How Good Is This Team?
Sep 2nd, 2007 by 'holic
I made the point when the fixtures were first published that we did not face another top four team until we travel to Anfield at the end of October. The unwritten hint was that if we could avoid the painful dropped points against the supposed lesser lights of the Premiership we had a very real opportunity to put ourselves in a great position in the early part of the season. The end of October is still a long way off.
Portsmouth came to the Grove, as Fulham and Manchester City before them, presumably believing that this Arsenal side, shorn of Thierry Henry, was ripe for plucking in front of their own support. They were prepared to commit bodies on the break but suffered as Arsenal, missing Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, and Eboue, showed once more their counter-attacking credentials.
Only eight minutes in the Gunners were ahead when David James clumsily brought down Robin Van Persie in the box and Emmanuel Adebayor sent the England keeper the wrong way from the spot. ‘One-nil to the Arsenal’ rang around the Grove. Interestingly, given what would occur just after half-time, James was not even booked for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Any hope of a spirited response appeared to be buried when the hosts took advantage of Arsene Wenger’s latest tactical masterstroke just ten minutes from the break. Cesc Fabregas seems to have been instructed to operate as a third striker when we are attacking. From corners his job is to stand on the ‘keeper and peel off in search of scraps. It worked to perfection as a Gilberto flick fell in the right place for the little Spaniard to swivel and hook home.
As the second-half started it looked like the question was not if Arsenal would win, but by how many. A dozing assistant referee changed all that. In fairness to Mark Halsey one could see how he would have considered an innocuous challenge by Senderos on Kanu to be denying a goalscoring opportunity. How his hired help missed the fact that Kanu was offside was less understandable. It would be great to think the official would review his decision and concede that justice was not done. I won’t hold my breath!
You would have thought that down to ten men, with forty minutes to play, Wenger would have withdrawn a striker for a defender. Not a bit of it. Before the hour was up Tomas Rosicky took advantage of some wonderful quick thinking by the mercurial Fabregas to increase the lead to 3-0.
Even the freak goal by returning Gunner Kanu seconds later did not dissuade Wenger from a 4-3-2 formation as Denilson replaced the tiring Hleb rather than one of the two strikers. When Van Persie eventually made way for Diaby the home side continued to look the more dangerous, although Manuel Almunia was called upon to make a couple of smart stops.
And so I return to my opening point. Yes, I hear you say, they have played nobody yet. I would counter, as I did on Wednesday, that you can only beat what is put in front of you. I would also point out that this Portsmouth side has already drawn with Manchester United, and lost in unlucky fashion at Chelsea.
As I finish typing we are sitting second in the Premiership on goal difference to Liverpool. Chelsea and Manchester City have an opportunity to overhaul us, but we will have a game in hand. I’m getting excited, and I repeat…
How good is this team?
7 Responses to “How Good Is This Team?”
Rosicky really should have been man of the match. He was quite stunning today. Flamini was surely second best with a superb display at right back too. Funny that even considering Fabregas’ superb performance I still didn’t think he was one of our best 2. That can’t be a bad thing 😛
I have to agree, Rosicky truly proved Wengers confidence in him. But this was a great TEAM effort…
Which I think both Man U and Chelsea are missing. Only Liverpool seem to be playing as fluent. So the true test will be the end of Oct.
And neither Citeh not Cuntski took that chance 🙂
Yeah, Tommy MOTM for me too, but great great TEAM effort as matt says.
The spirit in this team is truly impressive. Long may it last.
Great team effort. Clichy was one of the best players. His break got us the penalty, and he had excellent pace the whole match.
Keep up the good work against the Spurs!
To answer your question ‘holic – very very good. Its still early days, but the signs are promising. We still arent at our best, clearly and its time others sit up and take notice of this side. I think a lot of us were quietly confident about this season, and the start has only proven that.
I’d like Arsenal to go through September unbeaten before I start getting excited about any title hopes. The important thing about that performance was:
1. The mid-field scoring goals – Rosicky clearly had an excellent game and his celebration was nice to see
2. We scored from 2 set pieces – this team is constantly adding the ways it can score from
3. The defence looks assured. If you look at the goals conceded so far, (apart from Lehmann) there is no player you can point a finger at. Which means that if we fix the goal keeping spot, the defence looks solid.
Oh we’re looking hot.
All those stupid arsed pundits and journo’s writing us out of the top four. Wenger has been around for 10 years and they have still learned nothing.
This team will go on to do GREAT things, you mark my words!!
I’m not sure how good this team is. I think there are several players who can find better form. Rosicky had a good game against Portsmouth, but he’s still not at his best. Van Persie’s had a little drop in form. Adebayor is well off his best form.
I had Cesc as man of the match against Portsmouth. Cesc and Clichy are in top, top form; and the Arsenal need them to stay there. Kolo’s form is top drawer.
If these players can keep it up, and we can see more sharpness from the forwards, then this could be a side that rattles off 10 consecutive victories.