A double-shot of Brazilian finishing, and a survival of late minute pressure, give Arsenal a much needed win and hopefully a badly needed boost of confidence for next week?s massive match with PSV.
A cobbled together team hang on for the win.
Baptista gets his first goal(61) despite his less than sparkling touch to make it 2-0. Its his 13th appearance for Arsenal. Overall a decent performance. He set up Fabregas for what should have been a tap-in first goal but Fabregas fumbled the pass and the chance. Fabregas later would have the third touch to a cross that led to an OG. Despite the hue and cry over Baptista’s touch, or lack there of, I for one will continue to support him. Drogba as I recall, was also criticized for his poor touch last year.
Gilberto steps up to put away a PK (50) for our first after a strong run from Clichy draws a foul from Bikey. Clichy had a superb game. He played strong defense on Lita when he attacked on the (L). Djourou did enough to nullify Lita on the (R). Djourou did have 2 give aways that could have been problematic. Wenger made the “tactical” substitution of Senderos for Djourou before a late Reading CK.
The CK was won after a terrible giveaway by Hleb deep in our zone. Lehmann walked outside the 18 yd box to lambast Hleb about his sloppiness. Hleb clearly faded in the 2nd half. He should have been subbed instead of Walcott.
I would like to call special attention to the quality of Senderos play for all us who so admire him. Senderos:=a goal for the oppositon,=YC for getting beat by another lightening quick forward (Doyle). Senderos quality is such that he can now do in 8 what it use to take him a whole game to do.
Out-f*****g-standing.
Gilberto had great game in Toure’s position. I can not say enough about how well he played. He is my MOTM. He gets back on the horse to take the PK to score his 9th goal. We all knew that Wenger had not replaced the goals of Pires, Bergkamp and yes, Ljungberg. Who in their right mind saw Gilberto as one of our goalscoring leaders this year. Wow!
Walcott started up top for the first time. Had some moments in the first half but nothing to write home about. He seems to be thinking too much on his 1v1 opportunities. Just let it go kid. Denilson continues to impress with his overall play and strength. Ljungberg was put through by Baptista off an Arsenal break started by Hleb. Freddy shot straight at Hahnemann for an easy save. Watching Freddy play these days has become hard work. Mercifully, Ljungberg was subbed by Diaby. To watch Diaby play is to know sporting pleasure. When he comes on, Arsenal’s play IMPROVES and that says it all Mr. Senderos.
Off Topic: Fernando Torres IS a lightweight. I too watch La Liga for its pace and skill. The real striker for me on AM is El Kun- Sergio Aquero. I prefer strikers who run at defenders and Aquero does that. Torres is not quick, looks to the refs after every contact and tries unsuccessfully to be a fox in the box. Eto is not a piece of manna and therefore he will not be falling from the heavens into Arsenal’s lap. Barcelona are NOT going to rest their striker hopes on the shoulders of Saviola (The striker who came in from the cold) and Chelsea cast-off Gudjohnsen whose place has been taken by Guily.
21 Responses to “Arsenal 2 - 1 Reading”
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March 3rd, 2007 at 7:09 pm
it was Hleb who was substituted when Senderos came on, not Djourou. ?Oddly, Senderos was put in Hleb's right midfield position for the last few minutes. ?Djourou stayed on at RB until the end.
The performance was much better than it suggests when you say ” a cobbled together team”, Denilson & Fabregas were very good in?the middle and?Freddie?seemed?to?have?rediscovered?his?pace.??Gallas?was?simply?class, again.
March 3rd, 2007 at 10:47 pm
We had a great deal of possession, and controlled the game… blew more than a few chances… and made things more difficult for ourselves in the end.
That’s the Arsenal this season.
Glad that nobody got injured. Glad we got all 3 points. Glad Liverpool lost again. We should have no problem staying in the top 4 and in the CL for next year… but we have THIS YEAR’s CL to play for at least one more game.
If Henry can’t go, we are in big trouble. There isn’t anybody putting the biscuit in the basket regularly. We will need clinical finishing to roll PSV on Wednesday. Thats fact.
Too many culprits to name/blame… Cesc manages to somehow miss the ball and open net completely from about 5 yards out… but he managed to score in his own net with a neat backheel!! Go figure.
We will need the bounces determination and some class finishing in the next one. If we don’t beat PSV, there won’t be much to play for this season.
March 3rd, 2007 at 11:42 pm
I stand corrected on the substitution. It just means that even when he’s not in the back 4, he can still do his thing ie. ‘allows’ the other team to score (he had the second touch before the OG) and he ‘has’ to take another YC because he can’t ‘read and react’ to offensive threats. Since Senderos has absolutely no pace, he needs to read where the threat is going and position himself effectively.
“Cobbled” referred to the circumstances (injuries and suspensions) that dictated Arsenal’s lineup. Arsenal still posessed the quality to overcome an accomodating Reading team (ie. did not play negative football like the ‘big’ teams such as Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, and Newcastle).
March 3rd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
What was the logic behind starting Walcott over Aliadiere? There is no history there (Walcott as a CF/SS) and there was no chemistry with Baptista. I would have preferred Walcott coming off the bench.
March 4th, 2007 at 12:39 am
With Gallas & Gilberto performing so well & senderos so poorly in the center of defence theres gonna be a problem with Toure returning, unfortuantly a Toure/Gallas Combination lacks obvious height & Gallas has proved his strength in the center of defense over fullback. I think Wenger is understanding now that he cannot rely on his policy of youth in defence (exception of Clichy).
March 4th, 2007 at 3:34 am
I thought we won a game we pretty much dominated apart from a few nervous moments right at the end. My heart went up into my mouth when Sidwell drove at the goal.
I like Jens..I like his madness. Yep it puts us in to a bit of trouble at times but overall he is a top top keeper who hates to lose and is not scared of screaming at his team when he feels they need a dressing down.
Gallas is just too good..he just snuffs any danger out. If Kolo n he play together injury free for the next 2-3 years that greatly improves our chances or silverware. I thought Gilberto had an excellent game and although I think he though he was in DM a couple of time overall he was very solid especially in the air. Djourou offered little going 4ward while Clichy was just superb. I doubt if Cole was any quicker.
Freddie is gone..sadly but still offers a lot of running and defensive stability. As an attacking 4ce he is gone unfortunately but in terms of bottle effort and experience make no mistake…he is still up there. Cesc n Denilson were brilliant together and apart from that stupid miss in the first half..Cesc’s distribution of the ball was just magnififcent..cant remember one damn misplaced pass. Denilson played a little deeper today but at 19 he too showed why he’s rated so highly. Hleb had a 50-50 game…and all too often he’s tired in the 2nd half leaving our right wing running on empty..still a decent per4mance and I think he misses Mozart on the pitch.
Theo looked lively and could’ve had a goal or two…just a bit slow with the decision making.It will come. The Beast is just that…The Beast.A bad touch but a powerful shot and a lot of bottle and keeps barging around everywhere and doesnt give up at all.He does not hide…NO WAY. Yes he’s got a horrendous first touch…Arsenal stds but he does offer you something very different.
Overall a decent game and the confidence surely must be a bit higher now to face PSV midweek without Titi. No predictions right now…lets see what happens.
Theo looke
March 4th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Any kind of win is welcome after 3 defeats. This game gave a good insight into our bench strength.
Diaby is going to be very powerful and influential. He can shield the ball very well and glide past players using power and strength. A very useful skill in England.
I am surprised by Denilson’s physical side. He looks better than Cesc in that department. He is going to be a good player.
Gallas was class as always. When Toure returns and if Djourou can remain injury-free, we can forget about Senderos for a while.
Captain Gilberto was fantastic again. The penalty under pressure, having missed at Bolton. He is my player of the season.
Lehmann showed yet again that he is still a very good GK. If he leaves, we need to replace him with someone a lot better than Almunia.
Clichy has banished Cole from our memories. Let’s not worry about Traore. All of Wenger’s left-backs were good offensively and improved defensively later. Clichy will get better and so should Traore.
Ljunberg and Hleb were contrasting. One is talented and skilled, the other has lost pace and is unable to go past any player. One looks highly disinterested and uncommitted, the other is willing to put his body on line. Unfortunately, we need a mix of both.
Both Bap and Ali failed to impress. Bap’s goal was good, but is it good enough to keep him? I doubt it. Same goes for Ali.
Walcott upfront was a look into the future. He looks more comfortable there than on the wings. But his first touch is quite poor and needs to improve.
Looking forward to the PSV game, with a defence of Clichy, Gallas, Toure and Eboue, we may keep a clean sheet. But who will score two unless Henry returns?
March 4th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Having spent the kind of money on getting Walcott, it is not surprising for Wenger to throw him in the deep end as often as possible. Just like when Reyes (who cost alot as well) was around even though Reyes was on his bum more often than on his feet. Hence agree with you Walcott should not start but come on as a sub to gain big match experience. IMHO Walcott is not ready to play with the big boys until he puts on some muscles. Currently he is too light weight and making too many poor decisions on the field. Better to let Ali get a run in the first team and if Ali does not cut it by end of the season, then it is sayonara to him.
March 4th, 2007 at 9:03 am
As much as I don’t rate him, the positive side of me says put my money on Baptista to score at least one, and play well…. This is it for him…. He’s had CC, FA Cup, and now CL… he needs to score against PSV to have any chance of staying at Arsenal.
Do you not rate Hleb? Injuries haven’t helped and I think it is a lack of confidence rather than general disinterest. He seems to perform better in Europe than in the PL, so maybe you have a point.
We miss Rosicky, he’s been an excellent buy, altho him and cesc are both going to need to learn how to score an open goal!
What say you on Freddie?
March 4th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Yes, Baptista is not a bad player. But he needs to prove himself and fast.
I rate Hleb. He is talented and skilled. Just want more effort and commitment from him - the kinds Ljunberg shows a lot. Cesc, Rosicky and Denilson are all talented AND ready to fight it out. But not Hleb.
As for Freddie, I really love the guy, but with every passing game, I fear for him. AW might have to make a decision on him this summer.
March 4th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Quick, somebody call the Ringling Brothers and tell them we’ve found their new sensation. She’s still young so she’s got potential to be funnier than Bozo the Clown, Crusty the Clown, hell, she’s even funnier than Homie the Clown.
She’s currently working as a footballer in London but this is just a stepping stone in her career. She’s really an aspiring clown. Just tell Barnum and Bailey to tune in the next time she’s performing and her clown skills will be on display for all the world to see. Her name is Cindy the Clown.
I used to wonder why she stepped onto the field with clown shoes on but it just hit me. The Arsenal kit is just one of her costumes. She’s really funny for Arsenal opponents. Unfortunately, when she steps on to the pitch, she scarier for Arsenal fans than John Wayne Gacy, or the clown from that Stehpen King movie.
She could make the Ringling Brothers billions but she’s currently costing Arsenal millions. Let the Ringling Brothers know they can get her for cheap but hurry as the WWE is looking for someone that can suplex and DDT their opponents on TV and she can make a lot of money doing that too.
March 4th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Do you guys think I’ll be sent to hell for saying those things?
March 4th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Goalkeepers win matches.
1. Van Der Saar saves of Crouch and ManU score to win 1-0.
2. Lehmann saves of Sidwell and Arsenal hold on to 2-1.
3. Cech saves against I can’t remember who and Chelsea hold on to 1-0 and win 2-0.
4. Reina spills the ball in the 93rd min and Liverpool lose 0-1.
March 4th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
And it was a fumbled save that gave Spuds the win
March 5th, 2007 at 12:26 am
You can add West Ham’s GK (4-3 Sp*rs) and Paddy Kelly (Sheffield United’s GK) as two who had critical lapses this week that resulted their teams losing.
Off Topic:
If Charlton avoid relegation, will Alan Pardew kiss Wenger’s a** in gratitude for loaning him Song. I’ve watch 2 Charlton games to follow this kid’s progress since he had that really bad game for Arsenal way back. He is becoming Charlton’s version of Makkele/Gilberto. In Saturday’s win, he made defense splitting 20 yd pass to set up a goal. Song will be the reason that I think Charlton will avoid the drop. Once again, Wenger knows how to pick talented players.
I also watched Bendtner and Muamba slog it out against Cardiff. Muamba has promise but still needs at least another year before before he can get to Song’s level. Bruce usually plays him 70′ a game before he brings on Nafti. Bendtner’s (? inadvertent) pass set up ex-Arsenal Larsson for the winning goal. Bendtner had an otherwise quiet game as did Birmingham City. He did make some nice plays in defense though. The color commentator made a crack about how the Arsenal players were not cut out to play on a less than pristine pitch (BCs pitch was a waterlogged mess).
I also checked out Carlos Vela at the U20 WC qualifiers. It looked like Mexico had him as a lone CF with strong wing support. Nice pace, nice quickness, willing to be clever, looks to take on defenders as well as set up runners into the box. Like Walcott, he is a lightweight who will need to increase his strenght on the ball. In 3 games, he had a goal and an assist. IMO, I’d take Vela over Walcott at this moment because Vela is not over-thinking his play. This opinion leaves the level of competition out of the equation because both have a long way to go in their development.
March 5th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Reyes had to be stretchered off today with a knee injury that the early word says will be “long term”. Like the shop clerk says” if you break it, you pay for it”. So Real Madrid, you don’t get Baptista back and you can keep ‘your’ Reyes.
March 5th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Great roundup of Arsenal players on loan. Thanks.
I don’t think Charlton will avoid relegation, although they have the best chance among the bottom three. They are 7 points adrift with 9 games to go.
If Song plays well for Charlton, it does not mean he will do well for Arsenal. Isn’t that why most of the players sent on loan are let go?
By the way, if Charlton are relegated, can we swap Song for Bent?
March 5th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Just saw the game again on GolTV. Have to say I am delighted with the progress of Clichy. Early in the season, he was weak going forward but now, he is very strong running with the ball. And made a number of good crosses. Happy to see Gallas playing well despite having been out for so long. The Gilberto-Gallas partnership looks really impressive though Reading wasn’t much of an attacking threat until the last 10 mins of the game. Both tackle well, reads the game well, anticipate the opponents moves well and Gilberto is strong in the air. With Gallas on the left side of central defence, he can cover for Clichy with good positioning whenever Clichy ventures upfield. Diaby also impressed with his Vieira-like close control of the ball and running with the ball. If he continues to improve, he can easily be the next Vieira without a doubt. Walcott was very active, did some useful work down the wings with his speed and could have a goal if not for a great save from their keeper. Aliadere had a perfectly good goal disallowed - I think the FA should consider helping linesmen with extra pairs of eyes from the cameras. It is such a no-brainer to improve linesmen decision making but I guess thats the FA for u.
I am disappointed with Baptista. Yes he scored a goal though IMO, it was a lucky goal. The defender slipped and allowed Baptista to toe-poke the ball into goal. His ball control is very poor for a Brazilian. I just cannot fathom how someone who plays in La Liga for Sevilla and RM has such a poor first touch on the ball. Certainly can’t blame the quality of the pitch. Passing was also poor with some overhit passes and some underhit passes. Also too easily dispossessed in a number of 1 on 1 situations. Late in the game, he should have let Aliadiere take a shot after a return pass from Diaby but was greedy and wanted to take the shot on his left foot which is his weaker foot. End up colliding with Aliadere who would have scored from inside the box on his stronger right foot. Not sure if it is selfish play or have no clue he was running into another Arsenal player. Wasted another chance to put more distance between Arsenal and Reading.
I will be disappointed if Wenger retains him - sad to say, I do not think he is of Arsenal quality
March 6th, 2007 at 12:12 am
I totally agree. Besides some flashes of brilliance I can’t see what good he’ll do for Arsenal. Unless he can stop being so clumsy then maybe he might be a very important player at Arsenal.
The frequency of his errors is far too high we are forced to forget the brief sparks of brilliance that he displays…
March 7th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I’ve got a feeling it won’t be quite as easy as that!
March 7th, 2007 at 10:45 am
I doubt if you’ll get that job at the Swiss Tourist Office.