Thierry Henry & Robin van Persie combined to give Arsenal an absolutely amazing come from behind victory over Manchester United at Ashburton Grove earlier today.
Henry’s header 3 minutes into stoppage time helped the Gunners do the double over Man U for the first time since 2002.
EDIT: OK, sorry not to post anything yesterday, but work got away from me. Anyway, there’s not much to be said that hasn’t already been discussed in the comments below. Obviously, Robin’s injury is disappointing, but looking at the tape, I don’t think he injured it during the celebration, but rather it was when Neville challenged him that the foot broke.
Also, one thing I feel is important to stress is that this is a different Arsenal team than we’ve seen in a really long time. You know, I was watching ArsenalTV last night, and they played the Sp*rs match from last April. As much as I loved Bobby P when he was here, I really do think that it was best that he moved on. Also - does anyone really miss Jose? Watching that match, he contributed nothing. This team is hungry, and now that Thierry’s head’s clear and his injuries seem to be behind him, the energy coming from the Grove is palpable.
88 Responses to “Arsenal 2 - 1 ManUnited”
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January 21st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
RVP HAS A FRACTURED 5TH METATARSAL AND THAT MEANS HE”S DONE FOR AT LEAST 6 WEEKS. SH*T!
January 21st, 2007 at 3:53 pm
excellent win….just incredible!
first time we?ve done a double over the mancs in like forever…
and to come from behind - which is certainly not our strong forte - is just wonderful. there is nothing in football better than a last gasp winner. NOTHING!
the race for second place is WIDE OPEN.
i thought henry didnt play well in the game…but when it mattered the most in the last minute he was there.
RvP underlined his value again. only a left footed player would have scored that goal too. he is a scorer of late goals…and every team needs one of those.
eboue was at FAULT for the Man U goal. he was UTTERLY out of position when evra was running down HIS wing. he cant continue letting that to happen. great cross for the winner though.
January 21st, 2007 at 4:02 pm
RvP injured??!! aaaaaaaah! just friggin great!!! when will these injuries give us a bloody break!!!!
we are all frustrated at not being closer to the leaders but guess what in the last one year we have had more injuries and layoffs than the other 3 combined !!!
the fact that we are still doing relatively well is down to the sheer quality of the youth at the club and wengers system. chelsea are FUMBLING because there is no terry and previously no cech…….well tough deal. when we played chelsea in december we were without Toure and Gallas as well as Rosicky and Henry!!
if any of the others had the same amount of injuries we have been having they would surely COLLAPSE !!!
i hope RvP gets well soon. luckily for us we have a hungry baptista around.
and gilberto is having a nice rest as well, which is good.
January 21st, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Adebayor, Baptista, and Aliadiere will now get run outs in cup competitions over the next 2 wks. If I’m Wenger (ahem), the best man carries the torch into the CL/PL. Obviously, Adebayor is on point from this group but hey, you never know. The earliest we can expect RVP back is either 3/17-18 or 3/24-25. That is calculating for 6 wks in a cast and 1-2 wks for conditioning. My joy with today’s win is tempered by our leading scorer’s injury. Injury is the mother of opportunity for some young striker. Who will it be?
January 21st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
It’s certainly been the worst season for injuries that I can remember - but it gives Baptista a real chance now, or it should do.
Having said that, Adebayor is forming a good relationship with Henry so I think they will always start together whilst Van Persie is out.
January 21st, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I do not see how you can fault Eboue for the goal. He was on Ronaldo and forced him to pass. Ronaldo passed to Evra running through. Cesc ran with Evra, but Evra got a step on him and crossed to Rooney
January 21st, 2007 at 5:10 pm
If ManU does win the title, they owe us one. Chelsea really misses Gallas
January 21st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hope RvP’s injury is not too serious. Not many players can score that goal they way he did. He did very well to hit the target. IMHO RvP is probably better coming on as a sub than starting. I don’t have the stats but it seems that RvP score quite a few late goals. And Baptista will probably have more impact starting than coming on as a sub. He didn’t do much today after coming on. Adebayor’s work rate up front is incredible poping up all over the place. Henry shud have scored from the free header in the first half as a result of a measured cross from Adebayor. It is so pleasing to watch Cesc on the ball sizing up his options and creating space for himself to make the pass. Won’t be surprise if he wins this year’s EPL young POTY award. His shooting has improved taking 2 long distance shots at goal.
January 21st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I had no idea about RVP’s injury. That is a real shame. But what a game today…
Lost my voice shouting with the small amount of arsenal fans who were outnumbered by the ManU supporters at the pub. The joy at the equalizer was great but the winner was amazing!!! And that too a header. Earlier in the game when Henry floated a free kick in, the ball was intercepted by ManU and cleared. But Ade was completely unmarked. If that ball had gone to him, he would have had an easy header. At that point I did feel that Arsenal might get a headed goal from a cross or a corner because ManU probably were not treating Arsenal a threat from such positions. Ofcourse, most of the times Vidic and the others cleared the headers but after Van Der Sar’s injury, I had wished for Arsenal to have a go at him with a shot or a long throw-in…On the replay, you can see Van Der Sar’s face in desperation when Henry heads the ball.
Just a great result. It really has been a long time since Arsenal did the double over ManU. Wow…and considering that Arsenal were so close to beating Chelsea as well earlier in December, this has been a good year in terms of matches against the big teams. Arsenal are unbeaten against the top three teams. Now hopefully, the team can avoid dropping points to middle of the table teams and keep climbing up the table.
January 21st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
A word of praise for Clichy - I thought he was magnificent.
Also, the Fabregas/Rosicky digging out the ball right before the first goal - they never gave up. Fabregas in general was simply splendid.
This team never gave up. A perfect record vs Man U to show for it.
January 21st, 2007 at 8:21 pm
hopefully RVP can recover in 4 weeks.
Good thing we have Ade and Baps in form (even aliadiare). That’s what the squad depth is for.
January 21st, 2007 at 8:23 pm
agreed. it was Cesc who didn’t close down Evra’s run. I knew we were in trouble as soon as the cross went in because Rooney came runing behind the defenders to head in the sitter.
January 21st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Did you see Eboue going at Ronaldo for the diving at the center of the pitch. The same Eboue who has dived how many times in his short Arsenal career. Hope he has learned the lesson and will not dive and act in the future.
While talking about diving, Reyes earned a free kick with diving today, scored a goal from the free kick and that was the only goal in the game. It was a winner for Madrid, and I don’t think that Real Madrid fans will slate him for diving, like you all have slated Eboue in the past couple of weeks. Live him alone, he got us a win today against ManU. with his perfect cross.
January 21st, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Not a great performance, but hey, a win is a win.
I must say that the best players on the pitch were the left backs, Evra and Clichy. Especially Evra who played good defense and make some nice runs from behind and in one of them he crossed the ball perfectly in the penalty box which resulted with a goal.
As for our players, apart from Clichy, the players who deserve a praise certanly are Cesc and Adebayor. Cesc was battling in midfield like mad and Ade just didn’t stop running for 90 minutes. The others were average, and can somebody explain to me in which position Flamini was playing. He was supposed to play Gilberto’s roll, but most of the time he was even ahead of Cesc. Hope Song will mature faster, at least he knows his position, which is to play in front of the defence, not behind the strikers.
Now we need to have a great run and I think that the 2nd spot is a realistic targer. We have two tough away games against Spurs and Liverpool, and if we can get a result from that games along with a win agains Chelsea at Emirates the 2nd place is ours.
January 21st, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I too thought that Clichy had a good game. And to think that Fabregas cost us about 17.5 mill less than Carrack.
January 21st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
*learnt
January 21st, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I thought Carrack played great —- but not 17.5M better!!!!
January 21st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
“Not a great performance, but hey, a win is a win.”
It takes a lot to please you.
It was a frick’n great win, one of the most exciting ways to win and a tragic if not horrible way to loose.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
On V.Persie’ - injury.
If you ask me the guy deserves a “PURPLE HEART”. Injured on the field of battle fighting one of our strongest rivals in the league.
I will sing his name all day long “Robbbbbbin Vaaaaaan Peerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrsie”
Henry wins with a beautiful header; he’s getting much better in the air recently to. What a genius of the game of football.
Enjoyable, an absolutely delightful game. Ahem to that. I say again!
January 21st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I totally disagree… The Arse play with passion flair and honour.. over the years it has killed me when I have had to apologize for divers, cheaters..etc… Eboue MUST get that crap out of his game… it is a disgrace.
As luckily AW agrees and had a much written about sit down with him about it…
I would rather have Hoyte in there… maybe not as good.. but plays with heart and honour… Arsenal win with Class and that is what separates us from rest.
January 21st, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Eboue NOT at fault for the goal in any way.
How is he responsible for the defender making a run.
Didn’t matter anyway… we win!
January 21st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Henry should have scored??
The cross had ZERO pace, so he could not get any power on it.
Not his fault at all.
January 21st, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I have watched the replay of Neville’s foul on Henry in the box about 10 times. Sir Henry is The Man, but I can’t see where Neville made any contact. Incredibly slight if at all.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 am
If Ali n Baptista dont take these chances they are mostly gonna be out of here soon.. no I dont know that.. I’m just guessing…
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 am
Yes Stag .. Henry SHOULD have scored… if the cross doesnt have pace he’s supposed to direct the header better.. he got the power alright..only it was straight at VDS.. a yard to his left and Titi would have scored…
Who cares though… who cares… who cares ….
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:25 am
I’m sorry .. there wasnt any contact?? … Titi wasnt in control of the ball .. definitely so the panalty wasn’t given I guess… but there was contact .. quite a bit…
Sheed: Thats a load of rubbish… DIVE AND WIN… I’d rather get relegated than DIVE AND WIN …. that might do for Real MAdrid .. that might do for Reyes .. that doesnt mean its right…
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:29 am
The very fact that Scholes and Carrick did little going forward shows that the Flamster did his job yet again… he’s not supposed to be noticed.. the lesser he’s noticed the better … he was fine.. why are people raving about Carrick?? What did he create? If he was a DM I’d say yes..great game.. he’s supposed to be the brain behind ManU .. I’m sorry I didnt see it ..
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:56 am
An absolute roller coaster…was at a friend’s place and we went crazy when RVP scored… and went nuts when Titi scored with his head….
Titi was pretty quiet throughout but came up trumps when it mattered most… and to think I was starting to really have doubts about his big match capabilities… stupid
Ade was brilliant just shows how much he’s given us since he’s come here..that physical presence up front with tireless running unlike Samaras for example for ManCity(with whom we were linked)…
Cesc never ceases to amaze me .. his movement on and off the ball is an absolute joy to watch .. I dont think he makes more than 2 wrong passes a game and thats saying a lot of a central midfielder…
Hleb/Rosicky werent at the top of their game but worked tirelessly and it was Rosicky’s cross that gave us our first goal so thats fine…
Our defence was very very decent … Toure n Sendy were immense as was Clichy… Eboue had an okay game … I still feel that he had to track Evra’s run and the midfield latch on to Ronaldo… still it doesnt matter…what a cross for Titi’s goal.. if he only cuts out his diving …
An amazing save by King Jens as well .. if we had gone down 0-1 at the break we wouldn’t have come back.. or would we?? I dont know.. but an A+ to jens as well..
Tremendous character , resolve and guts and I wouldnt be surprised if we won most of our remaining games now…
Finally hope RVP heals as quickly as possible…. he’s so crucial to us….all the best to him and here’s hoping Baptista n Ali can take their chances well..
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:26 am
It seemed to me that it was Hleb as that run came from deep and he was the only one who saw it and didn’t even give a shout to Fabregas. There was no way Fab was going to catch Evra from behind. It was just a dynamite run and cross from Evra. Sometimes you’ve got to respect player qualities and not point fingers. Eboue was definitely the wrong one to point a finger at.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:32 am
I was worried that Clichy would get turned a few times but he was magnificent today. He’s getting better right before our eyes. He was very good today.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:44 am
I don’t think it was Flamini did so well as much as United came playing to not lose. A draw would have given them an extra point over Chelsea and been a fine result. If an opportunity to win presented itself then they’d take it. They were focused on trying to keep us off the ball and when we had the ball getting narrow in the back. They did that well but we still managed to score two fantastic goals.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:53 am
If you ask anybody I’m sure they’d say they went completely nuts when those goals were scored. I know I did and my 2 year old was jumping around because his daddy was jumping around.
Jens and Clichy were mighty fine at the back. Fabregas is so freaking good it’s sick. When was the last time a 19 year old was in the All-UEFA team? I don’t know but there are some pretty good midfielders in UEFA that he beat for that spot. Outstanding!
I wrote on last Monday that if we won against United, I felt we could go unbeaten for the rest of the season and probably win the rest of our games. It’s good to hear that somebody actually agrees with me. As I always say, time will tell.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:40 am
Definite pen, I don’t know how you can say there was no contact.
F*ck Eboue, the dumb cheat - up to his embarrassing antics yet again yesterday with Rooney. I don’t care how many goals he sets up, he’s a total embarrassment to Arsenal football club and I want him out. I’d rather see crappy Hoyte play there and get someone new in the summer.
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:07 am
It was an amazing atmosphere (at last) and afetr forts 10 mins when we were crap we bossed it> We should have a had a penalty, clear cut, but in the end it didnt matter. Three thinsg changed the game. Hleb going off for Van Persie (Helb had a mare)…Man Utd focusing on timewasting not playing football and the removal of Larsson (he was excellent). The refere was as we informed him, a total wanker. Such a great win, the Emirates is now Home.
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:53 am
Yeah its definitely possible now…specially with Gallas and Diaby coming back , Gilberto having a rest and a rejuvenated Titi. That combined with the form of our midfield and huge wins with 10 men and a 6-3 drubbing at Anfield cannot but boost our confidence and give the kids that extra belief.
Finally I was wrong… no way the Evra run could have been picked up unless someone fouled him from behind.. Eboue went to Ronaldo immediately but the ball never went to him… and Evra managed to outrun Cesc…so great play…not crappy defense…
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:07 am
Some Manc lad at my work tried to tell me we were lucky and a draw was a fair result, nothing lucky about having 4 players in the box waiting for the cross in the 93rd minute…that’s a will to win, not luck.
Good lesson for the team and should be a big confidence boost.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
Hleb didn’t have a mare.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
He would have done better to put it down at VdS’s feet, but asking heading perfection from someone who is perfect in every other way is a bit over the top. And of course, he headed directly at VdS for the winner, too. Luckily, it had more pace.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:48 am
Father and colt are both doing well, I persume.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
There is no way in hell Arsenal will win the title. Second? Maybe, but first is a pipe dream. Just think about the games we would have to win and the games United would have to lose and then re-assess your opinion.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Thats too bad Danny, cause Wenger is stuck with Eboue now.
He made his choice, Eboue over Lauren.
Eboue’s going nowhere.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
If anything it was Clichy who was out of position and allowed the goal. He left to go towards the middle when Senderos was already there and left Rooney unmarked.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
has anybody else noticed? there are international friendlies at the beginning of february. thats just greeaaaat!
especially now that we are on form,….and given how fragile our team is the last thing we need is ALL our players going off around the world to play bloody pointless friendlies!
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
has anyone else noticed that:
- henry has stopped staring and glaring at his teammates?
- he doesnt do that his annoying clapping routine after a pass anymore.
- he no longer has the body language of somebody who feels he is too good to be playing in the team.
damn, that one month rest seems to be have worked more wonders than we would have thought.
long may it continue.
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I guess I need to look at it again
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I don’t think Henry will ever lose his arrogance - and who wouldn’t be arrogant with his talent, trophy haul and goalscoring record. The whole reason he didn’t go to Barcelona is because he’s arrogant - it has nothing to do with loving Arsenal. I’m not saying that he does not love Arsenal, but he likes to be the daddy, that’s far more important to him than playing second fiddle to Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o whether he wins trophies or not.
He knows he’s good - but I also think he knows he’s not as good as he was. Remember when he used to pick the ball up deep and dribble past 5 players - he doesn’t seem able to do that anymore, I think he’s lost a little pace and acceleration, which is natural at his age.
I think you’re looking at a player who will be relatively quiet during games, but will still take practically 1 out of every 2 half-chances he gets. Sometimes he’ll do f*ck all, other times he’ll have a blinder - but the consistency he showed of old is probably waning. Who cares, he’s still lethal in a team like this that has the potential to create so many chances.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 pm
A little heavy on the hyperbole there. Eboue is an immense talent for a 23 year old. He is not a natural defender. He is still learning the position. Obviously he needs to cut down on some of the antics that have marred some of his performances this year. However, he didn’t do any of that stuff last year. Perhaps he spent a little too much time with Drogba during the World Cup this summer. And as for this game, he gave Rooney a little extra elbow, but probably every defender in the Prem wants to do that. And he had every right to get in Ronaldo’s face after that dive. I like his competitive fire. I think we need some emotional players. He will learn to reign it in and use it at the right times.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 am
There were so many positives, but I keep finding myself thinking that if I have to watch Eboue pulling shennanigans like that week it might not be worth my time to be watching Arsenal. What a thought..
Always interesting how Titi is so much better working off of instinct rather than premeditation; in some ways, that match was a Tale of Two Headers.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:19 am
This thread has slowly turned into a TH14 body language analysis yet again. Titi will not be what he was at 21. The pace will go..but he’s still remarkably quick ask Jamie Carragher.. its just that we’ve been spoilt silly by his incredible scoring record and wonder goals that we expect wonder goals all thet ime and 4 goals in 4 games is not good enough anymore. We’re just spoilt silly.. thats all.
When the legs went from DB10 he played behind TH14 and added another dimesnsion to Arsenal goal scoring and ofcourse kept popping up with crucial goals now n then. TH14 may no longer be a 30 goal striker after this year…he may prove me wrong again and I’ll be happy..but he will definitely be a 15 goal + second striker who creates more than he scores and reads the game even better than he does right now.
RVP if he keeps his temperament under control will be the lead striker in a year or two and Ade will partner him. By the time Titi retires TW25 will be ready to take over.. I hope.
TH14 will score more than DB10 when he’s 30+ and will continue to suck defenders towards him and create space for AFC.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:38 pm
TW25? It’s TW32, Ade is #25.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:52 pm
He did clap after Flamini made a pass to him that was nowhere near his zip code. Your other points are well taken though. I really should just enjoy ‘watching’ the game. Like you, I’m over analyzing every little detail and nuance for the meaning of Arsenal.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
He still claps … and he hasn’t changed much at all…
other than being healthy and scoring his usual magnificent goals.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
What about when he passed to HIMSELF against Liverpool… ran past the defender and deposited it into the net.
Didn’t seem to lack any pace then.
Or when he went thru 3 defenders… passed the ball to Cesc who gave it right back, and scored the wonder goal into the top right corner…
I don’t think he’s lost much of anything.
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Let’s see what Walcott’s got against Sp*rs tomorrow. The boy has got to start making more of his starts. Look how Pennant carved up Chelsea from the wide position. That’s what I’m talking about.
U-17 Sp*rs beat our U-17 team 3-1. So that means the senior team will be full of confidence against our reserve team. Zokora talking smack about revenge. Newcastle absolutely gutted Sp*rs after Sp*rs played them off the pitch. Sp*rs are a fragile team and I think if we come out hard, they will crumble. I think YP Lee (LB) is a key weak spot. I’m interested in seeing what Diaby has at this point.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
nope stag, he has stopped frowning all over the place and stopped glaring at his teammates, he hasnt done that since he came back.
AND that is a WONDERFUL thing!
the one month break was a wenger masterstroke.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
While Walcott had impressed in a number of games when he came on, he is clearly lacking in physical strength to compete at the highest level on a consistent basis. Unless that is rectified and rectified quickly, he could turn out to be another Reyes - skillful and speedy but too easily muscled out by opponents.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:37 pm
hey, how come the site is soooo quiet on any transfer rumors or bickering? no, not that am looking for it….ive always been a supporter of wengers transfer policy, but am a bit surprised the usual transfer addicts (ie. buy-or-we-are-doomed) arent demanding the usual…lol! it must be the recent good results.
as for SWP who some ppl here seem to rate for some weird reason… the guy is so UTTERLY useless that he cant even make the line up at home with sooo many players out and all the others injured. lol.
am sure wenger decided to rest henry immediately after hearing his comments about buying SWP!
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:09 pm
C’mon Stag, it’s obvious Henry is not the same player he was. Physically at least. His body lets him down more than before. Some days he has the spring but most of the time his pace is unremarkable.
I thought this was illustrated perfectly by the Carragher situation. Carragher easily got to the ball ahead of Henry. Henry only got it because Carragher tried to sweep him and keep the ball in play. Nine times out of ten Carragher knocks that easily into row Z.
Henry is morphing into a Crespo type player, becoming more of a predator and less of a playmaker, which in certain games is no bad thing. A couple of years ago Henry would have never been in postion to head in Eboue’s cross.
The new Henry makes us better in some ways and worse in others. We play better football without him now but we have a guy who is lethal in front of goal, unlike Van Persie and Adebayor.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
- The offsides flag going up on Titi have quieted down since his return.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I think the silence regarding transfer possibilities arises from two factors: the recent results and the clarity and repetitiveness of Wenger’s statements that there will not be any purchases during this transfer window.
The second factor, in fact, has led to a dearth of speculation regarding possible Arsenal purchases in the heretofore eager to speculate British press.
As far as the first factor goes, no one dares criticize Wenger’s stated no-purchase policy in light of the recent results. Accordingly, there is quiet. Sheffield United is but a fading memory.
Let there be no doubt, however, that the instant that Arsenal suffers a humiliating loss, transfer talk will begin again in earnest.
But I, for one, am done with second-guessing Wenger this season although it seems to me that Hoyte and Flamini are not the stuff of which championships are built and that Arsenal still needs a left winger. The results of the last few weeks have convinced me once again that Arsene Wenger has earned the right to make whatever personnel decisions he feels are right and that I lack the knowledge, experience, and insight to evaluate his decisions.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I think Arsenal needs two players in the summer, Right Back - because I hate that cheat Eboue - and a left-sided midfielder. I doubt Wenger hates Eboue as much as I do so he will probably stay, but I do think we really need a young version of Pires. Rosicky has no real competition for his place, everyone else does. I suppose we should take Buffon if he wants to come, but Lehmann has a few good years in him yet and Almunia hasn’t looked a bad deputy this year.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Eboue does have immense talent and potential, but what’s that got to do with cheating? I don’t like his play acting and I know a lot of fans who want him out - week after week after week, virtually every game he’s played this season he’s cheated, usually by feigning injury.
Did you see against Man Utd when he went to hold his ear, pretending he got hit when no-one was near him, only to stop doing it instantly the minute he saw the ref wasn’t interested in case he might get another booking. Pathetic.
I am still angry at the way he dived in the Champions League final. You only get there once in a blue moon - the first time in Arsenal’s history, and I don’t want it sullied by winning to a cheat goal because that **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) has done another outrageous dive.
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:24 pm
I think you’re proving evidence of Danny T’s point Stag. Some games he will be absolutely amazing, but not all the time. Of course, no player is amazing all the time but Henry is not the player he was even two years ago. That’s not to say I would want Arsenal to get rid of him for anything, but that’s just the way things work.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I noticed that van Persie reached down and grabbed his (R) foot and grimaced in the 84′. Little did he and we know what that would mean at the time. The BBC has reviewed the recovery times of various players who have suffered metatarsal fractures. For the 5th metatarsal (the Jones fracture which RVP has) it was an average of 14 weeks. It is being reported that it is ‘only’ a partial break. Only the Arsenal medical staff know the severity of the break and can form a realistic opinion about the duration of healing. 6 weeks then is the minimum time and anything under 14 will be good fortune. Will Arsenal be stuffing RVP in a hyperbaric chamber (ala Rooney) to speed the healing process is the question.
Sp*rs sent out a team loaded with first team experience that beat Arsenal’s reserves 3-0. I hope this is not an omen for Wed’s CC. I expect Baptista/Aliadiere to start and pick up where they left off against Liverpool. This is THE chance to answer the bell and push for first team selection over the next 3 months. Middlesbrough and Sochaux can suck eggs because I doubt that Aliadiere will need to pack his bags or his passport.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
You all seem to forget that Henry cheated in the CL Final as well. He was hit by Puyol in the chest and he grabbed his face. The reason? He wanted the ref to give Puyol a red card. Also he dived on Sunday in the penalty area, and don’t tell me there was a contact, because there wasn’t. So it looks like the master himself is also a cheat, but it seems that noone want to notice that.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Tha teams that played are not U-17. It was between the Reserves, and yes, we played with U-17 team, but Spurs had some older players there. Believe me, they certanly don’t have better youngsters than us. We have the best.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
It seems that Diaby had operations on his knee also, not only on his injured ankle. I hope everything will be just fine, but when you have operation on your knee, you are not the same anymore. Luckly, Abou is still young and that maybe will not be the case with him. He will need some time to be free to play, not to think that he might get hurt again, but there is AW who hopefully knows what he is doing.
Here is the statment from the Professor: ?I had a big doubt in my mind that Diaby would ever come back from that injury. I thought it might end his career. It was such a sad day when he was kicked out of the game at Sunderland and the surgeon told me it was a serious injury. He was optimistic after the op but there were problems with his rehabilitation and he had to have more surgery on his knee. It has been nine months out and he has had to be very patient. He?s come back mentally and physically stronger. We?ve missed Diaby because he gives us something the other players don?t have. He can give us that kind of Patrick Vieira presence in the physical challenges. He reminds me of Patrick in his running style, behaviour and the strength of his tackles.?
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
The latest poop has us in a 10mil bid for Bale. That is just plain stupid speculation. We’ve got Clichy and Traore there. We just saw Clichy eat Ronaldo’s lunch on Sunday now that he’s learning to stop diving in. Sp*rs on the other hand have that kind of stoopid money and YP Lee at LB. Anybody remember Assou-Etkoto from that 3-0 game. Another failure of the Sp*rs scouting system.
I see Birmingham is trying to hit the lottery with ex-Arsenal Upson. If you’re English and can lace up a pair of cleats, you’re future is secure in England. Step right up Mr. Pardew. Oh I’m sorry, but you couldn’t sucker Stokes into saving your sorry ass team.
Let’s ressurect Anelka. He’s begging to come back. NOT.
Wenger’s standing ‘pat’ with his present hand and my money is on him.
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Diaby comeback. The hope and the dream.
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:11 pm
You’re right. The score was actually 3-0 Sp*rs and it was a team loaded with first team experience.
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:23 pm
A couple of things:
1. There was definite contact on Henry - one camera angle in particular shows Neville knocking Henry's left leg into his right leg. It's not a substantial hit but certainly enough to unbalance someone at that pace.
2. I'm sure every player has over-exaggerated or simulated at some point. The concern with Eboue is that he's been doing it with some frequency. That's what will get him labeled a diver and it's something that I don't like seeing from any player. I didn't think Eboue was quite as bad on Sunday but he needs to clean up further or he will wind up with a reputation.
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I disagree totally.
He is coming back from injury… he hasn’t lost anything.
He still has the great pace. He is still the best scorer in England.
No. I don’t believe he has lost anything since last season, when he scored how many goals???
Don’t think so.
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 pm
What would the point be of “hoping” for a player coming in… when we all KNOW Wenger isn’t going to buy anyone… for any price.
Usually he says he might buy one or two, and then doesn’t.
I don’t hold out much hope when he says he WON’T buy, and WILL let a few go.
There are always players we’d like to see us bring in…
I’d like a central midfielder of some proven ability…
I’d like a right back, PROVEN… now that we have let Lauren go for no good reason…
But its not going to happen, so I’ll wait until Summer.
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Please, enlighten me on the team Spurz sent out “loaded” with first team experience against the reserves. I haven’t heard of any of them. NONE.
January 24th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Firstly…Henry dived in the World Cup.. agreed.. it was a one off.. and I havent ever seen him do it again .. Rooney dived against us to end our unbeaten run but I havent seen too many dives after that… everyone probably has dived sometime or the other .. some purposely …some instinctively and regretting it later…some dive all the time .. CRonaldo , Eboue , Savage n the whole of the Italian team .. its when it becomes a habit that its a problem….n if you dont cut it out early enough… it WILL become a habit…
If you feel we should dive and win and dont care how we win … I suggest you start supporting some La Liga or Serie A team and exult when they win 1-0 from a penalty given after a dive in the 94th minute….
January 24th, 2007 at 4:32 am
Noone said ManU would lose that many games…no one said we would win the title.. all we said was it wouldnt be surprising if “we” went unbeaten through the rest of the season in the league.. it may not happen.. but I seriously think its possible… specially if Gallas comes back soon…
January 24th, 2007 at 4:35 am
My apologies.. a mistake on my part
January 24th, 2007 at 4:54 am
You STILL want a central midfielder???? after what you’ve seen the last month and with Diaby coming back? Why? Who do you want to bench– Cesc or Gilberto? Which proven player will come here n sit on the bench and play Carling Cup? What do you do with Baptista then? Sell him???
Right back… if Eboue cuts his diving out you need no one .. Hoyte is decent enough backup .. I havent seen any blunders from him recently and he’s been reasonably solid whenever he’s played… If Eboue keeps up his diving.. yes .. we need a right back.. no wait.. Gilbet’s still on loan and will be back…We DO NOT need a right back..
Left wing … maybe eventually .. if n when Freddie goes … not before that .. theres no point .. we have too big a squad already…
January 24th, 2007 at 4:57 am
SWP would have been the perfect addition to our squad..2 or 3 years ago … now he’s a waste of space thnx to ol’ Jose
January 24th, 2007 at 7:26 am
he was very poor
January 24th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Eboue is class. He dives A LOT less than Pires or Ronaldo or Savage or any number of otehr players… he is young. When hes the only player we have had who plants crosses that Henry heads… i’m thinking keep him.
January 24th, 2007 at 9:52 am
What has happened to SWP is simply criminal. SWP is an accessory to the crime before the fact. He should be handing in a transfer request so that he can rejuvenate his career. He’s the type of player Pearce criticizes for wanting the Ferrari instead of a cap.
Now we SWPII-Ashley Young brought to you by Aston Villa. He scored double digits in Watford’s run up and all of 4 goals in PL. 2 of which I believe came against Fulham. WTF has he done to warrant an 8mil (9+ with incentives)transfer fee. He’s worth 2-3mil tops (consider Andy Johnson a proven CF with pace who went for 7mil). Absolutely f*****g ridiculous. AV gets rid of quick feet and good technique Baros and brings in a player with just quick feet.
How you might ask does AY differ from our own Walcott who hasn’t scored a goal and get blown over by a strong wind. 4 years younger and better technique and he is here to develop his potential, not save a team from relegation.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Just an experienced Sp*rs reserve side against a true U-17 squad which rested its regulars for the CC game.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:51 am
guys why do u bother arguing with stag…………u know he wont give u an objective argument …so why bother.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
There’s diving and there’s diving. Maybe Henry has cheated three or four times in an 11 year career - but Eboue’s only been a regular at Arsenal 18 months and I have lost count of the amount of times he has dived, feigned injury and generally acted like a prat.
There’s also a difference in my book to tumbling in the box when there IS contact and diving when there’s no-one near you or rolling around on the floor five times pretending to have been hit etc. If you can’t tell the difference and think Henry is as big a cheat as Eboue then you must be a bit dim.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
That’s because all you care about is winning and you couldn’t give a stuff about how football is played or whether a player drags Arsenal’s name through the mud or not.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Stag, Stag, Stag… your heroes are human being and are not perfect. Just because they are not necessarily what they used to be is ok. No one on this site would trade Henry for anyone in the world, but that does not mean he has not changed. Even last year he didn’t seem as fast as he used to be, or maybe he just used it more judiciously. He does not seem to have the pace he once did, but that’s ok. I don’t have the same pace I used to either. It happens.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Eboue has the ability to be a great player, but he is a diver and I would like it if he’d knock that crap off. Far more than Pires (who’s reputation I think was a bit unfair) ever was.