Nobody Told Arsenal The Clocks Went Back
Oct 25th, 2009 by 'holic
On the day the clocks went back somebody forgot to share that vital piece of information with Arsenal, convinced they had won the game when coming in at half-time leading 2-0. For the second game running the side were coasting after the break and that proved costly.
It all looked so comfortable for over an hour, although in truth Arsenal did not have to hit the heights to cruise into the lead. The first goal from Robin van Persie, superbly created by Diaby and Sagna, owed much to a rare mistake from Robert Green.
The second, on 37 minutes, was a straightforward Gallas header as the defender out-muscled Carlton Cole from a van Persie corner. The break couldn’t come soon enough for a West Ham side shorn of any sort of belief or confidence.
It is difficult to know how critical to be of the Arsenal collapse in the final seventeen minutes. To be honest it had looked possible from when the Hammers brought on Diamanti and Hines around the hour mark. To this point Song had pretty much ruled the area ahead of his back four. Suddenly the hosts were getting at the heart of the defence.
The lead was halved when Mannone made a hash of a somewhat fortuitously awarded free-kick from Diamanti and Cole headed into the gaping goal. I’ve said before there is no point in slaughtering a young goalkeeper learning his trade. At the same time he has now made a couple of high-profile errors and the time may be right to let him develop a little further in the reserves.
The unthinkable was on the cards. I thought it would come from the penalty spot when Gallas rashly hung a leg at Parker’s determined run. I would have wanted the award at the other end. I can’t escape concluding that Chris Foy had this in mind when Cole found gravity a tough challenge following an innocuous brush with Song. Diamanti levelled from the spot.
There remained time for Arsenal to rescue the three points, but Green made amends for his earlier howler with a fabulous block from van Persie. Even the loss of Parker for a second yellow didn’t stop West Ham from clinging on for what could prove to be a very precious point. I have to accept that the visitors didn’t do enough to secure the win.
So that is two consecutive lacklustre performances for the first time this season. I’m not convinced that the forward players have been making the same efforts to win the ball in the final third as we have seen in most games this season, and maybe it is asking a lot to expect that degree of effort week in and week out for nine months. There will be dips, and the fact that we are escaping with draws instead of defeats may yet yield dividends at the sharp end of the season.
The main players will get a week to recharge their batteries as the understudies get an opportunity to show what they can do against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. I trust the big Guns will benefit from that rest and give us a full one hundred percent against the little club from up the road next Saturday. It would be a shame to see the positive response they have earned from a vast majority of the support evaporate with another poor performance in this particular derby.
38 Responses to “Nobody Told Arsenal The Clocks Went Back”
Maybe nobody had watched the Manure game? Perhaps no one noticed that all the results (Chavs excepted) had gone our way? Maybe Arsene didn’t tell them they only had to win by one goal and then beat Wigan in the game in hand to go top on GD?
Splendid first half performance. Some excellent, pure, flowing football of a kind few on the planet can come close to. Relatively little in the way of clear chances, but the game should have been over at half time. 3-0 and ‘Holic on his way down to the bookies to collect.
That we didn’t, was due principally to a shocker of a goal keeping error and a VERY doubtful penalty decision. But, come on. It’s not as simple as that. Is it?
Even Aresenal can’t play with only one striker and one mid-field player switched on for the FULL ninety minutes. Van Persie and Song were excellent. The back four played splendidly. Cesc was solid going forward, weak defensively. As for the other three, just not good enough. Arshavin has too many games where he flickers but no more. At 5 feet 4, he’s in danger of going from hero to zero like the man his followers seem to want to have intercourse with unless he can bring a sustained level of excellence to the field.
On a more positive note, great to see Nasri and Eduardo on the bench. They’ll leap ahead of Eboue and Diaby as first picks when fully fit. Speed on Denilson to an untroubled back. You’re badly missed when there are terriers like Parker around the mid-field.
Very well taken write-up. Couldnt have put it better myself. Dissapointing result. Knew what was coming as soon as that fateful free kick was awarded and unfortunately I probably wasn’t the only one who felt something was coming.
On my way back from the pub I wondered where exactly we did lose this game. Song was solid to say the least. Van Persie worked hard. Arshavin looked bored and Cesc very very pale at times. Interestingly both goals didn’t really go down as errors made by our back four which weren’t all that bad.
Arshavin was a total cunt today – his arrogance and laziness is astounding
How can anybody be so stupid with only one head? I’m leaving that one there for the world to see.
The guy had an off day, I’ll grant you. Doesn’t alter the fact he is one of the best players in the world and we are fortunate to have him.
I thought the mid week collapse would have been enough to shake off any complacency. Clearly, I was wrong. I hope that’s it. We’re still in touch because the others around us have also slipped up, but I can’t imagine that the others will continue to do so. We should have been out of sight with 17 minutes to go.
Two draws either side of Wenger’s 60th. I really though the lads owed him something to really smile about but it didn’t look that way today. Too few in white really wanted it.
Bring back Almunia. I think he’s got the message.
Really, really disappointed today. We looked too complacent in the 2nd half, and didn’t put in the required effort. Given some of the other results, an opportunity missed.
Best have another cider, ‘holic. Ta.
response from Goonerholic to hhh
thats fucking classic, man, nice one!
The MANAGER WENGER is responsible for todays poor result. What does he need to know the right time to make substitutions? Time and again keeping his hands folded on the bench, actually Wenger is proving to be a weak link in the team. Every body could see DIABY and EBOUE doing nothing but to harm the team performance, why wait for equalisers to think of substitution. Even a lay man with no background to Management could see that Arsenal needed replacements on the 60th minute, but only wenger could not, this cost the team 2 points. DIABY and EBOUE were useless about the hour mark. whoever has any connection to WENGER should advise him on DIABEY especially. Let NASRI Start playing.
Holic, we are a lazy side. Say what we want about fergie, but he does know how to motivate players of lesser talent.
You seem to be unaware of the meaning of the term ‘Every body’, kalach.
I don’t think Diaby or Eboue were as guilty as some of their more illustrious colleagues today. I’ll accept they both have to convince us they can produce the goods consistently, but let’s be fair in our criticism please.
Say what we want about fergie, but he does know how to motivate players of lesser talent.
I know what you mean s, but forgive me, this was not the day to make that argument. His full first team melted in a big game. They will do again.
This season is down to us and Chelsea, and right now the odds favour the Chavs, but we shall see.
It is, without a doubt, down to us and Chelsea, ‘Holic. I’m not sure that the odds do favour the Chavs.
However, we came into this season with a mindset of “we can beat the top teams, but we keep letting it slip against the lesser mortals”. Today was a classic case in point. There is no way in the world that these three points shouldn’t be in the bag. Unless we can be gilt edged against the bottom half, it’s going to be the same old story and disappointment will beckon.
I think we can though. But, we do need every single player on the field to perform to their potential every week. If their potential isn’t high enough, stand aside, there is some superb talent in this squad, Let’s see it used to the full.
Enjoying a bottle of Lodi 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, young man. Pop round if you fancy a swig.
I am getting more convinced by the day that we are going to be purchasing a keeper in January. A cheeky bid for Reina maybe? Akinfeev? He could keep Andrey company while he makes womens clothes.
Hopefully in the same conversation he brings up what goalie to buy, Glazidis gives Wenger a clip around the ear about bringing in a defensive coach. All we need is someone to tell them to concentrate and to impose themselves a bit more, get ’em scared. Vidic and Evra do this perfectly and Verm and Sagna seem the types who should and yet… no. We are too respectful of our opponants feelings. Talk shit about their sisters, be bold in a couple early second half challanges. Pay me to do this motivational talk every day in training; hell even an amateur coach paying attention to our defence is more than we seemingly have at the moment.
Enjoying a bottle of Lodi 337 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sounds interesting. Must say I have spells where cabernet is not my favourite, and then spells where it is perfectly acceptable. Funnily enough I tend to enjoy the Californian ones more these days.
I digress, BtM. Agree wholeheartedly about the squad. If someone has a couple of stinkers, hook him out and bring in the next man. Arsene appears to be applying that to his goalkeepers. Time to extend that thinking maybe?
am so disapointed for a simple reason…lack of experienced is exposed even today…truth we have missed rosicky today, the way he shields the ball and his creativity was missed…..another thing is, diaby is not arsenal material, he cant win tackles…..how can u leave song to fight alone day in and day out… We need someone to help song and leave fab to do what he does best…….i think nasri should come in the place os diaby…am afraid bwcause whever the opposition get the ball they get to our box with no one closing them down. Van persie did not play well second half…..arshavin is arrogant and lazy,doesnt hekp clichy at all and when he loses the ball and doesnt chase…..
I will walk the moon if this side with Song,Diaby and Eboue wins the league.
I cannot believe some of the comments on here concerning Arshavin, calling him arrogant and lazy! I know he didn’t have a brilliant game today, but I’m starting to think he is a victim of his own success. During a relatively short time at the club he has set the premier league alight.
Danish, get your golf clubs out, mate. It’s time we had someone have another good swing up there. No better man than you. Make sure you get some good Goonerholic branding on the side of Denmark 1 at take off time.
Song is a STAR and you’ll see him as you pass through the milky way on your way to the moon. Diaby and Eboue are good squad players.
You don’t need a telescope to see the galaxy of stars sitting on the bench or in the recovery ward. Look – there’s Walcott. Nasri, Eduardo, Denmark’s own Super Nick, Gibbsy, Vela, Neutron Jack and Fean Merida.
We’re going to win it. Get your space suit ready.
Really disappointing game today. I said to my friends that for this game, it’s down to our concentration. And bam, it was down to the lack of concentration.
Why is it that we concede goals so damn easily? This draw felt much much worse than the one midweek. Arggg.
Goonerholic; very optimistic view about us and chelski competing for the title this year, it is a view which I share by the way. But we have to improve on this, you know, thing which I don’t see happening, yet, to chelski. When they lose they lose deservedly.
Let’s pray that the team learns (again). No more slip and let’s give the spuds a big big spanking next week!
And people who do not rate Song can piss off, he’s becoming one of the best DM as we speak.
Well, it happened again. I wonder when the boys are going to get it into their heads that refs will ALWAYS fuck us up if they have the chance, and the only way to guard against that sort of nonsense is to be as far out of sight as possible.
There is no reason we shouldn’t have strolled to a 4-0 win today, and heck, at 2-0, we were cruising, West Ham were huffing and puffing, but by and large, we were dealing with their attacks, and it seemed we only had to wait for them to run out of steam in the last 10 minutes or so, then wham! First of all, Arsene is being generous when he says the free kick and penalty were “generous”, the free kick especially. There is no way that was a foul, Zavon Hines ran into Diaby who stood his ground as any defender is in his right to do. He did not attempt to hold the West Ham player, or impede him in any way, and once the ref gave a free kick against Diaby for standing his ground AND winning the ball to boot, I got that sinking feeling.
I’m sure that with Carlton Cole being English and all, he will be hailed for “cleverly winning” a penalty against those foreigners from Arsenal. The fact that the man had muscled his way out of far tougher challenges, and went down at a feather touch will be conveniently forgotten. Naturally, the ref couldn’t wait to give them a penalty.
It’s a draw that feels like a defeat, and I’m sure the knives will be well and truly out come morning, as the hacks, long despairing of the humble pie they were being force-fed, attempt to create some despair in the Gooner Nation (though, judging by the remarks of “Danish Gooner” here, they won’t have to apply too much pressure on some).
We were lucky in that other results went our way this weekend, and while we didn’t take advantage of that luck, it’s still a point, and we’re now in the top 3 with a game in hand. It’s not going to be an easy title race, but I see no reason why we can’t pull it off, provided the harsh lessons of this week are well learned.
Keep the faith lads. And ‘holic, I’m having an Irish coffee, if you like, I can brew you a cup. 😀
Fucking pissed
lots OF LAUGHS its a week where as usual you will all be bricking it knowing that after a few hick ups the true north london club will be calling with three points in mind. We are a little dubious of your real strength.. You seem strong on paper but to be honest your results flatter you!!
Bring it on FOD!! as always let old the old scores be settled
No toys left to chuck after Wednesday night, but feel like I should be doing so AGAIN. Another 2 sloppy goals conceded. I know we can moan about both being dodgey decisions but the truth is that we should not have been in that position in the first place.
I enjoyed interesting debate on here after throwing away points on Wednesday. However, it would appear that we have made similar mistakes in not killing the game off when we were in control. There were times when going 1 up was all we needed. Now it appears that a 2 goal advantage is not enough.
I agree with those that say Denilson is a big miss. He gives the side a far better shape. I also believe that it is no coincidence that we have had 2 average performances when Rosicky has been missing. He gives us something special.
Arsene needs to sort out the keeping situation. I am not a big fan of Almunia. Clearly Arsene isn’t either or he would be back in the starting line up. But we are now starting games with a keeper who was our third choice back in August. For a club not blessed with world class options I would suggest that that is a problem. Vito has performed very well in his stint but still has a lot to learn. He is more of a Manninger at this time in his career than a Seaman or a Lehman.
I wish I shared your views on the Manure. They have been pants so far this season but are still top. I don’t think they are out of it just yet.
We need to re group, focus and get back to the way we were. We need to develop a ruthless streak and most of all, we need to smash the Spuds off the planet next Saturday. Perhaps Danish can give them a wave as he passes them on his way to the moon?????
To be honest holic I have had a shit day so I have already started on a cheeky red that I had lurking in the cupboard. Nothing fancy you understand but it will do the job.
Keep the faith.
I love deluded Spuds. Just when I was feeling a bit down, up one pops and makes you realsie how lucky you really are. Fantastic.
The greatest stat still in world football is that Arsenal have won the league more times at Shite Fart Lane than the Spuds. I mean, how funny is that???????
Thank you cusop.
I DONT KNOW WHEN THIS TEAM IS GOING TO LEARN SERIOUSLY MANNONE HAS BEEN PLAYING INCREDIBLE SO FAR BUT I SAID 1 LITTLE MISTAKE WILL COST US HIGHLY INSTEAD OF PUSHING THE BALL FROM A FREE KICK TO A CORNER HE PUSHES TO THE PENALTY SPOT KICK, DIABY NEEDS TO FUCKING WAKE UP I REALLY DONT CARE WHAT ANY1 SAYS TO ME, ARHSAVIN THINKS HIS SPECIAL JUST WAITING NOW I KNOW WHY CLICHY HAS BEEN PLAYING LOW OF FORM BECAUSE ARSHAVIN DOESNT PROTECT HIM ON THE DEFENDING PART SO CLICHY GETS NERVOUS AND BEING NERVOUS MAKES MISTAKES, TOUGH GAMES THIS WEEK AGAINST LIVERPOOL AND SPURS HOPEFULLY WEN CAN GET WINS FROM THEM!!! ARSENE SHOULD START SHOUTING AT THESE GUYS SERIOUSLY AND THIS GAME AND AT AZ PROVED WE NEED A LEADER CESC IS QUIET I THINK SOME1 NEEDS TO START SHOUTING AND CALLING THE SHOTS
kalach you are spo-on. wenger is the weakest link in this arsenal team. i wonder what sort of coach he has turned to be having done so well over the years. the guy just simply does not get it when it comes to making substitutions. he should take a cue from his fellow coaches, especially mourinho and ferguson-these men waste no time in substituting players when the going is not good. but wenger leaves it so late you wonder whether he watches the same matches as we the supporters. i hate wenger!
i wonder how will the current squad play during a CL final if we ever get there. if we pop in the first goal, we will start to have jelly legs about having the 90 mins over. if we are a goal down, we will think oh shit, what are we to do now. how can we come back?
where’s our leader on the pitch.
‘holic – is fab good enough to be the captain, which apart from his brillance assists, needs to calm, lead and inspire the rest?
‘holic – is arshavin lazy, fat and disinterested? i do not think so. given, he’s tired and the game is not flowing the way he wants it to be. and he is also probably had enough of being on the left. he needs to be the link between RVP and Fab, i think with my little knowledge in placements and strategies. he is the sorta player that plays himself in positions or produce a stroke of spectacular run and score goals. but about work rate, didnt he ran all the way back to defend and got carded?
‘holic – in arsene we trust? till today, i cant imagine him leaving the club and probably promote someone from the Legends. but i do think that this “look-after-the-young-and-give-them-a-position-and-not-kill-them strategy needs a little bit more balanced. look what vermaelen brough about.
I am stunned by number of so called fans on here abusing Arshavin! Granted he is not in the best of form of late, but even so he has still shown he can win us a game( Birmingham).
As holic says we are lucky to have a player of his class. Also he plays so much better down the middle and I think that is the biggest problem with him right now….Arsene playing a player out of position yet again (Bendtner right wing!!??)
What next? Our own fans booing him!? Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a gooner.
may be Arsenal SHOULD ENGAGE GEORGE GRAHAM AS SPECIAL ADVISER FOR THE DEFENCE. He is the best DEFENDER.
already leak 13 goals in EPL; 4 goals in CPL.
Always the same excuses: didn’t get final ball to kill the game. Where & when is the ruthlessness coming ?
If the defenders can grind out, the game is already won. it’s better to win 1-0 than draw 2-2. Don’t understand y other teams can grind out 1-0 win. At the end of season they have trophies.
Today Arshavin was the worst, Cesc was not his usual self may be of family problem. Diaby was little better than previous game.
AW likes to play players out of position, y he didn’t do to diaby as a lone striker baffles me ???
Pls Mr AW don’t be TOO stubborn in substitution, learn from J. Mourinho
We Respect u
We were cruising after the two goal lead and something told me we weren’t going to make it somehow.
The one and olny man who made this game for what it was was the fucking REF….!!!
The ref then goes off to make up for his blunder and gives another yellow to Scott Parker and a red for handling the ball with his arms and to be honest with you the way he fell he had no choice but to use his arms so he wouldn’t lasnd on his face.
Teams who play with 10 men are harder to beat than you think, yes we should have killed this game off way before so hopefully this will NOT come back to haunt us further down the season.
Lads need to regroup fast I think we should play pretty much first 11 in the Carling Cup to start with. I know we can beat the Spuds this coming weekend and so we should to make up for this silly draw.
Mannone – 6 (Should have pushed the ball wide not into penalty area)
Sagna – 7 (He played well and I would trust him with my life)
Gallas – 8 ( Another decent display)
Verminator – 8 (Yet again very good)
Clichy – 6 (I’m still looking for him to have more confidence)
Song – 7 (He was everywhere again)
Cesc – 6 ( I thought he could do better)
Diaby – 6 (Needs to look up he could of made a killer pass so many times but his dribbles let him down again)
Eboue – 7 ( I thought he had a very good game)
Arshavin – 6 (Off the pace disinterested)
Van Persie – 8 ( He run and he run)
I’m not going to observe Bendy and Eduardo simply because they came on all too late. Which leaves with one question for Le Boss.
Why leave it so late to make subs?
Get over it already, guys. We are going to have draws this season and I always thought before the game that this could be one of them coming after the international qualifiers and before the spuds game (BTW I fully anticipate three more draws this year so go figure). After the first half, I wondered if I had been wrong but then with 15mins to go, the upfield defending that our 4-3-3 depends on for success stopped. Just like in the CL game. We have conceded a lot of late goals that oppos are bound to turn up the heat late and make our defense panicky. Wenger making substitutions to effectively change into a 4-4-2 may have saved us the blushes but we’re still on track and will take out our frustration on the spuds.
didnt go through all the comments so sorry if i am repeating any of the posters :
how come so many talented/intelligent professionals REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES TWICE A WEEK — forget football; are any one of us given the luxury to repeat the same mistakes this frequently; u commit the same mistake on two consecutive days in office — i am not sure if my employers will look at it kindly.
And will Chelsea/Manure/Liverpool ever surrender a 2 goal lead?
When was the last time that happened — any of these 3 teams leading by 2 goals at half time and then drawing?
WTF was Wenger w8ing for till 80th minute for the first substitution??
We will lose/draw several matches this season — but this draw is extremely disappointing — it left as bad a taste in mouth as the last season’s 4-4 game with Spuddies.
There is a reason Arsenal comes 4th in the League consistently and that is NOT LEARNING FROM MISTAKES.
Disappointed to say the least. Mistakes are only of value if you learn form them – certainly not if you repeat the same twice in one week. Yesterday’s result was not good at all.
Almost a carbon copy of the AZ game – overly casual. careless and sloppy in many respects. I don’t need to name names, that has already been done and those who watched the game will know who played with commitment and desire and who looked in parts as if they wanted to be somewhere else. We do miss Rosicky and Denilson, please hurry back guys.
I now look forward to Wednesday and the youngsters in the Carling Cup.
I felt sick after the result and when I thought I was recovering from flu the previous week, I have had to book an appointment with my GP as I got really really worse.
But I am still optimistic. Let’s look at the teams who could win the title:
Manchester United
Lost to Burnley, drew with Sunderland. AT HOME!!! Couldn’t beat a half fit Liverpool team. Please don’t tell me they would have just walked away with victory against West Ham
Chelsea
Lost at Villa when they played really well and were leading 1-0. Why do people forget this when they say only Arsenal play well and lose? Lost twice away now. They don’t cut it for me and will lose more away and get worse when they can’t sign players anymore.
Liverpool
4 games lost. They will surely lose more home and away. Set up to defend so I can definitely see more draws coming up for them too.
Arsenal
Everyone is playing well. The ONLY problem is the goalkeeping one. Teams get one or two chances a game to score against us. Not all will score and we will usually score 3 gaols on average a game. A title winning team is in the making who need to really believe they can do it. Arsenal is often accused of over-confidence but I just think that’s a result of our usual play. Just support them. They want this title more than you think
It’s the even handedness and long-term perspective of Goonerholic’s posts that keep me returning. This another fine example of not losing your head-ism when 3 points becomes 1 and you want to find lots and lots of cats to kick.
The only thing I’d like to say is how much we really are missing Denilson. Song, though excellent for the most part (though I’d not get ahead of myself and claim he’s the real thing – he’s getting there), but he can’t fo it on his own and Diaby is good when he’s good, but too often rotten.
Thanks Lee. Take your point about Denilson. I think a few people are starting to appreciate what he brings to the side now he isn’t there.