Schoolboy error or Referee "assist"

I've changed my mind.

When I saw the 2nd goal I thought that we only had ourselves to blame. Fabianski should never have picked up the ball. Once he did, he should never have let go of it until we had all our defenders back.

However...... He didnt give the ball to the Porto player, he gave it to the ref. The ref then stepped in front of Campbell and dropped the ball for the Porto player, who promptly passed it to Falcao who scored.

I don't blame Porto, Fabregas himself said that he would have done the same. But why should the ref make it so easy? And impede our player. If he is taking the ball of our keeper, then he should not just give it to the opposition in that way. There's playing the advantage and there's playing the advantage. For me its an 'assist' from the Referee.

It seems disproportionately unfair. The referee gave them something more likely to result in a goal than a penalty, yet all we did to deserve it was a back-pass, and a mistaken one at that.

It was definitely a schoolboy error for the first goal. It has been said many times that we cannot blame lack of experience for our flaws any more - as our team is young but very experienced. However the one area where we are wet behind the ears is the keeper. Fabianski is talented and can pull off excellent reaction saves but he revealed how raw he is with his decision making and some terrible errors, that I hope won't be too costly.

Dare I say that I "called" the Campbell headed goal? I never put money on my own team, just seems to tempt fate. However, I do think we have enough to finish them off at home in 3 weeks time. We got the away goal and the last 2 home games against Porto have been 2-0 and 4-0 so if I were a betting man, I'd put money on us progressing.

I'm looking forward to it, I think it might be quite a "spicey" affair. Shame it's 3 weeks (damn those money grabbing advertisers).

Until next time, '98

Old timers

Just finished watching the Milan v Utd game.

Maybe Rooney really is that good. He had loads of space again, especially for his second goal when Fletcher floated over his short range cross. When we played them, United and Rooney in particular seemed to have so much space. Maybe Rooney is just that good at getting himself in killer positions. However it did feel like Milan, like us when we played them, just weren't closing them down quick enough. And they were punished like we were a couple of weeks ago.

Rooney is looking truly world class. This might be an Arsenal blog, but credit where it is due. He is on fire and this kind of form could take England quite some distance in the World Cup this Summer. He was definitely the best player on the pitch until an old-timer arrived.....

Seedorf was absolute class. He was only on for the last 20 minutes, but his touch, vision, passing and his cheeky flicked goal reminded us all of what a great player he was (and obviously still is). The player he replaced flattered to deceive. Beckham couldn't even offer a decent free kick, just a half decent cross that enabled Ronaldinho to score via a lucky deflection.

Arsenal don't have any old-timers to bring on tomorrow night. The nearest we've got is Eduardo who is nearing his 27th birthday. About the age that players begin to peak. He's had a year out, so he's probably going to peak a little later in his career, but we really need him to get back to his best. I really miss seeing him truly play. He has such skill and seemed to be that clinical finisher that we were missing.

Our only genuine old-timer is Campbell. But he won't be a 20 minute sub. He's going to be an integral part of our defence for the whole 20 minutes. Wouldn't mind him popping up with a headed goal, like his last appearance for us in the Champions League.

We should beat Porto, especially over the 2 legs. Porto will score against us, I just hope that Arsenal take the approach we've had for most of the season, that we'll score more than you. In Europe, lots of goals will suit us, especially tomorrow night. A couple of away goals, even if they score one or two will be great. Hopefully then we'll bring them back to the Emirates and finish them off. Unfortunately I have a feeling it will be a tight and cagey affair and there won't be many goals. I hope I am wrong.

Enjoy

'98

3rd Best but we can still win the league!

We are the third best team in the country.

The strange thing is, we could still win the league, but if we do, we don't really deserve it.

I imagine everyone else is doom and gloom, if you follow Arsenal. If you are in the media, or you support anyone else then its a case of licking your lips and saying I told you so.

Arsene has done amazingly well with the resources he has at his disposal. And we can't really moan because our resources are amazing compared to most teams. He is a brilliant manager. We are (and have been for years) punching above our weight.

At our peak. When we won the league or at least challenged every year, in the late 90s and early 2000s. We deserved to be there or thereabout. Often our first 11 was the best "team", we just didnt have the resources to have the best "squad". You could look at Man United and make direct player comparisons. Giggs and Pires. Henry & Van Nistelroy, Viera & Keane etc etc. We had quality players all over the pitch.

Now we have... Cesc - amazing. Arshavin - quality. And there;s Vermalen too. Those three would probably fit in Chelsea or Utd's side. But the rest, well they're very good, and then we have a lot of good players, and then we have Denilson.

So I don;t feel we have the best team, we definitely don't have the best squad, yet we still have a chance to win the League. I don't think we will, but the teams above us will drop more points, they have to play eachother and they have to play more of the top 7 sides. So if we focus and go for it, we could go on a long unbeaten run and still be in the race come May.

BUT we don't actually have a striker, and haven't had one since Van Persie got maimed ages ago. We do need a physical presence. I do blame Wenger for not going out and buying someone. Its unlikely they would be world class, but there are 17 other teams below us, and a million other clubs throughout Europe and the world. There must have been a player amongst them who could have done a job for us short term. Think about what United did when they got in Larsson.

So I don't think we'll win the league and it is very unlikely (but not impossible that we'll win the Champions League)

But I am not giving up yet. If we cling on to the spirit that saw us come back from 2-0 down v Bolton and Leige and the other times we have never given up. If we follow our Captain, who is desperate to win something wearing Red and White. Then who knows. We have to stay behind the team and support them. Vilification will achieve nothing. Let's not do a "Gallas" at Birmingham. Capitulate and give up before its time and it will be over.

I will continue to support and think positive and look forward to giving Liverpool a good tonking on Wednesday night.

If we don't think positive and get fully behind our team that night, then we only have our selves to blame.

Come on you reds!!

Cup half-Fuller

Seeing the line up worried me, but it worried me less when I saw Fabregas there. It was a sign that we wanted to win this game and I never really doubted that, but we looked lightweight. Leightweight in defence in particular. We are leaking goals with our first choice of defenders so it was asking for trouble by putting in such an inexperienced and unknown back four.

Campbell did well and doesn't look like he'll be out of place in any game we play, if we need him.
Silvestre showed that he's experienced and is fighting for our cause, but he's not as pacey as we need sometimes.
Coqueline looked nervy for much of his time on the pitch. He improved, but we needed solidity and confidence from our players to show Stoke that we won't be bullied into defeat.
Traore is quick, and the best at whipping in a cross out of all our possible leftbacks - but he is also not good enough yet - lacking nouse when it comes to positioning.

We looked heavyweight in terms of JET, but he's still learning his trade. In three year's time, I'm sure he'd be an excellent choice to stick in there, hold it up and cause some difficulties for Stoke. He did well but there was no-one around him for the first 2/3 of the game to cause Stoke any major cause for concern.

It was nice to see a mix of experience of youth - but the experienced players lacked quality and the young players lacked physical presence. I wanted to believe that we'd win the game, as we have never given up all season and turned some remarkable scorelines around. But away, against a well organised, physical side with such a weakened side, it was a big order.

I don't blame Wenger, I'm sure he thought we could win the game. It was very close and much closer than the final score suggests. If I'm going to blame anyone, it's Denilson who let Sidebe run down the wing unchallenged and completely gave up the ghost, allowing him to knock the ball in that led to their goal. But this is the consequence of having the type of squad we have. But with players returning and a full strength side capable of beating anyone, we have to prioritise the other 2 competitions we are in. If we win the league then this defeat is a price more than worth paying. Even coming second is a major step forward. This team is staying together, growing together and only going to get even better.

Just think back to when we used to win the league or challenge on a regular basis last decade. We always lacked strength in depth, but had the best first choice side. If our best players kept fit, then we had the chance of winning the title. Well we're kind of back to that scenario - but this time we are not reliant on our best players anymore. We have a system and players who play the "Arsenal Way" and that's why we are more resiliant. That's why we can challenge against the suped up teams of Chelsea and Man City.

I still feel very positive and can't wait to see how we shape up against the biggest and the best over the next month or so.

'98

Deni

They say never go back...

They say never go back and Arsene usually never wants players that he let go back at the club. Normally he is right. Generally players that leave never go on to replicate the success or even the quality that they had whilst playing for Arsenal. He was brilliantly described (as part of a brilliant post here) recently as the best used car saleman in the land for exactly that reason - as their legs have a knack of giving way on another manager's pitch.

But equally Wenger has had his regets and openly spoke of his desire to keep Anelka and that he would have had him back. So would I.

Wenger has been equally canny in letting Sol Campbell "train" with us. It's try before you buy. It helps the player, and we owe that to him, but it also allows the manager to evaluate him. I don't usually get drawn in to speculation, but I think Wenger will sign him on a short term basis as back-up in case Vermaelen or Gallas get injured. Silvestre was fine for cover in the Carling Cup or against lowly opposition, he just does not have the pace. Campbell may have lost some of his pace, but I still think he'll be quick enough and his physical prescence could be useful.

Wenger didn't go back for Viera and I'm pleased that Patrick has found himself at an ambitious club playing in the Premier League. I hate City, actually probably more that Spurs just because of their £ootballing philosphy, but I wish Viera all the best, just not against us.

As I type this news is filtering through of the attack on the Togo team bus in Angola. This is horrendous, but does not surprise me. Terrorist organisations were bound to see the the African Cup of Nations as an ideal opportunity for an attack. Anything they do on this smaller scale competition will have a ten-fold impact on the World Cup. The security is on a smaller scale that it will be for the Finals in June and I'm probably being a bit patronising but I can't see the organisation of either of the competitions in Africa being as slick as anything in Europe or the US. This attack, has already been a major success and the repercussions will be huge.

I hear Adebayor is safe. I hate him as much as the next man, but would never wish this upon him. Yes his celebration against us was stupid - but footballers have never been known for their intelligence, it's their football brains that we love.

The poor driver has been killed, let's hope that it isn't any more serious on a personal level for Togo's players and staff.

Event like this put our own health and safety concerns in perspective. So we have to call some games off due to the snow, big deal.

If the game at the Emirates goes ahead tomorrow (which I think it will), have a safe journey.


'98

Goal of the decade

Goodplaya.com is running an excellent survey on the best goals of the decade here.

Rightly so, he has waited until the decade is over, as it happens no favourite will come from anything in December, but there have been some crackers.

I reckon Bergkamp v Newcastle will win out, and it awesome, but my choice is one that probably won't even be in the top 10.

Any favourite goal has to stand out. It has to be one that you can visualise, and describe without having to see a youtube clip (although I had great fun watching them all again - as I write the snow is falling and I reckon I'll not be able to get to work tomorrow. So might as well stay up watching those beauties)

So there are a handful in the list that do that.

- The mazy run of Henry against Spurs in November 2002 showed him at his absolute peak. And any goal against Spurs is a delight (Cesc providing a couple of corkers), but that was the best of the decade.
Henry also did something similar against Inter, and then Liverpool in the 03/04 season and against Madrid in 05/06. All of these were incredible and against such good opposition, but the one against Spurs was the best.
- Henry's backheel against Charlton, was something different - and although this is about Arsenal goals, Zola's FA Cup goal from a corner in 2002 was cheekier and more ingenious backheel- our best goal needs to be better than that.
- Henry's goal against Prague, hit with the outside of his foot was a peach, but if you want to see a ball curl watch Roberto Carlos' free-kick in Le Tournoi - Yes I know if was not Arsenal, nor was it last decade (1997) but that strike will stay with me forever.
- I don't want to give Adebayor any recognition in this survey, so I didn't. But to be fair the goal against Liverpool at Anfield in 07/08 is one of those memorable goals - because of the run by Theo. His chest'n'volley against Spurs was also quality.

- You also won't see a better team goal than the move finished off by Nasri, against Man United, at home in the 08/09 season. A gazillion precision passes, movement, pace and a crisp finish. If Wenger was taking this survey, that's the goal he would choose.

- My Second favourite is RVP's volley against Charlton. It was hit with such venon, and was so technically difficult and so brilliant - I'll never forget it. I think he struck it so hard that he broke his foot and was out of action for months. But I can see it right now and anytime I want in my mind- it was that memorable.

- But my favourite. Eduardo scoring that volley against Burnley in the FA Cup in February 2009. Almost a year to the day with the same ankle he broke in that horrific incident at Birmingham. But this is not an emotional, sympathetic choice. It was technically amazing and truly memorable in its own right. I was the ground that day and when he first struck it it looked like he'd mishit it and skied it. But watching the replay, I realised it was truly amazing.

I can't believe that there is no Bergkamp goal in my top 3, but perhaps he was at his peak at the end of the previous decade. Nothing will beat the goal he scored against Sunderland in January 1997. The drag-back, the bedazzling of the defence, the trademark curled shot - truly memorable, truly beautiful.

I hope not to leave it too long until the next post - might have some readers by then!

Nearly led them a Merida-nce

Been on my own international break.

Arsenal haven't really been the same team since theirs.

Was hoping to use my "merry dance" pun tonight but a defeat was what I expected. To be fair, for the first 5 minutes it would be an accurate description. We were moving the ball round well, lots of intricate passing and the possession stats were near-on 100%. It genuinely seemed to unerve the Greeks on the pitch and especially in the stands. Did you notice there weren't any women in the whole ground, including the hairy "cheerleaders"?

Arsene said before the game that fielding this young team would be true to the competition by providing a more motivated side, rather than a more experienced team who had nothing to play for. He was right (again). They genuinely had something to prove and places to fight for. Ramsey responded well and at times looked real quality. By no means the finished article, but some of his passing was sublime. He's got that physical edge too. In a team of full teenagers, he looked experienced and composed. Merida increasingly showed us why Wenger wants to keep him in and around the first team.

A lot of the talk had been of the rising young star Wilshere. I wonder whether he's beginning to believe his own hype. I've seen him play Carling Cup games and even in the Emirates Cup pre-season where he played the rest out the park. But he's trying too hard at the moment, taking people on and running into trouble rather than picking the right pass. Maturity will play a big part here.

Interestingly, rather than showing his experience, Vela seemed to be dragged down by playing in a team full of youngsters. He lacked composure, seems to be brushed off the ball to easily and missed one very good chance at least to score. Again, I've see him play brilliantly and finish with such confidence. That seems to be missing and a Vela firing on all cylinders would really help our first team. All I could think was if there was anyone that I would have wanted on the end of the Ramsey pass that Vela missed, it would have been Arshavin.

Walcott showed that his pace and intelligent running comes naturally and doesn't diminish everytime he has a lay-off due to injury. Let's hope he finds his feet (literally) quickly because Aaron Lennon has begun to show that he can pass and cross and is currently looking more likely to go to South Africa this Summer.

I was very impressed with what I saw and quite enjoyed the game. A luxury to be able to watch a champions league game, knowing you've qualified top and have nothing to worry about - including to a large degree, any of your players getting injured.

We've had a very disjointed few weeks and I hope the first team can get back on track against Liverpool at the weekend.

I've noticed a strange psychological thing going on. Arsene must have said to them early this season that it is not results against the big teams that win you the title, its how you do against the rest - citing United as an example. I've seen quotes from various squad members referring to this idea too.

In essence he is right, but it seems to have been taken too literally by the team and almost given them an excuse for not winning these games. So far it has been taken literally as we've lost to United, City and Chelsea. Spurs are obviously not classed as a big team, because we beat them.

Fortunately Liverpool are not looking like a real challenge for the title this year, which leads me to feel we might just get something out of this game, but with some key players missing it is asking for some of our other players to step up and be counted.

Very grateful that its on sky, so I don't have to struggle with poor illegal streams. Is there a market for providing a quality stream to paying customers? Would it really damage crowd numbers?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it.

'til next time