Ok, that was just ridiculous. You don’t like to talk about teams flipping a switch, but what was that yesterday? Down 3-1 to a not half bad squad and then they just hit the gas. There is no doubt I would hate Arsenal if I rooted for any other team. There is that inevitable march towards destruction now - you can just hear that Darth Vader music - as Arsenal pour forward again and again. Not because Arsenal plays dirty or for any other reason, just because of how obnoxiously good they are. I can’t imagine Arsenal going undefeated, and they are no lock to win any trophy, but right now, today, they are irresistable.
How about five matches - London, Madrid, Tokyo, New York and Rio - Real Madrid v. Arsenal. Winner crowned greatest team in the history of the universe. Who would be against that? Pay-per-view US$100 for all five matches.
SuperBob scored again, big surprise. Reyes scored again. I said just before the season started that he would bag 15-20 this year, I underestimated him. Dennis “I made a deal with the Devil, I’m 24 now” Bergkamp scored again. So it was just like last week. What’s that? Oh yeah, almost forgot about THE BEST PLAYER ON THE PLANET. He’s on Arsenal too, grabbed a brace yesterday.
It’s been mentioned a couple of times now that Cesc doesn’t play like a teenager. He’s not looking to impress the chicks with tricky moves (cough, C. Ronaldo, cough). He’s just there to do his business which is move things along to the scorers.
Problems at the back? Yeah. And the “We’ll outscore ‘em” strategy will work nine times out of 10 in the EPL, but not against AC Milan or Valencia. Wenger’s got to figure that one out.
Nine goals in two games and they are pouring in from everywhere. You can’t key or put two defenders on anyone because there are at least four guys on the pitch at any time who can score - and they can all pass too!
At some point they will lose and I will be critical of some aspect of the team or the coaching, but right now? Four words: We are not worthy.
19 Responses to “Simply Irresistable”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
August 23rd, 2004 at 7:28 am
Well said.
How many teams will put 5 past the Boro this year?
If I was being hyper-critical then I’d be more then a little worried about Cygan being third choice CB. There might be the odd occasion that Campbell or Toure are out through injuries or suspensions, in which case seeing Pascal Cigar marshalling our defense will be very bad for my heart.
That said though going forward we’re on a par with Madrid at their best. Long may it continue.
Up the Arse!
August 23rd, 2004 at 7:41 am
It’s not often I can come home from a game saying “I missed four goals ‘cos I was in the bar, but I saw another four when I returned to my seat”.
The atmosphere was incredible, better than any game last season. The sun was shining, the pitch was like a carpet and everything was right in the world.
Happy days, roll on Wednesday.
August 23rd, 2004 at 8:08 am
I missed the record-breaking game. Can someone tell me where I can watch football in Hartford, CT for the next 3 weeks.
Guys for those went to the game want happen to Vieira. What was the deal? I heard the highbury faithful were not feeling him even when he talk on the field to pick up the cup. His song was not well received as well.
August 23rd, 2004 at 8:40 am
You’re correct. The feelings towards Vieira have definetly changed and will take a while to recover. Maybe once he starts playing again.
The reception Ray Parlour received was tremendous. They sang his name, winced when Denis up-ended him and at the end of the game chanted his name again even though The Arsenal had just equalled Forest’s unbeaten run.
I doubt very much if Paddy had gone, he would have received anything like the warm affection Parlour experienced.
August 23rd, 2004 at 9:09 am
Let say PV is feeling the heat and he really needs to pull his socks up sooner than later. Oh he looks lost on the field. The funny part was when he picked the trophy up and a bloke below me had to shout ?you still here Pat?. Some of the fans gave him a lot of stick and anytime some of the fans try to chant his name others try to silence it.
The influence of Dennis Bergkamp should not be underestimated either. The guy is a real gunner and to be honest he should have been given the captains armband when Adams retired. You can call me old fashion or not but with Arsenal you can be as good as God but as soon as you loss that respect forget it. I still can?t read pages 6 and 7 of my official game programme
August 23rd, 2004 at 9:28 am
The unbeaten record is wicked but the way we came back from 3 - 1 down is unthinkable true.
Untouchable yes, but I hope when we lose our first game it should be a middle table team part from Spurs. Spurs will be mid table. And if above not to United or boring boring Chelsea. After G Graham we now have Mourinho. Mourinho you sh#t and playing the most boring game even. Graham was not that boring..
August 23rd, 2004 at 10:00 am
In all honesty when we went 3-1 down, i felt we could come back. There aren’t a lot of teams who’s fans would genuinely feel the same if their club went 2 down.
Rick, I think you’re right- Dennis has made a deal with the Devil, he is playing like a man possessed and is, alongside Reyes and Cesc (possibly Pires off the bench) one of our most on form players.
Reyes is scaring defenders to death with his tireless running and Gung Ho attitude, he reminds me of a dog chasing a ball in the park, bounding with energy and a passion that is unrivaled. With Sol and PV4 (Regardless of how I/the fans feel about him) due to return, I can’t see us being beaten- even at this early stage of the season.
Heres a quick one…if Cesc wasn’t 17 and was say 23 instead, the way he is playing now would you have him in over Gilberto? Cesc and PV4.. I know I would, and Gilberto has started the season well-which is even more of a compliment for our 2nd Spanish wonderkid!
However, Im a bit concerned about the Edu situation….
August 23rd, 2004 at 10:26 am
What a joke you can’t read pages 6/7. I guess you read pages 68/69 without any problems.The best pages are from 33 to 39.
August 23rd, 2004 at 10:34 am
Foxsportsworld is showing the game in FanZone sometime on Wednesday night!!!
August 23rd, 2004 at 11:40 am
I don’t think Pires is going to be too happy coming off the bench for long… that’ll end soon!
I think as well as Cesc has played… lets not get him confused with the level of play PV4 brings!
Gilberto is extremely important to the team, especially with Vieira out. He is now the midfielder that shields the back 4.
I like Cesc getting the playing time… I love us having the ability to rotate the midfield regularly, keeping everyone fresh… Freddie Pires Vieira Gilberto Cesc Pennant Bergkamp …
ummm… that leaves very little space for the likes of Edu…. I think he might be better off someplace else… who will he play over?? I don’t know how he breaks into the team… but usually injuries dictate alot of what happens…
August 23rd, 2004 at 3:22 pm
Yes, roll on Wednesday but it’s not on UK tv, is it? Anyone know if any north London (N1, N5) pubs are showing it on one of the foreign channels?
Also roll on Thursday (I think) - isn’t it the CL draw? Please not Moscow, nor any of the top Italian clubs (which are all a possibility, this time, aren’t they?). Will Sol be back for the first CL game?
August 23rd, 2004 at 3:27 pm
The only shame of the Boro match was SKY missed the 4th and crucial goal.. due to replaying the previous goal!! Two goals in a minute, one equalizer, one winner, and scored straight after the re-start… u can’t get better than that! Though the TV replay showed the whole process of the 4th goal, still, we missed the build up to the goal, watching replay just can’t get the excitment back!
August 23rd, 2004 at 3:28 pm
I don’t care who we get in the CL draw!!!
I hope the travel is minimal… we should have no problem advancing out of the group stage. If we don’t get out of this stage, we don’t deserve to move on!!
THIS IS OUR YEAR! I’d just prefer flights around Europe… as opposed to Russia!
August 23rd, 2004 at 5:00 pm
Sure, all things being equal, you’re right, we’ll be fine. However, this year, with some very strong clubs ranked a level or two below us - how do they work this stuff out? - we could get a pretty nasty draw. E.g. Milan and Deportivo or Monacco plus a team from Russia or the Ukraine. As you say, we don’t want to have to travel too far - too tiring. Let’s hope for three medium-easy western European sides, but not Celtic or Rangers, should they get through. Too near and too dull.
August 23rd, 2004 at 5:10 pm
Well… apparently we are seeded very high…
so we shouldn’t get stuck with a super tough draw, but hey… ya never know… Porto won this thing!
and…
I’d love to see us play Rangers or Celtic…
short travel… and we’d spank them…
Give me a French team… Rangers… oh and some team from Iceland!!!!!
August 24th, 2004 at 3:40 am
Was 33-39 the article on 78/79 season? Could you name all the players in the team photo. I managed it, missed out on Wilf Dixon, coach, though.
Happy Happy days
August 24th, 2004 at 3:43 am
I want a Turkish side
August 24th, 2004 at 7:46 am
Kelvin,
Palace game is today so will be at Highbury for the Arsenal tomorrow.
August 24th, 2004 at 4:47 pm
Great post Rick. I regularly enjoy reading your stuff. Spot-on commentary, and great humor. I laughed out loud when you said, “There is no doubt I would hate Arsenal if I rooted for any other team.” That had the ring of pure truth for me as well.