Arsenal to the fore!
March 5, 2008
Arsenal, last night, defeated Champions League holders AC Milan 2-0 at the San Siro - a feat which no English team in history has achieved. Plagued with injuries and inconsistencies, Arsenal were the definite ‘underdogs’ against the Italian giants. Following two half performances from the Gunners in previous weeks in the Premier League, Arsenal were out to prove against their complacency with regard to winning trophies.
Arsenal didn’t seal the game until the closing minutes, however, their absolute defending was impeccable. Defending from the word ‘go’, Arsenal, in the first half, held a strong Milan attack for the entirety of the first half ,whilst also creating chances themselves. A few chances here and there for both sides became the catalyst for an ecstatic and exciting second half to come. The first half saw both Hleb and Adebayor miss possible goals, and Fabregas’ goal line clearance of Maldini’s header also showed that both sides were ready to take the win then and there.
It wasn’t until the second half that the game began to evolve into a fierce battle of elitism. Fabregas, made space out of nothing, throwing the San Siro into an uncommon silence, drilling the ball past opposing defenders into the back of the net - one of those goals that just erupts. From pure silence to intense screaming and chanting. It was only a few minutes later that Adebayor struck in a Walcott pass - a game sealed not only this year, but in the history books.
Arsene Wenger said after the game:
“He (Fabregas) was outstanding, but tonight it is very difficult to single one out,”
“I believe the whole team defended well and attacked well, it was a complete team performance.
“Of course I’m very, very happy tonight. I’m very proud of our performance, we were under pressure to score goals.”
“We will try, that is all we can do,”
“I believe we can, let’s go for it and continue to have that kind of determined attitude.”
A manager of genius, a defence of steel, a midfield of intelligence, and a (weakened) strike force of rage - Arsenal are now in deep, and boy do they plan to finish the job this year. Can Arsenal win the double this year? Is it, now, shaping to end that way? We will have to see.
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8 Responses to “Arsenal to the fore!”
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Awesome result, totally deserved. Better write up here though: http://cwoff.com/blog/sport/football/2008-03-05/arsenal-turn-the-wheel-on-milan/
Great heart,fitness,technique and played like no one ever before at the san siro against ac milan.Keeping our heads,belief and always working for eachother will win us the double, but only playing collectively like last night and for gods sake.Kick eboue out.He’s useless.Come on Theo walcott,Van Persie and Rosicky.we need you up front and on the wing.We have what it takes.Once this young team taste success they will not stop winning.
What!!!! plagued with inconsistancies? We have lost one game in the league all season, how is that inconsistant. Ok so we had a couple of draws, bit don’t forget one of those was because of a shit penalty decision and the other was largely down to an own goal.
As for the game in MIlan, this article says Arsenal held a strong Milan attack for the entire first half. One it was only strong on paper and not in reality and two this make it sound like we were on the back foot defending for our lives. The reality was we destoyed them in the first half which left them totally demoralised for the second half. Our first half performance made Milan realise they just couldn’t cope with our pace, movement or stamina.
Not the entire first half, get your facts right, it was only the first 20-25 minute and the only shot that really could make Milan score was a deflected shot from Adebayor.
Great result and a fantastic win for Arsenal.
After going through 2 horrible weeks, Arsenal came back with a “BANGGG” and shocked the world by beating the best team on earth with world class youngsters. This win will prove everyone especially the STUPID PUNDITS and DISGRACEFUL MEDIA that Arsenal’s players are not just kids but world class players and can compete with any team and win!
Hmmm where are the scum medias and idiot pundits ran hiding now???!!…you fools are just a bunch of losers and Arsenal proved that well!!..Arsenal in crisis???? Don’t think so!…they are so quite now that the media is not making this win a big story..it would be a different story if MU was the team in our place..well that was predicted and it doesn’t matter!
As for the game, every player showed great hunger and desire to win and if they can show the same hunger in every game after this, double is in the bag!
Arsenal dominated in all departments and played breath-taking football that I believe even Milan fans and players appreciated. This was a game with pure football from both teams in highest level. You won’t see such pure football in English League that have english cunts and teams like Bolton, Birmingham and Blackburn..that’s why CL is a great competition to be..dream on Spurds, how you wished to be in Arsenal’s place..oh ya enjoy your mickey mouse cup (world cup), and i guess you did it too much until got a deserved wiped on your scum faces by Brum.
The only player that was poor was Diaby and I don’t blame him, we shouldn’t. He need some time and games to get back to his true potential. Furthermore he was playing out of position and can see him drifting into midfield a lot. He had a good first half but in second half he just switched off a little bit.
As for Eboue, I see him getting too much of stick from many Arsenal fans..I would like to defend him here by saying that yes he have a weird and bad attitude on the pitch but look in footballing sense and you will see a great prospect and potential in him to be an important player to Arsenal, as he was last season. He had a great game yesterday and linked up very well with Sagna on the flanks when moving forward which game Milan’s defence a lot of problem. So back off those “sticks” and give him some time, he will get back to his true potential just like Diaby and will be vital players for Arsenal.
Walcott coming on for Eboue was a smart move from Arsene Wenger. He saw the tiring legs of Milan’s player and took full advantage by bringing on Walcott. With his pace he can bring problem to any team and the result for his pace was Arsenal’s second goal. Great run and a simple cross to Ade and GOAAAALLLLLL!!!!! . I personally think Walcott can be a “supersub” where Wenger starts with Eboue and on 70th minute of every game bring walcott on because by that time many opponent’s defence players will be running with tired legs and Walcott’s pace can really give them a lot of problem..and with this he can assist and infact score goals that will boost his confidence more. He must be feeling great coming on and giving real scare period of time to Milan and with his assist to Ade. Make him a supersub Mr. Wenger!!
Fabregas was simply superb with his passings and the goal he scored. He took the centre stage ahead of Kaka and showed his true potential that he is one of the best player around alongside Kaka and other Milan stars. His “drive” in a game is very important to Arsenal and he showed it fully throughout the game until the last minute. Looking at his expression after scoring the goal was a joy and I personally felt really good, he deserves the goal and he proved that he is a special player that comes to life in special games like this. His partnership and understanding with Flamini was very good, when one is attacking the another one will defend and stop Kaka from playing his great football. A true class and will be an Arsenal’s legend.
Almunia had a quiet and good game overall except for the first 20 minutes. The only thing he should improve is getting out with a punch when a corner ball comes in. He looks a bit scared to come out and punch the ball away like Lehmann does..but hell he is young and a good prospect that can only be better with each game played. Bright future for him at Arsenal and hope he stays as Arsenal’s no.1 . A great guy and goalie! How many goalkeepers are blonde heh?
Sagna had a good game too and did both defending and attacking perfectly. Same goes to Clichy but he was restricted in attacking because Diaby was leaving spaces at the back to cover him up. But overall both players gave a perfect performance.
Gallas showed great leadership in defending, attacking and leading the team, he told his players to have fun playing againts Milan and god bless they really did that with perfection! I am realy proud to have Gallas as Arsenal’s captain..go to hell with the media n pundits, this guy have the best attitude a leader can have!
Come on Gallas!!
Senderos had a very good game after the first 20-25 minutes where he did some small mistakes in defence that could cost Arsenal a goal down..but he picked himself up and produced an outstanding performace in defence alongside Gallas. However i think Toure is still better than him and can link up with Gallas better, but Senderos have an advantage - he can deal with ariel threats better.
Flamini was running all the place and that must have reminded Gattusso his early days. He had Kaka in his pocket all the time (both 1st n 2nd leg) alongside Fabregas which I believe the main reason Milan was so poor in attacking, both of them took that out from Milan’s game in both legs..the result with good defending from defenders = 2 clean sheet againts a very attacking and experience Milan team. Wonderful!
Hleb..again he was left out from all the praises..unarguebally the best performer in both games and really I have no words to describe his breathtaking performance. He gave Milan and the world a great lesson in what true football control and how football should be played. Mind-blowing stuff from him and he was the best player around. The only thing he need is an attacking mind which will produce him great goals in future. One of Wenger’s best buy!
Adebayor finally broke his CL duck by scoring an easy yet important goal to seal the game with a deserved goal score..1-0 will not be as satisfying as 2-0. Now he can forget his horrible miss in the 1st leg..again an assist from Walcott, must be loving the guy so much now! Overall game a very well performance and with his physical appearance, he can give any team problems both in the air and on ground.
Overall the team played very well and goals scored by 2 players that needed them the most, Fabregas that was having a long goal drought and Ade who scored his first CL goal this season.
Man that was a long comment but that described how happy I am with Arsenal’s win yesterday..and very happy looking at the disgraceful media and pundits that try to write Arsenal off in every point but they failed horribly and proved how idiot and fool they were..lol
ARSENAL ROCKS!!
your comments are too long gunner general. u should consider writing your own piece in your own blog. not that i would read it anyway. eboue is shite.
^^ agree way WAY too long a post General
Chelsea 2
Arsenal 1
It’s interesting to read these posts
Arsenal is best!