Feb 23
Just got back with a sore head. It was one of the trips that had to be taken and is up there with Anfield ‘89.
Almost every gooner I know went on the trip, taking various different routes. It was a truly brilliant time, Officialy there were 3519 gooners out there. However, news stories in the UK put the figure closer to 15,000.
Like the majority, I travelled without a ticket, but picked a 30 euro ticket up for 200! worth every penny.
Obviously it was amongst the Madrid fans, but there was an estimated 2500 that were scattered to all four corners of the ground, only...
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Feb 22
I answered a call from my father in law who was at the game and that was the chant I could hear.
…and how right is that?
In the cold light of day lets put a few things to bed.
AW’s game plan was 100% correct. No one can fault the manager.
We were positive and we played a 4 1 4 1 formation that allowed us to break and turn into a 4 3 3.
The team played as a team, good quick passing in the 1st half and they challenged for balls and won the challenge. People talk about winning 50 - 50 balls but we were winning 30 - 70 balls, we were robbing Graversen,...
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Feb 22
A lot of credits have given to the individual players in the Real Madrid victory, I think our manager deserves his share as well.
Wenger got his tactic right for the match. On paper we played 4-5-1, but in truth it’s more like a 4-1-4-1, with Gilberto sitting in front of the back 4, concentrated on doing what he did best.
The best move, in my opinion, was to move Freddie into central midfield. His running, and an eye for exploring space, paired with Cesc’s passing, created many attacking opportunities for us.
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Feb 22
Believe.
If just for today, believe.
Believe that this squad can play with hunger, passion and desire.
Believe that veterans like Freddie do care.
Believe that youngsters like Eboue can do the job.
Believe that role players like Flamini can get it done with heart and grit.
Believe that TH14 does come up big in big games.
Believe that Wenger does know what he’s doing.
Believe that Hleb just needs to find his rhythm to become the new Pires.
Believe the Gilberto can be the invisible wall.
...
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Feb 21
Real Madrid 0 - 1 Arsenal (T. Henry 46′)
Believe.
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Feb 21
OK is it me but do you feel like a school boy today about to take a really important exam.
The days to this match have slowly reduced and now the day is here.
I was so excited by the draw last year but I could not have guessed we would be in the position we are currently in.
One first team defender to play against a fully attack minded Madrid team.
Why do I feel like I do? I dont know, perhaps it is because I think with the squad we have we cant do the name of Arsenal proud. Maybe.
Continue...
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Feb 21
Closing statements:
As statements go, I’ll try and keep this one mercifully short. Hopefully this will squeak into the front of the queue here as tomorrow night’s game against Madrid could go down as one of the most important performances in The Accused’s career.
Arsene Wenger is an Arsenal legend, that was never in dispute. His should be among the statues that adorn our new home, as I’m sure Herbert Chapman would approve. The point of putting him on trial was to get to the heart of our disappointing season, as the buck stops with the manager at the end...
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Feb 20
When a team is struggling, it is a result of many factors combined together. For instances, players underpeforming, tactical errors, injuries etc. It’s not simply a matter of offense or defence not good enough, or which single player is to blame. Football is a team game.
And sometimes, if a team or its players bother to try a bit harder on some small little things, it can make a difference as well. For example, how many times have we seen this scenario happen this season:
An oppostion ‘keeper kicked off a goal kick, it was headed back to their own half by one...
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Feb 20
Arsenal America strongly recommends a football focused radio show, The 2Gs, that features Gary Richards, owner of the Fox & Hounds pub in L.A.
Find them here.
Try to give a listen on Tuesday as they’ll be talking about the Arsenal - Real Madrid game, possibly with me. They are on for 1 hour daily, 12-1pm eastern.
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Feb 20
For much of the season I banged on about how the defense was not the problem, look at our goals against totals. I’ve now come around on the argument that says, “Yes, but there is a difference between four defenders cooly controlling a game and all hands on deck frantically trying to keep Arsenal in the match.” Fair point. When Arsenal are playing against teams with superior firepower such as Chelsea or a strikeforce like RvN and Rooney I understand that the pressure they put on the Arsenal defense adversely affects the attack.
But hold on a minute, Arsenal have also...
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