Ally
Active Member
Charlton 1
di Canio 28, pen
Arsenal 1
Henry 40
Blinding football match, absolutely blinding. And after coming out of a run of games that rather speaks for itself, we finally found a match, and finally found someone who didn't fall foul of either 1. their own bad or 2. our good luck.
These days, we don't seem to create much. Which is a sword of more than one edge, superficially at least – it's less frustrating and makes us look more lethal, and it follows, more grateful for all the points we scrape. On the other hand of course the lack of action from our strikers means the opposition is more inclined to attack. Going back to the other side, this means we can operate in a more subtle way and sneak the goals in on the sly. Without wanting to open up the Wengerball debate yet again, it might be a less comfortable sight to behold, but it's sure getting the job done.
Charlton were magnificent. And that they didn't win was something of a farce seeing as they outfought us and showed incredible desire from front to back – ironically improved once di Canio had gone. His partnership with Johannson first half was workmanlike with flair mixed in – raiding down the right, backed up by one mother of a performance from Radostan Kishishev, and best illustrated when a charging Toure clearance came straight back through the centre, and Johannson swerved away and wedged a fizzing shot just wide. Whether Lehmann would have had it under wraps had it been on target was touch and go, but it must be said that the best thing that could have happened to us in that first period was their goal.
Karma, you know. It comes right back at ya. Pires' dive (For yes, of course it was), has now seemingly been levelled out by something equally blatant by Matt Holland – no, it's not hypocrisy for me to use the word 'cheat'. I acknowledged Pires had cheated at the time. My argument was that it takes two to cheat – one to con, and one to be conned. So, again, the ref fell for it. So did I. Credit to Holland, it looked very convincing. Immediately I said 'penalty', Andy Gray style, because you just knew it was going to be given; the way he fell, I was certain there had actually been contact. His lack of appeal perhaps made it even more convincing – see Stellios in the Bolton game yesterday, who performed some variety of 'double knee-tuck twisting pike' after there actually was sufficient contact to merit an award, and was promptly booked for his troubles. Something else that you 'just knew' was that di Canio was going to chip it straight down the middle. While not in the same class for sheer, breathtaking petulance, as his penalty in front of the Kop End for West Ham was when Dudek actually managed to get up from his initial dive and make a secondary, equally unsuccessful one, this takes a certain amount of class. Only certain players with a certain temperament can do it – the wild carders of the game.
We oh-so nearly levelled in no time – Henry looked for a repeat of Bobby's goal at Anfield, coming in off the opposite wing this time, leaned back and cracked a stunning curling drive off the inside of the post. Arsenal were, for the moment of the Charlton goal up until half time, playing really, really well. There's no dependency on either wing – Lauren and Ljungberg (Who wasn't actually too bad for a time) overlapping on one side, and the rather more promising Cole and Pires who were thoroughly enjoying the challenge of attempting to break down Kishishev whilst ironically having one of their more collectively ineffective outings. Even when not doing much that constitutes direct and productive, they still carry that threat and an air of almost being about to do something. As it is, not much happened because Kishishev was sublime and the attackers down the right were crap anyway. Grr. Might well be the story of the season.
Henry had put one previous free kick in a tired fashion straight down the throat of a Charlton wall rather more well drilled than Chelski's was the other week, but when Parlour was viciously assaulted from behind by Scott Parker going for a dropping ball (Irony), Titi got a more presentable opportunity, considerably restricted when someone (Stuart I think) positioned himself stubbornly on the far post, thereby creating an impossible situation with about fifteen players jammed in the box.
So Henry stepped up and curled it in the other post. Right where Kiely had been standing. Right over him, in fact. Straight into the top corner. It was just a sensational execution of a ghastly improbable theory, made possible by Bergkamp making a nuisance of himself right in front of the keeper to ensure he didn't see it til too late. This was brutal audacity, but at the same time it was just brilliant, wonderful mastery. 'A Beckham free-kick', you'll be told. Nah. This was Henry. Henry. Only someone who's got enough confidence in their own specialism in dead ball situations can even consider attempting something like that. It was, rather simply, the best free kick I have ever seen from Henry.
And then he just went and did it again. This time from way out right, he just cracked one into the side netting. Inches away. Kiely was scrambling and it's height was sufficient to make me think that a couple of degrees the other way would have resulted in the thing bursting the net. Oh, if only.
Second half just saw Charlton completely dominate. Our chances numbered about two – Henry cutting in off the left and lining up a daisy cutter which skimmed wide, and Kanu shaking off his defender, completely unwilling to dive in and commit himself to going to ground against the Nigerian, somehow getting to the by-line in a nonchalant fashion and going for goal low at the near post; Kiely blocked it with his legs. It was such a Kanu thing to attempt, trying to nutmeg the keeper from the by-line, and it was as assertive an offensive idea as we dared to try in the second 45. If he had looked up, he would have seen henry completely free, and a cross with enough pace would have surely dissected the defence and presented Titi with an easy enough opportunity. But it's just the simple fact that Kanu cannot be match ready. He cannot have his awareness, he cannot have his sharpness and he cannot have proper communication with his fellow forwards. Much like Bergkamp. But over and over, Bergkamp starts games and doesn't do an awful lot. Like today, in fact. He tried a few ideas that looked alright up until they were intercepted by one of the Charlton central defence. He's now an 'oh-so nearly' player – only scored once in twenty-one games, I think. His sole suggestion that he is actually a 'striker' (Now just a misnomer) was a speculative long ranger Kiely parried down and smothered. His goal threat is now basically nil, and that's cause enough for people to be concerned that since he seems to creative little of practical worth, there are those more deserving of a chance. To me, Kanu has to start. Despite his inevitable rustiness, (And maybe this is my soft spot talking) the question that must be asked here is 'why not'. Weighed up against the alternatives, ranging from inexperienced to plain crap, I just don't see any reason, based on his rather effective cameos this season, why Kanu should not start games with Henry. Simple as that.
Scotty Parker in the Charlton midfield is their Parlour. A younger version. And damn, he is good. Backing up his strikers he just is Charlton – maybe to them what Vieira can be for us. That said, up against Gilberto (Who at one point took it upon himself to swivel and crack a smashing 25 yard raking pass straight across his own back line and right to the feet of some onrushing Charlton attacker who was mercifully unable to capitalise) perhaps his assignment was rather less tricky than it could have otherwise been. Euell tested Lehmann with a potentially awkward skimmer which Mad Jens did well to get down to and get behind, and then Hreidarsson powered a perilous header into the ground which the Big German had to frantically scramble over . One other incident of note – an incredible interception by Kolo which sent the ball flying over his own bar as Euell closed in from close range.
It was all incredibly bitty as far as we were concerned – Ljungberg, I'm afraid, was for the most part simply a liability, unable to pick his pass, unable to keep the ball and unable to cross it. He's just the antithesis of what we are aiming to be, and his rudimentary defensive understanding means Lauren's weaknesses are being shown up more and more often these days. Tony Adams has asserted that you just cannot play Ljungberg and Pires in the same team away from home – bluntly, yup. Unless he actually does something for this football team, I just do not see the point of Freddie Ljungberg. And I've nearly had it with him, and the reputation he still has as some awesome power poacher, which he just isn't. All I would suggest is that some serious thinking be done as to exactly what Ljungberg contributes.
Today Charlton improved when their extravagant flair was removed on half time, namely di Canio. Henry's stunning showing showed that we still rely on that flair. The contrast in performance in the second half is, I would venture, no co-incidence.
This was a very, very good point. I don't think anyone would have begrudged Charlton a winner, nor complained if they had got it. Pre-game I had suspicions we might lose, because it would be such an Arsenal thing to do to come out of four games against Man Utd, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea, and immediately get beat. Circumstance makes me even more happy. We keep scrapping away, and we keep racking up them points. And we're now top. Again. Two points clear of the Mancs.
Man of the Match
I'm actually very tempted to give this one to Kishishev, who was simply a class, class act. But nah. My incredible bias means i give this to the astonishing Henry. No more, no less. Now get his partner sorted out, and get him settled down. Please.
Moment of the Match
The second, even more ridiculous free-kick that nestled oh-so-very-closely into the side netting. Pandemonium had that gone in, but alas.
Moan of the Match
Ljungberg being on that park. [Waves hands in a dismissive manner] Not so clever.
Ally Winford
di Canio 28, pen
Arsenal 1
Henry 40
Blinding football match, absolutely blinding. And after coming out of a run of games that rather speaks for itself, we finally found a match, and finally found someone who didn't fall foul of either 1. their own bad or 2. our good luck.
These days, we don't seem to create much. Which is a sword of more than one edge, superficially at least – it's less frustrating and makes us look more lethal, and it follows, more grateful for all the points we scrape. On the other hand of course the lack of action from our strikers means the opposition is more inclined to attack. Going back to the other side, this means we can operate in a more subtle way and sneak the goals in on the sly. Without wanting to open up the Wengerball debate yet again, it might be a less comfortable sight to behold, but it's sure getting the job done.
Charlton were magnificent. And that they didn't win was something of a farce seeing as they outfought us and showed incredible desire from front to back – ironically improved once di Canio had gone. His partnership with Johannson first half was workmanlike with flair mixed in – raiding down the right, backed up by one mother of a performance from Radostan Kishishev, and best illustrated when a charging Toure clearance came straight back through the centre, and Johannson swerved away and wedged a fizzing shot just wide. Whether Lehmann would have had it under wraps had it been on target was touch and go, but it must be said that the best thing that could have happened to us in that first period was their goal.
Karma, you know. It comes right back at ya. Pires' dive (For yes, of course it was), has now seemingly been levelled out by something equally blatant by Matt Holland – no, it's not hypocrisy for me to use the word 'cheat'. I acknowledged Pires had cheated at the time. My argument was that it takes two to cheat – one to con, and one to be conned. So, again, the ref fell for it. So did I. Credit to Holland, it looked very convincing. Immediately I said 'penalty', Andy Gray style, because you just knew it was going to be given; the way he fell, I was certain there had actually been contact. His lack of appeal perhaps made it even more convincing – see Stellios in the Bolton game yesterday, who performed some variety of 'double knee-tuck twisting pike' after there actually was sufficient contact to merit an award, and was promptly booked for his troubles. Something else that you 'just knew' was that di Canio was going to chip it straight down the middle. While not in the same class for sheer, breathtaking petulance, as his penalty in front of the Kop End for West Ham was when Dudek actually managed to get up from his initial dive and make a secondary, equally unsuccessful one, this takes a certain amount of class. Only certain players with a certain temperament can do it – the wild carders of the game.
We oh-so nearly levelled in no time – Henry looked for a repeat of Bobby's goal at Anfield, coming in off the opposite wing this time, leaned back and cracked a stunning curling drive off the inside of the post. Arsenal were, for the moment of the Charlton goal up until half time, playing really, really well. There's no dependency on either wing – Lauren and Ljungberg (Who wasn't actually too bad for a time) overlapping on one side, and the rather more promising Cole and Pires who were thoroughly enjoying the challenge of attempting to break down Kishishev whilst ironically having one of their more collectively ineffective outings. Even when not doing much that constitutes direct and productive, they still carry that threat and an air of almost being about to do something. As it is, not much happened because Kishishev was sublime and the attackers down the right were crap anyway. Grr. Might well be the story of the season.
Henry had put one previous free kick in a tired fashion straight down the throat of a Charlton wall rather more well drilled than Chelski's was the other week, but when Parlour was viciously assaulted from behind by Scott Parker going for a dropping ball (Irony), Titi got a more presentable opportunity, considerably restricted when someone (Stuart I think) positioned himself stubbornly on the far post, thereby creating an impossible situation with about fifteen players jammed in the box.
So Henry stepped up and curled it in the other post. Right where Kiely had been standing. Right over him, in fact. Straight into the top corner. It was just a sensational execution of a ghastly improbable theory, made possible by Bergkamp making a nuisance of himself right in front of the keeper to ensure he didn't see it til too late. This was brutal audacity, but at the same time it was just brilliant, wonderful mastery. 'A Beckham free-kick', you'll be told. Nah. This was Henry. Henry. Only someone who's got enough confidence in their own specialism in dead ball situations can even consider attempting something like that. It was, rather simply, the best free kick I have ever seen from Henry.
And then he just went and did it again. This time from way out right, he just cracked one into the side netting. Inches away. Kiely was scrambling and it's height was sufficient to make me think that a couple of degrees the other way would have resulted in the thing bursting the net. Oh, if only.
Second half just saw Charlton completely dominate. Our chances numbered about two – Henry cutting in off the left and lining up a daisy cutter which skimmed wide, and Kanu shaking off his defender, completely unwilling to dive in and commit himself to going to ground against the Nigerian, somehow getting to the by-line in a nonchalant fashion and going for goal low at the near post; Kiely blocked it with his legs. It was such a Kanu thing to attempt, trying to nutmeg the keeper from the by-line, and it was as assertive an offensive idea as we dared to try in the second 45. If he had looked up, he would have seen henry completely free, and a cross with enough pace would have surely dissected the defence and presented Titi with an easy enough opportunity. But it's just the simple fact that Kanu cannot be match ready. He cannot have his awareness, he cannot have his sharpness and he cannot have proper communication with his fellow forwards. Much like Bergkamp. But over and over, Bergkamp starts games and doesn't do an awful lot. Like today, in fact. He tried a few ideas that looked alright up until they were intercepted by one of the Charlton central defence. He's now an 'oh-so nearly' player – only scored once in twenty-one games, I think. His sole suggestion that he is actually a 'striker' (Now just a misnomer) was a speculative long ranger Kiely parried down and smothered. His goal threat is now basically nil, and that's cause enough for people to be concerned that since he seems to creative little of practical worth, there are those more deserving of a chance. To me, Kanu has to start. Despite his inevitable rustiness, (And maybe this is my soft spot talking) the question that must be asked here is 'why not'. Weighed up against the alternatives, ranging from inexperienced to plain crap, I just don't see any reason, based on his rather effective cameos this season, why Kanu should not start games with Henry. Simple as that.
Scotty Parker in the Charlton midfield is their Parlour. A younger version. And damn, he is good. Backing up his strikers he just is Charlton – maybe to them what Vieira can be for us. That said, up against Gilberto (Who at one point took it upon himself to swivel and crack a smashing 25 yard raking pass straight across his own back line and right to the feet of some onrushing Charlton attacker who was mercifully unable to capitalise) perhaps his assignment was rather less tricky than it could have otherwise been. Euell tested Lehmann with a potentially awkward skimmer which Mad Jens did well to get down to and get behind, and then Hreidarsson powered a perilous header into the ground which the Big German had to frantically scramble over . One other incident of note – an incredible interception by Kolo which sent the ball flying over his own bar as Euell closed in from close range.
It was all incredibly bitty as far as we were concerned – Ljungberg, I'm afraid, was for the most part simply a liability, unable to pick his pass, unable to keep the ball and unable to cross it. He's just the antithesis of what we are aiming to be, and his rudimentary defensive understanding means Lauren's weaknesses are being shown up more and more often these days. Tony Adams has asserted that you just cannot play Ljungberg and Pires in the same team away from home – bluntly, yup. Unless he actually does something for this football team, I just do not see the point of Freddie Ljungberg. And I've nearly had it with him, and the reputation he still has as some awesome power poacher, which he just isn't. All I would suggest is that some serious thinking be done as to exactly what Ljungberg contributes.
Today Charlton improved when their extravagant flair was removed on half time, namely di Canio. Henry's stunning showing showed that we still rely on that flair. The contrast in performance in the second half is, I would venture, no co-incidence.
This was a very, very good point. I don't think anyone would have begrudged Charlton a winner, nor complained if they had got it. Pre-game I had suspicions we might lose, because it would be such an Arsenal thing to do to come out of four games against Man Utd, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea, and immediately get beat. Circumstance makes me even more happy. We keep scrapping away, and we keep racking up them points. And we're now top. Again. Two points clear of the Mancs.
Man of the Match
I'm actually very tempted to give this one to Kishishev, who was simply a class, class act. But nah. My incredible bias means i give this to the astonishing Henry. No more, no less. Now get his partner sorted out, and get him settled down. Please.
Moment of the Match
The second, even more ridiculous free-kick that nestled oh-so-very-closely into the side netting. Pandemonium had that gone in, but alas.
Moan of the Match
Ljungberg being on that park. [Waves hands in a dismissive manner] Not so clever.
Ally Winford
