I said before: it appeared the only moment in a match we look beatable is from set-pieces. I don’t want to repeat the examples which I made at the past. What I hope is - after this draw with Southampton, Wenger would really take a long hard look at the videos of the games of the past in which we conceded goals from set-pieces, and find ways to improve it as soon as possible.
With Man U continued to prove that they can’t win without the 12th man [the man in black in the past, or in green, red whatever these days, you know who I'm talking about], it’s such a shame we couldn’t pour salt into their wounds by getting a win ourselves. But it still feels good that they lost, especially after I read a statement made by Saha prior to the Portsmouth match “We can win the league”!!
It also feels good that we scored a last minute equalizer, it’s always a much better feeling scoring a late equalizer than to concede one like in the Bolton game, or two away CL ties this season. Besides, it’s a cracker from van Persie! Ok, this may not be his first goal officially, but League Cup is like a reserve match nowadays, so I would still take it as his first senior goal for Arsenal, and what a goal that was!
Now Chelsea again proved that they are for real this time around. I stated earlier in the season, as they started to get around, sooner or later their goals would start coming. Roman didn’t spend 200 millions for nothing. They’ve got QUALITY. The only chance they could slip up is if they go on and do a Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle side of 90s, all out attack and careless at the back. This way we could still hope they would drop points here and there. Now under Mourinho unfortunately it’s the other way around. They don’t take unnecessary risk, that makes them very difficult to beat. And with their quality, they can always get goals.
I am still very positive this is going to be our season. But now we are taking on a $200-million troop. Our task is almost like Valencia taking on Real Madrid at La Liga. So we have to try improving in every area we need to, and stay focused througout the season. If we can do that, we will beat them. ‘Cos we play better football, with a better team chemistry.
I named this post “3-horse race”. In truth it may not be the case, ‘cos Man Utd, apart from having a striker who looks like a horse, are no way looking like a title contender these days. But still, as the old saying says “Thou shalt never write off Man Utd”. Who am I to dare against that.
7 Responses to “The 3-horse race latest”
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October 31st, 2004 at 2:56 pm
The race is a marathon and not a sprint and will not say who is going to win before March. But the only team that can beat Arsenal is Arsenal itself. Forget United or Chelsea but the Saint’s came and proved a point yesterday.
Shocking the way we played yesterday but too early to complain after one defeat. If I leave Highbury 10 mins before the end it says a lot.
I hope Wenger rest Henry for once. Cygan should be replace by Senderos cause he is far better than Cygan. Rotate the sqaud because you never know when you need others. Yesterday Cses and v. Persie were by far the best players when they came on aprt from Ljungbery.
We need Plan B soon than later.
October 31st, 2004 at 3:49 pm
Unless something dramatic happens ManU are out. Chelsea, however, are in a very strong position. I think Liverpool will probably improve as the season goes on. The injury to Cisse is a setback, perhaps - horrible injury - but they’d have been planning to buy a striker in January anyway. I’d predict Liverpool third. Everton still seems to me like a freak thing. Dunno about Newcastle. Middlesborough are doing excellently considering they’ve been plagued with injuries and have already played the strongest the teams. I reckon they’ll start moving up the table. But actually it’s a two-horse race, isn’t it? Let’s hope Chelsea are top at Christmas and then go into decline.
October 31st, 2004 at 4:00 pm
Looking in hindsight had we had the rub of the green at OT last week and had picked up three points along with three points yesterday, then United’s title assault would’ve been well and truly over for this season.
Then again, United haven’t really impressed anyone apart from the 6-2 hammering of Fenerbache in the Champions League.
Looks like all we have to worry about is Chelsea, which makes our clash with them on December 12th a real six point affair as whoever wins that will be in pole position for the rest of the season.
Apart from last season’s Champions League debacle where they knocked us out, we are their bogey side…..they haven’t beaten us in the league for nine years.
October 31st, 2004 at 4:41 pm
What scares me the most about Chelsea is that a once highly predictable side is no longer so easy to predict. Goals are starting to come?granted, against less than mighty opposition?but they’re coming and bringing truck loads of confidence with them. Will they begin to loosen in the back? Remains to be seen.
Feed all the rosters into a computer, and Chelsea have as good a shot as any team to ever play in the league. The banks have seen to that. What’s more, they have depth up the keester. They’re going to be enjoying unprecedented stamina come those winter months where things start to get grueling and weird for the rest of us. So how do we beat them? How do we open up a league?
Belief.
October 31st, 2004 at 5:33 pm
Shocked at you Love-G!
True Gooners never leave a match… down 5-0 you should remain!!!!!
How shocked would you have been if VanPersie converted his header from about 5 feet away on the last play of the game…(and he should have too!)
Never give up…. applaud the players off the pitch or boo the ones you think played poor!
November 1st, 2004 at 4:28 am
Stagg,
I never give up but after the match at OT I taugh Arsenal will win by 2 clear goals so knowing me I put 100 box on the game and the outcome was not good.
November 1st, 2004 at 9:38 am
I just assumed the third horse was Everton. Oops.