KC And The Sunshine Banned
Jan 18th, 2009 by 'holic
Ooh, sorry about that, but I couldn’t resist. The weather forecast I saw on Saturday morning suggested the weather at the KC stadium would be ‘almost perfect’ for football, but the storm clouds arrived earlier than expected and added something to the already unpredictable nature of the contest.
Much like Bolton last week, I thought the Gunners opened brightly, and with intent. Whilst we cannot wait to welcome back Theo, Cesc, and hopefully Tomas (yeah, I know!) the makeshift midfield quartet seem to have a knack of interchanging and competing solidly. Ok, I will grant you that Eboue’s distribution bordered on the diabolical, but he didn’t hide, kept going, and deserves credit for that.
With a little more confidence the Ivorian may even have added to Adebayor’s superb towering header, and indeed the visitors would have been good value for a two goal half-time lead. Robin van Persie, again excellent, all but scored with a great free-kick that prompted a wonder-save from Myhill. But Arsenal being Arsenal, total domination almost turned to abject surrender in the second-half.
I don’t know exactly what Arsene says to them at half-time, but I gather he usually gives them a few minutes to calm down before offering his thoughts. If that is the case he may wish to rethink, because they also appear to lose focus and commitment whilst chomping on their slice of orange and puffing a roll-up.
During the opening forty-five minutes Hull had been a pale shadow of the side that so impressed when winning at the Grove. Cousin was clearly showing signs of frustration at their inability to get any sort of meaningful ball up to him as he ploughed a lone furrow up front.
The arrival of substitute Manucho finally gave Hull more of an attacking presence and there were muted calls for a penalty when he clashed with Djourou. Both players only had eyes for the ball from what I saw. My test on these incidents is ‘would we have been upset if that had happened at the other end and we had not got the penalty?’ Hypothetical as that may be my answer would be ‘no’.
The equaliser arrived when Clichy made what is becoming his one ghastly error per month. I rate him highly but he is learning a lot of lessons the hard way. He allowed Mendy far too much time to control and cross for Cousin to nip in between Toure and Djourou and head home at the near post.
For the second week in a row the arrival of Bendtner heralded a change in Arsenal’s fortunes. Stung out of their complacency by the hosts goal the Gunners again attacked with intent and reclaimed the initiative. Samir Nasri, a big player for us in Cesc’s absence, produced a classic finish with his ‘swinger’ following a wonderful pass from van Persie.
Fortune then definitely favoured us as the assistant referee missed a clearly offside van Persie setting up Bendtner for the clincher. I would have understood if Phil Brown had dedicated his post-match rant at Alan Wiley to this last incident instead of roundly abusing the official for not awarding that ‘penalty’.
So once again we dominated a game for an hour or so out of the ninety minutes. That missing half hour needs to be rediscovered if we are to maintain the chase of those above us, all of whom were less convincing than Arsenal yesterday, but all of whom struck late to keep us at bay.
By the time we arrive in Cardiff next Sunday we may have Arshhhh, you know who, to help us maintain our concentration for ninety minutes. He is a psychologist, isn’t he?
21 Responses to “KC And The Sunshine Banned”
An explosive bit from bendtner. looked really good and could have added that fourth. Much more enjoyable an account of the match than those offered elsewhere.
GH – You appear to be one of the very few (who like me) seem to think that penalty shout was a no brainer. You have Phil Brown claiming it was an asault and the commentators last night bizarely stating Djourou “knew what he was doing”. The fact that only one Hull player appealled for a penalty shows them everything they need to know.
An unfortunate clash of heads? Most definately. A stick on penalty? Get the F*** out of here.
Nice write up btw!
Hardly a “ghastly error” from Clichy to stand off Mendy was it ? A mistake of sorts agreed, but only highlighted by the subsequent deflection that directed Mendy’s cross straight onto Cousin’s head. Strong element of bad luck to that too.
Bendtner’s cameo at the end was one in the eye for the morons who enjoy criticising his every footstep. As usual, he looks better in a wide, or withdrawn role playing with other forwards. He’s never been the generic centre-forward his appearance would suggest. His stinkier performances this season have come when he’s been asked to play up front on his own.
Overall, great result yesterday. The season is turning around slowly. Keep the faith. Come on you Gooners !
Thought it was quite interesting that last weeks Arsenal v Bolton game was featured last on MOTD yet Bolton v Utd seemed like quite a similar game and result yet was featured first on MOTD last night! Our game yesterday was tucked near the end again too yet it was a fairly entertaining contest considering the conditions. You can bet your bottom dollar we would have been featured first had Hull beaten us! I’m glad MOTD are writing us off. Adebayor was right saying this time last year we were 10 points clear and folded due to the pressure. This year we’ve been written off already but are putting a decent run of unbeaten games together without setting the world on fire. I wasn’t impressed with Utd, Chelsea and certainly not Villa yesterday. There’s no pressure on Arsenal so write us off at your peril!
Yesterday was a great result, undoubtedly, but I think it hides a multitude of shortcomings in the performance. Diaby was dreadful for large portions of the game, constantly losing the ball. The same goes for Denilson and Eboue. Clichy’s mistake was a “ghastly error” as any premier league full back should be aware that the best way to stop a winger crossing the ball is to pressurise them, rather than stand and watch. Ade was also abject for large portions, and I am not one of these Ade-bashers (in fact i quite like him). His current form is concerning but hopefully the impending return of Dudu and Bendtner’s new found form will light a fire under his butt.
RVP and Nasri were great as usual and sagna and clichy were generally solid too.
To play badly and win is a good sign, let us hope that we can improve before we meet a good team on a good run.
Quite a few of the less creative picked up on your ‘to Hull and back” and it echoed up and down the web, Holic. If imitation is the sincerest form and all that. While they sat and scribbled by the fireside, your journey with management continued apparently? Best wishes there for a return to full fitness speedier than Cesc’s.
Roller coaster results yesterday. At one stage the perfect storm was in place with possible reverses on the cards for three of our challengers. By the time Arsenal took to the field, that storm has abated and only the aftershock of fish oil sodden rain flooding across KC remained for the Gunners sunshine band to harness.
Three points in such circumstances were a HUGE positive and the unbeaten streak rolls on, one game at a time, more AA than AOK, but steady, solid progress nevertheless. A robust, rather than inspiring performance all round. RVP and Samir Nasri were the positive callouts for me. Your comments on Eboue were more upbeat than I can muster. Clichy had a poor game defensively. His positioning at times isn’t good. He’ll be able to reflect as he watches Gibbs efforts in the same role at Cardiff next week.
Bendtner added a real edge when he came on. Smiles and back slaps from all when he scored. Maybe his personal standing is growing as he matures from an arrogant teenager to a dangerous striker? In any case, the last two weeks will have helped to boost confidence. His and the rest of the team’s. Come on you Gunners!
Cheers all.
BtM, I thought about another bit of Eboue-slaughtering. His distribution was woeful in the extreme, but he really didn’t hide, always showed, and what real good can it do if we keep ripping him to bits every single week?
I’m more concerned with the idiot of a linesman, sorry, assistant referee, who cost me Β£150 by missing RvP clearly offside π
Holic, Holic. On the final day of the season, that Bendtner goal may be the one that gives Arsenal’s goal difference the edge and plonks us into pole position for the EPL Championship. 150 quid would be a small price to pay in such circumstances. Think positively, old chap!
I agree with pretty well what most have said already (yes, it was NO penalty) – no sense repeating. My only issues are,
– Eboue for me had a better game than given credit. He has clearly upped his work-rate and doesn’t back out of anything. Thumbs up from me for his efforts. Most of his efforts that went astray happened in the first 20 minutes when the whole team weren’t quite firing in all cylinders. Personally, I think we ought to give the fella more a break.
– I don’t believe the Clichy ‘mistake’ was as bad as has possibly been protrayed. I think he made the decion to give to hold off from the defender….thinking if he made the ‘rash’ challenge, the defender may have quickly gotten past him. As it happened, the cross and resultant goal was from a lucky deflection.
Cheers ‘holic! Just a plain coffee for me this afternoon.
denilson isnt the fastest thats for sure but neither was flamini, gilberto, petit, edu or most of our centre mids from the last decade including cesc so speed isnt important and he has improved from the start of the saeson without doubt.
he’s doing his best which at the moment is good enough just about, but we wont beat, man u , chelsea or livpool without fabregas in the middle.
Eboue is my hero π
Cheers ‘holic!
Headline of the day, well played sir. π
that Bendtner goal may be the one that gives Arsenalβs goal difference the edge and plonks us into pole position for the EPL Championship. 150 quid would be a small price to pay in such circumstances
If we land the title I will not give a shit BtM, given I have a decent punt on us at 50/1. I’ll even send the linesman Β£150 for his next pair of glases π
Definitely NOT a penalty!
I think it was a mistake by Clichy, he backed off which gave Mendy time to control the ball and cross it, but what the hell, I think Gael is great, energetic, enthusiastic loyal and hard working.
Bendtner seems to have improved and he adds something which often changes the game coming on as a sub. Denilson shows steady improvement and I think will be a truly great player one day.
RVP and Nasri are a class above at the moment.
I’ll ‘ave ‘alf
Quiet in here innit.
I am so sorry Snail, and all. The management has had another op yesterday. I know it seems impossible, but trust me it happened. We are now hoping she gets through this weekend without any further infection, and then I will return more regularly. For now can I beg for your patience, whilst thanking you all for your good wishes. You have no idea how much those messages from people she doesn’t know are helping. The Cardiff preview will appear on Friday, at some stage. Again, I am so sorry my appearances are limited at this stage.
‘holic
No ‘sorry’ needed, ‘holic π
Take care.
What Ollie said. No apology necessary.
Fingers crossed for a good weekend.
Absolutely ‘holic. Wish her all the best from me too! And what Ollie and mrfa said.