Arsenal FC v Blackburn Rovers - Monday February 11, 8pm

[JazzG]

But the next few games are ManU away and Milan at home.

As much as I like Phil I'd rather have Touré vs. Pato and Kaka.

Big Phil has proven he has the quality to perform in the big European games, he put in titanic performances against the likes of Juve, R.Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past. Maybe Milan will be the next team to add to his list? If anything Senderos has been expert against the more technically good players and his troubles have been against the aggressive and powerful players. Man utd and Milan don't have many who fit that description.

Toure is the better player but so far this season Wenger has chosen the players in form over the so called better players and right now Senderos is in form. We have slowly after the last month built up his shattered confidence and he is looking like the Senderos of two years ago.

Personally I'm not bothered either way but I wouldn't be surprised if King Kolo has to do some bench warming in the next few weeks.

 

[invisibleman18]

Good game. We were always on top and Brad Friedel kept them in it, as he usually does against us. But still, the last 10 minutes were absolute agony. And then the joy when Adebayor scored to seal it was just amazing.

Up until now, despite our great season so far, the pessimist in me has always believed that a bad run - something like loss, draw, draw, loss, draw - will come eventually and we'll end up 3rd. But now I think for the first time I really believe something a bit better than that is not far out of reach.

This all feels like it was never in the script. After the Dein business and then Henry leaving and with all the uncertainty over a possible sale of the club and Wenger's future in pre-season, we were supposed to struggle down in 6th or 7th and fight for a UEFA Cup spot. This was not in the script.

 

[Gurgen]

Kaka is a different ball game from Fat Ronaldo, slow Trez and lazy Zlatan though Jazz. He is not just technical but deceptively quick and probably the most clever attacker in the world. You saw what he did to Rio Ferdinand, a CB who is supposed to be quick, strong and a great reader of the game. And I've rarely seen a young striker with the movement that Pato has.

You know me, I'm not a pessimist, but I'm dreading the prospect of facing those two.

 

[YourFriendPaul]

http://www.redcafe.net/f7/arse-v-blackburn-186553/index7.html



LMAO at c**nts

Hmm. You'd think for being so superior, they'd have a forum that didn't look like it was made in 1995. -And so many of them have posted their email addresses and IM accounts for all the world to see. I mean, It'd really be a shame if anyone (makelle2005@yahoo.com) suddenly found themselves subscribed to endless spam lists, gay porn, and/or Liverpool fan mailings. ...Just sayin. :twisted:

 

[Christofaux]

Ive signed up to the cafe but forgot to authorise the account last night. They like to talk about luck and how they have had so many penalties turned down... how about the amount of penalties they get that should be a yellow to their players. Also the amount of carry on about our celebrations in the 2-2 draw at emirates is pretty funny, whilst it may look like we have been over the top but the 2 points we took from them there (and we shouldnt be looking at it at a point gained but in the 92nd minute we would take it) could prove crucial if the Mancs do indeed beat us at OT. Our game against chelsea is jsut as important. We also seem to be slowly narrowing the goal difference gap, however united are the team that can switch on and put 4 past anyone unfortunately.

Mind you we would be the same if the situation is reversed its just fans reacting to their team in a bad situation.

Now onto tonights game it was hardly an outstanding performance from the boys. Whilst we did make it look easy at times that was only because blackburn are crap. Bentley was trying too much to impress and should of played less crosses.

Adebayor's first touch was crap the whole game until that goal.

I wonder if toure would of scored that header (kidding)

gilberto played decent for his first full game in a whilst. Few dodgy and slightly lazy at time but played well with flamini in the middle.

Why do we have subs?

P.S hi redcafe!

 

[Rocafella]

leave toure on the bench this saturday. don't mind if we go out of the FA cup, we've got much bigger fish to fry and it will be a good test for phil while letting toure get some rest. after that he needs to go straight back in.

 

[nidza7]

Good game. We were always on top and Brad Friedel kept them in it, as he usually does against us. But still, the last 10 minutes were absolute agony. And then the joy when Adebayor scored to seal it was just amazing.

Up until now, despite our great season so far, the pessimist in me has always believed that a bad run - something like loss, draw, draw, loss, draw - will come eventually and we'll end up 3rd. But now I think for the first time I really believe something a bit better than that is not far out of reach.

This all feels like it was never in the script. After the Dein business and then Henry leaving and with all the uncertainty over a possible sale of the club and Wenger's future in pre-season, we were supposed to struggle down in 6th or 7th and fight for a UEFA Cup spot. This was not in the script.

hm...
well he was great but it was 6-2 if I remember corect not that long ago,and he concede 3 in CC too.

 

[True Gooner]

YES!!!

I didnt believe the text message updates was getting because I thought Senderos wasnt playing

But thank God! Brilliant result...

 

[arsenalfc0719]

Wenger will most probably play Big Phil against Manchester, and if he has a good game there then he should, and probably will, also play against Milan.

 

[nidza7]

In a way I feel sorry for Wenger,with all these injuries and match importance he`ll have a nightmare of selection in next few weeks.

 

[JazzG]

Kaka is a different ball game from Fat Ronaldo, slow Trez and lazy Zlatan though Jazz. He is not just technical but deceptively quick and probably the most clever attacker in the world. You saw what he did to Rio Ferdinand, a CB who is supposed to be quick, strong and a great reader of the game. And I've rarely seen a young striker with the movement that Pato has.

I don't think Kaka played against Rio mate, I'm pretty sure he missed both of those Milan games. I do however remember him twisting Vidic inside out and Heinze at Old Trafford, boy he gave those a right roasting! The main problem Man utd had with Kaka was they didn't play with a DM in either of their matches so Kaka ran them ragged as he was always in space and could dictate and expose the defenders, this is why Fergie went out and spent so big on Hargreaves because he wouldn't of allowed Kaka to run the show like that. Look at the final and Mascherano was so far up Kaka's arse I bet it is still sore, he didn't give him an inch and as soon as he went off Kaka started to run the show because King Gerrard and Alonso don't do defending. I bet Fergie saw that and decided he would pay whatever it takes to makes sure he had someone like Hargreaves who also is a very good defensive midfielder. The match against Milan will be Flamini's true test, Gilberto didn't give Zidane an inch when we played R.Madrid and Flamini will need to do a similar job on Kaka. This for me could be his defining moment as an Arsenal player because if he keeps him quiet for me he puts himself into the top bracket of defensive midfielders. So far Flamini has come out of this season with flying colours but he has to stay close to Kaka for every min and track him for the whole game.

As for Pato I haven't had a chance to watch him properly but I am confident Senderos would do a job on him and with Gallas guiding him I would have no problems playing him. Milan would probably play one up top as well in the away game so maybe Pato on his own? Gallas and Senderos shouldn't have a problem if they are on the top of their game.

You know me, I'm not a pessimist, but I'm dreading the prospect of facing those two.

You bring up a fair point, I'm not looking forward to the next week either. This could royally **** our season up and I'm getting nervous already.

 

[albakos]

Just been over to mancs forum and I love their false beliefs that we were gonna lose this one.

I gotta say I got that good feeling again
Final score 1-1
Just a little tingle - trust me

then 5 minutes later

It's OVER... 3 mins 15 secs that lasted...

Why does the 'game raising ****' syndrome only hit teams when they are playing us?

Well that was depressingly fast. Still it means I can turn off my stream and go play COD4 instead now that my faint hopes of Arsenal dropping points have been crushed.

'

Originally Posted by RedNome View Post
Oh well did we really believe Blackburn could get anything here?
No, but going 1-0 down inside the first 5 minutes is a bit much.

Lehman makes a save( catch from corner) . How did he manage to do that? he used to drop these balls last season.....ahhhh

Roberts will nick one. I can feel it in my water.

oh well....atleast scored some fantasy points

Full time.
Arsenal go 5 points clear.
Its our own fault... tbh we dont even deserve to win the league this year.

LOL, at their plastic fans..

 

[gstew]

Touré was part of a defence that has conceded 8 goals in two games. I know he was carrying a knock but to say his CURRENT form is better than Senderos is highly debatable.

As you say yourself above, Touré was half-injured in those matches, that is no excuse but a fact which would explain some of his behaviour in those two matches. And, playing for the Ivory Coast in the Nations Cup is completely different compared to our situation and what he will bring to the team.

Kolo was playing injured against Egypt and he didn't even play at all against Ghana. But even if he was responsible for all 8 goals, if he is fit he should play. Kolo should always be the first name on an Arsenal team sheet unless he is hurt. He has very good talent combined with unparalleled desire. The idea of any player pushing him to the bench is ridiculous.

 

[scruzgooner]

Hleb: "Adebayor shoots again from my Pass" .....quality

coupla comedians, they are. you can bet they'll enjoy that champy in celebration.

hleb looked happy fit to bust...

 

[Christofaux]

Wicked shot by Hleb too that stung the post.

 

[outlaw_member]

I disagree, I think defensively we are far more compact when Senderos is playing with either Touré or Gallas. Individually Gallas and Touré are better but neither like to do the dirty work which Senderos does so effectively. I am not sure of the exact numbers but the PL games that Senderos has played almost all have been clean sheets. Whereas we always tend to concede a goal here and there when it's the Galloure.(s**t attempt at combining there names)

I disagree :wink: . Senderos has been playing very well recently but that has been mostly against smaller teams, I do not trust him for a second to be honest against the players Milan and Manchester United have(which are also our upcoming opponents). Playing against Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka is extremely different from playing Owen or against Santa Cruz recently.

Obviously there is no way Senderos would play ahead Toure or Gallas regardless of we are playing. Especially not against Milan and United. However you will be surprised at the games to clean sheet ratio( PL games) we have when Senderos is playing compared to Galloure. I am not aware of the exact number but I would put a pound on it that it is exceptional.

 

[tam1886]

Hleb: "Adebayor shoots again from my Pass" .....quality

coupla comedians, they are. you can bet they'll enjoy that champy in celebration.

hleb looked happy fit to bust...

Can anyone tell me where I can see this?

 

[scruzgooner]

Looking at the table - there is going to be one hell of a battle for the 4th place spot.

st. totteringham's day could come as early as the 1st of march...we against brum then villa, and it doesn't matter anymore...woot!

 

[True Gooner]

Hleb: "Adebayor shoots again from my Pass" .....quality

coupla comedians, they are. you can bet they'll enjoy that champy in celebration.

hleb looked happy fit to bust...

Can anyone tell me where I can see this?

Same here. Im guess this is where Hleb gets his MOTM bottle in the post match interview?

 

[lagos]

post match interview it was hilarious. the match is shown again at midnight not sure if they will show the post match