Ade Pulls Trigger In Jol-ly Boys Outing!
Sep 16th, 2007 by 'holic
Only the truly smug would point out that at the start of the season our hosts in yesterdays ‘meet the neighbours’ show were going to claim our Champions League qualifying place. There was some logic for them in the argument that spending over £50 million pounds on top new talent while we ‘lost’ Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg would finally see a power shift north of the river. Well, it has to be said, regardless of how unattractive a quality it may be, I am feeling particularly smug this morning! Well, smug and a little bit hungover as well, obviously.
The match itself made for great entertainment from first to last. Arsenal, as the away side, appeared to pretty much control the contest for long spells but just occasionally gave Spurs hope with the odd little errors in key areas.
It was unfortunate that an error of judgement from Almunia should lead to Tottenham grabbing what is becoming their customary opening goal in this fixture. Bale’s free-kick was well struck, but should not have been able to go round the wall and inside the near post.
At the other end Robinson had to be at his best to deny Hleb and Adebayor before the crossbar prevented Diaby from levelling the score. During the first half Arsenal were driven forward by the excellent full-back pairing of Sagna and Clichy, the foraging Toure, and the industrious Flamini.
I suspect there was no throwing of tea cups at half time in the visitors changing room, just calm reassurance that to keep playing the way they were would yield results. And so suitably soothed the boys in red almost started the second-half by conceding a second goal. Almunia, so excellent until yesterday, rashly left his area to confront Berbatov and lost. Only an incredible last ditch tackle by Toure saved the day.
Moments later Adebayor looked set to punish such profligacy when set up by the brilliant Sagna, but a reckless finish spoiled the move. Ade’s moment would arrive soon enough.
The introduction of Rosicky for Diaby gave Arsenal more threat on the left hand side, and nine minutes after his arrival came the equaliser. Fabregas, subdued up to this point, floated a perfect free-kick into the box and Adebayor rose ahead of Robinson to head home.
Much drama was packed into the final ten minutes. First Berbatov saw his goalbound effort blocked on the line by the outstanding Clichy, then Arsenal moved to the other end to stunning effect. Fabregas advanced unchallenged through the Tottenham half before unleashing an unstoppable twenty-five yarder. Two-one to the Arsenal and ‘holics pound (see preview) looked like being a 10-1 success.
Over sixteen million pounds were required to take Darren Bent to the Lane, and given a clear run on goal he showed the sheer lunacy of such expenditure as he shinned the ball well wide of the target.
Arsenal had, however, saved the best to last. Denilson was denied by the feet of Robinson, but when the ball was knocked back to the edge of the box it found Adebayor. The more I watch this goal the more I am reminded of that spectacular Thierry Henry strike against Manchester United. With a flick the ball was transferred to the perfect height, and with a smooth swivel and delicious volley Arsenal’s number 25 sent the ball sailing past England’s number 1 (cue much sniggering!).
So the sternest test yet of Wengerball mark three has been passed in style. Who would have thought at the start of the season Arsenal would now top the table, despite having played a game less than all of their major rivals excepting Liverpool.
The truly big games are still some way off, but these young Gunners are getting into a winning habit, and sometimes that can be a very difficult habit to break. Let’s hope, eh?
6 Responses to “Ade Pulls Trigger In Jol-ly Boys Outing!”
Great confidence boosting win especially after an International break. Like Wenger, I really hope we can keep the momentum going. But for now I’m just enjoying every minute of this victory and the view from the top of the league.
Well firstly Im not going to make any out landish claims.. Our goal was more down to the lunacy of Gilberto.. The missed chances and the outstanding display in the first half by Robinson was fantastic and with a decent defense in front of him he would never have to deal with the crisis of confidence he is often chided with by the media.. “The best thing about yesterday evening was I had a glass of an excellent Chateauneuf Du Pape”
Rather fitting really considering the french atmosphere of the week.. Scotland beating the mighty French.. gail clichy proving how slow another two Frenchmen were on the right hand side of my poor beloved spurs side.. Finally the careful subbing by another Frenchman that eventually freed up a young Spaniard to do the dirty deed.. And finally another weedy spurs defender (French) who turned his back as the shot was fired.. (I have trained kids in the states to play the wonderful game .. I personally would have had a spaz when I see a young player rush and turn his back on a rocket of a ball).. Which brings me back to gail clichy .. Why did he not turn his back or duck or … Aaaaghh Mrs Cusop nicely put it to me last night.. They are a better team then you.. AND why dont you sort out your forwards.. Well we will be visiting your home soon .. Not got much hope at this point..
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.
Thanks for dropping by cus, it’s appreciated. Your mates on this side of the pond would not be so magnanimous. Unlike us I think your boys desperately need a change of board, but that’s not my business.
Glad you are enjoying the feeling Passenal. If we are still top at Christmas I think we can start to dream. It has to be said we have done brilliantly to get where we are when we were involved in the Champions League qualifiers as well. Fingers crossed for the next few games!
I’m not surprised Arsenal are doing so well. I’m extremely pleased. It’s still quite early, let’s hope they keep playing well and get back into the 80+ points region at the end of the season. Yesterday’s was a great game – very entertaining, with a winning goal that won’t soon fade from the memory.
i’m left with happy thoughts about saturday’s game, i do however think that the media’s swelling of adebayor’s talent to henry like status is unnecessary, i believe it’s also the same reason why rvp has looked a shade off colour these past 2-3 games.
I’ll take a 3-1 win over spurs at the lane any day of the year, the look on jol’s face didn’t change once, did he somehow know this wasn’t gonna go his way?
His decisions seemed ok to me, maybe he could of put lennon on the right where he’s most suited but other than that i’m not sure there was anything else he could do, well, perhaps buy someone that can score 😛
bent?…..it’s all in the name!
Whether we win the league or not this season does not matter, we have kept Wenger and he will lead us to yet more silverware. We have easily played played the best football so far this season (As usual) but with the added bonus of winning games that in the past 2 season we would have drawn or lost.
This team will do great things. And while I’m prophesising, I’m not sure that Dudu will be overly prolific in the league, but I have a sneaky feeling he can be the man to fire us to Champions League glory.
Just a feeling, but you heard it here first.