Quite simply the best performance under Arsene Wenger

Time to uncork another bouteille de rouge

17 February, 2011 9:00

Ian Henry 12 comments

Quite simply the best performance under Arsene Wenger

The writer’s companion for the Barca game

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(Ed’s note - Received yesterday evening after 10pm. The author is not a daytime drinker!)

I write this having consumed the best part of two fine bottles of French red wine. Despite the possible inebriation, I can see the keyboard sufficiently clearly to type, hopefully coherently. Thank you Microsoft spellchecker.

Tonight was a vindication of everything Wenger stands for; and tonight was the first time his team has delivered and justified his faith. Yes, there were some shaky moments, but you have to expect that against Barca. And yes, probably, Barca should have gone in 2-0 up by half time, but they didn’t.

Enough of the negatives. 10 out of 10 for Chesney, Koscielny, Wilshere, RvP and Nasri, 9s for the rest of them. Who knows if we can hold them off in three weeks’ time, but February 16 was definitely the night when Wenger’s 2011 model came of age. The second goal – a thing of absolute beauty. Goal of the season? Why not? Will there be a better goal scored all season? At such a crucial time? I doubt it.

I can’t think of anything else to say right now. Except this – thank you Arsenal, thank you Arsene. Time for another bottle of ’81 Lyonnat.

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12
comments

Michael Preston
Feb 17, 2011, 23:45 #2430

Mediocre year, 1981.
arsene knows
Feb 17, 2011, 16:45 #2422

wow, breathtaking game, 2 sensational teams, and what a finish from the arse, they tired and we grew, i have been on blogs for ages sometimes being the lone voice amongst those posting vile crap, where are they now eh, they make me sick, hes crap, buy this person, wenger out blah blah, fuck off to chavs... what a team arsene is creating, ave age 23, emirates stadium, colney... what a club, what a team, and with uefa fair play what a future for our club... so proud of the club i support... see you in the nou camp arsene knows
Gary
Feb 17, 2011, 16:16 #2420

Cheers. Thank you Arsene.
The Happening
Feb 17, 2011, 15:44 #2415

Great 2 see the team do well against a team like Barca!! "but February 16 was definitely the night when Wenger’s 2011 model came of age." I can imagine the grape induced superatives jumping from the gullets of every supporter last night, a bit naive if you ask me, Wenger's model will come of age when we win something, well done lads, keep it going!
chrisy boy
Feb 17, 2011, 15:44 #2414

before our return leg against barca we have a domestic cup final, a great chance of making it through to the f.a. Cup quarter final, and a couple of league games that we should win without to much problem, can u begin to imagine how confident us as fans and the players will feel if we were to win all of the above games before we head to barca. Would be interesting to get other gooners thoughts on what we would take right now, for me i think we can win both the premier league and carling cup and would settle for that, but maybe just maybe this team could go one better than that, lets enjoy the ride and give support to every single player even the ones that recieve so much abuse on these blogs. Keep the faith !
Rob.
Feb 17, 2011, 15:43 #2413

This article has put a smile on my face :0)
kuuljoe
Feb 17, 2011, 15:17 #2410

you are talking sense mate keep up the good work
JJ
Feb 17, 2011, 15:11 #2408

Just wondering if Elliot Segal was going to be writing a piece retracting his demand for Wengers immediate resignation after the Newcastle game? Any more knee jerk reporting to look forward too from Mr Segal? I know he represents the Wenger out brigade very well on this site. Why cant we just all agree that it was an amazing performance (if a tad fortunate at times) and more importantly, it was a victory born out of Wengers philospohy and stubborness, which some fans see as a reason to get rid of him! Wankers the lot of you! Its a great day to be a gooner......will all the whingers please exit out of the back
JD
Feb 17, 2011, 15:08 #2407

As a Spurs fan in America, I hate to say it but if Arsenal plan that way the rest of the domestic season, the league is theirs. Otehr than about 20 minutes of pressure from Barca, that was about as dominate a performance as there has been this year. Just goes to show that for all the bitching by other leagues about the EPL being over rated, it just isn't the case. Puts forward a good argument for 5 EPL teams in the Champions league proper and one in the playoff spot. Fingers crossed for Chelsea and, gulp, Man U to stand up and be counted.
Djofils
Feb 17, 2011, 15:04 #2405

That goal was amazing reaally. If you are lookin for a team goal then go no further!!!!
Lit Baker
Feb 17, 2011, 14:59 #2403

The atmosphere inside was just amazing even when we went 1 down.Although Barca.could have had 2 we also had 2 equally good chances to go ahead. Just read Eboue's piece on the Arsenal sight,what a joker he is,about time he grew up and stopped all the embarrassing histrionics,and learned when to release a ball,preferably to a colleague.Has Arsene not got a decent R sided full back in the reserve ranks.
Stavros
Feb 17, 2011, 14:52 #2400

The same Arsenal who became the first team ever in the premiership to lose a 4 goal lead.Makes you laugh dont it?