Happy Sunday!
Yesterday Arsenal played Aston Villa and won 2-1. They deserved the victory and claim the all important three points. The victory wasn't as emphatic as it might have been given Arsenal took the lead so early on in the match but it was the three points we were after.
It was a bitterly cold day as I met up with Pumpkiii and G before the game around Highbury Corner. As we walked to the stadium, we talked about the short comings of the previous week and we all decided that the points were all we wanted, how we won them, what the score was or who scored didn't seem to be important. So much so that the now traditional score sweepy sweepstake didn't happen.
We arranged to meet after the game and went our separate ways to our seats. The mood around the stadium was subdued, everyone rapped up against the elements. I took my seat. An early goal would be just the remedy I agreed as I sat down.
The game kick off. Arsenal full of effort if a little unsure of their step started to the play the ball around, I think it would be fair to say villa hardly had a kick for the first five minutes. Arsenal moved the ball around well. Wiltshire breaking down the left and forcing the villa keeper into a save.
After about 6 minutes the ball was moved around from Jenkinson in the right, around the edge of the box to Santi Carzola on the left. his initial cross was blocked, the ball popped up, Santi took it down on his chest and drove it into the far corner. One nil. Early goal. Happy days.
I was looking forward to arsenal really taking control. Villa looked like a team down the bottom of the table, Arsenal were at home and one nil up after 6 minutes. I thought all the desire to prove their doubters wrong in the arsenal team would come out now and villa could be on for a pasting.
One swallow doesn't make a summer though and after the goal the wintery weather seemed to sap all the energy and authority out of the arsenal team. The rest of the half passed reasonably uneventfully. Arsenal didn't look decisive on the ball but looked reasonably in control of the game. Villa didn't offer too much upfront. Agbonlahor looked alright for them. Villa broke a couple of times down the left wing. The narrowness of our midfield and the inability of our wider attacking players leaves our full backs exposed again and again.
The second half kicked off much as the first had ended. Arsenal were in the ascendancy but our shaky defence made a mediocre villa team look dangerous every time they came forward. So around the 68 minute mark, Arsenal had one of a number of corners during the game, it came to nothing as usual, it was hoofed clear found its way up to the half way line, Weimann ran with the ball, arsenal defenders back off him and backed off him. He shot from 25 yards out, Scze hadn't had time to set himself properly, not one of the defenders in front of him had stepped out and halted the run and it flew in the keepers bottom right hand corner.
One all. Rubbish defending had let the opposition in again.
Arsenal took the game to villa from then on with Santi scoring again on 85 minutes. Driving it low in the bottom corner after a number of good arsenal attacks. Villa looked tired and arsenal looked good at the end.
It was a positive result and one that was desperately needed. It keeps the pressure on the teams above us and allow us to gather momentum in the premiership before the massive massive game against the lillies from the lane.
We probably should have won by more but our inability to defend will cost us dearly. I don't think the defenders or goalkeeper we have are not of the required standard. Vernimator was Ajax captain and plays centre back for Belgium and is their vice captain, Per plays for Germany regularly, Nacho second best left back in La Liga, Sagna was Mr. Consistent and was regularly arsenals best defender until his recent injuries caught up with him over the last little bit. I think the personal are fine, the organisation and defending as a team is whats not helping.
I would love to talk for more but I've got a few things still to do today and got to zip around London to a few different places.
Have a great Sunday everyone. MOTD 2 is on later so that's something to look forward to.
Quick special mention to Pumpkiii for doing the blog all last week. Its suppose to be a join venture but I'm super busy at the moment so he kindly found time to get it done. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did. Pumpkiii is the inaugural winner of the Glorious Gunner Of The Week Award.
Until next time.
Snipster
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