So how do you start your first ever blog! Good question?! Looks like I have, now on to the game!
The Mighty Arsenal took on Sunderland at the stadium of light yesterday in a really exciting encounter. Arsenal ran out One nil winners, collected the three points, let the tires down on Lee Cattermoles car and came back down the M1 motorway in the coach all dressed as santa claus in celebration of our outstanding Spaniard Santi Carzola.
Arsenal started the game at the high temp we had wanted. As me and Pumpkiii had bemoaned yesterday on the worlds greatest podcast, which is stuck in a digital prison of it own making and unable to upload (some thing are just too beautiful for this world), too often this season arsenal have started a little big with the handbrake on and looks less up for it than you would have wanted or maybe just a bit unsure of themselves. Yesterday none of those flaws were apparent and Arsenal got going from the refs first whistle.
We started creating chances almost immediately with Walcott shot stinging the hands of mignolet. Giroud perhaps could have done better with a couple of chances that came his way. Most noticeably for me when he had a little time when running through he skewed his shot wide of the far post. Cattermole of course had already received his first booking after a dirty foul on Ramsey and was close to getting his second booking from a number of late and unfair challenges throughout the half, jumping in to the back of Carzola off the ball is certainly one that sticks out for me.
The passing arsenal exhibited from the start was at its precise and cutting best. Gone was the menotenous sideways passing to be replaced but great little triangle between Wiltshire, Crazola, Walcott. Ramsey was industrious and giroud formed a point of attack and always seemed willing to challenge if a bit lackadaisical to chase the ball if it gets away from him. It was far too much so sunderland and when arsenal click like that there are far too good for most team either here or on the continent.
Thirty five minutes had elapsed when Wilshire drove ball forward, nice pass to Walcott whos little sideways set up fell perfectly in the path of Santi Carzola. He smashed the ball low and hard with the outside of his left boot and the ball flew into the back of the Black Cats net. Fantastic goal and the minimum arsenal deserved for all their sharp clever passing.
The first half was seen out by arsenal. A little less emphasis was put on attacking, although that's very difficult with this set of diminutive footballing maestros. Sunderland were knackered and arsenal wanted to go in at half time a goal up.
Second half started and much as the first with arsenal passing the ball around. Sadly shortly after the restart Wilshire, who had borne the brunt of the Sunderlands rough and late challenges, had to go off after receiving a heavy kick to the thigh. Fortunately he returned to the bench tpo watch the rest of the game and so it doesn't seem to be too serious.
Diaby came on and arsenal seemed to lose a bit of their flair and control on the game. Sunderland certainly came more into it. Disaster happened when Jenkinson, already booked for a challenge in the first half, was sent off for an ill timed attempt as Sessègnon, who had been a thorn in the arsenal side all afternoon, skipped passed him.
The pressure was on. 1-0 up. Down to ten men. Playing away in a land time forgot, Sunderland. Home fans started to pipe up. The arsenal back four had been massively rearranged already, jenkinson himself a last minute introduction after the aggravation of Kos' injury in the warm up. Sagna had been pushed across to centre back. Our left back playing only his second game for the club. Ramsey, a man for all positions, came back to a sort of right back position.
The rest of the game sunderland pressed and pressed. Swinging in crosses and corners from the excellent boot of oldboy seb larsson. A lot of goal mouth scuffles and last ditch clearances and defending. Sagna heroic in his new role at centre back. Szczęsny making a few outstanding saves most notably from a flecher header. Monreal stood firm. Mertesacker stood tall. The midfield came back and it was really great to see. The chips were down, our backs were firmly against the wall, away from home and we came out fighting like lions. Every ball was chased and every tackle was committed.
We had a could of breakaway chances at the other end with Walcott hitting the post and a few we shot when we should have just kept the ball.
We held on and the arsenal players celebrated as they deserved too. Fantastic result and an amazing effort. I was over the moon. reminded me of the arsenal of old. Reminded me of the same sort of effort at the back are were know for. The makeup of it was ironically one of the most famous games for me when I was growing up. Arsenal beating smurs in the 1993 fa cup semi final. It was 1-0 that day too. Our right back, Lee Dixon, got sent off and a certain Tony Adams scored the winner. Tony Adams Magic.
Fantastic. Well played Arsenal! Great result and Great effort!
I've been doing this since I woke up and really need to eat something and get on with my day. Playing tomorrow night 6-a-side with pumpkiii in goal. Hopefully we'll be able to tell you about another clean sheet.
Until next time gooners.
RED ARMY!!!
@snipster
Update: Looks like Fatty Boom Batty Santos has moved on. Probably so he can collect shirts from all around the world.
Congrats on the first post!!
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