I'd like you to tell me that you are a false prophet... I'd like you to tell me that you are, and have been, a false prophet...
Match Reports
ESPNSoccernet: Arsenal moved back into third place in the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable victory over relegation-threatened Hull at the Emirates Stadium.
Telegraph: Arsenal moved back to third place with a functional victory over Hull City that went a long way to erasing the sour memories of their controversial defeat by the Tigers at the Emirates last year.
Goonerholic: ‘This Is The Best Trip, I’ve Ever Been On’, Sing Up Brownie
Match Video
Arsenalist has all the video that counts, including Nasri’s yellow card love tap which caused Hull’s players to bring out the handbags.
Quote of the Day
Denilson is not a free kick specialist. I was quite surprised, he was not specially named because it was Nasri who was going to take it and he took it well. I thought first he wanted to cross the ball but he scored. It changed the game. — Arsene Wenger
The Incident
There’s a little bit of talk right now about the incident mentioned above, mostly being overshadowed by Mark Hughes’ firing and “Wengergate” but there’s some talk none-the-less. Talk which I suspect will be re-dredged when we go to Hull later in the season. But before this whole incident gets blown out of proportion I’d like to point out a few things.
First, the values in English football are completely screwed up if there are people who are saying that “Nasri was lucky not to be sent off.” For what? For a cheap little foul? Yeah, it’s poor sportsmanship, I suppose, but a little kick on the foot is not a straight red card, ever. Besides which, where’s the outrage at Stephen Hunt, who has already maimed one keeper in his career, and who yesterday tried twice to maim Mooney? Not one cheap little foul but two full on barging into the keeper and then yelling at Almunia as if it was his fault. Seems to me like a little kick on the foot is a lot less dangerous than, say, kneeing a keeper in the head and effectively ending his career. I dunno, maybe it’s one of those English things I don’t get like how they spell color with a “u.”
Second, and I’ve said this many times before but for my money players who get a little touch and then go down as if they’ve had a career ending injury are cheating. Garcia was not injured, he was trying to con the referee and it is cheating. And yes, I’ve called out Arsenal players for this.
Third, and finally, Steve Bennett was never going to have an easy job refereeing that match but he made life very difficult for himself by not taking control of the match early on. He could have done it easily too, Stephen Hunt was involved in several dangerous plays right away one yellow card to each side would have calmed things down considerably. But instead he let Hull get chippy (it’s all they’ve got after all) and the match got away from him. It’s but one of the catalog of nightmares Steve Bennett had last night.
Man of the Match
You could have your pick. Nasri’s shift was absolutely brilliant and everything good that happened in the first half went through him. Almunia’s save was crucial and more importantly after the save he looked like the keeper we’ve needed: he was strong in the challenge, won crosses, and distributed OK (though he still lumped the ball up to Arshavin inexplicably). Song was having a tough first half but then he started getting stuck in and was instrumental in keeping the clean sheet and in getting the attack started. Vermaelen was outstanding, as usual.
But for me, Man of the Match has to be down to either Denilson or Diaby. Denilson is seen by many as the replacement for Cesc and I can see some of that: he’s not quite the same kind of midfielder, he doesn’t create time and space like Jesus can, but on his day he is a solid midfielder who makes a lot of the right passes and has a scoring touch that pretty much no one in this side has at the moment. All of his goals this season have been brilliant and the fact is that he is the first Arsenal player to score from a free kick since van Persie did it… last season! It was a critically important goal as well, breaking the back of Hull just at the moment where they might have felt like they were getting under Arsenal’s skin.
But Diaby was the Man of the Match just by an edge because he was the player who surged forward and got Eduardo his goal to put Arsenal up 2-0 and just when Hull had some hope of maybe getting that all important 2-1 goal, killed their game off with a thunderbolt to put Arsenal up 3-0. He was also strong in the midfield, shielding the defense when needed, in fact, if there was ever a game where I thought he reminded me of Patrick Vieira, it was yesterday. High praise, I know, and he was only shades of Vieira, but still it was shades enough to win him MotM.
The Good
Clean sheet, Almunia seems to have some mojo back, and we vanquished one of the most despicable teams in the EPL with aplomb, after a hard week of games. As for those games, Arsenal took 7 points from two tough away trips and a fiery home match against a team who pride themselves on “getting up our noses.” Even better, we got the 7 points when Man U slipped up leaving us just 2 points off second place with a game in hand, at home, to Notlob. I’d say the boys have done exceptionally well and deserve the 8 day’s rest before they host a hungry Villa side on the 27th.
The Brown
What could Phil Brown possibly complain about after this match? He got a handshake, though I’d have rather that Wenger pull a “sike” on him or just plain diss him in general. His side were awarded the most dubious penalty I’ve ever seen, then they encroached after it was saved. Stephen Hunt could have been sent off for a dozen different infractions but wasn’t. And his team were comprehensively outplayed by a clearly superior Arsenal side. What could he possibly complain about?
God, this man moans like a drain doesn’t he?
There Will Be Blood
Mark Hughes was given the wealth of the Pharaohs and what did he do? Signed Robinho who immediately started talking about going back to Spain. Tried to sign Kaka, who rejected him outright. Signed Bellamy who is a damn good player but is a ticking time bomb. Signed Gareth Barry so he could pursue his dream of playing for a different mid-level club. Signed Tevez which was as obvious a signing as you can imagine. Tried to tap up Toure who showed true class to stay until the end of the season for Arsenal. Signed Adebayor, who to be fair, is just a huge prick. And tapped up Lescott while getting rid of stalwart defender and City lover, Richard Dunne. He’s created such a disastrous squad that Mancini is doomed to failure until he blows that team apart and starts all over.
None of which touches on the downright awful manner in which he has treated fellow managers like Moyes and Wenger. He has treated them with contempt, disdain, and at times has variously lied, manufactured outrage, and trumped up false charges to deflect away from the fact that at best he’s a mediocre manager and at worst he’s a charlatan.
No, Mark Hughes will never manage again and rightly so. Given the money he plunged into Manchester City and the results he’s garnered over the last 18 months Mark Hughes has been exposed. He’s got thee tactical nous of Sam Allardyce, the training regimen of Hull, and half the scouting ability of some teenager with a copy of Football Manager.
Actually I take it back, maybe he’ll take over for Sven when he quits Notts County. Until then I fully expect him to be Match of the Day commentator and Sky Sports pundit and continue his distinguished career as the worst mind in football history.
Tim you forgot to highlight Phil “orange” Brown’s post match assessment saying that the scoreline flattered Arsenal!! Really?!? When Hull only chance was from the Penalty, he thinks the scoreline flatters Arsenal.
kidkle Reply:
December 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
@Akash,
hahahahah, what a deluded cunt. If anything, it flattered Hull. As Tim said, if we took a few of our 8 chances, it could have been 6-0!
Am I the only one that noticed whoever decides to make something out of Arsene Wenger not shaking their hands, their luck runs down and get sacked (brown sacking is in waiting!!!)
Fantastic write up, but it almost doesn’t need to be said. They are about as consistent as a Vermaelan performance.
Excellent as always. Must disagree with you about M Hughes. He is bound to end up at a Blackburn or Boro etc etc. Some directors will be attracted to this lout.
I want to point out that Sylvestre had a great game. He even contributed to the offense with two decent attempt on goal. The first time was a decent chance, but he pulled the trigger just a tad too slow. The second time – from almost the same spot – he did the opposite and rushed it.
Hey, he is a defender. And he had 3 key takeaways near the midfield that were outstanding. Let’s hope he keeps it up.
By the way, I am very surprised nobody has said a word on this blog about the CL draw! (or did I miss it). We get to see Hulk!
Tim Reply:
December 20th, 2009 at 10:09 am
@Sex Fabregas,
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2009/arsenal-draw-porto/
we will need an exceptional performance from almunia in the villa match as well. they put in a god awful amount of crosses in the box and almunia will need to bring his A game.
when did rvp score score from a free kick last year? was it in a league game? the last one i remember is him scoring in the away game at west ham in 2007. speaking of which… the hammers held chelsea to a draw today. rejoice!
Without being funny mate, you havent got a clue. Hughes is a decent manager, and what he had done for Blackburn proves that fact. What he had done with City was good… not great… but good. Dont confuse being a t****r with lack of key manager skills. T****r Hughes may be, but a decent manager he is too. Squads dont gel instantaniously and they havent got a bad squad. So long as they have a good manager behind them (Mancini is yet to prove himself over here) those lads will be challenging for a top four spot next season, mark my words.
Oh… and how you can make any comment on the English language, considering its your first language, is totally beyond me. I’m English. The country where the language comes from. Colour is the way its spelt. Our language, you ruined it! I think considering you are running a website for an ENGLISH football club you might want to take into consideration that ENGLISH people may read your blogs.
Numpty!!!
ctpa Reply:
December 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
@Gooner Ady, Chill. Isn’t ‘colour’ like olde English,man. This is an American site after all and we’re the home of McDonald’s, instant oatmeal, drive thru everything and simplified spelling of words.
ArseChicago Reply:
December 20th, 2009 at 11:43 am
You’re right, other English people probably do read this blog. I’m sure they appreciate, too, you reinforcing the stereotype of Brits having no sense of humor (or humour). Goodness me, someone’s knickers are twisted in a bunch. Next time try to make your point without the personal attack, mate. I expect more diplomacy from your side of the Atlantic.
Tim Reply:
December 20th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
@Gooner Ady, oh dear.
Dude, it’s a joke. If anything I was taking the piss out of myself.
I love the English, I love the Arsenal and I’d be happy to prove it to you in person over a pint when I go over in March.
Cheers.
Patrick Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Isn’t ‘numpty’ a Scottish word, yah bampot!
I like Zola. I like the way WHU play. I like the fact that a team in the relegation zone came out and said to the mighty Chelsea: f**k you, we’re not going to huddle our masses in front of our goal like scared little wimps.
You have to admire Portsmouth going after Liverpool.
Fulham’s up field defensive pressure reminds me of the NJ Devil’s neutral zone trap (before the lock out).
Man U lost. Defense missing 7 starters. No one even mentions when Rio will be back. We’ve got a slightly used CB that we can sell them for say 10m to help them out:) They wish they had Sylvester back
Chelsea draw. Too bad for Chelsea Mike Dean seemed to be on an anti-diving crusade. The usual suspects were falling all over the place without getting any reward.
This season seems to be proving that the big 4 are no longer feared and we have to ready to claw and scratch every game for 3 points.
Remember Diaby decided to hit the weights during the preseason. This is I believe only his 2nd season back from the Dan Smith tackle. Yesterday, Diaby rewarded Wenger for his continued faith and support.
Almunia just has to be the GK who beat out Lehmann and made PK saves against Roma.
Patrick Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Watched the WHU v Chelski match and I have to say that Scott Parker is psychotic.
The players have the MOTM. Referees should have TAHOTW (the asshole of the weekend) or the TPOTW (the prick of the weekend). The hands down winner this weekend was mike dean for first giving the PK on the good Upson tackle and then the unnecessary triple do-over. WTF?
Someone here suggested we pick up 32yo Luca Toni. Good news, Bayern Munich will let him go for free this January. Parting shot from Louis Van Gaal: “Football is not about individuals, it is a team sport. It is not a hobby, it is a profession…”
The triumvirate, DDS (Denilson, Diaby & Song), put in a very good shift yesterday. A very hard graft, resulting in a very good win.
As for Mr Orangy-Brownish-Red, the less said about him the better.
ManU got spanked. Chelsea are finding out what the other EPL teams are made of. Hughes found out money is not the solution to all problems; and that what goes around comes around.
Comeuppance all round.
I remember when Lehman was in goal and every time we played spurs Robbie Keane would stroll into the box at corners and stand on Jens’ toes which would have him leaping about dementedly. I believe he got booked a couple of times for shoving Keane in retribution. How much notice, or action, did the authorities take. Zero. Absolutely none. I saw John Terry fly into a tackle today with his boot not only dangerously high but also with real intent to injure. It was a red card. Don’t expect to read about it though. He doesn’t play for Arsenal and he is the England captain.
Excellent comments, thoughtful and intelligent..
I am currently enthralled by Song, some of his defensive interventions are amazing, last gasp tackles are becoming standard for him. He has the rare ability to make time and space for himself with the ball, through a turn here, or a shimmy there, a trait few in the game have, but perhaps more gloriously possessed by Fabregas. I am particularly impressed with his positional and tactical awareness. He moves quickly to fill holes when our midfielders or defenders go marauding into the opposition’s areas. Or when one of our players is in possession, particularly in the midfield areas, makes himself available for a short pass to either link or offer an outlet. And finally, his passing sometimes borders on the sublime, although he does make the occasional gaff. For me, he is developing into a truly world class defensive midfielder, who is also fully capable of moving into attack. All I think he needs add to his game is perhaps the odd crunching tackle.. Long may it continue Song, you proved many of us wrong..
“One Song, we’ve only got one Song”
(The chorus that rang out at my pub, after his involvement in the ruckus over nothing..)
Perhaps the ‘u’ in colour has something to do with pronunciation?? Speech has changed, but spelling has remained the same..