Well, not a brilliant game to watch but three valuable points nonetheless as we made hard work of beating Man City 3-1.
The first half was pretty dull stuff livened up only by a couple of Thierry Henry runs. We took the lead on the half hour when Thierry played a beautiful reverse pass to Freddie who held off the defender and drilled a left footed shot in to make it 1-0. A timely goal and as Freddie tends to score in batches it’s good to see him back on the scoresheet with Paris on the horizon.
Sadly we let them equalise. They had a corner, and they looked dangerous from set pieces all night, Sinclair headed it back across, Jens to block it and I think it hit his foot and went under his arms and David Sommeil, who spent most of the night trying and succeeding to wind up Robin van Persie, stabbed it home. So all square at half time.
At the start of the second half we looked different though. We had more energy, more desire to get forward and Robin van Persie had two efforts well saved by David James. Things really changed for us though when Cesc came on to replace the hapless Alex Song who is without question, the worst player of Wenger’s time in charge. I really fail to see what he can do that Seb Larsson can’t. Sometimes you get the feeling that the manager will give a young player he has brought in from France more of a chance than a player already at the club and this is true with Song. He is rubbish and wouldn’t get into Sunderland’s team. When Cesc came on we started to play.
That’s not to say it was all one way traffic because a rather cranky Jens Lehmann had to make two or three very good saves. One from a Richard Dunne header showed why he’s been the best keeper in the league this season. We had to score though because whatever chance we might have of West Ham taking two points of Sp*rs on Sunday I don’t think they’ll beat them so a win tonight was vital for that 4th place race.
With a little more than 10 minutes left we went ahead. Pires had the ball on the right, Eboue sprinted forward – and what a turn of pace he has – got the ball and squared it Reyes whose sidefooted effort was nearly stopped by James but trickled in at the far post. 2-1 Arsenal. City came forward again but about 5 minutes later a quick free kick saw the ball out to Henry on the right, he charged forward, squared it for Reyes and the Spaniard finished with aplomb to put the game out of City’s reach.
Ok, not exactly the free flowing football we’d have liked but it was three points nonetheless. I don’t think our cause was helped by playing somebody like Song who was always there when our play broke down. In a way I feel sorry for him because he is only a young man but there’s absolutely no need for somebody like that to be learning their trade with us in important games. This time I don’t think there’s any kind of rough gem you can polish, Arsene.
Looking briefly at some performances Ashley Cole looked well off the pace which is what you’d expect after so long out but with only one more game before the Champions League final the boss has a big decision to make regarding the left full back position. Sol Campbell was better than against Sunderland, which was good to see, but the cynical amongst us might suggest tha had something do with the onlooking Sven. Also our frailty from set-pieces with him in the team as opposed to Senderos is worrying and to see Campbell being beaten in the air by the gigantic Darius Vassel is worrying.
It’s great to see José and Freddie back in the goals though. As much as Freddie José scores them in clusters so again it’s good news before the final. The more realistic goal threats we have the better. They know all about Henry but we need them to be worried about more than one man. Alexander Hleb looked dangerous at times too. Afterwards Arsene gave his thoughts about Ashley Cole’s comeback and the performance in general.
It does set things up nicely for the final day and I think our match is being showed live on Sky. We all know the permutations and what has to happen for us to finish ht4. It’s time to start digging up your lucky charms (real ones, not Oirish breakfast cereal), lighting candles, praying to whatever God you believe in, and hoping that the final day at our great old stadium is a magic one.
Speaking of which the BBC talk to Liam Brady (the God I believe in) and Charlie George about Highbury and how they feel about leaving it behind. There’s a picture special too.
In other news Boro chairman Steve Gibson becomes the latest in a long line of club Chairman and manager’s to criticise Davin Dein’s role at the FA. It’s not too difficult to see their point either. Boro have just been Tangoed.
And that’s it. An exciting and emotional final day awaits. A battle with the old enemy for a Champions League place and the final ever game at Highbury. I think I’ll get the beers chilling already. Till tomorrow, Arsemates.
