Newcastle 0 Arsenal 4

Once again, it looked like we have really turned a corner as far as this season is concerned.
Arsene Wenger spoke earlier in the week about how the win at Manchester City is pivotal for our season. Our performance again at St James Park lived up to his words. At a venue which remains a tough and demanding one to visit in the league, we went out on Wednesday night to claim a crucial and hard fought win to advance into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
A freak goal opened the floodgates for us almost on the stroke of half time and in the second half, we upped the tempo and got three well-deserved goals off the boots of Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner.
Despite us fielding a mix of second stringers and fringe first teamers, we held our game together and repelled all that came our way from Newcastle. Clearly now, Wenger is hungry to lift silverware - any silverware – to end a five year drought that has sometimes threatened to undermined all the work and effort put in to bringing this side to its current level.
Another good win last night was. Another clean sheet. Another step towards silverware which helped instill great belief and confidence through the team.


Below are the ratings
*Wojniech (7/10) – After all the tantrums and hype, it actually looks like this guy has got talent. He diverted an Alan Smith rocket onto the bar in the first half and repelled everything else that came his way as Newcastle upped their tempo in the second period. Did his chances in team a lot of good and surely now, is in the frame for greater things in the team. No wonder he confronted Wenger last month after being left out of the win against Tottenham.
*Gibbs (5/10) – Was doing his usual stuff on the left flank before he picked up an unfortunate knock on the knee in a clash with Wayne Routledge. Departed the game very early.

Another good day at the office...no wonder he's smiling

*Koscielny (7/10) – Returned to the team after an injury-enforced brief absence. Did well to form an effective partnership with Djourou and saved a certain goal from Newcastle early in the game by blocking a Nile Ranger shot with the goalkeeper off his line. Stood up strongly to the lively Andy Carroll in the second half as well.
*Djourou (7/10) – Used his big build and height to an advantage on several occasions and got stuck into the rough stuff dished out by Carroll, Smith and later, Joey Barton. His game is improving with a decent and regular run in the team and baring any injuries, this will surely be a breakthrough season for him.
* Eboue (6/10) –Started the game on the right before switching to the left after the Gibbs injury. Slalomed once through the Newcastle midfield and defence in his usual lung-bursting style in the first half and should have done better with is finishing. Coped as well with all the rough stuff that Newcastle unleashed in the second half. Good, dependable game all round.
*Eastmond (6/10) – The youngster did well and held his ground in the face of often intimidating challenges by the likes of Alan Smith and Danny Guthrie. Clearly, Wenger has big plans for him and he didn’t disappoint on the night.
*Denilson (7/10) – Along with Eastmond, he played the defensive midfield role with calm and assuredness. Guided the younger Eastmond all night and provided a ready outlet for passes out of defence. Seems to be maturing at last.
*Rosicky (7/10) – Our captain for the night led by example. He was full of running and selflessness as he covered blades of grass with youthful relish. Barring anyone of those unfortunate injuries that have blighted his Arsenal career, he looks keen to repay all the faith invested in him all these past years.
*Walcott (9/10) – My man of the match. Never tired of wanting the ball. Gave the Newcastle defence a torrid and difficult time. They never could read his runs and his speed was a constant source of worry. Very much deserved the two goals he scored and with his hunger and all round improvement, he will make a huge mark this season. Already, he’s now scored six times in all games.
*Bendtner (7/10) – Looks determined to make up for all the lost time, while he was away injured. Scored another beauty just days after curling in a similar effort against Manchester City. He will give Chamakh a good fight but expect both of them to inter change the lone striker role as the season progresses.
* Vela (6/10) – The Mexican did some good stuff with lots of determined running in the first half. Was willing to take on the Newcastle defence but tired and drifted out of the game in the second half. No surprises that he was substituted.


Substitutes
*Sagna (7/10) – Was his usual combative self when he came onto replace the unfortunate Gibbs. Had his work cut out especially in the second half to keep the dangerous duo of Carroll and Guiterrez in check. Did well on the night.
*Fabegas (6/10) – The captain came on apparently to organize things as only he knows how best. Despite the brief appearance, he engineered the Bendtner goal by stealing the ball from Guthrie and providing the assist that the big Dane buried.
*Emmanuel Thomas (5/10) – Came in less than 10minutes to the end of the game and had little impact. In the short time he was on though, he displayed a few touches to give signs of greater things ahead.


So we march on to the next round of the Carling Cup and hope for a favourable draw on Saturday. This time, it ought to be a home game as we’ve played both matches in the competition so far on foreign, hostile territory. The lads did their shirts and themselves proud last night and it is beginning to look like a cup winning side already. Fingers crossed, Manchester United apart, we can walk through the rest of the field and go all the way to Wembley for glory come February.
Next up is West Ham at the Emirates and with the thoughts of West Brom very much at the back of our minds, that must be three good points in the bag on Saturday.

Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3

The joy of three....Nasri explodes with joy after scoring the opener.

We inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Manchester City since January 2007, and what a win it was. What an impact it also made on our league position.We rocketted up to second spot, reining in Chelsea and leapfrogging Man City and Man Utd in the process. It may or may not be an indication where we’ll end up at the end of the season but it surely put us in the mix for a real title challenge now.Things got off to a dramatic start in this heavyweight clash in the 5th minute, when Derdyck Boyata upended Marouane Chamakh. The City defender rightly got his marching orders and 15minutes later, we went ahead after a cute one-two between Arshavin and Nasri. The Frenchman ghosted past a static Gareth Barry to shoot us ahead.
Some inspiring goalkeeping by a reborn Lukasz Fabianski kept us in the game and in the 60th minute, Alex Song blasted the second goal off a pass from Fabregas.Third goal sealed it up through Nicklas Bendtner’s first of the season in the 88th minute and that was that.It was a landmark win and one we truly deserved inspite of the ten-men we played against. Our range of passing and movement flummoxed Man City most of the time and helped us impose our style and authority on the game. A good win this one and one that surely, surely now makes us serious contenders for the title. On a weekend when all our rivals won, it put us in a vitally good position to stand up and be counted in the coming weeks.
That West Brom defeat now looks so far, far away.


Below are the ratings.
• Fabianski (7/10) – Often, I had to rub my eyes to be sure it is the much-maligned Pole between the sticks for us. He did himself and the team proud with how he repelled all that came his way. His smart, low save in the 3rd minute from David Silva was the first of a series of fine stops and he excelled for all of 90 minutes. Surely now, Almunia has to be afraid of his chances for the Number One shirt. Lukasz seems to get better with every game and confidence must now be sky high for him. The clean sheet must be a welcome one for him as well.
• Clichy (6/10) – Was skinned a couple of times by the marauding Micah Richards but he also gave as good as he got. Supported Arshavin very well from the left and got forward at every opportunity.
• Squillaci (6/10) – The third game in a row between him and Djourou and the mutual understanding helped the duo. He dealt with the threat of the dangerous Carlos Tevez and also his replacement, Adebayor.
• Djourou (7/10) – Another reborn player. He looked the part and played it very well. Good and authoritative in the air and seems to be finally fulfilling his long-held potential. Picked up a booking but was unpertubed as he dished out tackles all afternoon. His growing confidence from regular games was also apparent.
• Sagna (7/10) – He was just his usual no-nonsense self. Helped to smother the threat of the elusive Silva and ran his guts out on the right, linking with Nasri and later Walcott.
• Song (7/10) – He clearly fancies himself as an attacking midfielder now, with two goals in successive games. Did all that was asked of him in breaking up City’s game and never allowed their midfield to click. He outshone his more-illustrious opponent, Yaya Toure and capped it up with that cracker of a goal that sealed it for us. One of his best performances for us.
• Nasri (8/10) – My man of the match, though by a whisker. He was involved in everything we did and definitely now, he has found his groove in the team. The goal he scored apart, our little Frenchman never stopped moving. Never stopped probing. Never stopped looking for the ball and releasing it. He also gave the assist that led to Bendtner’s goal. A virtuoso outing for a multi-talented player. Better still, he is now suddenly our leading scorer.
• Fabregas (7/10) – In the absence of the much-improved Fabregas, there were fears that we would lose some spark in the middle. Fabregas put such fears to rest as he took over from where he stopped before that injury against Sunderland, last month. He, like Nasri, pestered the City defence endlessly. His passes were unreadable and drew the foul that cost Boyata a dismissal. He also drew a foul from Kompany which led to a penalty that he took and was saved. Nonetheless, our skipper had a huge impact as always.
• Arshavin (6/10) – Its almost becoming the norm now, but apart from the assist to Nasri for the first goal; the Russian was very anonymous. He doesn’t look happy playing and if the truth be told, something seems to be going on behind closed doors. Time will surely tell concerning his form.
• Chamakh (7/10) – He also had a quite game but credit must go to him for the skilful way he operates in and around the box. He seems to have the uncanning ability to attract fouls that either lead to penalties or cautions or even dismissals. And that is no ordinary gift.

Substitutes
• Rosicky (5/10) – Didn’t do much. Didn’t have to after coming on with us two goals up.
• Bendtner (6/10) – Reminded us all what we had missed in his absence with a well-taken goal for the third strike. Displayed maturity to stay onside for the through ball from Nasri before scoring. At least now, we have an alternative outlet for the striking position if needed.
• Walcott (5/10) – Also came in when the game and points were already sewn up. Still showed hunger and was full of running as ever. Must be chomping at the bits now for a starting spot sooner or later.


This was a good win indeed and one that was also much needed. It's three wins on the trot now and you truly cannot ask for anything more from the lads. Next up, we go up North again for the Carling Cup meeting with Newcastle on Wednesday. Expect a much-changed side but one packed with experience as already hinted to by Wenger.

Will Wayne help winch Arsenal to glory?

Walking away?

Watching Manchester United labour to a 1-0 win over Bursaspor last night in the Chanmpions League, it was impossible not to feel the sense of gloom enveloping ths famous arena, often known as the Theatre of Dreams. If you happened to be a stranger on Planet Earth last night, banners like: WHO’S THE WHORE NOW, WAYNE? and ‘COLEEN FORGAVE YOU, BUT WE WON’T’, would very much explain the reason behind the doom and gloom apparent last night.
The hate banners apart, it was very noticaebale as well the rows and rows of empty seats that yawned at tv audiences worldwide and cast a further atmosphere of melancholy around this most famous club in the world.
Is Manchester United being dragged into meltdown by Wayne Rooney’s below-the-belt walkaway?
What does this mean for the likes of Arsenal who have played second (and sometimes third) fiddle to the might of Sir Alex Ferguson and his Old Trafford empire?
The master of double speak that he is, Arsene Wenger has already chipped in not-a-few soundbites about the whole Rooney saga.
Prior to our game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, he said:


"What I make of it is that I have enough problems here not to be involved in that".


Really?

"We are not in a transfer period at all. Then again, any little incident at Manchester United or Arsenal becomes a big story, but it doesn't mean that there is something real behind the story”.


Contrary to what he may want us all to believe, what goes on at Manchester United, or any of the other clubs that we perennially arm-wrestle with for the title, is of great and vital interest to Wenger. If we care to remember in the summer of 2004, when it emerged that Rooney was leaving Everton as a precocious 19year-old to move to Man Utd, Wenger described the transfer as having the potential to affect the outcome of the league.
Those days, the league title was simply a straight fight between Arsenal and Man Utd. Wenger also made that comment with the very fresh recollection of Rooney’s abilities after we were thumped 2-1 by Everton at Goodison Park on October 19, 2002. That defeat ended our 30-match unbeaten run in the league and also announced Rooney to the world. To add insult to it all, 17 year-old Rooney that day became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premiership. No surprises therefore, that he moved onto big, glory-hunting Man Utd in the summer of 2004.
Since then Rooney has maintained a very-consistent and irritating goalscoring record against us. To date, he’s scored 11 times against us (including 2 goals for Everton). His last goal coming in that 3-1 capitulation to Man Utd at Emirates earlier this year.
Ironically, on Sunday, October 24th, the day we face another Manchester side on the ascendancy, City, in the league, Rooney turns 25. Wenger himself will surely recollect with a wry smile on his face, statements he made in January this year about Rooney which one way or the other, may have helped accelerate Rooney’s desire to quit Old Trafford. On that day, January, 30th 2010, Wenger declared:


“Frankly, I think Rooney can play abroad. I believe he has all the ingredients of a modern player plus the British attitude and commitment. He is coming to the best age now. Before maybe he was bit too keen. Now he is more relaxed”.

Little did Wenger realise then, that those words would turn out ot be more prophetic before the year runs than anything Nostradamus had ever foreseen. Now as Rooney turns 25, Wenger’s wish may be coming to reality. One of the greatest tormentors of his team - very much in the mould of a certan Didier Drogba - is about to pack his bags and exit the ranks of his greatest rival.
Will Rooney’s exit mean the demise of Sir Alex’s empire and more breathing space for the likes of Arsenal? Already, the signs are appearing of a waning of Manchester’s powers. Eight games into the current season, Manchester has contrived to draw five games, winning only three and conceeding 11 goals in the process. For argument’s sake, this is the first time in recent memory that Man Utd have conceeded more goals than Arsenal at any stage of the league.
If for no other reason, Rooney’s exit portends a significant shake-up in the-house-that-Alex-built.
Rooney joined Manchester United in 2004, the summer Jose Mourinho also arrived at Stamford Bridge. By then the Glazer family were established as shareholders at Old Trafford but did not become owners until 2005, a season that culminated in Chelsea's first title since 1955 and Arsenal also winning the FA Cup final against United. Liverpool, the other of Man Utd’s rivals, won the Champions League that season.
A year later, Arsenal again reached the Champions League final, while Chelsea retained the Premier League. Meanwhile, the Glazers restructured their takeover, piling United with debt and adding to the dissatisfaction of many supporters - especially those who actually pay to watch football at the stadium.
Since then, Sir Alex (aided by the talents of Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo) won three straight league titles and added a second Champions League trophy to their array of silverware.
The key to the Glazers' grip on Old Trafford has therefore been theteam's success; without the hat-trick of Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, the undoubted restlessness of United supporters would have been much more greater. The "Love United, Hate the Glazers" campaign made the Americans uneasy but did not hit them that badly in the pocket.
Had enthusiasm for the team waned among the fair-weather fans, alongside the disenchantment of the hardcore, then the consequences would have been much worse.
Just as Wenger talked about Rooney’s move to Man Utd affecting the outcome of the league in 2004, so is his likely departure six years on, also affect the outcome of the league. Already on Wednesday night, the huge number of empty seats sent a very potent message as the Rooney saga drew widespread anger and frustration amongst fans.
Gooners everywhere watch this unfolding saga with bated breathe. He will surely not admit it, but Wenger will welcome the departure of one of Man Utd’s iconic stars who has helped inflict pain, again and again on Arsenal whenever and wherever we have come in contact with him these six years past.

Arsenal 5 Shakhtar Donetsk 1



Left foot wonder...Jack Wilshire

 Billed as a top of the group clash between the two teams with perfect records. After 90 minutes at Emirates last night, it was almost a mismatch as the Gunners walked allover their guests from Ukraine.
The winner of this tie knew they would automatically vault to the top of the Group H and all things being equal, stay there for the rest of the first round.
We rightly dominated proceedings, starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation, as has been the case most of the season so far. Most of those who played Birmingham on Saturday were in the team again but the surprise of the night was the reappearance of Cesc Fabregas, since Septmeber 15 when he limped off against Sunderland.
Samir Nasri was up for it and it showed as he sprayed passes and teased the Shakhtar defence endlessly. In the 20th minute, all the hardwork bore fruit as Shakhtar goalie, Pyatov dropped what looked like a rountine cross. Lurking behind him was Djourou who toe-poked the dropped ball onto Song, who toepoked it further into the net.
Nasri got the goal his endeavour deserved with a sweet drive in the 42nd minute. Once again, the excellent Song was involved. He it was that got onto the end of an Eboue pass and lifted it across to Nasri. The lithe Frenchman juggled it at edge of the Shakthar box, deceiving the Shaktar captain and defender Dario Srna before blasting it past the goalie.
Fabregas announced his return with a penalty after the break, while the ever-improving Jack Wilshire scored his first Champions League goal in the 60th minute, before Marouane Chamakh rounded off the slaughter with a cool finish off a Nasri lob.
Ex-Gunner and crowd favourite, Eduardo scored their solitary goal with an accomplished strike - a goal he refused to celebrate and for which the crowd sang his name endlessly.
All in all, it was a creditable night’s work, which a smiling Arsene Wenger acknowledged during the post match interview.
Below are the ratings:


*Fabianski (6/10) – Once again, the Pole continues to enjoy a new lease of life between the sticks. Dealt comfortably with everything that came his way and seems to inspire confidence in the back four as well. Looks very much he is Wenger’s new number one now.
* Clichy (6/10) – A very normal day at the office for Gael. Nothing spectacular. Did all that was required of him and kept the left side of our defence sealed and safe.
*Djourou (7/10) – Surprised to see him start two games in a row now. But he acquitted himself well and surely needs games to lay claim to a starting shirt. Brought about the penalty that led to the third goal by constituting himself into a nuisance in the Shakhtar area.
*Squillaci (7/10) – Commanded his area well and marshalled his troops with calm. Though he wasn’t wearing the armband this time, he still exudes admirable authority and it helped to ease any nerves at the back. Nothing he could do to prevent Eduardo’s smart goal though. Good buy, this one.
* Eboue (7/10) – Helped snuff out any threat that the visitors could muster on the right. Did well all night and his energy levels never dropped. Was involved in the second goal as he linked well with Song. Was also involved in our fifth goal. Good overlapping runs all night.
* Song (8/10) – He was everywhere on the pitch. For stamina, you have to envy this guy. Got us off to a great start with his alertness that brought the goal and fed Nasri with a perfect pass for the second. Alex has certainly come on in leaps and bounds over the past two seasons and last night, he showed once more what he brings to the team.
* Wilshire (8/10) – Partnered Song in the middle and both of them in my opinion, were the men of the match. That they both scored was academical considering their work rate. Jack will miss the next three games for us, but last night, he seemed determined to leave his calling card with driving runs, passes and postioning. Got a fitting goal to crown his night’s work.
* Fabregas (6/10) – The skipper returned a month after scoring that fluke goal against Sunderland and as expected he had a quiet night. Scored the penalty that brought the third goal, which he celebrated with a birthday message for his Mum. He must now be relishing a start against Manchester City, Sunday.
* Nasri (8/10) – A great performance by our little Frenchman. Clearly, he is reborn and has found his groove in this team. Never stopped running. Never stopped probing. Was at the heart of all the good things we did and the fact that he scored a cracker of a goal was due reward for all his endeavour. Watch out for this bloke, this season.
* Rosicky (6/10) – A surprise starter, considering that Abou Diaby was left on the bench. Did alot of running and supported Fabregas and Nasri. Supplied the crucial pass that led to Wilshire’s goal. Nice touches between those two.
* Chamakh (7/10) – This man has definitely got goals in him and his record of scoring in six straight Champions League games, surely confirms that. He rounded off our onslaught for the night and it puts him in a nice frame to come face to face with the man he was bought to replace – a certain Emmanuel Adebayor – next Sunday.


Substitutes
• Denilson (6/10) – Came on for a tiring Fabregas in the 60th minute and was involved in the build up to the Chamakh goal. With the emergence of Wilshire though and the abundance of midfielders available to Wenger, it must be said that the Brazilian is now definitely a squad member.
• Walcott (6/10) Starred in a late cameo role as we saw out the game and conserved energy for the battle against Mancehrster City on Sunday. He is being eased back gradually and will get a chance to rediscover his early season form sooner than later.
• Arshavin (6/10) – He replaced Nasri and did no more than was expected of him.

Arsenal 2 Birmingham 1

After the hiccups against West Brom and Chelsea, we looked to get back into a winning mood and that was exactly what we got Saturday at the Emirates.

We duely got off to a bright start and there was a business-like feel about the team after the two-week international break. Passes were zipping across the lawn with purpose and it was only wasteful finishing and ill-luck that stopped us getting an early goal. Matches between these two teams will always be overshadowed by that horrible, horrible Eduardo leg break in 2008 and Saturday was no different. Birmingham are one team it would be taboo to lose to.
Very much against the run of play though, they took the lead in the 33rd after their Serbian giant, Nicola Zigic outjumped Djourou to loop the ball over and above Fabianski in goal. The goal caught everyone quite by surprise as Birmingham had offered exactly zero attack-wise, all afternoon.
Nonetheless, we still soldiered on and were duely rewarded with an equaliser when Scott Dann took a swipe at Chamakh’s knees. The big Moroccan buckled under the challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped our now-regular penalty taker Samir Nasir to do his thing, which he did very efficiently to make it 1-1.
Early in the second half, 47th minute to be precise, Chamakh met a cute Wilshire ball in their box and as Steven Carr remained in two minds at to whether he should tackle him or not, the Moroccan went round Ben Foster in goal and slotted in a fine goal.
We then went through the motions and kept them at bay. With their attack almost non-existent, it was easy pickings for Squillaci and the mob at the back.
Late on though, Wilshire spoiled the afternoon for himself and all Gooners with a needless tackle on Zigic, who is obviously twice his size. He got a red card for it, and sadly misses the next three domestic games we play, starting with Manchester City next Sunday.


Below are the ratings:
*Fabianski (7/10) – Is he the new Number One now? Looks like the end of Almunia as Wenger opted for the Pole once again between the sticks. He did well actually and seems to be re-paying the manager’s faith in him. Gone are the jitters and nervousness that had plagued his few appearances over the past year. Might be that he only needed a steady run to cut out all those stupid mistakes and build his confidence. Looks to be working so far for him.
*Clichy(6/10) – This was very steady game for the our now-established French international. He did his stuff on the left back as usual and kept ex-Gunner Sebastian Larsson for most parts of the match. He almost scored himself after a mistake at the back for Birmingham, but it was not be his day for glory.
*Squillaci (7/10) – In the absence of regulars Vermaelen, Sagna and Koscielny, Squillaci was easily the senior man at the back. That he had the armband on also put more responsibility on his shoulders and how well he handled it. He marshalled his troops at the back and after the Zigic opener, took on the role of shadowing the big Serb. A very valuable acquisition he’s already proved to be.
* Djourou (6/10) – His first premiership start in a long, long time. It was a surprise one as well, but with the back strain that sidelined Koscielny and the ‘disappearance’ of Vermaelen, he was the obvious choice to step-in. Beaten to the Keith Fahey’s free kick by the towering Zigic for their goal but apart from that, he hardly put any foot wrong. Needs to use his size more often though and assert his presence more. Will get better surely with more games and less injury.
*Eboue (6/10) – Stepped in for the sidelined Sagna and held his own on the right. Linked well with the middlemen and marauded quite well especially in the first half. His defensive duties curbed his natural attacking instincts all through but all in all, he gave as good as he got.
*Song (7/10) – A very accomplished game by the Cameroonian. Unlike most of the others who were away on international duty, he played just 30minutes for his country throughout the two-week interregnum and it was clear to see how fresh he was. Did well to snuff out any threat from the Birmingham midfield and helped starve Zigic of any service. He helped set up the Chamakh winner with a back heel to Wilshire. An easy afternoon for him.
* Diaby (7/10) – Another one who had a good afternoon. He seems a different player on days like this. Tackled, roamed and sprayed passes with good assurance and self-belief. One of our better players on the day.
* Nasri (7/10) – He always seems to relish it when he is at the heart of everything we do. Scored the equaliser from the spot with great relish and confidence. Let’s hope he stays injury-free because already this looks like the season when he explodes.
* Arshavin (5/10) – Wasn’t in the game throughout and didn’t look like he wanted to be there. It was either he was feeling the effects of the international week with two 90 minute games for Russia, or he just couldn’t be bothered. Was rightly hauled off for Rosicky in the second half.
*Wilshire (7/10) – Not playing for England in the midweek against Montenegro obviously left him fresh for us and it showed all afternoon as he bossed the midfield like and accomplished veteran. It’s a measure of how far Jack has progressed this season that he is naturally expected to put on a show everytime he steps on the pitch. Saturday was no different. A shame about that red card in injury time and hopefully, he’ll learn from it. My man of the match though if you ask me.



Chamakh rounds Foster before slotting the winner on Saturday

* Chamakh (7/10) – Another fine afternoon for the big Moroccan. He may have looked different in a new crew cut but his selfless play and desire was the same. His tenacity won the penalty and it must be said, he knows how to win those very well indeed. That brought the equaliser in the 40th minute and he later scored a sweet goal for what proved to be the winner in the 47th. He has clearly settled upfront for us and with the intermittent and prolonged absences of the likes of Van Persie, the Moroccan is a gift from the gods. Wenger’s words summed up his season for us so far: “It is clear how influential he has been to the team in decisive moments at 0-0, or 1-1”.
True words indeed.


Substitutes
*Rosicky (6/10) – Did well after coming on for Arshavin with 20 miuntes to go and tested Foster in their goal with his regular long-range missiles. Looked up for it and despite his age, possesses lots of drive and enthusiasm.
* Bendtner (6/10) – The bid Dane made his debut for the season in the 79th miunte after a rather prolonged bout of groin problems. He almost marked his appearance with a gaol but it wasn’t to be. Expect more from his soon as he now knows he’s got real competition in the form of Chamakh.


Next up, we host Shaktar Donetsk on Tuesday night in the Champions League as we begin a sequence of matches every three days for the next month. Hectic, but welcoming and pivotal for our season.

The boy who dared Wenger...and won

All goalies are accidents waiting to happen. I say this with all the facts in the world backing me. All goalies commit howlers. They just happen at different stages in their careers. The key to forging a successful career for them is not to commit such bloopers in big, crucial games. Or big crucial moments of a game.


Also all goalies actually become good in their Indian summers. Because naturally, they are notoriously late bloomers.
Dave Seaman, Fabien Barthez, Edwin Van Der Sar, even our own Manuel Almunia are all living examples.I remember quite vividly Almunia making his debut for us in September 2004 at a Carling Cup game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He allowed a weak David Bellion shot to slip through his nervous hands in the 4th minute for the only goal of the game.
You could see the anguish and recriminations playing out on his face that night as he knew he shouldn’t have done that. Of course he’s gone on to improve very much since then and become our established Number One. With age, he’s gotten better. The funny thing with Almunia though is that he still hasn’t learnt to completely deal with the easy-peasy balls.
A capable shot stopper with strong arms and one of the best penalty experts anywhere in the world. Surprised? Don’t be. His record speaks very loud and proud. It is the routine shots that have embarrassed Almunia all his life and even Wenger acknowledged last season that his Number One often gets jittery in big games. Well, a club the size of Arsenal plays pretty many big games every season and it’s just not good enough having a bag of nerves between the sticks on those occasions.
Back to fumbling goalies.
It surely isn’t an easy job with all the attention and constant focus on you. Especially when goals are conceeded and worse, if your team loses. But it is the life that a goalie is perpetually condemned to. A life of blame, again and again.
Currently, with the convenient excuse of an injured elbow, Arsene Wenger has taken Almunia out ofthe firing line and looks to have installed Fabianski as the Number One for the meantime. It is the way he deals with a crisis. Never one to condemn his players in public, Wenger often chooses to spirit them away from the limelight for a time to enable everyone get off their back and ease all-round tension.
For Almunia though, it is very familiar terrain. It had happened before. The challenge for him now isn’t whatbecomes next of him. It is rather that the opposition doesn’t look up to the task of giving him a fight. Or fright.
Fabianski did well in the game against Partizan and even saved a penalty. Against Chelsea four days later, even though we lost he wasn’t at fault for any of the two goals. For a goalkeeper well-known for more than his fair share of errors, those two games were historic. But a tree does not make a forest. Just as a hood doesn’t make a monk. A couple of decent performances do not rubber stamp his claim to the Number One shirt. Not yet.
Luckily for him though, Wenger is a patient man. Who grants everyone of his players, mistakes and all, chance after fair chance to prove themselves and justify his faith in them. For someone who is famed for frugality before signing a player, it is legendary as well that he doesn’t rush to conclusions about them.
The thing with Wenger also is that to understand how his mind works, listen less to what he says. Rather look closely at what he does.
He did the unusual during the Carling Cup win at White Hart Lane three weeks back when he promoted Wojciech Szczesny to the bench. That arrangement stayed in place as well for the Chelsea game. Literally, considering his love for hierarchy, it meant the young Pole was now officially Number three. It meant he had leapfrogged Italian Vito Mannone who had all along been the third keeper behind Almunia and Fabianski.
This he did, just days after theWest Brom defeat for which Almunia was responsible and roundly blamed for two of their goals and Wojciech had gone onto to launch a very public attack on the goalkeepers ahead of him, as well as on Wenger himself. Promoting him then was very much against Wenger’s character. For someone who is a legend at the club; who is infact the defacto CEO, Wojciech’s attack was suicidal if a player at the club challenged his authority. And so openly too.
But the young Pole did it and it seems to have kickstarted his Arsenal career. He looks and sounds a supremely confident youngman at 22 and curiously that might have been what made up Wenger’s mind for him and led him to disregard the public affront from Wojciech. In one of his interviews last month threatening to walk away from the club, Wojciech cheekily declared that:


“My friends and family all say I must be patient. That breaking into the first team is more of a marathon than a sprint. But what kind of marathon is it when you keep running on the same spot for years?”

Poignant words indeed. Words and an attitude which might have pricked Wenger and make him go against his better judgement to give the young Pole a chance.
Yesterday, I was watching a rather-grainy internet trailer of the Italy-Belarus U-21 European qualifier played on Tuesday night. Italy lost that game 3-0 and their goalkeeper committed two shocking howlers that gifted the Belarussians two goals. Guess who the goalie was? Vito Mannone!
Wenger wasn’t in Minsk to see that game. He was in Metz watching over Clichy, Diaby and Nasri as they filed out for France against Luxembourg. But surely the video of that game would arrive at his desk promptly and it would not be out of place if he watches it with a smirk on his face. And a knowing nod of the head to suggest that promoting Wojciech over Mannone was justified afterall.
Whether Almunia’s days are numbered or not, it is very premature to say for now but tacitly Wenger thinks highly of Wojciech and his reaction to the youngman’s outburst has clearly made him move to accommodate him. Once again, almost all goalkeepers’ careers are things of twilight. With that in mind, Wenger would be very wary of avoiding the lack of perseverance that made him ditch Alex Manninger in 2001, after the young Austrian had deputised admirably for Seaman - who was on the last legs of a long and brilliant career.
Despite a record eight clean sheets for us in season 1997-98, Manninger committed his fair share of clangers and was promptly shoved aside for Richard Wright in 2001. I recollect very well that he was sent out on loan to Fiorentina, who returned him to us after 24 games and the poor chap was left in limbo, training with us but not registered as a player. Events took a bizarre turn for him when after being sold to Espanyol for £900,000 on a four-year deal in July 2002, he returned to us again after just seven weeks without playing a game!
Eventually, he was snapped up by Torino in January 2003 and eventually bounced around the Serie A for the next four seasons with five clubsides. Though he never became a great goalie, he still did well for himself by donning the Austrian Number One shirt 36 times before retiring in 2009 and is now the main man between the sticks for Juventus. Yet another late bloomer. Not bad ay?
Wenger’s misjudgement on Manninger many, many years ago may be haunting him now. Which may be why he has allowed himself to be armtwisted into giving Wojciech a chance.

Return of the Rambo

  












He's back...Aaron Ramsey, hacked down by Stoke bully Ryan Shawcross in March, is now back to the pitch and doing what he's destined to always do - kick the ball!
At a point, we were never sure we'll live to see these images of him again but there they are.
What miracle! What a moment! What a story for this brave young man!
The pictures as always, tell the story. The day we dreaded is here and the smile is back on everyone's faces.
'Rambo' returns and we all wish him the best of luck.