march 14th
So Blackburn got doubled 2-0 yesterday. That’s the 7th time this season Arsenal have done a home and away double over their opponents. The first goal was tinged with controversy as Graeme Souness called the referee’s decision to award Arsenal a free kick ‘poxy’.
I’m not quite sure why he was complaining to be honest. It’s the kind of free kick that’s given all over the park, there wasn’t much contact, but sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. We did, and the world’s best striker cracked home a perfect free kick which left Brad Friedel grasping for air. The second came late on, with the master of the follow up poacher goal, Robert Pires, getting his 14th of the season. Not a performance that hit the heights of recent ones, but more than sufficient to remain top of the table by 9 points.
There was another moment of controversy when Thierry nicked the ball from between Friedel’s hands and his feet as he was about to punt it downfield. He put it in the back of the net, but the ref wouldn’t allow the goal. I’m not sure he did anything to contravene any laws of the game, but I suppose it’s one of those goals that if it’s scored against you you’d go mad, so fair enough really. Maybe if the game had finished 0-0 we might be talking a bit more about the rights and wrongs of it.
After the game the boss said “Our legs were heavy, but our desire kept us going. We are solid defensively this year and even if we are not as fluent as usual we always know we can score.”
The Independent seems to love Jose Antonio Reyes, they have another piece about his rags to riches story here. An interesting quote from Robert Pires can be found inside. Speaking about José and his future at the club, Le Bob said “He’ll have to work hard. Francis Jeffers is proof that talent alone won’t make you an Arsenal star.”
Finally, congrats to our 2 players who won you know what, and the manager who also won you know what. Didn’t want to say anything before the game in case it jinxed us. I’m away to drink some early morning beers. Have fun.
