RSSCity 1 Arsenal 3: Still loving Clichy - report and player ratings
Faultless on the goal and ran out crazily once to deter their man in what, from the other end, appeared a well judged decision. Distribution occasionally gave me the jitters.
7
Excellent. Really bombed forward with Hleb and made a massive contribution for the opener. Strong as ever at the back and a real threat too.
8
One superb tackle when Petrov was running full-pelt at him and otherwise looked really strong.
7.5
Much improved on a few weeks ago. Just one slightly ill judged back header but otherwise rock solid. Won balls in the air, headed them to his team-mates, passed appropriately and whacked clear at the right moments too.
7.5
His usual composed self before the mistake and had produced another nice cross for the second goal. Looked perfectly comfortable after the error but perhaps was slightly more reluctant bombing forward than usual.
6.5
A couple of scorching Cescesque cross-field balls that left me Fabbergasted (my brother’s contribution). And was his general snappy self otherwise.
7.5
A mix. There were occasions where he was caught on the ball or not as speedy with his play as we know he can be. But there were many occasions too where he oiled our machine and drove us forward. Worked well with Hleb.
7
Always appears surprised to receive the ball. But uses it to bamboozle defenders. Jinked in and out here, feeding Sagna for the opener, linking with Cesc for the third and generally delighting.
7.5
Sure, he was sloppy occasionally. But he is also so improved. Far more in the game, his decision making on when to pass and when to run was impressive. Looks like he is learning the left hand side role.
7.5
A brilliant overhead for his magnificently offside goal. And that was his only goal chance. But he offered a lot more – running, chasing and decent creativity when on the left-wing after the break.
7
On form, you could say. Always running, looking to go in behind, he gave the City defence a torrid time and got his just reward.
8
Manchester City 1 Arsenal 3
From Goodplaya at Eastlands
JUST before the pre-match sprints, captain Gallas called over his troops.
The young colts listened in silence. Their leader gesticulated with his hands, the instructions more motivational than tactical.
It lasted five minutes before his nine younger team-mates and the old fella in goal were sent on their way.
The tone had been set.
The brother and I combined this game with a visit to the little sister at university in Manchester.
When we stepped off the train at 6pm on Friday evening, she was serenaded with “Come to see the Arsenal, we’ve only come to see the Arsenal”.
Before anyone starts, that was a joke. And in any case, she came to the game, has been a fan for years and initiated the trip in the first place.
I write this on the train back. It’s been a good day – a well deserved away win and United and Chelsea dropping four points between them. United’s late goal was frustrating – but a reminder of Spurs’ spinelessness too.
Injuries and Africans meant the team all but picked itself. But while we lack luck on that front, the fixture list is smiling more kindly.
Of the three tough away games for the top three today, ours was against the obviously out of form side not buoyed by heavy transfer window activity.
And after the internationals we do not play until Monday night, before a five day break until United in the cup. That said, with Milan following on the Wednesday night and Birmingham at 12.45 on the Saturday, the week after is not so kind.
We started well enough but it was only when the ball was worked wide that the threat grew. Hleb fed Sagna who powered on, got to the by-line and pulled it back for Adebayor.
At this point most Arsenal fans at the game had what equated to a five second blackout. We knew Adebayor hit it. And we knew a little while later that the team were celebrating.
But in between? Hadn’t a clue. It made for a goal celebration more lazy and lethargic than Kanu. The City lot probably thought we were just being blasé and arrogant in a very French kind of way or something. The truth is that from the far end, we knew nothing.
Replays showed he had swept in a shot that looped up off Richards and past the stranded Hart.
It was ironic to see us score like that after the artistic beauty of RVP and Henry had yielded so little luck and even less reward on our previous visit.
And there was more to come. And what a surprise it again coincided with the ball going wide. This time it was down the left.
Diaby, who despite giving the ball away now and then played very well, powered forward and fed the ball to the overlapping Clichy.
He fully justified the idolatry article I penned on Thursday with a nice cross for Adebayor at the far post.
He headed back across goal and as Eduardo criss-crossed with Richards, the linesman failed to spot a fairly blatant offside. Our man took it on his chest and fired spectacularly across goal.
Even with our limited view from the other end, this was clearly 2-0.
Gael Clichy then made an utter fool of this blogger. Dealing with a routine ball down by the byline he dawdled, lost possession, failed to get back and bang – what had been a stroll at 2-0 was now a slog at 2-1.
I’d love to tell you the ball bobbled or that Alex Song was to blame or frankly anyone but Gael had screwed up. However the truth was it was a mega-howler.
That said, it was a mega-howler that was punished to the max and which was by some distance also his biggest cock-up of the season.
Now and then these things happen to the most conscientious of players and you could tell by his reaction that he knew where blame lay.
On the plus side, it had not cost us the game. We were 2-1 up and it’s a sign of a good side to come back from set-backs like that.
And come back we did. The storm was weathered until the break and we emerged from the dressing rooms determined to nab a third.
By now we had gone to a kind of 4-5-1, with Eduardo withdrawn on the left and Diaby and Cesc taking turns to go forward to support Adebayor.
It worked on the whole. Except that despite dominating, we could not find the goal. It wasn’t anybody’s fault really, a few times the ball didn’t quite run and City defended fairly well also.
There then followed a bit of City pressure – probably not a lot truth be told but to a nervous wreck like me watching from the far end it felt bad at the time.
And with 20 minutes left you sensed we were at a crucial stage in the season. Lose the lead and there would have been nasty echoes of that horror 2-2 draw at Bolton nearly five years ago.
Keep it and we had our best win for a while. And keep it we did. On the umpteenth breakaway, Cesc and Hleb almost blew the ball between each other like they were passing bubbles.
Determined to walk it into the net, it eventually came to Adebyor who swept home for a classic away win. A goal a bit earlier would have been nice for the more nervy among us (ie me), but as they celebrated in front of the travelling Gooners, there could be few complaints.
This was a win against a side on the slide. But it was a good win nonetheless. Coupled with that, there are some promising signs. Fulham, Newcastle (twice) and now City have been dispatched with little of December’s fuss.
The players who have come in (Senderos and Diaby) are improving and while we are reliant on Adebayor, this is not a one man show.
2 February 2008 at 9:22 pm
Thought your photos were excellent (and the match report).
2 February 2008 at 9:23 pm
Was at the game, the 1st goal, more precisely the space between the goal and us celebrating it was well funny!
Gr8 support too!
Clichy is allowed 1 mistake a season isnt he!
Top post, nice 1 fella!
2 February 2008 at 9:36 pm
great goal by eduardo even though he was slightly offside,but there was no flag.i error by the always outstanding Clichy aint no big deal.
2 February 2008 at 9:37 pm
Clichy was just showing us that he’s human after all. It’s not surprising after the call up that he might be distracted. Fortunately it didn’t cost us and I’m sure he’ll learn from it.
2 February 2008 at 9:38 pm
awww poor Clichy, oh well can’t be great every week. He still did good, loved Eduardo’s goal offside or not hehe and Ade is on fire. Top of the league again!!!
2 February 2008 at 10:04 pm
love it love and love it - offside, yep, but who gives a flying F***
top again, just pray we stay there
keep it going boys xxxxxxxxxx
2 February 2008 at 10:41 pm
Your ratings seem to suggest Hleb played better than Dudu I cannot agree, Arsene said give him six months bloody right again!
3 February 2008 at 1:09 am
I don’t think Diaby and Hleb deserve the points you gave them. They were the ones who lost most balls to the opponents, City. Diaby just continued to dribble and hold onto the ball until dispossesed, same as Hleb. At best, 6.5 for them while Cesc gets 7.5 instead of 7.
While Senderos seems to be improving, he still don’t emit confidence in his play. Playing Senderos against speedy forwards is always a problem as Vassel proved on few occassions.
3 February 2008 at 1:12 am
Senderos was solid, Diaby has come on too, we were in cruise control the whole game, and should have scored at least 2 more goals as well as a clear penalty..
3 February 2008 at 2:02 am
“And after the internationals we do not play until Monday night, before a five day break until Birmingham.”
Actually until United away in the FA. Will you be visiting your sister again?
I think people don’t appreciate Hleb’s work enough sometimes. He may not be the one who scores the goal or makes the final assist always, but he’s never absent in the build up. Today’s first was because of a great pass he gave to Sagna (not the only one in the evening), and he was part of our third as well. A truly skillful player.
3 February 2008 at 4:15 am
i was shit
3 February 2008 at 4:26 am
Good Article,fair ratings, Superb game. Clichy, no worries mate, Edu well…as Andy Gray(Mr Sky Sports) said, What A Goal!! Where are the Adebayor-Doubters Fan club,still doubting??
Come on, “we are topoftheleague say we are topoftheleague!!!”
3 February 2008 at 6:48 am
It’s hard not to love Clichy. He had the one mistake, but otherwise played well.
3 February 2008 at 6:58 am
Thanks for the report. Heard the game at home on Arsenal TV Online. It didn’t sound like we’d scored our first at all. Muted commentary (as usual for an Arsenal goal scored away from home) and no discernable crowd reaction in the background. Looking at the goal afterwards on TV you can see why. With those dark goal nets you don’t see the ripple when the ball hits it especially from the other end of the ground. And Ade’s understated goal celebration didn’t really tell you a goal had been scored either. What a great result eh? Especially with Chelsea and Man Utd dropping points.
3 February 2008 at 9:25 am
I agree with Passanal,Clichy is human being. He was good apart from that mistake. Overall great game, deserved win.
3 February 2008 at 9:33 am
Nobody should talk about Clichy’s mistake. There is no need for that. Overall, he was not at his best but still a player at the top of his game. He’s beyond criticism please.
3 February 2008 at 12:30 pm
I didn’t think Hleb played bad I just thought this was one of Eduardo’s best all round games.
He scored a great goal and in the second half moved to the left and was much more involved than he ever has been. I hope the return of RVP dosn’t stop his chances.
As for Clichy so what. we play percentages most times it comes off, if he hoofed it out we lose possesion for sure then they can score from the corner or throw in.
3 February 2008 at 2:45 pm
Only 9 points required before celebrating Saint Totteringham’s Day. I’m guessing it will come on 1st March. And if it wasn’t for the FA Cup and Internationals blocking up the calendar it would be a lot earlier.
3 February 2008 at 3:00 pm
I might have started the whole “Diaby might not make it” thing on this board, and if I didn’t I was pretty quick to jump on board. However, let me say it now: Diaby will make it at Arsenal. I have no doubts. He gave the ball away a couple of times, but other than that the last few games he has been very solid, tracking back, bringing the ball out of defense, and getting forward on attack. He is much better about releasing the ball now. All this from a position (LM) that really isn’t comfortable for him. I expect that by the end of the season we will all be wondering why we were slagging off on him in the first place.
3 February 2008 at 3:16 pm
It is easy to perceive the artistic qualities in Diaby. He has always appeared like a long legged colt with finesse. I have no doubt that he will be a player of extraordinary quality as his experience grows. In addition, psychologically he appears to be settling and one wonders if this has not helped him focus with more intensity on his career at Arsenal.
3 February 2008 at 4:09 pm
A win at City this season is not to be sneezed at, even though we did seem to make it hard for ourselves.
When was the last time you thought “I wish big Phil had been there instead of Gael…that ball would have been in row ZZ.”? But so high is Gael’s confidence that playing your way out of trouble seems a natural thing to do. Not always, son, not always. You put my mind into “2-0 and we f****d it up” mode for a spell.
The Flamster was again massive (as indeed were Phil and Bill) and just proved what an essential element of the mix he is…especially when Cesc and Aleks are missing.
They weren’t missing? Oh. Let me rephrase that then. “…especially when Cesc and Aleks aren’t playing.”
Better?
What can one say about AdeB other than thanks for improving my Premier League fantasy side? He really has turned into Action Man and like many others, I’m so grateful to Mali for ending Togo’s ACN bid. The way he set up Eduardo (who didn’t do a bad job of finishing, did he?) was also a bit special.
Last but not least a word on “La Sagna”. I thought Arsene may have just been taking the piss out of the spuds when he brought in both Bacary and Diarra …but Bacary may well prove to be one of his best ever signings. The way he laid on that first goal was really rather special.
Bit of a pity that the lasagne munchers from the slough of despond managed to blow it in the 4th minute of a 3 minute overtime. But can you expect any different? Apparently the FA have recently turned down an application from Edmonton to form a professional football team. This on the basis that if Edmonton gets one, Tottenham will want one as well.
But top of the league again, and, 31 points ahead of the spuds with 13 games to play. We should see an earlier St Tott’s Day than usual. And that’s always fun.
3 February 2008 at 7:23 pm
Great result and we made it look quite easy considering how strong they have been at home. I really have to question the Diaby and Edu scores.
Edu scored a great goal and his passing was immaculate thoughout the whole game. His corners all got past the first man and if any of our players attacked the ball properly in the air we should have knocked in a few goals from them. I think he took about 5 and they were all peaches esp the floated one to Flam on the edge of the area for a volley, inch perfect. While Diaby, spare me. He was better today but City had very little coming down the right so he had bugger all defending to do. His point blank refusal to release the ball even with people in acres of space, screaming at his to pass, is verging on criminal. He ruined at least three full on breaks that I can remember. Despite being better than he has been in other matches I thought he was still pretty awful.
Howver, once he learns how to play one touch at pace like the rest of the team he will be some player and we have all seen what has happened with Ade and Flam who many of us have slagge off at some stages in the past. So I am sure he will get top where we all want him to be. But for now, Edu was a 7.5 minimum, Diaby I couldn’t give more than a 6 and thats only peer pressure I really think it was a 5 and a kick up the arse to fucking pass the fucking ball.
3 February 2008 at 10:26 pm
How come Fabregas is allowed boot the ball 200 yards & nothing happens a City player does similar but not nearly as far & gets booked. referees & arsenal both paid by the same sponsor - Coincidence-Then u see the treatment Chelsea & Man Ure get from referees,its like they’re all in the same club. The preferential treatment givin to the gunners is astonishing & obviously he Emirates Club have a seriosu cash on ARSEnal winning a title-
Never forget Gunner boys - only time U ever win a league is when Man Utd slip up -Only time Utd dont win it is when THEY slip up
3 February 2008 at 11:11 pm
Astonished - it was one bit of inconsistent refereeing. Deal with it.
And yeah, the 2004 invincibles only won because United slipped up. Whatever.
4 February 2008 at 2:15 am
Man City only have a pitch 118 yards long Mr Astonished! So the only thing that might happen he gets in the guiness book of records We done a deal with the ref if you don’t book Cesc for booting the ball we don’t want a penalty when Richards clattered Ade from behind.
The ref and linesmen were not too good but it was for both teams. Or would you rather Man u won the league?
4 February 2008 at 6:41 am
ADEBAYOR IS KING. Thank you for playing at Arsenal. You are truly Arsenal’s top gun at the moment.
Without him…we would definitely not be top of the table. I am so surprised by his performance. I have never seen such an improvement in a player ever!! Where is Van the man? That is what Ade has done. We don’t even miss Van Persie anymore.
Words of the best manager in the world (Arsene Wenger):
nd, when you consider that Robin van Persie has been out for much of 2007 while Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner have been undergoing a process of adaptation for much of the current campaign, it is easy to see why Wenger heaped praise on the 24-year-old at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester City game.
“Adebayor is the best striker in the Premier League at the moment,” said the Frenchman. “He’s mobile, he’s quick, he’s not scared and he’s brave. For me that’s a fantastic quality, especially in England.
“He doesn’t get enough credit for his touch. He has good feet, quick feet, and is a complete striker. He can still improve the timing of his runs as he sometimes gets caught offside, and, just with that, he can score 10 more goals each season.
“He’s a strong character in the dressing room and a winner. He’s a guy who made mistakes at the start of his career, and has realised here that there’s another life rather than being easy.
“He smells that he can win, and is a winner. When he realised that he could live in the big world of top-class football players it changed him, and today he’s a different animal, mainly mentally. He realised he wasted some time and it was time for him to be serious.”
4 February 2008 at 9:28 am
Whats up with the Man City stewards - there a bunch of poxy busy bodies!!
Let the players celebrate with the fans - C You Next Tuesdays!
4 February 2008 at 9:28 am
Astonished the difference between Petrov and Fab - Fab had a shot at goal after the whistle, and Petrov punched the ball away in disgust at the ref’s decision. One showed dissent at the refs decision the other was a bit cheeky. That explains the difference in how the ref handled it.
4 February 2008 at 9:50 pm
Great win. I can see a lot of people are backtracking on what they have said about our great players. Ade is proving so many Arsenal fans wrong and i’m happy for the young man. Regarding Diaby, someone said he is still made the same mistakes however did not make them as much? isnt that the point that with the right coaching he will learn proper decision making (anyway the dude played fairly well). The problem with some of us fans is that we have a Janet Jackson syndrome “what have u done for me lately” and totally forget what we have seen in the past form these youth. We discount injuries and the toll that this along with all the negative rubbish would have on a young man. its about time we stop questioning what is going on at Arsenal because as the saying goes “the proof is in the Pudding” and it tastes good as far as i am concerned!
God Bless! hey and really believe we r gonna put a hurtin on Man U in the FA CUP!
5 February 2008 at 5:50 pm
to Astonished, go and have a w4nk and relieve your frustration.
6 February 2008 at 6:39 pm
to Shocked and Disgusted just tell me when ur mam’s free & I’ll pop around.
to GOODPLAYA - Thats 1 year since the Prem league started -
Ur unbeaten yr was built around cheating&diving! Pires diving to get a penalty when u were about to be beaten 1 Nil - Any Gooner man enough to admit that ? ? ?
16 February 2008 at 4:11 pm
Come on,y bring Alex song into the picture.Dint you watch the African cup of nations,He was the best number 6.Not thet the rest were bad but he has actually grown up.Did alot of good work for Cameroon and Eto’o.
26 March 2008 at 4:02 pm
[...] completely missing something, that video of the team-talk pre Chelsea is precisely what Gallas has done all season long. And sorry, but watching it I couldn’t pick up any great revolutionary [...]