Andrew Gogan
I have come up with the reasons why this game turned into the stuff of legend, (whether we like it or not it has.) I will start with those we had no control over.
1. Djourou injury
Johan has been superb every time he has played this season, turning Koscielny into a decent centre half to boot. He has the physical presence we had been lacking and has been (along with Szczesny) why we have looked more solid at the back recently. We missed him badly in the second half!!
2. Dowd 1
What Matty Nolan did to Szczesny was identical to Diaby’s stupidity and thus should have resulted in the same outcome. Nuff said. Did anyone get booked for not trying to get the ball out of the back of the net on the other seven goals? Timewasting, anyone, explain!!
3. Dowd / lino 2
Even Shearer said it wasn’t a pen!!! I know their goal was onside, but two wrongs don’t make a right(!) And the timing was perfect for them. The storm had been weathered.
4. 25 yard wrong foot thunderbolt
Always the danger in a close game, and sadly, utterly predictable in this case.
Now, more worryingly, how we became the architects of our own downfall.
1. Diaby
Sorry Abou, you lost us the game. For those not there, Joey set him up with a far worse foul on half time, and even got a free kick out of it!! But you got mugged mate. 4 0, just walk away. Simples.
2. Pass selection
We had a scoring break immediately before their first goal. Theo made the wrong choice and shot (!!!!!!!) so don’t get on his back. Great block, hoof upfield, corner, penalty, game on.
3. Poor choice and timing of substitutions
Arsene, this is where you should be making your wage. It’s not rocket science. We are getting battered by this time. The ball is going to (barely) half way and coming straight back. Good call, sub the Russian 5 ft 4 and bring on... Rosicky, 5ft 4. We have Bendtner (love him or hate him) who has done a great job in that position over the last two seasons, or Chamakh, (Morrocco is not anywhere near Iraq but I love that song!) No, let it get worse and worse. Now, when we are all thinking, “F*** me, I can’t believe it” (although actually I can) that we need a fifth to hold a four goal lead, he subs the player most likely to exploit an overstretched, over committing team for... Eboue! Who gets booked before actually touching the ball. No wonder people laugh at the Arsenal. We really give them the ammunition.
4. Total lack of leadership and composure
Really don’t want to dwell on this. Cesc has done the biz as far as I’m concerned. F*** me the bloke scored a goal with a broken leg last year. He’s still here and if anyone questions his commitment, I will see you outside. Make the most of it because if/when he does go you will fully appreciate what you are missing... when it’s gone.
In hindsight this was the most amazing game of football I have ever seen. Obviously, as it unravelled in front of me I was slightly less objective!! Give the Geordies some credit, they smacked us in the second half, Szczesny made three great saves and we could have easily lost.
In the cold light of day, United and Chelsea turned that into a good result. The worst calamity ever to hit the Premiership and we are better off. Four nil at half time… we still got a point… BELIEVE.
