlap. And Bendtner needs no explanation.

It’s Wenger’s fault for hoping that all these holes could be papered over in a season. And spare me the injuries retort, because we all know by now that 60% of our players are made of glass and can’t be trusted for a full season, so by that logic our cover should be extra good, not Nicklas Bendtner. And if he wants to play 4-3-3, make sure he has the personnel to match it. Nasri and Rosicky are NOT wide fowards, they are central attacking mids who can only beat their man through guile, not pace and trickery. We are a soft team and have too many lightweights and artsy fartsy players. I’m fedup of waiting for a perfect world where most of our players are fit and everyone lives up to their potential and all that Wenger preaches comes true. He needs to man up, accept the weaknesses, alter his vision and spend. Really, this si nothing new. At the very least, we need a new keeper, center back(s), striker, wide-right foward (ive given up on theo as something more than an impact sub) and cover for Song. And some proven talent please, we have enough question marks. And for the love of god, no more lightweights. Stoke and Blackburn dont play anti-football, they play the style that exploits their opponent’s weaknesses.

My other big gripe comes from our plaaying style. I already mentioned how our 4-3-3 changes when the going gets tough. Enough ping pong, slow it down, hot potato football in the oppositions half which more often than not ends up with a cross into our midget foward line or the useless Bendtner. By its nature, 4-3-3 is a direct formation. But using that formation with our ‘patient’ style leads us to be easily handled by quality teams, as seen by all our really big games this season, vs Chelsea, Man U and now Barca. We are big game bottlers, and have been for a while. Although I commend the team for some of the fight they’ve shown this year, we usually fail when it counts. I don’t watch Wenger’s postgame anymore, because I hate hearing gems like “Drogba didnt do much except score 2 goals”, and “we had more possesion and therefore were better”. Possesion means fuck all if you dont use it to score. Although credit to him today, he accepteed that we were outclassed and lucky.

Basically this team needs a mass change, an overhaul in personnel, playing style, philosophy and vision. And I lay that at the feet of Wenger. If he cannot accept now, that his project is flawed, that each season we require too many things to not fuck up to even have a shot at glory, we are not even close to where we need to be, then find someone who will. We can thrash the Wigan’s and Portos of this world all we want, but untill we go into a game against the big boys and dont look like massive underdogs, we’re not there yet. Again, 80% of the stuff in this email I could have written about Arsenal in 06/07 and no one would know the difference.

But credit where credit is due. Vermaerlen was an absolute steal, and looks to be a legend in the years to come. Diaby, and Especially Song have improved in leaps and bounds. Song particularly has finally solved our DM problems. Van persie was a unique choice to fill the target man role in the season’s beginning, some of the combinations with him, cesc and shavva were magic. I applaud the initial initiative of a Song-Cesc-Ramsey midfield and a Shavva-RVP-THeo frontline, even though it didn’t work out that way. Despite the aforementioned complaints, I do respect Wenger for all he has done for Arsenal and his belief in good football. I also respect the way he has kept us financially on the right track, even though we need to spend more. And i love the improved fight and guts we’ve shown this season, some of the scenes during the Stoke game (you know) were bloody brilliant. (The celebrations after Vermarelens goal, the huddle after the final whistle, Campbell’s reaction to the leg break, Clichy pumping up his teammates, Cesc’s balls of steel to take the PK – he really has become an amazing footballer and better captain). I just want to see this team suceed. But we need to change.

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Thierry Henry comments on playing Arsenal in Champions League (Video and quotes)

Posted by Arsenalist on 22nd March 2010

Henry says:

Whenever there is a draw for Champions League (sighs), I’m in pain, I’m in pain. Some of the guys are like, Thierry, what about playing Arsenal?! I’m like, yeh, yeh, yeh..it’ll be great..riiight.

I’m not saying I won’t try to fight or whatever because that’s the way the game is. But I don’t want to play against Arsenal, it would be weird for me to step on the pitch even if it’s the Emirates and not Highbury with another shirt on. Psshh.

Will you celebrate a goal?

Oh, forget about it. No. I told you, when there is a draw, I’m in pain. I do not want to play against Arsenal, it’s as simple as that.

The bond that I have with the Arsenal fans I will never get anywhere else because I don’t think i will ever play for another team for that long. I don’t think I’ll play with another team for 8 years. I’m getting old now.

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Arsenal vs Hull City MOTD Highlights – 2-1 Bendtner winner

Posted by Arsenalist on 13th March 2010

MOTD Highlights:

Andrei Arshavin 1-0: Watch :: Download

Horseshit 1-1: Watch :: Download

Nicklas Bendtner 2-1: Watch :: Download

Arsenal.com Match Report

Wenger Interview :: Bendtner Interview :: Shitbag Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs Burnley MOTD Highlights – 3-1

Posted by Arsenalist on 6th March 2010

Watch MOTD Highlights

Cesc Fabregas 1-0: Watch :: Download

Some guy who sleeps with his mother: Watch :: Download

Theo Walcott 2-1: Watch :: Download

Andrei Arshavin 3-1: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Walcott Interview :: Laws Interview

Arsenal.com Match Report

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs Bolton MOTD Highlights 2-0

Posted by Arsenalist on 17th January 2010

If we beat Bolton on Wed 2-0 or better we go top (Chelsea with game in hand).

MOTD Highlights (Veoh player)

Goals and other stuff

(If YouTube takes the video down, there’s always the Download link)

Fabregas 1-0: Watch :: Download

First Half Highlights: Watch :: Download

Fran Merida 2-0: Watch :: Download

Full Highlights: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Fabregas Interview :: Coyle Interview

Arsenal.com Match Report

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs Everton MOTD Highlights 2-2

Posted by Arsenalist on 9th January 2010

Disappointing. I think the bad weather played a factor, it helped Everton as they were able to stay in the game while we struggled to get our usual passing play going on the slippery surface.

MOTD Highlights

Goals and Interviews

Chances are YouTube will take the goals down, but the download link is always available.

Osman 1-0: Watch :: Download

Denilson 1-1: Watch :: Download

Pinar 2-1: Watch :: Download

Rosicky 2-2: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Moyes Interview :: Vermaelen Interview

Arsenal.com Match Report

Twitter – @arsenalist

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Arsenal vs West Ham United FA Cup 2-1

Posted by Arsenalist on 3rd January 2010

Arsenal will be away to Stoke City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Their Goal 1-0: Watch :: Download

Aaron Ramsey 1-1: Watch :: Download

Eduardo 2-1: Watch :: Download

Highlight Pack

Arsene Wenger Interview :: Gianfranco Zola Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

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