march 2nd
Well, there’s something you don’t see every day. Arsenal winning a penalty shoot-out and not missing one spot kick along the way. Let’s break it down into sections…
The first half was pretty much even-steven – although they had a cracking chance after jsut one minute. Luckily for us the ball bobbled to whoever it was just before he reached it and he was a shit Sheffield cunt who managed to put it high and wide from about 5 inches out. How we laughed.
We didn’t create much in the first half and Sheffield United ran around and worked very hard to stop us doing anything of consequence which I assume was their plan.
That meant that in the second half they were absolutely knackered and we pretty much walked all over them. Quincy came on for Arturo Lupoli and totally changed the game. The kid was fantastic. He was direct and super-quick, had the beating of his man nearly every time and his ball control is impressive. I’d like to see him get some time in the first team. I don’t really see how Fake Ronaldo at other wanky United is that much better than him.
At the back we weren’t troubled too much. Cygan was excellent, Senderos was very impressive – I really like the way he distribtutes the ball and isn’t afraid to put his head where it hurts – Clichy was as good as we’ve come to expect while Lauren did his stuff and kicked some of their players in the air. I like that.
All the while Patrick Vieira was having the best game I’ve seen him have in ages, Flamini did his energetic stuff in midfield, Ashley played left midfield and did well too, Freddie was quiet but up front is not his position, while Cesc was just outstanding on the right, coming infield, making chances, getting chances (one shot which hit the crossbar really deserved a goal) and in the second half he looked our best prospect of a goal. When he was taken off at 90 minutes he looked absolutely gutted. The boy is a legend though.
Extra-time saw us all over them again, the best chance falling to Jeremie Aliadiere after Kolo’s scuffed free kick and so it went to penalties. Like most Arsenal fans my confidence in our ability to win a penalty shoot-out is low to say the least. The last one I can remember us winning is against Preston in the FA Cup years ago and I’m still haunted by it. Add to that the fact that Arsenal had to face Paddy Kenny – a man who fills most of the Sheffield goal.
They go first and score, then Ralph steps up and drills his usual down-the-middle penalty. Almunia is a hero as he saves their second but it turns out the ref is a cunt as he lets them retake it and they make it 2-1. Patrick Vieira makes it 2-2 and Almunia is a hero for real as he saves their third. Freddie puts his one away nicely to make it 3-2 and Manuel does it again so that when Ashley scores our next one we go through 4-2. Cue jumping and hugging and nice scenes to watch at the end.
I know it was a 0-0 draw but I really thought we played well. Obviously we missed our established strikers but no matter. I was delighted for Almunia too – he’s had some terrible stick and deserves his plaudits now – and I thought some of the kids came of age tonight. A great result and great experience for them too. Afterwards Arsene Wenger was delighted with the attitude of the boys saying “We can be proud of our performance because we had a very young generation, an inexperienced side out there. We have shown not only quality, but real character and determination that is needed at the top level.”
In other news Jermaine Pennant was sentenced to three months in prison yesterday for his driving offences. While it’s difficult to have much sympathy for a boy with so much who acted so stupidly I think we all hope he learns a lesson and sorts himself out once and for all. The Spanish FA have fined their coach Luis Aragones €3,000 for his remarks to José Antonio Reyes about Thierry Henry.
So it’s Bolton in the next round of the cup and we have Portsmouth on Saturday. Quincy to start?
