RSSArsenal 1 Man City 0: Fabregas finally finds that 1-0 feeling
THIS was a win that was five times as satisfying as the one over Fulham.
Why? Because the team that is constantly going 1-0 down and then wins 2-1 never does anything because some of the time that 1-0 deficit will only ever get to 1-1.
But teams who can grind out 1-0 victories invariably do a lot better. This was not just our first 1-0 at the Emirates but in the league it was also the first time we had kept a clean sheet in a non-walkover.
And it was also great to watch. City came high on confidence and their play reflected it. They came out, had a go, maybe should have had a penalty and nearly got a great result.
City were also tough, obdurate and uncompromising. And yet they were a world away from the cynicism of Blackburn last week. No doubt my mood is lightened because we won, but it really was a joy to see a match where both sides just went for it.
I thought Sven was awful for England. But in three games he has assembled a City side with more about them than any I have ever seen.
That said, in the end I thought we deserved it. Despite a late injury to Senderos and one in the first half to Sagna that saw us with a back four of Flamini, Clichy, Toure and the returning Gilberto, we looked much more solid at the back. Sure City caused us problems (focusing particularly down our patched up right hand side), but by and large we defended well. When they did get a one-on-one Almunia was out like a hawk and if we’re honest probably slightly more confidently that Jens might have been.
In midfield, Cesc and Flamini and then Cesc and Denilson still looked a little slight, particularly in the first half. Up front, none of RVP, Adebayor, Rosicky or Hleb were faultless but all four gave City their fair share of problems. Hleb, for example, had his fair share of Hleb moments but equally he won the penalty that Van Persie missed and set-up Cesc for the winner.
Talking of the penalty: at the moment RVP is not a penalty taker. Undoubtedly, he has a great shot. But even when his penalties do go in (and look amazing), you’re left feeling the next one could be missed. And so it proved. The question is who should take them.
After a first half that had swung from being very even, to them being on top, to us being on top, we more or less dominated the second half, other than a short burst of City pressure. The penalty could have knocked the stuffing out of us, but we kept going and it was no surprise that as the clock inched towards the 80 minute mark, we struck again.
It’s a remarkable record we have in the last ten minutes at the Emirates. But what is more pleasing now is that the heroes in the past two home games have been Hleb and Cesc, neither of who scored remotely enough goals last season.
I like well fought 1-0 wins. And this was just that.
25 August 2007 at 5:47 pm
Thanks Fabregas. I’ve always said that Ade is not good for critical matches where goals will be thin. Today too he missed obvious chances and RvP too. Ade positioning is so poor too. I think we should be looking critically at Bendtner; Ade’s shooting ability is nothing good. Don’t think he can deliver more than 12 goals a season. Today, he was very lazy too. Don’t know why Arsene keep on trying to field Song? As soon as he came on, he sent the ball to throw. We had hard luck actually, we should have scored more, poor shooting by Denilson losing two chances, need to do a lot of shooting practice. RvP should try and bring his shots down, if he had, he could’ve got two goals today. I’m happy Fabregas has started scoring.
25 August 2007 at 6:20 pm
i agree with at times a midfield is a bit slight, but at times i was shouting shoot, but you have to say dunn and richards is probably one of the best defence partnership this season they defend well together, i wouldnt mind richards at arsenal though
25 August 2007 at 6:45 pm
Why do people keep criticising Alex Song? When he came on to shut out city for the last 5mins, he made 2 interceptions and a good hoof upfiels. Exactly what we wanted.
25 August 2007 at 6:46 pm
Any news on how long Senderos is out for? With him, Gallas and Sagna gone, I don’t fancy our chances against a good attack. Still 3 glorious points, and I won about 80p betting on an Arse win!
25 August 2007 at 6:52 pm
I was in the stands and adebayor got a lot of stick. He needs minutes
25 August 2007 at 6:54 pm
I think Jens will struggle to get back in the side. Arseblogger is probably right to question the factual accuracy of his Achilles injury. He looked absolutely fine to me against England. Almunia looked really sharp today and I think Wenger will realise Jens needs some real motivation. I wouldn’t be surprised if we dont see Lehmann before October.
Today, nice to see a proper MATCH, and not a 90 minute anxious, laborious and nervous struggle to break down a ten-man defence that manages to score in its one adventure up field.
25 August 2007 at 6:58 pm
A very satisfying result. We need more results like these, more importantly in away matches where we struggle to keep a clean sheet. Let’s hope Senderos and Sagna recovers quickly.
25 August 2007 at 7:52 pm
I think any criticism of Ade should be reserved for when he’s match fit again. Judging him after a 3 week lay off due to an injury before pre-season was even completed is a little premature. Cesc was more of a let down today. In fact, goal aside, Denilson was far more accomplished in the middle today & would be a more than adequate replacement for him should the young Spaniard did ever decide to go back home.
25 August 2007 at 7:54 pm
Satisfying result yes, pathetic performance. I thought we were abysmal today, Adebayor not only his usual useless self but also lazy. Get him out of the side and Eduardo in who looks like he may be able to score a few goals or at least be willing to run for the team. It was embarrassing to watch at times, getting ripped apart by Man City as they comfortably dealt with out long ball attacks. Also why can we not shoot to the side of the goalkeeper? Either side will do, we just seem happy to smack it straight at whoever we’re playing (RVP take note)
We need to improve drastically if we are to beat a decent team this year. Is anyone else sick of not really scoring in the first half of matches anymore?
25 August 2007 at 7:58 pm
We are getting more confident. But at the same time, we are so lightweight in midfield and we cannot therefore challenge for the championship if this continues. I only hope Diaby will be our saviour.
Hleb…too bad that he’s rotten on the right flank. He’s good in the centre but he’s not gonna be there. Ade should NEVER start in games like these. He should be played in a lone striker formation.
Eduardo …I like this guy he fits right in. Sagna is great..AW I salute u!
25 August 2007 at 8:01 pm
I’m quite gutted that we’ve lost our great left flank. We were invincible down the left . Rosicky looks average there. Ok he does well technically but there’s nothing to say he’ll be a main man for Arsenal.
25 August 2007 at 8:28 pm
Too many people are still in dreamland, expecting the Invincibles to show up and beat everyone 3-0.
We beat a good side today, and did it with determination despite a totally patched-up back four. It’s amazing to see this team playing 90 furious minutes and refusing to let down. They could have dropped after the missed penalty but instead, it seemed to inspire even more effort and great chances. There were some poor shots, but also some great ones besides Cesc’s goal. Cesc had Schmeichel scrambling with one bomb, Rosicky hit a beauty that produced a great save and RVP just missed twice — early on with a shot inches over the bar and later when he was about a boot length shy of turning in Cesc’s cross.
We did NOT look awful or any of these other negative adjectives. How can people take pops at Hleb, who created a penalty (second time in four games) and then fed Besc with a neat pass for the winner.
I agree that Eduardo needs to be on the field, but Ade needs games and to rip him now when he isn’t even fit is just madness.
And whoever said Cesc was poor and Denilson will be a great replacement should have stopped drinking earlier in the day. Cesc could easily have had two goals and set up two more. What on earth do you want from this star, who is truly the heart of Arsenal?
I know players sometimes kiss the badge when they score, but Cesc made a statement after he goal — he not only kissed the badge, he did it with such gusto I thought he was going to eat half his shirt. I loved it.
Anyone who can’t enjoy this exciting young team doesn’t deserve to be called a Gooner.
Go watch Spurs if all you want to do is complain.
25 August 2007 at 8:31 pm
Great stuff Californian.
Could not agree more.
25 August 2007 at 9:09 pm
You’re right, it’d great to win 1-0 again. Up the Arse!
25 August 2007 at 9:09 pm
-d
+s
25 August 2007 at 9:15 pm
It seems like we are losing 1-2 players to injury each game we play, our squad seems very thin right now, we could use a couple of players or at least get Djorou back.
I was getting really frustrated by hleb, and moments later he wins us a penalty. Got frustrated all over again by hleb, and then he sets up the goal. I hope hleb will frustrate us a lot more this season.
And how f****** hard is it to make a decent cross, it’s not rocket science.
Almunia looked very good, didn’t have any nervous moments, lets hope we won’t be needing mad Jens again.
25 August 2007 at 9:19 pm
Thanks California
Whatever happens some so called fans will still have something negative to say.
Arsenal have just beaten a top side. The problem is a lot of people are still not giving City their. I believe they will turn over many teams this season. Watch this space.
We need away results like this. I don’t like Chelski but 1-0 away from home is a result they almost get more than often away from home.
25 August 2007 at 9:31 pm
Ade should be dropped now, we can’t wait for him to keep missing five chances before he scores one. We need to try Bendtner too, he’s also part of the team. I rate him higher now. I don’t think the injuries of Sagna and Sendy will keep them out next week. They seemed minor and kept out apparently to protect them from major injuries. Let’s keep our fnger crossed now that the midfielders have began to shoot for goals. Cesc could get 10 this year. Gilberto was great today, looked better than Sendy there.
25 August 2007 at 9:56 pm
u guys are clueless ade is a class attack he gives a different option.futhermore his back from injury so give time
25 August 2007 at 10:05 pm
i agree its good to win 1 nil and not concede, y does every1 expect arse to win 4 nil everytime. man city kept 3 clean sheets because they have a good defence in richards and dunn, so u bunch of arses enjoy da victory. viva arsenal
25 August 2007 at 10:26 pm
Hleb layed really well, and Denilson was also good, Eduardo still doesnt seem ready for EPL, it will be good to see Bentdner and Edduardo and Aee all in the game againsr Spartak
26 August 2007 at 3:42 am
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26 August 2007 at 11:38 am
From what I saw, I didn’t really notice the Ade ‘lazy’ moments. He held the ball up well and had a couple of nice touches. I thought that he did well and can’t wait for him to become fully fit. Eduardo played very well when he came on as well.
I thought that considering the 2 midfielders in the back 4, that we played excellent. Almunia made a smart save and has continued his pre-season form, which I thought was superior to Lehmann.
I think that we had better start getting used to these 1-0 wins because this team plays different and are more compact than the Arsenal teams of old making it a little harder to break us down. However, our finishing isn’t as good going forward, but I think that this will change. I enjoyed yesterdays match alot as well.
26 August 2007 at 11:56 am
i was at the game and what we need to do is lift the level of intensity in our play. after we missed the penalty we lifted the workrate and passed City out of the game and in doing so made them knackered. at present we seem to be playing within ourselves and this allows teams like City who are very capable unit but no worldbeaters to play with confidence and this obviusly created chances for them. once we upped the levels of work and commitment our better footballing skills took the game away from them. Ade played well in the first half but you could see he tired very early in the 2nd half, why does AW wait until he is forced to make a change early in a game? we could have done with both NB and EDS coming on to provide fresh legs and new impetus. as it was the penalty award (and miss) seemed to make us more determined and we really did not let them in the game after that.
I know it wasn’t a very good penalty by RVP but why was the keeper allowed to dive three yards FORWARDS, i thought this was another issue the FA had told refs to keep an eye on?
See ya Wednesday!
26 August 2007 at 1:12 pm
hopefully wednesday nights strikers will be eduardo and bendtner.
im not sure about ade still so im coming to the conclusion that if, after a year and a half im still not sure about him then he´s not gonna make it.
26 August 2007 at 1:13 pm
*im still not sure about ade*
26 August 2007 at 1:56 pm
Wot, no playa ratings? Or will it be 7.5 for the whole squad again?
26 August 2007 at 2:32 pm
27 lee dixon’s hamstring
LOL…
While we are at it…why do people have blogs where they only post when they feel like. There’s an element of arrogance and disregard towards your readers about that, I find it frustrating to log in only to be met by ’stale’ articles all they time especially on here coz I think the comments on this blog and A cultured left foot have not gone downmarket like other blogs I won’t mention. The only difference is A cultured left foot posts dilligently- his is the best out there at the mo.
26 August 2007 at 2:57 pm
Well Said CASteve
28 and Arseblogger… …his updates are legend… …but at least on this site and EastLower you don’t have to scroll past the miles of shite to read peoples quotes… …didn’t see the match as I was at a family do in Sweden so no comments apart from I have always liked RvP’s pens and he should just stick to ramming it in the top corner and see if the keeper can get there in time!
Davo, I go to a lot o Arsenal games and I have never seen Song do anything constructive… …he always seems to heap pressure on the defence which is exactly the oposite of what he should be doing… …although AW must see something we don’t, but he can’t always be right… …he gave lemon a new contract
26 August 2007 at 3:36 pm
Ade has a final test to improve his scoring record. The guy just shoot on sight of the ball. This is his second full year and he has to perform. Don’t know why Arsene is not giving Bendtner chance when the guy seems to be the better of the two. His efforts in front of goal is better. Ade is overrated.
26 August 2007 at 4:11 pm
I guess I don’t understand the preference of Bendtner for Ade. Ade does need to improve his shooting, and I believe he will. But yesterday was his first game. Bendtner, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to offer quite as much. In fact he seems rather lazy, which means that his teamates have to work twice as hard.
26 August 2007 at 7:09 pm
arsen wenger say no more signings, its clear even though our first 11 is good, we dont have the strength in depth, like man u, chels, and pool have, and during the champs league carling cup, fa cup, league runs plus african cup plus injuries its clear we need at least 2 more signings,
i think what the club are telling us is that we dont have the money to spend.
26 August 2007 at 10:21 pm
Arse fan
The money is there its Arsene who is not spending. The Board has said several times that anytime Arsene asks they give so don’t blame the Board. Its Arsene.
26 August 2007 at 10:39 pm
“I know what the fans say, but if you ask any of them whether Hleb is a good player, you will get the right answer.” Arsène on our overelaborate Bielorussian. Source http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2332226.ece
27 August 2007 at 11:58 am
I think that by the end of the season we will realise this was a very good result against a solid Manchester City team who I do not think will fade away as they usually do.
A couple of unsung heroes deserve a mention
Flamini - he has really stepped up his game this season. Don’t forget he is still only 23 and improving. We need a player in the squad that can fit in almost anywhere on the field. He was working well in midfield until he had to replace Sagna at right-back where he also did a great job. He may not be an automatic choice when everyone is fit but he will not let us down
Almunia - He impressed me pre-season and although he was not very busy against Man City, everything he did was safe and confident. He did though make two excellent saves. If he had been playing instead of Lehmann v Fulham & Blackburn, we would have a 0 in the goals against column. If we then went on to win our game in hand we would have been top of the table!! I hope the mad German’s present to Blackburn does not come back to haunt us at the end of the season when those two points lost might turn out to be vital.
I had hoped that Adebayor was going to develop into our own version of Drogba, but I am beginning to feel it is not going to happen. We looked so much more dangerous when Eduardo replaced him, that I think it’s the way to go in future.
27 August 2007 at 3:15 pm
Almunia was a big step up from Lehmann.
I like Van Persie as the pentaly taker, but this latest effort was subpar.
16 September 2007 at 1:48 pm
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