What a mad game that was last night.
The first twenty minutes or so was like some crazy training game with all kinds of stuff going on. As early as the 2nd minute Manuel Almunia set his stall out for the night with a fantastic save at his near post while the noise from the home fans was deafening.
They soon shut up though. Cesc played a fantastic ball through to Adebayor who scurried through and slid it home to make it 1-0. The replays had barely finished when he found Theo with another great pass and it was 2-0 with a smart finish. It might have been 3-0 but Volkan made a fine save from Nasri after some funky skill from Diaby had created another chance.
The crowd found their voice again when Guiza’s shot was deflected in by Sylvester but no sooner had they started to sing than Abou Diaby took advantage of slack defensive work to make it 3-1 with a great left footed shot. Almunia saved from Semih and Guiza and the Spanish striker had a goal ruled out for offside too. I was thinking this might end up 8-6 or something.
The second half wasn’t quite as goalmungous but it was barely 5 minutes old when we went 4-1 up, Alex Song volleying home after the ball had pinged around the box from Cesc’s free kick. Guiza got a goal to make it 4-2 but Aaron Ramsey scored his first Arsenal goal right at the death to make it 5-2. An incredible scoreline when you consider Fenerbache had gone 15 European games unbeaten at home. Not so incredible when you looked at how they defended but still a fantastic win.
I have to say I raised an eyebrow at the line-up before the game began. The inclusion of Diaby seemed odd to me but he showed why the manager has brought him back so quickly. Those hoping he might be the answer to our central midfield problems might be disappointed but he does have something about him in the final third and some of his play was surprisingly excellent. I suspect this is how we’re going to line up in away ties in the Champions League this season.
I thought Almunia had an outstanding game. Perhaps it was the captaincy or perhaps he has just matured into a very decent goalkeeper but whatever it was hats off to him. He’s not showy but he’s consistent and his saves have kept us in games this season – he deserves the plaudits. I was glad to see Ramsey do well when he came on and his goal was very nicely taken indeed. Theo is proving a real threat from the wing and his goal showed fantastic composure. We spoke last season about how lack of goals from our wingers were a problem but he and Nasri have a decent three each so far.
The only negative I’ll touch on, and I’ll do it very briefly, was the centre of our defence. As good as we were as an attacking force I thought we were very suspect at the back. To me Song really isn’t a centre half and Sylvester was, kindly speaking here, extremely rusty. They got caught out on a number of occasions and I’m not sure that’s any kind of a partnership I’d be interested in seeing too often. But let’s not dwell on that after a great win, rather compliment the two full backs who were very good indeed, Eboue having a decent and committed game.
I am very proud of the team. The average age was 23 and I am proud because we came in and tried to dictate the game in a very heated atmosphere. It is very pleasing that they seemed to play with no fear. I am pleased to see it works.
We came here and had a go. We started strong, we remained quite strong and we finished strong. Our pace, movement and technique made the difference.
Theo was also fulsome with his praise of the team and the performance. And at times we really ran them ragged. Poor old fat-arsed Roberto Carlos must have been wishing he’d been anywhere else as he just couldn’t cope. Nor could the rest of them in fairness but I’ve never liked Roberto Carlos so I’m singling him out.
So top of the group with 7 points now and two home games still to play. It would be some kind of reverse miracle if we didn’t qualify now. The other game in the group saw Kiev beat Porto in Portugal.
So, overall a very pleasing night but at the same time I don’t think we should get carried away. We’ve had two good wins in the last few days but we’ve seen before with this team that on their day they’re capable of beating anyone. Remember the Porto result came after the defeat to Hull and was followed by a last gasp draw against Sunderland – so while I hope this will spark a run of good results and performances it remains to be seen whether or not the team can find the consistency we all hope for.
In a way I suppose it’s nights like last night that make the pissy games against the likes of Hull and Fulham so frustrating. We know what they’re capable of and when it doesn’t happen it can be difficult to cope with. I know it’s a young team and it’s difficult to maintain the level of performance week in, week out, but ultimately that’s what you have to do if you want to win things. Let’s hope last night was a spark and the flame is well and truly ignited now.
It remains only to wish Arsene Wenger a happy 59th birthday. Lots of candles on the cake today but after last night I’m sure he won’t mind at all.
Till tomorrow.
