By Ian Grant
Even though you had to go back to 1956 for a Charlton win over Arsenal, form indicated another victory was on the cards for the South Londoners.
Arsenal have only won away twice on their Premiership travels this season. And Charlton have only lost one in ten at home.
And the team sheets confirmed the sentiment with Adams and Keown missing, and Henry, Bergkamp and Wiltord, Lauren and Luzhny out too.
Ljungberg formed a striking partnership with Kanu. Grimandi formed a central defensive pairing with Stepanovs.
Even so Arsenal’s slick passing and movement, with Parlour, Vieira and Pires in midfield, dominated the first half. But as is now common, all the approach work, didn’t carry a cutting edge.
Silvinho came close with a couple of free kicks. And Parlour burst through after some effective link-up play. But Charlton keeper Kylie was in good form, and saved.
So bang on cue before half time, Stuart dinked a ball into the Arsenal penalty area, and Johansson nipped in between Stepanovs and Grimandi to head past Manninger. It Charlton’s only chance of the half.
The Addicks grew in confidence in the second half. Todd and Bartlett both had good chances from headers.
Ljungberg should have done better with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his scuffed his shot.
Arsene Wenger put on Tomas and Cole. And on 78, the gamble looked as if it had paid off, as Tomas was up-ended in the Charlton box.
Pires was the nominated penalty taker. But in his absence Vivas, to his credit, took responsibility.
But it was a bad penalty. He telegraphed where it was going, by opening up his right foot. And it was at a comfortable height for Kylie, to parry.
The save added to the doom and gloom surrounding Arsenal of late.
Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal should not have to rely on penalties to score. And that the team must create more chances and take more responsibility away from home.