Koeman, I Lean (Towards Gunners)
Nov 5th, 2009 by 'holic
OK, that wasn’t quite what he said, but Dexy’s Midnight Runners didn’t make a song called, Koeman, “Sometimes you have to say the opponents are better, much better. In quality they are one of the best teams in Europe”.
I’ll get my coat!
It is yet another of those games where you end up asking yourself just how good are this Arsenal team. Were the opposition really that bad, or did we just make them look it, again? Well, last season Alkmaar were Dutch champions by eleven points, so despite arriving minus their leading scorer they have earned a degree of respect.
However, they could not match their start from a fortnight ago when their ball-retention in the early stages set the tempo for what would ultimately be a frustrating draw. When Robin van Persie went close early on, the mood for this night was set, and some of the football on display from the hosts was simply breathtaking.
By now I would imagine you will have seen at least the goals, so I don’t need perhaps to join in universal criticism of the Argentinian national goalkeeper, Romero, beaten just inside his near post by Cesc Fabregas on 26 minutes.
It is difficult not to wax lyrical about the Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri interchange that resulted in the latter grabbing a mouthwatering second nigh on half-time. Although they were not all on at the same time we witnessed for the first time tonight the quartet of Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri, and Rosicky on the same pitch. Could they play as a quartet just ahead of Song and behind van Persie. My goodness, how amazing could we get?
That would of course mean no starting role for Diaby. He seems to be this season’s ‘love him or loathe him’ figure. Tonight we saw the best, and just occasionally the worst, of him. He was instrumental in both of Arsenal’s second-half goals.
A shrewd intervention on the halfway line allowed him to feed Arshavin and the little Russian played in Cesc for the skipper’s second of the night before the hour was up, and it was 4-0 when Diaby himself arrived in the box to apply a cool finish after Eduardo’s delicious backheel freed Arshavin for a hat-trick of assists.
In between those two goals Manuel Almunia had produced a candidate for save of the season when denying Pelle from point-blank range, so it was a shame to see him beaten at his near post in the closing stages when Lens took advantage of the space vacated by the fallen Gibbs to grab a consolation.
It was a goal that leaned heavily on the sympathy of the otherwise excellent referee, Alain Hamer, who elected not to award a penalty at the other end when Pelle appeared to handle in his own area, and was the only damper on the night.
I was most impressed though with the skipper in his post-match interview, when he insisted “we want to win and at the end if we win something we will say that we had a good year”. I like that word ‘want’ a lot more than the word ‘need’ that is bandied about rather recklessly. It demonstrates the desire of the professional rather than the desperation of the immature.
This was another good night to be a Gooner.
43 Responses to “Koeman, I Lean (Towards Gunners)”
Fuck me ‘holic. You on a penny a pun this week? Good ‘un mind!
Well said dude.
Great performance but this Alkmaar side is seriously poor so very hard to know if we have improved,last year we turned Slavia prag inside out and looked the part but when faced with a team off pedigree we crumled,lets see how we do against Chelski then we know if we have improved.
Great game and great performance from the lads!
What did you make of Cesc’s “celebration” seemed to be pointing and having a go at nasri I think and looked a bit peeved! But they seemed cool after Cesc’s second and he looked alot happier too’
I’ll go for cider and a house double please!
Wonderful goals from the lads,credit to Diaby,he should totally hv performed marvellour like tonite.But still a little worried about the defensive side.
After this game we want all the fun to be behind this great team with big trophies to come, and please give a Abou Diaby a chance he will be as good as Pat even better he still 22, Wenger know better what a lesson of beautiful game come on you goners
Was that the worst pun you’ve ever done?
Gee, no.
Too ry, ay?
This could Rowl and role …
Show me…
A delicious result from a team that is clearly rising in confidence. Alkmaar were not so good but you have to beat the opposition that is placed before you. We did just that!
I thought Diaby did just as well as any other team member. He took his goal with aplomb. If forced to be hyper-critical, I’d have expected a little more from Ramsey in the 25minutes in his coming on as a substitute for Cesc. That said, he is growing in experience and Cescs’ boots are pretty big to fill, so perhaps I am being unfair.
Keep on believing π
I like your match report, especially “I like that word βwantβ a lot more than the word βneedβ that is bandied about rather recklessly. It demonstrates the desire of the professional rather than the desperation of the immature.”
The lads played very well.
I must add that the difference between tonight’s game and the game at Alkmaar was that we forced and took our chances. We lost our shape towards the end, like we did in the final 10 mins at Alkmaar [I guess relaxing too much with the feeling that the game is won].
Actually don, I hear what you are saying about Ramsey, but this must have been a difficult game to come on cold. Although they looked a level or two below us, Alkmaar never stopped pressing the ball and trying to deny us time. He was probably just getting the pace of the contest when the whistle blew.
Was it me or did Arshavin setup all four goals tonight.
For someone who can not find the net himself, he did very well, no wonder at times the spuds had 2 boyz (can’t call them men) most of the time when he ran at them.
I also agree if we can keep all the player fit and well, we will come ino our own in the home straight.
As the Cesc machine said we need to lift a cup to start believe in ourselfs
good night off to watch spooks….
Loves and kisses…
Gooner from hurlock st (google hurlock st n5)
[…] Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal goonerholic.com/?p=1924 – view page – cached Goonerholic: Comment and review from a lifelong fan […]
Thank you Anon.
Hope to see you back here.
Anyway, time to get some shut-eye, so goodnight all. Come back tomorrow for an early Wolves preview as I am travelling up there on Friday to make a weekend of it.
Top report again `Holic.
We’re being served caviar every game at the emirates this season, we can always nitpick on player X or Y but honestly with the wengerball on display who can complain? At times it feels like the football version of the Harlem Globe Trotters given how technically gifted our players are.
Arsene had an interesting comment after the game btw:
“We have certainly not had so many creative options before,” he said. “This was without Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Denilson while Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky did not start. That’s why I was always amazed people told me to buy, buy, buy.”
AZ kept possesion by only back passsing thats what they did in holland they did try it today but proff AW figured it out and AZ were punished badly as we watched arsenal play the most entertaining football which cant be matched even on the ps3 or x box.glad to see andrei and diaby shut their doubters.
Let’s not get too cocky and say we are going to win the pl and cl.I still have doubts about the defence. The gunners are great offensively but are vulnerable to to a quick counter.
I will reserve judgement until matches are played against some of the other teams like AV,Chelsea,etc.
If Arsenal perform creditably maybe the drought could finally end.Btw no team can go on winning five to tem matches in a row.
This is inclusive of epl,carling and cl games.I remember the red faced cunt went on a winning streak sixteen matches out of eighteen in 2003-03.Now if the gunners could perform something similar it will read make cynic s sit up.
“Breaking News” A massive footie update. Joan Laporta want’s to by
all of arsenal’s First team,The Carling Cup Kid’s, and good oh Pat Rice
ah shnapp’s were done.
Another great night with more more wonderful football. I agrre with almost everything above so wont repeat it. Great to see both Rosicky and Nasri on the same pitch. Not sure that is something I expected to see.
Lots and lots of praise has gone out to the flair and attacking side of our game. Just thought I would take the opportinity to mention out 2 centre backs. I think that both Gallas and Vermaelen have been outstanding this season. Vermaelen has added both strength and organisation to the defence. Gallas looks now to be the player we hoped he would be when he signed. Both are in fine form and I firmly believe that this allows those in front to play the way they do. Song links the two areas superbly. For me it is not just the creativity but the whole ballance of the side that looks so much better. I have go on for months on here about lack of leadership. Is it just possible that we now have a few players that actually look like leaders???
Going to Wolves as well at the weekend and looking forward to that. Let us hope for another repeat performance.
Keep the faith.
Like us Chelski have great players that can make the difference on one game so whatever the result is, it would not tell which team is better. Remember last year in the CL, Chelski absolutely dominated Barca and still managed to lose.
For the premiership what matters is not repeating the performance against West Ham and keep winning systematically against the minnows.
Of course if we win the Chelski derby, it will only confirm that we’re better than them π
I really need to stop posting here whilst drunk (this night also infused with some vindaloo) but a short note from the phone again:
1) great write-up.
2) wonderful win
3) just how good is our captain really? Gerra-Lampa-Barry-Iniesta-WHO?!
4) Shava, still not looking 100% which is a scary thought since he still sets up goals and drags defenders wonderfuly. Beware! Beware! “five goals, one game” might yet come!
5) Gibbs doing a bit too much when not needed and might have been missing when needed bur still an awesome leftback in the making.
6) the “we look vulnarable to quick counters”-argument. Yes. We do. But a) we are an attacking team so it’s mostly fine and 2) EVERY team in the world is vulnarable to Quick counters. Thats why teams try them. Evert game. It’s like a corner. Get enough against you and one will go in. If we can just rid us of the 2-1 panic im fine with a few goals against on the counter. Thats football. And even more so wengerball. But i wouldnt want it any other way.
7) nasris footwork for the goal. Breathtaking.
8) My thoughts verge on dirty.
Imagine when vela get’s back in form …wow.
I’ll have a pint, please – OF GOALS!
As per Toby, I feel Gibbs made a couple of suspect decisions but he made up for this with a couple of great tackles – one in particular chasing back was sublime. I think I already prefer him to Clichy.
And Vermaelen was caught out of position more than once, and fatally for their goal. We’ve seen him bomb back from the halfway line to make goal-saving tackles before, but this time the time-travelling, predator killing-machine couldn’t quite make it.
Other than that it was Gods v mortals.
Oops, the AZ goal was from an Arsenal corner, wasn’t it? Vermaelen not out of position. My bad.
In that break Lens won a high ball against Gibbs who came down awkwardly. I thought Gibbs terminally wrenched his sprocket, and experienced a plummeting sensation in my water until I saw him up and running again like a happy foal. He’s going to be a crucial player over the next few weeks.
Gibbs still looks a bit suspect at the back. Both Ramsey and he were very weak on the ball when AZ scored their goal.
All gooners should be happy and stop nit picking. Also our defence is not as bad as some people would have us believe when compared with the other teams in the top 4 EPL. Man U has conceded only two goals less than us, Chelsea 4 goals less, Liverpool 3 more, Spuds 4 more,… so in comparison to our competitors we are not as bad as some people think.
Diaby had a brilliant game – in the first half – he got into very good defensive position to steal the lose ball. But unfortunately, for him Nasri had a belter of game. I don’t think he will start on Saturday but he is not far away from the first team! Anyway, Wenger has many options and if we got some injured player fit in December. We could be playing an experienced Carling Cup Kid side against City!
Everytime Arshavin did something he made me laugh cos he was awesome. Played as a left back. Kicked people. And three assist.
One thing I would like Arsneal to improve is on the clean sheet record. We should’ve had another clean sheet last night. I don’t know why Diaby and Song went for the corner to make up the numbers. They should have stayed back with Eboue and Gibbs. I think, we can improve our ball-retention when dozen of goals in front to reduce counter attacking. I want opposition to respect our defensive unit in same breath as our attacking unit. That can be achieved if we keep respecting the opposition even when we are dozen goals up and stay organized. We shouldn’t give any scoring chance when we are in front!
And the new chant should be – “3-Nil to the Arsenal!” π
‘holic #13 – yes I see your point. I guess it is more testament to the control and influence Cesc will naturally exert over the whole proceedings rather than any deficiency on the part of Ramsey (who, let’s face it, is still really finding his role within the team). So it was a uphill challenge for him to easily slot in and take up the reins.
That said, we have an awesome squad and this year represents a massive opportunity to collect honours. I’ll admit that I do still get the jitters over our defensive errors but there is much more about which to be positive.
Keep on believing π
Oh dear, ‘holic, the puns keep getting worse.
What’s your Plan B?
I’ll have a coffee, thanks.
Eboue wasn’t at his best.Aluminia was caught flat foot on the goal conceded. The rest of the team were great. The back heel from Eduardo that resulted in our 4th was just a masterpiece. I love this team and more so when we win games.
For me my (very minor) nitpicking after a game like this is just to remind myself not to get too carried away, which happens easily when you watch this team. I abolutely adore that we play the most basic football in the world. No fancy tricks just pass pass pass goal, but at a speed and with an accuracy that lifts the game to glorious heights.
And heh, great one Ollie.
Let’s make this precious (I think we probably will!)
Just how bad was Gibbs defensively last night.Very worrying.
Heh! If you think that was bad Ollie, just wait until we play Citeh again π
Oh dear, I seem to have missed all the puns. Still you look like you had fun and that’s all that I need. I believe it was Jackie Wilson that said “I’m in heaven when you smile”, and this team look like they could smile all the way to the end of the season.
Now that’s what I call football! The 4th goal was breathlessly stupendous. What a counter-attack. From the throw-in line to the goal line in a blaze of one-touch passing and mesmerising movement.
I like that El Capitan is doing his best to keep everyone’s feet on the ground, and he’s banging them in for fun these days. Like he said, it’s when we win something that it’ll feel special, but it’s hard not to bask in the warmth of the best football on Earth.
Liverpool are imploding, Man Utd are stuttering, Man al-City can’t buy a win anywhere at the moment, and the Spuds are, well, the Spuds. The idiot pundits are scrambling for cover, acting like they didn’t trot out the whole “Arsenal to drop out of top 4” line at the beginning of the season. In fact, I think if we win the title this season, next year’s headlines will be all about how Arsenal need some big signings if they’re to avoid dropping out of the top 4!
Here’s hoping we can keep the streak alive against Wolves.
Come on you Gunners!!!!
G’day all,
Agree with most of the comments on here, though Alumnia continues to worry me.
The Law: It really is amusing to hear the so called experts, and football commentators radically change their positions on our chances of success. Even lineker and phil big nose T, are singing different tunes now. I bet all are waiting for the Arsenal to fail, just so they can say told you so. I’ve got a good feeling about this season, lets pray we can keep up this form.
Stupendous performance !!! the whole team played very well, 11 players stayed focus & worked hard for each other until the final whistle. A few players were electrifying. Keep up the confidence boosting performance on a regular basis.
I ‘m still buzzing so much after that performance I have to post another comment! Hurrah!
Heh, ‘holic.
Nice one.
Excellent comments The Law (#37). I make you completely right on the so-called experts/pundits thing. I’ve never really held Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson and the rest of the Liverpool worshipping clan in any high regard but they’ve managed to even stoop even lower in my estimation (given their incredibly biased footballing opinions). I struggle to comprehend how these guys manage to eek out a living just by talking out of their collective backsides. Hey-ho….
NB. As a point of interest, can someone please explain why Cesc was so seemingly unhappy after scoring the 1st goal?
yes our defence is still vulnerable to the quick counter, but having seen how the mancs capitulated v the pool earlier and v CSKA, and chelsea v wigan, we may just be being over critical. I still think the defence has come in leaps and bounds this year and can only get better.