Bendy Brace Buries Baggies
Mar 3rd, 2009 by 'holic
Watching on a stream probably didn’t reveal the full extent of the conditions, but they didn’t look quite as bad as forecast twenty-four hours earlier, which was a shame. Another slip at each end and a small fortune would have been flowing into ‘holics newest betting account. At half-time the punt on 4-2 looked good, thanks mainly to a Nicklas Bendtner double, a rare Kolo Toure strike, and Albion’s generous defence.
We had played our part too, allowing the Baggies a soft equaliser from Brunt’s free-kick just a couple of minutes after the impressive Bendtner had signalled his intentions for the evening with a fourth minute opener. The lead was regained on 38 minutes when Kolo found himself unmarked at point-blank range to head home a delightful Arshavin free-kick. The hosts defence was similarly absent a minute before the break as Bendtner took Toure’s cunning through-ball in his stride and finished impressively.
That was the scoring, there, in three sentences. It said nothing about the host of chances we spurned to run up a cricket score, and in particular Andrey Arshavin will wonder how he did not open his account for his new employers. Emmanuel Eboue too could have capped another solid display had he taken one of the trio of chances that fell his way.
Then there was the irrepressible Bendtner. He had real opportunities to complete a deserved hat-trick, including one mazy second-half run that carried him past defender after defender before his sidefoot finish smacked into the upright. That move encapsulated the match. We were, without question, playing with more purpose than we have seen in recent Premiership encounters. Given the absence of Gallas, van Persie, and until the second-half, Diaby, we were very positive and committed.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the magnificent travelling support once again. Robin van Persie may be a shoe-in for the player of the season gongs, but Arsenal’s ‘twelfth man’ should be a close second in any poll. I wish I could have gone now, but I usually feel like that!
Yes, Albion were frankly woeful, so we cannot go overboard, but if I am upset and critical of some recent performances, I have to be fair and give praise when it is due. It may be a cliche, but you can only beat what is in front of you, and Arsenal beat the home side comprehensively.
That pleases me for one significant reason. West Brom did try and have a go. They may have been largely ineffective throughout, but they had a go. Prior to our last defeat, on the tenth of December if you have forgotten it, we were vulnerable to any side that tried to play against us. League position counted for nothing as the lesser lights took advantage of our shortcomings.
The result at the Hawthorns means nothing if we don’t build on it. I’m not talking about the weekend clash with Burnley, although success is important then too. It is absolutely critical that Sam Allardyce and his latest creation at Blackburn are sent packing from the Grove in ten days time with a message for the rest of the Premiership. That message should be ‘Arsenal are back’.
Now, where can I get generous odds on another silly score on Sunday?
27 Responses to “Bendy Brace Buries Baggies”
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Oh go on then – I’ll have a night cap – that Bushmills you got on offer sounds good.
wow a win in the league and bendtner scored a goal.
blimey.
champers for me al.
Mmm, Bushmills. Got to be a good finish to the evening after this cheap stuff. Good call young mollusc.
Oops, sorry Wayne. It was only West Brom, you’ll have to make do with a nice Cava 😉
too right. got a bit over excited. sorry landlord.
the defending for bendtners second goal was truly shocking. good finish though, nice to see him finish clinically.
I’d just like to point out that Denilson had another very fine game in my book.
Even late on he was sprinting down the middle and was jumping into the tackles! (despite being kicked around alot by the WestBrom players) I hope he has finally made the breakthrough and continues like that when partnered with Cesc.
How about a generous 5 – 0 to the Arsenal holic? Remember this dudes bundled our boys out of the CC. If someone needs a beating, then it is Burnley, though i suspect they will be up for the fight.
You’re right to mention Blackburn. Even if we dispose of Burnley and Roma we can’t get carried away until we do away with Fat Sam’s Blackburn. Here’s to hoping we have Eddie, Cesc and Walcott back for that fixture though which may just make things considerably easier.
Very crucial win and a good one,the lads did them themselfes proud except a couple but this could be the start of something better,we must finish the Pl season strongly and we probably will finish in front of Villa.
Nik is one goal Behind ADE, someone should be looking over his shoulder
So, is 3-1 better than 0-0???
After all this time I’ve lost the hang of all this scoring stuff.
A step in the right direction but let’s see how both villa and ourselves react.
Very pleased for Nic though. He can come across as lazy and arrogant but I think, at least in part, that’s an age/style thing.
I’m with Arsene that at 21 there’s the potential for a lot more; provided he puts in the work.
A nice cup of tea to send me off to bed please . . . .
What a boost to Bendtner’s confidence. His second goal underlined that. Last week he would have messed about and lost the chance.
Like the rest of the team though he must build upon this performance.
Just got back from the Hawthorns and thought I would pop in for a night cap.
A very satisfactory performance, but against a very poor Albion. I would go as far as saying that that is the best I have seen Bendtner play. He led the line well and worked tirelessly all game. You are right Holic, he did deserve his treble. He took his goals well I thought. Denilson was again excellent. I feel he is getting better with each game. Other positives included Arshavin who seems to be settling in a bit now.
Although we did not score in the second half I thought that the introduction of Diaby gave us more shape. It was nice at the end to see a midfield that contained both Ramsey and Marida, although I thought Ramsey looked a bit out of sorts.
Well we have now established where Song should play. I thought he was poor first half, but looked a different player at centre half. Eboue, whilst making positive contributions had to be the laziest player on view. He can be so frustrating at times. On more than one occasion he would break forward, the move breaks down and he would just amble back. On one occasion both Bendtner and Arshavin had made more of an effort to get back and Eboue was left off side. AW really needs to sort this side of him out.
It is rare for me to sit behind a goal these days and it made a nice change. One thing it did highlight was how narrow we play. I know at the moment we play with little width. But tonight brought it home. In my opinion we need to exploit the flanks a lot more to start getting maximum out of this team.
All in all a good trip. Great atmosphere and a lot of noise coming from the Arsenal faithful. Bring on Burnley, hopefully for more of the same.
No matter where I roam,
I will return to Ashburton Grove,
For no bonds can ever tempt me from she.
Keep the faith.
Good to see us finally score some goals. I hate to sound negative but I am not yet convinced we can make it to CL this season. Last year 4 draws cost us the championship. We did it again this time and it may very well cost us again. I really hope I am wrong.
Thank you for another spot-on report ‘Holic. Sorry for your pound but as pointed out by Steve, Song is better at the back. I found him even better than Djourou in the second half.
Isn’t it funny how everyone (me included) was repeating that we needed to score sooner to stop playing with a foot on the brake? Finally it happens and the immediate reward is an equalizer.
The team congratulated Bendy profusely on his first goal, looked like they all knew he’d been through a tough spell. Let’s hope this is the turning point for him this season.
Anyway it was a good game with an excellent away support. The Invincibles of 2009 are taking shape nicely 😉
That russian stream reminded me of a bottle of pimented ukrainian vodka forgotten in the freezer. The kind of straightening drink to match a straightening win.
We beat the number one relegation candidate, champagne anyone?
Enjoyed the game on Belgian TV in a Brussels pub with a large bunch of African gooners (who, interestingly, were even more critical of Eboue than me).
Denilson’s best game by a mile. We’ll look back on this season as the one in which he came of age. Song looked much better in the centre of the defence than he did in mid-field and Diaby’s arrival signalled a more purposeful approach. Agree with all of the comments on Bendtner too.
Pleased to see both Ramsey and Merida getting off the bench, I had hoped that Arsenal would be so far ahead by half time that we’d see them both earlier. Nevertheless, I thought they both did well in the limited time available.
Finally, I think Gael Clichy needs a rest before Roma, he’s looking worn. Also, the return of JD20 for Gallas wasn’t as positive as i’d hoped. Not sure who is the weakest link in the Djourou, Kolo, Gallas triangle, but I’m beginning to rate Gallas higher than I did before Christmas.
Belgian beer for you, barman?
A good team performance and an excellent result but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that WB were very poor defensively.
Bendtner was a handful for the defence all game, Denilson worked his socks off and was very sound, Arshavin shows both class and a good work ethic but is obviously not yet fully fit, Kolo is getting back to where he used to be, Nasri was OK but looked a little bit jaded and Song was better in central defence than in midfield – this may well turn out to be his best position because I think he lacks the mobility and pace for midfield. Almunia continues to get better in goal, perhaps the run of clean sheets has helped his confidence?
Gael doesn’t look quite right to me, tired and lacking a bit of confidence – perhaps he needs a rest. Djourour also looked a bit unsure and off the pace – perhaps because it is a while since he played and Eboue was – well – Eboue, and I think the free kick for the goal went through his legs which were open like a barn door!
I agree with Steve that we are very narrow but then we almost always have been. The return of Theo should help to put that right though.
Brilliant from the supporters who I could quite clearly hear on the Sky extended highlights. Let’s hope that this level of positive support continues for the next home game, booing players whose confidence is already low only makes matters worse.
I sincerely hope that this isn’t another false dawn and that the team can kick-on from here and beat Burnley, then Roma and then Blackburn.
dan
cheer up son!
The message should also be ‘Welcome back to The Grove, Goonerholic’ 😉
Cognac for me, cheers.
Thank god for poor defending, and thank god for West Brom. Only 3 points adrift of 4th and at least the fixture list has allowed us to put a little pressure on Villa. Its just unfortunate that Man City will only be able to call on their reserve strikers for tonight`s game. Bendtner played well, although he really should have had a hat-trick, and Arshavin continues to impress, this time playing in his prefferred position. If we are going to concede a silly goal through a poorly organised wall, it might as well be in a game like this. AW was understandably very annoyed. I`ve read that many people think we should have pressed for more goals but the points were more important; and I wouldn`t even blame AW if he sent out a message not to go overboard, given our recent propensity for cock-ups. The only black mark goes to Song, who I thought detracted from our game, by among other things slowing down the play.
Things may at last be looking up, with Walcott and possibly Edouardo at least on the bench for Sunday and Ade only a couple of weeks away. Come on city – Come on you spurs – COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
1-0 to the arsenal all the way to the end of the sean and we have the cl and fa cup plus 3rd or 4th to show for it
hey ‘Holic,
maybe this aint the space for this question, but can I ask your opinions on Cesc leaving if AW does, City’s focus on prying AW away, and the rumors about R.Madrid likewise.
I would love to hear your views on those.
thanks
You can have my views if you like. There’s no chance of Arsene going to City or Real, so Cesc won’t be following him.
It’s very simple.
GG is spot on.
Paper shite.
If you had believed all of the runours made public last season then we would have signed over 100 players.
Why journalists are not made accountable for the stuff they write is beyond me.