Hello Everyone,
For some strange reason I was feeling very confident before the game yesterday, but all of it was shattered in just 11 minutes. Firstly we started the game without neither Cesc nor Nasri. Clichy and Djourou were also missing and so Gibbs started again at LB and the returning Vermaelen was partnered by Squillaci. Arsenal, usually will start the game with a front foot but it wasn't yesterday. It was Villa who started strongly. Arsene struggled to get their passing game going and before they could correct it, they were 1-0 down.
Kyle Walker, who was really good yesterday floated a beautiful ball over the top to the dangerman Bent, who beat the offside trap to slot past Szczesny's acrobatic effort to make it 1-0. Arsenal found themselves 2-0 down before they can regroup. Collins free-kick from the half way line found Young who was guarded by the returning Vermaelen, but unfortunately he slipped at the wrong moment which allowed Young to easily put Bent through and he coolly finished it past Szczesny to take his and Villa's tally to two for the day. It was all over for Arsenal within the first 15 minutes. Not a great way to start your final home game of the season right? To be fair to Arsenal, they bounced back a bit after that but that was the point Oliver started referring against us.
On 29th minute Wilshere floated a Walker like ball to send Ramsey free and Ramsey was taken down by Dunne exactly when he was about to pull the trigger and RVP's effort from rebound was comfortably saved by Friedel. On first sight and on replays it looked like a definite penalty but Oliver waved played on. He also gave some harsh free-kicks against Arsenal . Arsenal had another great chance in the 36th minute after some excellent work from Van Persie but his shot hit the outside of the post (again) and went away for a corner. From the corner Vermaelen headed just over the bar and the second half came to an end. There was heavy boos at the Emirates when the referee blew his whistle and although one can understand it, it was a bit sad to see that happening.
Arsene knew something needs to be changed and he reacted by replacing Squillaci with Chamakh. Song dropped back to centre back and we changed to a 4-4-2. Villa and Bent soon had their chance for a third but Bent hit it straight at Szczesny this time. Arsenal recovered very well after that. Chamakh was looking very lively as was Ramsey and RVP. Arsenal's first chance of second half came in the 56th minute when Gibbs goal bound effort was well blocked by Friedel. Arsene then made his second substitution by taking off the woeful Arshavin for Bendtner. It was a very bad day in the office for Arshavin, who was completely owned by the very good Walker. Arsenal created further chances via RVP, Theo, and Ramsey but Villa somehow managed to keep us at bay. Then Villa had another chance to extend their lead but Szczesny made a great double save to deny Downing.
Then came the most contoversial moment of the game. On 77th minute Walcott put in a great cross which has beautifully headed in by Chamakh. But just when the Gooners and Gunners were stating to celeberate, Oliver, for some stupid reason ruled out the goal. The reason given was that Chamakh pushed Walker before heading it home but the replays couldn't justify it. Oliver, for the second time in the game killed Arsenal from making the comeback.
Arsenal continued to pressurize Villa but they managed to stop us with some last minute blocks and tackles. Finally the inevitable Arsenal goal arrived with a minute to play and it wasn't hard to guess the goal scorer. Sagna had the ball on the right and he floated a beautiful ball into the box to Bendtner with his left foot. Nick collected it well, but the ball was taken off from him but it found its way to RVP via a deflection from Dunne and the Dutchman coolly finished it past Friedel with his left foot to get another goal he truly deserved. Arsenal pushed Villa to the maximum but they couldn't get the equalizer and the game finished 2-1 to Aston Villa.
It was a really painful game to watch. Oliver made some big major mistakes but we can't put all the blame on him. If we have defended the first 15 minutes well, we could have surely won it. Vermaelen's return did not help in correcting our sloppy mistakes. To be fair to Vermaelen, he played really well on his return. He won a number of headers and we got to see his trademark tackles and his forward forays too. Hopefully he and RVP can stay injury free for the full of next season. Speaking of Van Persie, he was outstanding once again. He created a lot of chances but was really unlucky to finish the game with a solitary goal. As I wrote in my preview, we rely very heavily on him for our goals and it was justified again. Yesterday's goal was his 21st of the season and that makes this season as the best for Van Persie in Arsenal colors, in terms of goals. The defeat also means Arsenal are not yet guarenteed third spot. ManCity are two points behind us with a game in hand and so it could get much worse for Arsenal.
It was really painful to see us become from title contenders to a 4th placed team within a matters of weeks and it was also painful to see a lot of fans either not turn up or leave early before the game has finished. If I get a chance to be at the Emirates, I swear I will be the last person to leave the stadium everytime I visit it. Now we need to dust ourselves up and put in a positive and a passionate display in the final game of our season against Fulham next week. Our away fans have been simply outstanding this season and they deserve to see us winning in our final away game.
Until next time, take care everyone.
For some strange reason I was feeling very confident before the game yesterday, but all of it was shattered in just 11 minutes. Firstly we started the game without neither Cesc nor Nasri. Clichy and Djourou were also missing and so Gibbs started again at LB and the returning Vermaelen was partnered by Squillaci. Arsenal, usually will start the game with a front foot but it wasn't yesterday. It was Villa who started strongly. Arsene struggled to get their passing game going and before they could correct it, they were 1-0 down.
Kyle Walker, who was really good yesterday floated a beautiful ball over the top to the dangerman Bent, who beat the offside trap to slot past Szczesny's acrobatic effort to make it 1-0. Arsenal found themselves 2-0 down before they can regroup. Collins free-kick from the half way line found Young who was guarded by the returning Vermaelen, but unfortunately he slipped at the wrong moment which allowed Young to easily put Bent through and he coolly finished it past Szczesny to take his and Villa's tally to two for the day. It was all over for Arsenal within the first 15 minutes. Not a great way to start your final home game of the season right? To be fair to Arsenal, they bounced back a bit after that but that was the point Oliver started referring against us.
On 29th minute Wilshere floated a Walker like ball to send Ramsey free and Ramsey was taken down by Dunne exactly when he was about to pull the trigger and RVP's effort from rebound was comfortably saved by Friedel. On first sight and on replays it looked like a definite penalty but Oliver waved played on. He also gave some harsh free-kicks against Arsenal . Arsenal had another great chance in the 36th minute after some excellent work from Van Persie but his shot hit the outside of the post (again) and went away for a corner. From the corner Vermaelen headed just over the bar and the second half came to an end. There was heavy boos at the Emirates when the referee blew his whistle and although one can understand it, it was a bit sad to see that happening.
Arsene knew something needs to be changed and he reacted by replacing Squillaci with Chamakh. Song dropped back to centre back and we changed to a 4-4-2. Villa and Bent soon had their chance for a third but Bent hit it straight at Szczesny this time. Arsenal recovered very well after that. Chamakh was looking very lively as was Ramsey and RVP. Arsenal's first chance of second half came in the 56th minute when Gibbs goal bound effort was well blocked by Friedel. Arsene then made his second substitution by taking off the woeful Arshavin for Bendtner. It was a very bad day in the office for Arshavin, who was completely owned by the very good Walker. Arsenal created further chances via RVP, Theo, and Ramsey but Villa somehow managed to keep us at bay. Then Villa had another chance to extend their lead but Szczesny made a great double save to deny Downing.
Then came the most contoversial moment of the game. On 77th minute Walcott put in a great cross which has beautifully headed in by Chamakh. But just when the Gooners and Gunners were stating to celeberate, Oliver, for some stupid reason ruled out the goal. The reason given was that Chamakh pushed Walker before heading it home but the replays couldn't justify it. Oliver, for the second time in the game killed Arsenal from making the comeback.
Arsenal continued to pressurize Villa but they managed to stop us with some last minute blocks and tackles. Finally the inevitable Arsenal goal arrived with a minute to play and it wasn't hard to guess the goal scorer. Sagna had the ball on the right and he floated a beautiful ball into the box to Bendtner with his left foot. Nick collected it well, but the ball was taken off from him but it found its way to RVP via a deflection from Dunne and the Dutchman coolly finished it past Friedel with his left foot to get another goal he truly deserved. Arsenal pushed Villa to the maximum but they couldn't get the equalizer and the game finished 2-1 to Aston Villa.
It was a really painful game to watch. Oliver made some big major mistakes but we can't put all the blame on him. If we have defended the first 15 minutes well, we could have surely won it. Vermaelen's return did not help in correcting our sloppy mistakes. To be fair to Vermaelen, he played really well on his return. He won a number of headers and we got to see his trademark tackles and his forward forays too. Hopefully he and RVP can stay injury free for the full of next season. Speaking of Van Persie, he was outstanding once again. He created a lot of chances but was really unlucky to finish the game with a solitary goal. As I wrote in my preview, we rely very heavily on him for our goals and it was justified again. Yesterday's goal was his 21st of the season and that makes this season as the best for Van Persie in Arsenal colors, in terms of goals. The defeat also means Arsenal are not yet guarenteed third spot. ManCity are two points behind us with a game in hand and so it could get much worse for Arsenal.
It was really painful to see us become from title contenders to a 4th placed team within a matters of weeks and it was also painful to see a lot of fans either not turn up or leave early before the game has finished. If I get a chance to be at the Emirates, I swear I will be the last person to leave the stadium everytime I visit it. Now we need to dust ourselves up and put in a positive and a passionate display in the final game of our season against Fulham next week. Our away fans have been simply outstanding this season and they deserve to see us winning in our final away game.
Until next time, take care everyone.
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