A WEEKEND of football.
What stands out ?
Gilberto’s injury, Luis Garcia’s goal, fans booing Man United after they lost to Blackburn, Angel shamefully stepping out of Aston Villa’s wall to allow Lampard’s free-kick to fly in – and Ronaldino was dropped.
A lively game at West Ham, some end-to-end play by both sides, high-energy football, some chances, many passes going astray, and Freddie much improved from the previous game
Bottom line? Reyes and van Persie were firing blanks, so Arsenal cannot score in open play.
When Lehmann flapped at a long throw from the right, Reo-Coker volleyed and as Fabregas challenged for the loose ball he put his hands up to protect his face and the ball hit his arm.
We’ve seen them given.
Gilberto has become a different player, making more tackles. But in doing that he has become a more vulnerable player. He injured his ankle and looks likely miss the Ajax game on Tuesday night.
Quincy might start alongside Reyes, as Bergkamp is struggling for fitness and van Persie is suspended.
But Pires should be available.
Ajax beat Roda 4-1, so they may be gaining a bit of form.
South African Steven Pienaar, who was so busy and effective at Highbury in the 1-1 game, is now 23 and one of their senior players.
Arsenal struggled to beat FC Thun 2-1 and Ajax will also be another struggle.
Without Vieira, Henry and Bergkamp, and without Cole’s zippy overlaps linking with Pires and Henry, the speed of passing just isn’t there anymore.
So Fabregas is taking four and five touches where last season he took one or two.
On Match of the Day I saw Sven in the director’s box, sitting next to a friend of mine, a lifelong West Ham supporter.
MoD pundit Alan Hansen said : Arsenal don’t vary it, don’t play balls over the top, don’t cross it.
He was only saying what I’ve been saying for 5 years.
Arsenal’s style has been rumbled and we saw West Ham players surrendering midfield, turning their backs on the ball and racing back to defend the box, allowing Arsenal 15 or 20 passes in front of them, as many teams will do this season
EARLIER, I saw the Birmingham-Liverpool game, when all the goals came in the second half of a 2-2 draw.
Ah, I thought : Benitez is resting Luis Garcia for the Chelsea game on Wednesday, the revenge meeting in the Champions League.
Benitez has decide to build his defence round two midfield anchormen, and his attack round Steven Gerrard, who hit the post in the first half from a Crouch lay-off
Liverpool have been struggling for goals and here they needed a sub to score their first in open play in the Premiership.
Luis Garcia made a fabulous run from right to left and fired a perfect shot between Maik Taylor and his near post.
A fantastic Arsenal goal, just like Freddie scores, except that Freddie’s left foot is not that good.
Left back Warnock equalised with a headed own-goal, then sub Pandiani snapped up a chance when Heskey headed Pennant’s cross and Reina fumbled.
Luis Garcia then had a brilliant header from a Riise corner, but Clapham kicked it off the line.
Kilkenny handled on the line and Cisse slotted the penalty for 2-2.
Can Liverpool give Chelski a game on Wedesday night?
Don’t know, but I’d love to be there.
THE JUAN PABLO ANGEL incident was one that has amazed me for years.
Why do managers put wimps on the end of the wall?
For the end of a wall, or a charge-down, you need a fiery player like Scholes or Ljungberg, who does not mind getting hurt by the ball.
You don’t want a Limpar, Robben or Overmars.
Juan Pablo Angel is a tosser who is willing to pick up (I’m guessing) £30,000 a week, but unwilling to take a ball on the body.
What a tosser ! Would you want him within 500 miles of your football team ?
ARSENAL played Manchester United in the Littlewoods Cup at Highbury in November 1990 and Lee Sharpe took a free-kick from about 22 yards and Limpar (yes, Limpar) was on the end of the wall and he ducked out of the way and the shot flew in for 1-0 and United went on to win 6-2.
Lee Sharpe got a hat-trick.
I could not believe George Graham did that. I was baffled. George could teach defence, but could not build a wall? I couldn’t get my head round it, still can’t.
HOW DO YOU make millionaires hungry?
Well, Chelsea look hungry, Robben and Lampard have sharpened up a lot in the last two weeks, as Lampard’s two goals demonstrated after Luke Moore scored a nice goal for Aston Villa to wake Chelsea up.
Essien won a free-kick at the other end immediately, Lampard scored, and then scored the winner in 75 from a penalty when Mellberg clumsily brought down sub Drogba.
A FEW WEEKS AGO I asked : What if Chelsea win their first 8 games?
Well, they’ve won their first 7 games and it’s over.
In the calendar year of 2005, Chelsea won the 2005 title in January and now, in September, they have won the 2006 title, with 31 games left.
Chelsea’s instant reply to Luke Moore’s goal told us that.
Title race? There is no title race.
We shall have to find something else to talk about.
However, with Gary Neville, Heinze and Keane injured, Arsenal now have a chance of second place if Henry can play about 30 games, which may be a big if. Or a big IF.
After the 0-0 at Upton Park, Arsene said, “If you think it is over, let’s give Chelsea the trophy and start all over again.”
He expected to win. I expected some goals, having backed more than 2.5 goals in the game.
Still, I broke even with bets on Hearts,Chelsea and Barcelona.
FRANK RIJKAARD dropped Ronaldinho and Deco and went to Real Betis and won 4-1.
That is how to motivate millionaires on long contracts.
Eto’o scored the second and third after hitting the post with a penalty.
Mark van Bommel made his first start and scored after 19 with a lovely header after making a smart run onto Xavi’s diagonal free-kick.
Right after that goal, Betis striker Ricardo Oliveira was sent off for applauding the ref who booked him, a la Rooney.
Memo to Ronaldinho : we won 4-1 without you.
FOOTBALL HISTORY WOULD have been so different if the FA had had the wit to let Eriksson join Chelsea.
Palios and Davies should have said, “Sven, it’s a great opportunity for you. Get Veron playing well again, bring Rio back to London, buy any player, and win every trophy. We really appreciate everything you’ve done for England after the mess Keegan got us into, but we can’t stand in your way. Go with our blessing. And remember : you’ll always be welcome in this office and at any future England game.”