Hardly worth waiting for
Saturday, 21 November 09, 12:35 PM · Comments(5)
Hands up who didn't see that coming? At about 20 minutes I said to Garantia this has 0-0 or 1-0 Sunderland written all over it. Maybe it's my current medical state which actively discourages
getting passionate about anything lest I fall on my arse even from a sitting position, but a defeat such as this has not overly concerned me. Yes, I know, all defeats should be concerning, but
this one wasn't.
And no, the reason we failed to score for the first time since May was not solely down to the fact that we had no Robin van Persie. I would, however, say it was more of a factor than I thought it would be.
We never got going, but neither did Sunderland. Their goal was quite fortunate, and no blame can be pinned to Almunia, although I would still quite happily pin a 'for sale' sign to him such was his apparent lack/lateness of reaction to most other things which came his way.
When you think that the Spuds agreed to play their game against Wigan a day later due to Internationals (in which they had about one player involved) you can't help but wonder if another 24 hours would have done us much good? With the Champions League mid-week that was never going to be an option. We should have had enough on the pitch to overturn Sunderland, but this is a team which is turning their home into a fortress with only Chelsea able to go there and get three points this season.
Sure, it sucks to lose, but it is November and we aren't normally too hot on the back of an interlull. The fact that it leaves us still in second (probably slipping to third with a Man U win against Everton) five points behind Chelsea with a game in hand and them up next is no bad position to be in when you look at where we were this time last year, and where we could be this if we'd been playing like Liverpool. And where the pundits all had us pre-season.
I don't think we troubled their keeper until Sunderland had taken the lead, and while we never looked threatening we never really looked in danger. By the time we were in trouble, we had simply left ourselves too much to do with not enough time to do it.
No doubt, we'll see Gallas, Sagna, Cesc and a few others rested against Standard on Tuesday as all eyes turn to the show-down with Chelsea. All season I've been saying that it's not the games against the other 'big four' which win you the league, but the games against the Fulham's and the Sunderlands. In this case, this defeat at Sudnerland needs to see us pulling out all the stops to beat Chelsea and I think you'll see us do it.
That was our first defeat in 13 matches, so it had to come sometime. Not that there's any good time to lose, but if we have to, let it be in the league match before Chelsea come to the Grove. A good kick up the arse is sometimes what these players need, and that's exactly what they got today.
And am I right in saying there was another stonewall penalty on Vela not given? My stream and eyesight were both a bit stuttery and they never bothered to show a replay so I don't know. It very much looked like it and there was a huge shout from the travelling Arsenal fans. Another one to add to the list of penalties we still haven't gotten since Eduardo v Celtic in August. It's getting beyond a joke now.
I'll leave it there for now as my head isn't really clear enough to do a proper assesment. Needless to say, defeat is never pleasant, and perhaps I should thank my lucky stars that I'm not off this world too much as it doesn't hurt anywhere near as much as it usually does.
Something to be thankful for at least.
And no, the reason we failed to score for the first time since May was not solely down to the fact that we had no Robin van Persie. I would, however, say it was more of a factor than I thought it would be.
We never got going, but neither did Sunderland. Their goal was quite fortunate, and no blame can be pinned to Almunia, although I would still quite happily pin a 'for sale' sign to him such was his apparent lack/lateness of reaction to most other things which came his way.
When you think that the Spuds agreed to play their game against Wigan a day later due to Internationals (in which they had about one player involved) you can't help but wonder if another 24 hours would have done us much good? With the Champions League mid-week that was never going to be an option. We should have had enough on the pitch to overturn Sunderland, but this is a team which is turning their home into a fortress with only Chelsea able to go there and get three points this season.
Sure, it sucks to lose, but it is November and we aren't normally too hot on the back of an interlull. The fact that it leaves us still in second (probably slipping to third with a Man U win against Everton) five points behind Chelsea with a game in hand and them up next is no bad position to be in when you look at where we were this time last year, and where we could be this if we'd been playing like Liverpool. And where the pundits all had us pre-season.
I don't think we troubled their keeper until Sunderland had taken the lead, and while we never looked threatening we never really looked in danger. By the time we were in trouble, we had simply left ourselves too much to do with not enough time to do it.
No doubt, we'll see Gallas, Sagna, Cesc and a few others rested against Standard on Tuesday as all eyes turn to the show-down with Chelsea. All season I've been saying that it's not the games against the other 'big four' which win you the league, but the games against the Fulham's and the Sunderlands. In this case, this defeat at Sudnerland needs to see us pulling out all the stops to beat Chelsea and I think you'll see us do it.
That was our first defeat in 13 matches, so it had to come sometime. Not that there's any good time to lose, but if we have to, let it be in the league match before Chelsea come to the Grove. A good kick up the arse is sometimes what these players need, and that's exactly what they got today.
And am I right in saying there was another stonewall penalty on Vela not given? My stream and eyesight were both a bit stuttery and they never bothered to show a replay so I don't know. It very much looked like it and there was a huge shout from the travelling Arsenal fans. Another one to add to the list of penalties we still haven't gotten since Eduardo v Celtic in August. It's getting beyond a joke now.
I'll leave it there for now as my head isn't really clear enough to do a proper assesment. Needless to say, defeat is never pleasant, and perhaps I should thank my lucky stars that I'm not off this world too much as it doesn't hurt anywhere near as much as it usually does.
Something to be thankful for at least.
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5 Comments · Add yours
In Wenger's post match interview won Skysports.com he seems very pissed a few players and their (lack of) performances
Le Boss seems to think it was a pretty obvious penalty going by the interview on Arsenal.com....
My internet connection packed it in again so I only watched the last 10 mins. Grrrr.....
Arsene isn't pleased and rightly so. He'll lament the international break but knows it can't be used as an excuse.
I don't think it's a bad thing we face Chelsea next weekend. The players are going to be up for that like no other. It's the motivational kick up the arse we need. Win, lose or draw I don't care next week as much as the performance and the attitude. We need to regain our focus and momentum.
Reply to ClownshoeVanClubfoot:
Agreed
My mum has decided to have a family dinner for my Granda's birthday next Sunday...but bless her, she's put it back to 6pm so I can watch the match (as long as I don't arrive in a bad mood if we lose). As you say, win, lose or draw, it's the attitude and performance I want to see, but I also don't want to turn in to Liverpool, a team who can only turn it on against big opposition. I have a funny feeling we'll have no problem next weekend...but that could just be the meds... 
Reply to LadyArse:
It's going to be very tough next Sunday but we can definitely beat Chelsea. I thought RVP would be missed and he was yesterday. The boss hasn't had any time to work with the players since RVP's injury and I think that showed too. Hopefully he can change a few things around for Chelsea.