august 25th
07.31 – “They tore us to pieces” – Steve McLaren.
In a performance reminiscent of Leeds away last season, Arsenal pretty much destroyed Boro in the first half yesterday. They had an early chance, but from then on it was all us.
Vieira played a great pass to Freddie, he shot, the keeper palmed it to TH, 1-0. A few minutes later we saw a tremendous goal. The sort of goal that really only this Arsenal team in this kind of form can score. Quick passing and a lightning break down the left, Cole got it, fed it to Pires who stopped, cut back, took a quick look then played a beautifully floted ball to Grimberto who finished it really well on the volley. Just fantastic football, and if it’s not goal of the month there’s another injustice we can just blame the FA for.
The third was another quick break, Pires to Henry who somehow scooped a ball between the defenders who were right on him and it was a tidy finish by Wiltord. The fourth came in the second half as Sol went all Koeman on us and played Freddie in who set up the incoming Wiltord for his second. Game over, as if it wasn’t already.
It’s very hard to single out people when the whole team plays that well, but if that’s Henry not 100% fit, I can’t wait until he gets his legs back. We didn’t get to see much of Lehmann because all he had to do was scratch his arse, apart from one good save from Juninho late in the second half.
I was really impressed with Kolo. I like the way he wins a lot of headers, despite not being the biggest central defender around. He passed it well and looked pretty composed right throughout the game. I don’t want to start building any hype, because we need to see him against better oposition and he does have a couple things that need working on, but he does look very promising alongside Sol, in my opinion.
Last year we were a little guilty at times of not killing games off. Considering how talented they both are, you’d just think that it’s about the only way they can really improve on their games. Paddy especially. Yesterday, we killed the game. We didn’t take our foot off the accelerator at 2-0. AW and TH both said Arsenal were learning from the mistakes of last season. So it’s 2 games in, we’re top of the league on goal difference. 6 goals scored, 1 goal conceded. So far so good.
Was it just me, or did Wiltord look extremely grumpy all throughout the game? Even when he scored he didn’t look that happy, the 2nd goal in particular.
Ok, I’m off to work while those of you in the UK enjoy a bank holiday lie in. Yes, I’m jealous.
