Full Match Report - Arsenal 4 - 0 FC Twente

After the disappointment of Saturday we were hoping for a 5* performance to put that result firmly behind us.

The line up was Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Djourou, Sagna, Nasri, Fabregas, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner and Van Persie.

No Toure, no Ade and depending on who you were talking to the latter was dropped after a rather crap performance on Saturday. If we were dropping the crap players from Saturday though part of me doubts we would have had enough players to field team. Personally I think they were rested for the weekend.

The Arsenal kicked off and from the start Walcott was looking his usual lively self. In the first few minutes Bendtner won the ball and played a lovely little pass to Theo who found his cross being blocked by Twente’s left back. The Pers whipped in the corner which whizzed past the goal mouth but unfortunately no one was there to hit it home.

The Pers picked up the ball in the middle of the park and after a delightful turn played a slack pass to Sagna, hopefully this was a sign of things to come…the turn not the pass.

The first Twente attack came after Denilson played a silly ball just outside our penalty box to our thanks Twente over played it on the outside of the area and the shot never troubled Almunia at all. As the first half finally got it’s rhythm and Theo was beating up and down the right wing all night. He combined well with Bendtner on countless occasions and on countless more times he drew in his man and won the foul. The freekicks were floated in with Gallas and Van Persie both having chances but failing to convert.

One of the highlights for me was the tremendous tackle by Nasri followed by an equally, if not more, tremendous run. In the end it came to nothing but it got a few arses off the seats in antisipation.Johann Djourou was presented with another oppertunity to score after Clichy won a corner. The corner was taken short, then crossed in and after a mix up in the box Djourou had his chance which he did really try to take, but on his 50th Arsenal appearance he couldn’t find a goal.

How nice was it to see Cesc back? He played a sweet little ball to Bendtner at one point who couldn’t match Cesc’s sweetness and almost fell over the ball but he managed to squeeze it off and played in Nasri. Nasri could be my new best friend if he keeps this kind of form up he is just utterly delightful. His first touch is sexual, his passing turns me on and his runs with the ball are orgasmic. Anyhow I digress he layed the ball back off to Cesc who cut it back to the Pers who blasted the ball high wide and not at all handsome.

Van Persie then mugged Teoto and slipped the ball thought to Bendtner who is then bought down. After so many free kicks I was hoping, like the rest of my fellow Gooners, that we’d make at least one count. Fabregas knocked a cheeky little chip into the box which almost lands on the head of Djourou but he just couldn’t connect with the ball probably because he was being pulled all over the place but he wins us a corner. Again another Van Persie corner was wickedly smacked into the box and it just seems to bounce off Bendtner and play fizzed out. While all this was going on The Pers was on his backside claiming for a penalty for I don’t know what.

Around the half hour mark FC Twente defender Douglas hit the ball straight off Theo who ran with the ball like he’s a bullemic bird scarpering for the last slice of chocolate cake at a free buffet, the cut back almost gets lost in the crowd of players in the box but The Pers slides in and takes it off the defenders toe and into the path of Samir Nasri. Nasri is just glorious, he dances round his man, sells him a dummy and rolls the ball past the keeper. Word was echoing around The Grove that the said defender is still trying to source a ticket to get back in.

Nasri pulls off another great run and slipped it into the path of Denilson who ended up with so much time in the box he could have given Nasri the thumbs up for the pass, read a few posts on GoonersWorld and made a cuppa. He doesn’t realise this and ends up rushing the shot which is saved by the feet of the Twente keeper.

We were then presented with two glorious chances first Bentdner whos footing was all over the place and then The Pers who well he blew his chance to be honest. Bendtner then made up for his awful footing by playing Walcott in with a smart backheel. Walcott really should have scored after his drive into the box but he tried to cut it back and give someone else a goal. It didn’t work but he’s a nice lad isn’t he?

Half time, Eboue comes on for Nasri. This to me was the equivalent of having sex with Thandie Newton and then waking up to realise you’ve taken Jade Goody home. Twente also do a bit of tinkering at the back by whipping off the left back that Theo tortured. That guy has put in a request to go to Guantanamo Bay as apparently they don’t torture you as much over there

There was some nice play in the second half and we got our reward by getting our second goal of the night and our fourth for the tie. Gallas was involved in the build up and he finished it. Cesc dealt Gallas in who then had the ball taken off his toes just inside the area. The clearance fell to Bendtner who went past his man like a character from a HG Wells novel. Bendtner tried to open his body up and slot it past the keeper who got down well to palm the ball away but it only got as far as Gallas. Gallas didn’t have much to do but tap the ball in and claim his second of the season and his second against Twente.

To be honest after the second goal we took our foot off the pedal and allowed Twente to creep around and try to get back into the game. They never.

Van Persie was then replaced by Adebayor.

After a freekick which resulted in a corner and some other stuff all in Twentes favour Theo and Bendtner had some delightful interplay in the right wing. Walcott cut inside and struck the ball cleanly into the bottom left of the keeper net getting the goal he rightly deserved. The TH14 special shall now be known as the TW14 special. 3-0 and cruising. I suppose that what I get for saying I was bored. But more importantly Man of the match stuff from Theo.

Fabregas lasted just over an hour and was replaced by Alex Song who slotted in well to the midfield and didn’t have an awful lot to do. We passed the ball around emphatically and it turned into a bounce game for our midfield, Twente did not have a look in. McClaren might not have had the infamous brolly but he was still made to look like a wally.

Our defenders were getting so bored that at any given chance Gallas was trying to gallop upfieldand play his part in the attacks. Clichy caught up with the ball and his cross to the box just didn’t have enough power to reach Adebayor.

The second half saw us play some proper nice football, as usual, but we didn’t always have that final ball, also as usual.

As you rub your eyes in shock that your coupon for the night has come up you are forced to do it again when Eboue picks the ball up (not literally) and actually does something productive without diving at the end. After a tasty turn on the ball he plays it through to Bendtner who is put off by the defender and both he and Eboue try to scramble something together but fail. You let out a little sigh then you remember you’ve beat the bookie tonight!!

With two minutes to spare Ade holds the ball up on the left wing and bides his time before passing to Bendtner (shock!!) who takes one touch too many but the ball gets scraped up by Denilson. Denilson then plays a sublime backheel to give it back to Bendtner who strokes it home past the keeper. 4 for the night, six for the tie.

Job done and now our focus turns to tomorrow and the draw. Confidence should be high and heads can be held high.

PS Alan Hansen is a muppet.

By ADS at Goonersworld

Possible Departure of Senderos

It has been plastered over many papers and websites that Philippe Senderos will be joining AC Milan on a one year loan deal with an option of a permanent transfer. Until its officially released on Arsenal.com, I’ll still take it as a rumour.

Big Phil, as he is affectionately known here, joined in June 2003 from Servette and many can be forgiven if they forgot the fact that he is only 23 this year!
Senderos has always been a player whom many fans have split opinions about. Some have declared he is not good enough to play for Arsenal, while some believe he has the potential to be a future starter in the squad. His performances last year in the Champions League game against AC Milan had many fans drooling at the prospect of a future Tony Adams in the making, but sadly some also chose to pin the blame on him after Arsenal suffered an exit at Liverpool’s hand.

Senderos has proved that he can be a player of formidable form if given a chance for an extended run, but he is also guilty of the odd mistake in the game. But than again, which defenders don’t make mistakes? I’m of the opinion that defenders are judged based on the number of mistakes that they make in a game, and to be honest, that’s what they live by. A defender can make 10 goal line clearances but when he’s one solitary mistake allowed the opposition striker a chance to score the winning goal, that will be the headline of the papers the next morning.

At the moment now, many fans are still clamouring for additional signings to further strengthen the team, and i’ll admit that I’m one of those fans. But allowing Senderos to leave so soon after signing Mikael Silvestre seems to indicate that he’ll be surplus to requirements. However, it would be right to point out that while Silvestre has plenty of top flight experience, he is already on the wrong side of 30. To me, it just doesn’t convince me that it is the right decision to allow Senderos to leave.

To say if he will be able to cut it at the highest level remains to be seen, and his abilities have also been called into question after his performance against powerful strikers like Drogba. But what I am convinced is that letting him leave will be detrimental to the progression of the squad, especially in a season where many are convinced will be the season where Arsenal are poised to snag the biggest prize which have eluded us for so many seasons, the Champions League.
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Gunners legend eyes top job

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has admitted he would love to take over from Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager.

Tony Adams, currently working as assistant manager to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth says he would love the opportunityto manage Arsenal one day. Adams has has one previous managers position at Wycombe but was unsuccessful.

Adams who earned the tag “Mr Arsenal” spent 18 years with the club making 669 appearances.

“I would love a crack at the Arsenal job. I went there the other day and the stadium is magnificent,”

said Adams.

“The squad, the finance, they are an unbelievable football club. Who in their right mind would not want a crack at that?

“I will have strengths and weaknesses, very different from Arsene. I am a different person. Don’t laugh but I believe I am stronger in some areas and in others he is far greater than me.”

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Alonso would be perfect for Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas has stated that he would “love it” if compatriot Xabi Alonso joined him at Arsenal, and looking at the squad now, many fans would not say no either.

With 3 top class midfielders leaving Arsenal in the summer, the notable recruits to the midfield so far has been Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri and Amaury Bischoff. Bischoff has been signed with hope that he’ll be able to prove his long-term fitness after his injury layoff, Ramsey might not be ready for first team action as yet, thus many feel that a quality center midfielder is required to complement the attacking genius of Fabregas.

Many names have been bandied in the summer, Toure, Barry, Aquilani, Inlher to name a few. But for Fabregas to publicly state his preference is something quite unheard of. Fans will be divided on whether Alonso will be the center midfielder that Arsenal requires, and many questions will be raised on how Alonso will fit into the squad.

Fabregas had Flamini at his side last season, and was given the free rein to attack and create. But if Alonso was chosen as the replacement, it will remain to be seen how he’ll contribute to the defensive duties effectively. However on the other hand, with Alonso, Arsenal would also have another creative outlet in their ranks. If Fabregas is heavily shadowed by the opposition, Alonso can fill in as the focal point of the attack and relieve some burden from Fabregas.

Alonso would never have been the fans’ favourite to replace Gilberto or Flamini, and to a certain degree, neither do I. Alonso has never been a midfield ball winner, and his defensive acumen is something many are not convinced of. A creative player he may be, but definitely not a defensive shield for the back line.

Many people have been shocked when Mikael Silvestre signed for Arsenal, so lesson will be learned to expect the unexpected from Arsene when he negotiates for the player that he wants. Will Alonso be signed? Will he be the answer to replacing Gilberto and Flamini? All these will be answered in the following few days, when Arsene said he will have a midfielder signed by the return leg of the Twente game.

Wrote by singaporegooner

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Fulham 1 - 0 Arsenal: At Least the Spuds Lost…

Sadly, Tottenham’s defeat to Sunderland is the only consolation Gunners fans can take after a dismal performance at Fulham. In their first away match of the season, Arsenal continued their spluttering start to the seaon with a defeat.

With a huge midfield contingent at the treatment table, Arsenal started the match with Denilson and Eboue in midfield. Robin van Persie and Kolo Toure were restored to starting positions. The match was played at a flat pace from the kickoff, with neither side producing anything spectacular. Arsenal dominated possession, but found it hard to get past a midfield expertly marshaled by Danny Murphy. Most of their attacks were launched down the flanks through Clichy and Sagna. Nasri caught the eye on several occasions by spinning and speeding past defenders on the left wing - he looks like a quality addition to the squad.

Ade managed to rattle a post with a header while RvP missed a golden opportunity after some good work by Walcott and Nasri. We were made to pay for our misses by Fulham’s towering Hangeland when he powered past Gallas to get on the end of a Bullard corner.

The second half brought no improvement, and Denilson went from bad to worse, passing the ball almost exclusively to Fulham players. Bizarrely, he was not replaced throughout the entire match. It’s hard to imagine that Ramsey or Wilshere could have done worse. Thankfully, Cesc should be back for the next match, and we can look forward to a very different Arsenal then.

The fault was not all Denilson’s though. RvP produced some shocking free kicks from dangerous positions, and Theo had another ineffectual performance. On the bright side, Eboue did what he could by making some useful charges towards the end and Song had a great cameo, showing both good defense and spraying some accurate passes.

It is almost a certainty now that someone new will be joining Arsenal’s midfield before the close of the transfer window, and it just remains to be seen who this long awaiting signing is. We need have no doubts that this WILL be our worst game of the season. Once we take care of Twente, Newcastle should get a taste of the real Arsenal. I hope.

by rvtheace at Goonersworld Forum

Arsenal sign Mikael Silvestre

GoonersWorld can confirm that Arsenal have signed Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United for an undissclosed fee.

Silvestre, 31, was supposed to be undergoing a medical at local rivals City when he got a call telling him Arsenal were interested.

Silvestre immediately abandoned the medical to meet boss Arsene Wenger and discuss terms.

Arsene Wenger has been looking for experienced cover for Gael Clichy and he knows Silvestre fits the bill.

Arsene has followed his career with France and at United.

Silvestre joined United from Inter for £4m, he made 249 Premier League appearances in nearly nine years with United.

Arsene Wenger said:

“We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael’s versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season. His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it’s a big plus that Mikael has top level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League.”

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Arsenal 1-0 WBA (Nas you like it)

The day has finally come and all you gooners can exhale again, the premiership season returns and Arsenal have the privilege of being first up on the roster in the early afternoon summer sun.

The gunners started at fortress Emirates against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion who are no strangers to top flight football themselves. A good start at the Emirates is what all fans wanted as we all remember that Lehmann howler and last gasp goals which made such hard work of Fulham last year.

Captain William Gallas led out a team which has been hurt by injuries, Wenger has said himself that this is the worst crisis he has seen at the start of a season as Eduardo, RVP (bench), Fabregas, Rosicky, Toure (bench), Senderos and Diaby are all out injured and Nasri who started only just made it himself.

The teams lined up

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Walcott, Eboue, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner

WBA: Carson, Hoefkens, Robinson, Cech, Barnett, Greening, Brunt, Kim, Meite, Morrison, Miller

 

 

The match kicked off and the Emirates crowd roared with delight as the new season kicked off and they knew that their passion for Arsenal can now take precedent for another 9 months

Last season the home fans had to wait 84 minutes for their first Arsenal goal but this season the wait was under 4 minutes when new boy Samir Nasri scored a sweet debut goal and with it the first goal of the 2008/2009 premiership season.

A tight passing move in the midfield led to a through ball down the left for Clichy to run onto, when he picked it up the crowd half expected him to do a bombing run into the area which is one of specialities but instead he put a through ball deep into the area for Denilson to cut back. A temptation to try and score the opening goal from a tight angle could have succumbed Denilson but he resisted and cut it back to the incoming Samir Nasri who slotted it cleanly past Carson and into the back of net.

Nasri ran towards the crowd clearly delighted with this wonderful start, sometimes that first goal can be a real problem for some players when they move to a new club but the Frenchman bitchslapped that stigma in record time.

Many may have expected a rout from that moment but what that goal didn’t show was a very professional and resilient West Brom defence which did itself proud and set a good standard for the rest of the season. Whilst their attack (bar one man) was not much cop the defence was solid, organised, discliplined and despite a couple of hiccups had a very good game.

The next threat came from an almost identical attack which put Adebayor in the same position as Denilson was in for the goal but instead of a one time cut back Ade took a touch and placed a dinky cross onto the head of Walcott who’s effort was blocked and the acrobatically cleared from out side the area. However the clearance was only as far as Clichy who beelined for the box despite being amongst a crowd and he set the ball up nicely for Ade but his shot was easily caught by Carson.

The best cameo of the match was when captain William Gallas decided to become Gabriel Batistuta and thunderstrike one from 35 yards after working himself some space. The shot just curled wide but it was mighty close and at that pace, if on target, was going to be as dangerous as a jellyfish off the shores of Cornwall.

Gallas had a really good game overall, he was strong, determined and played with alot of conviction, hopefully we will see more of this from our captain who is looking to make up for past mistakes.

In the 18th minute another rampaging Clichy run in space down the left got the Frenchman in a good position to cross which he duly did and the ball was headed clear by the defender. However it didn’t go far and Sagna hit an exquisite half volley with his left foot which was blocked by the defender, it was obvious to all that if it was allowed to continue on it’s travels then Carson would have a challenge ahead, such power and accuracy but unfortunately the defender was well placed.

A corner in the 24th minute was met beautifully by Niklas Bendtner but the header was wide of the mark.

On the 30th minute West Brom had their first flicker of a chance when a long ball was flicked to Do-Heon Kim by Miller and the left footed strike was scrambled wide by Almunia.

 

 

A midfield battle continued until the half time whistled blowed and the fans clapped the gunners down the tunnel as the finished the first half of the season a goal to the good. Nasri had looked a class above so far as his running, dribbling, passing and overall effort was a joy to watch and the looked like he knew his role very well. Walcott was struggling a little, Eboue was managing in his emergency central midfield role and unfortunately for him Adebayor was looking very very rusty. Overall this was a game for Adebayor to forget.

 

 

They came back out for the second half with no changes on either side and the referee blew up to continue the game.

Whilst the West Brom attack was largely inneffective there was one man who was a constant pain the side of the gunner’s defence, Ishmael Miller! His strength, pace, power and determination was a genuine threat and he never looked tired of running at Gallas and Djourou, this was an impressive match for the ex-Man City striker.

In the 50th minute a WBA passing move saw Miller run onto a delightful through ball and fire his shot into Almunia which rebounded back to James Morrison inside the box. Almunia had no chance of reaching Morrison’s shot but Djourou was smartly positioned on the line and he deflected it to safety with his legs. Almunia subsequently expressed delight at the outcome of the defending but also frustration with the way the defence was breached.

Two minutes later Nasri went on a run and played the pass of the match when he fed the ball upfield through two defenders perfectly for Adebayor to run onto. Ade was in the clear, away, looking odds on to score as he made himself the angle with his run but to the frustration of the crowd he curled the ball wide of the far post. This was a great opportunity to score the goal that should have put the game out of West Broms reach but Ade was not on great form and the resultant finish showed that.

Ade dithered on another opportunity later which ruined a move in a great position and the frustrated crowd started booing him from some quarters. Slightly unnecessary but he was having a poor game and he demanded triple wages from the club so he does need to step up and put in the performances to match it.

Another passing move outside the box was patiently worked about until Eboue got the ball and as usual decided to have a crack and as usual it flew well wide.

Time was up for Niklas Bendtner who had an ok game and on came Robin Van Persie with 20 minutes to make his mark on the match. Kolo Toure followed 4 minutes later for Theo Walcott and it was a great sight for all arsenal fans who were concerned for Kolo after he contracted malaria.

In the 80th minute a weak but accurate cross from Adebayor was met at the far post by Van Persie but the keeper was able to catch it comfortably.

Six minutes later Adebayor came in from the left and passed the ball across to RVP who was shadowed by two defenders. He brilliantly swiveled and turned to fashion a shooting chance with his back to goal and he flicked a shot goalwards with the outside of his left foot but it flew agonisingly wide. Class play from the Dutchman but it did not lead to the goal it deserved.

 

 

The game came to a close and the referee blew to end the first game of the new season and the gunners had completed a very comfortable 1-0 victory. West Brom had defended well and had many positives to take but Arsenal too had done well with the injuries they had and played some good football during the match.

Samir Nasri was without doubt the man of the match and i am sure Arsenal fans will keep a keen eye on him from now on because a couple more performances like that and he will cement himself into the first team for sure.

All in all 1 game, 1 goal, 3 points, happy days, bring on the Fulham

 

Discuss the match here or in our forum http://www.goonersworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

Arsenal v West Brom - Starting Eleven

Only 20 minutes to go until Kick Off. The starting eleven have been announced and are as follows.

Starting eleven

Manuel Almunia
Bacary Sagna
William Gallas
Johan Djourou
Gael Clichy
Emmanuel Eboue
Denilson
Samir Nasri
Theo Walcott
Nicklas Bendtner
Emmanuel Adebayor

Subs: Subs: Fabianski, Toure, Van Persie, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Randall

Come on Arsenal!!!

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Arsenal Vs West Brom

Finally the day has arrived we have all been so eager to see!

The first game of the season kicks off today at home against West Brom and naturally at GoonersWorld, you can keep right up to date with everything here

Click the link, joining is free, effortless, and will keep you right up to date with all the latest news, and give you a chance to chat about it too.

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Match reporter of the year competition - Do you have what it takes?

Season 2007/2008 has finished and now we look forward to the next intriguing season in which Wengers third generation continues their search for the trophies that match their ambitions.

Here at Goonersworld we chronicle the season with a succession of match reports, one for each match that will be posted on the forum and also on the blog. Members will be able to comment on and continue the discussion of the match under the report.

We will be holding a match reporter of the year of the competition where at the end of the season the staff will look over the years match reports and decide which member will claim the title.

There is no set length we are looking for, it doesn’t matter if it is 750 words or 2500 words, we look for quality over quantity. They need to include all the key incidents plus any other incidents you noticed and must contain a good level of grammar as it will go on the blog. We welcome all styles, whether professional, objective, narrative or charismatic, so long as it is your own and does not contain any ott language (which was quite hard last season after some performances……cough…….Eboue…….cough).

If you would like an idea of what we are looking for have a look through the previous seasons match reports on the forum.

The winner of the match reporter of the year competition will receive the “official season review 2008/2009″ dvd when it comes out next year as a prize.

If you would like to put your name down or ask any questions then click here or PM me and i will add you to the list/answer. Everyone will get equal chance to show their reporting skills. The staff can also chip into this seasons reports although are exempt from the competition.

If you are interested then don’t hesitate to put your name down on the forum.