By 1970’s Gooner
They say that patience is a virtue. And Arsenal were very patient tonight. They kept probing and playing their passing game until eventually Newcastle caved in. But they didn’t cave in due to asphyxiating bullying pressure like Manchester United tends to put opponents under.
No, they caved in due to Arsenal’s superior football technique. This is more pleasing as it is a superiority that is borne out of pure football.
It is however an attribute that is risky to possess because if the team is having an off day then it may find it difficult to switch to any other style of football. It is also risky because you are always exposed to the sucker punch (remember Birmingham at the Emirates)?
So it was just as well that Newcastle were again toothless with Owen still looking out of match practice. Alan Smith was also not much of a partner as he was obviously instructed to drop back into the midfield. And as is his usual style he sacrifices what little football he knows for tenacity and fouling.
Still Arsenal needed Flamini to play probably his best game for the team in order to overcome a resolute Newcastle side where Butt was outstanding in his midfield destructive role.
Flamini however was outstanding in all aspects of his game. He did not put a foot wrong or a pass astray.
He was excellent in his midfield role running a thousand miles more than his colleagues, swept up in defence at dangerous moments and chipped in with an outstanding assist of a precise cross onto Adebayor’s head for him to score Arsenal’s first and decisive goal.
Make a note of this. Arsenal have scored from another header!
Flamini was also flamboyant and you don’t always say that about him. But the goal he scored was beautifully struck from 25 yards and the moment the shot left his boot you knew it was going to fly in the top right hand corner. It’s the kind of goal every one of us dreamed of scoring as a kid.
I have not witnessed a more complete performance from an Arsenal player this season yet. I think he deserves a 10
Adebayor impressed me a lot tonight. His control was very good, he held up play well and brought his team mates into the game. Scored a beautifully taken goal. 9
Eduardo was below par. He found himself in a few dangerous situations but fluffed his chances. 6
Diaby on the other hand is improving every game. This is because he is now becoming a team player and is using his strength and skill for the benefit of the whole. He is still a little bit slow to release the ball but at least he is releasing it and on most occasions to the right player. 7
Hleb was again full of trickery and kept himself on the wing and in this way helped keep Newcastle stretched; which was the intention of course.7
Fabregas was again below par with his passing needing more accuracy. He is not bossing the midfield the way he used to at the beginning of he season. He looks a tired player to me but when can Wenger rest him?
Nevertheless even if playing below par he still is quite influential. He is back in the goals again and this may kick start his come back. 7
Gallas doesn’t look like he needs a rest. He was commanding in the air and on the ground. He relaxed a little bit too much in the end when we were 3-0 up and nearly let Ameobe in but Almunia saved well. 8
Senderos on the other hand keeps failing on his distribution. Any ball he tries to pass that will be more than 10 yards he gets wrong. He either passes to an opponent or puts his colleague under pressure.
Nevertheless this would give an unfair view of his contribution in the game. He was otherwise faultless, strong in the air and on the ground. 7
Clichy again gave an almost faultless performance. What else can I say! Wenger seems to produce these type of left backs one after the other. Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy, Armando Traore and Evina (if you watch him for the under 18’s you will know what I mean). 8
Sagna is back to his best. Strong in defence and was penetrative going forward beyond the opposing fullback. 8
Almunia was and looked very safe. He was comfortable in the air and on the ground. But he is also lightning quick out of his area playing almost as a sweeper. 8
Man of the Match: Mathieu Flamini
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10 comments:
What a load of drivel. What are you prattling on about our increased satisfaction born out of pure football? We cracked them with long balls at first - and we have plenty of plan B and C.
Agree with your report of the game, flamini was absolutely fantastic, i can't remember him playing many better games than that. However I do find it funny how most arsenal including the writer off this blog were absolutely slating adebayor as a player earlier in the season, claiming he was not good enough to play for arsenal. Well I believe those fans must feel pretty foolish because along with players such as clichy and flamini he has become a NECESSITY in our first team. Shout out to all the REAL arsenal fans who support their team through thick and thin
you forgot about silvinho!
To patman
Yes I have criticised Adebayor in the past. It was on those performances that he did not play well.I think a player should be criticised for not playing well and praised for the opposite.
I have never however said that he was not good enough to play for Arsenal.
Where's Flamini?????????????
Flamini is not only undroppable this season, but easily one of the best players in the league.
Who would have seriously predicted it? I think I and many other Gooners thought he always had fantastic commitment and work rate, a great attitude and some decent ability but I must admit I didn't think we'd miss him if he left last Summer.
SO wrong.
He's not just been fucking awesome, he's been our most consistent player and hasn't had a single bad game all year. When he doesn't play the midfield always seems to look weak now. We give away more cheap goals, we seem to lack pace and there's no bite. The best thing about the Flamster is that opposition players are terrified of him. They often give the ball away cheaply just when they hear his foot steps behind them and I love nothing more than seeing yet another mis-placed pass because someone was shit scared that he was gonna get them any moment.
Not only has he been defensively brilliant this year, but he seems to be much sharper, quicker on the ball and generally a much faster and technically more skillful player in general. His assist was something any winger would be proud of and let's not forget that he's just as good at right AND left back as in CM. I can't believe what a player he's turning into this year, he's playing like the captain and ruling everything and there're few things I like more in the world than saying I was well off the mark when it came to predicting a player's potential as not really being good enough for the arse. Top marks Matty, now sign a fucking 6 year contract and we can all forget about a CM again any time in the next well....6 years.
To previous anonymous (Jan 30 2.53 AM)
Thanks for your very good eulogisation of Flamini!
We liked it do much we would like to publish your comment as a separate posting on this site.
If you are in agreement please leave a massage (comment) here and also your name (if you wish)so that we can go ahead and publish it today.
I miss Flamini in the vote! He had his best performances ever in the arsenal team. He have had some good games before, but this was close to flawless. I really wanted him to hit the first shot, but what a 2nd strike!
I totally support a 10 on him yesterday!
Why thank you.
You're welcome to post my Flamster wank off. He deserves all the article space he can get this season!
Does anyone know if there are any Flam songs or chants? I can't hear any on TV but I think you can miss a lot audio-wise on TV.
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