Great old line from Yes Minister when Jim Hacker says,‘ One minute you’re out out of your office, the next you’re out of office.’
Arry is an old cove and will be secretly smiling at how his fortunes against Arsenal went from being furiously despised at half time to being the Second Coming just forty five minutes later.
Whatever took place in the Arsenal away dressing room at half time, the latent talent in just about every player was unlocked and our lot came out and did ’em.
I haven’t watched Arsenal for a while and I have to say that I can fully understand now how they dominate the wrong end of the Fair Play League. The second goal was due to am imbecilic handball. They need to wise up and fast.
Look, I’m no more obsessed with these things than you, but it’s bad form to espouse all this ‘technically gifted’ rubbish if by the same token you are indulging in cheap fouls and play acting like that mong spaz cad Nasri.
Anyway, feck ’em. As they head to the Batmobile, we’re off to the ratings!
Gomes 7 Redeemed himself as (did many) in the second half.
A&E 5 Like weather. Dull with wet patches.
Gallarse 9 He was on a mission. Mission accomplished.
Raging Kaboul 7 Intelligent goals from a much improving chap. Well done, mate.
Begbie 4.5 I’d like to flog him. And then, sell ‘im. In that order.
Azza Blud 5.5 Back to square one again. Meh.
Jenarse 7 Another focused performance. More please.
Modders 6.75 Blossomed a little as our shape changed.
Bale, Bale, Bale 7.35 Great players change matches and define seasons.
VDV 7.36 Oozed class once the system/shaped changed.
Crazypavinchenko 6 Didn’t get into it really. But terribly nice hair.
Defoe 6.28 A one man feel good factor. Welcome home son.
3MP 6.29 Disrupted a wonky back four.
The Sarge 6.27 A credit in the time that he had.
I thought the two key players were VDV and The Raging Bill Gallas.
Some of Bill’s Tackling and interceptions were as good as anyone and his big heart carried the team over the line. Raffa was key to all three goals, he is a player that can change any game at any time. He is our Cantona without the poetry and the onions.
It was indeed nice to see Gallas finally put in a good performance.
Not the poetry & onions. More like…
Shhhmoke & a pancake?
Flapjack & a shhigarette?
Shhigar & a waffle?
Bong & a blintz?
How weeiiiijrd?
Raging Bill….I like it ODM.
I think that Bill did what Harry was expecting of him when he was bought. Giving him some benefit of doubt, he does seem to be getting his match fitness back and bear in mind that’s a harder hill to climb at 33. the key is whether he can transfer his knowledge to Kaboul and help develop Daws when he’s back. Otherwise its a band aid, tho’ right now a welcome one.
I agree about WonderVaart and Gallas. think we will be in good shape once Dawson and Thud return.
Gallas was a rock at the back. Huge performance while under huge pressure. Also a beautiful two fingers to that little snake Nasri. Turning the game around was perfect for so many reasons.
One sobering thought though:
Mod+Hudd+VDV cover coped with the Inter CM all game but
Mod+Jenas+VDV cover were completely overrun by le arse CM first half.
Is the Arsenal CM that much better than Inter’s or did Mod+JJ+VDV not really show enough first half?
I like the cantona analogy ODM, he has that same galvanising effect doesn’t he? It appears he inspires his team mates to run the extra yard.
I think he’s also very similar to gazza, when ever he passes the ball he’s on the move expecting it back to do some damage with it.
We ain’t even seen the best of him yet, I’ve followed his career and that boy has serious set piece & long range shooting ability.
If (and a very big if) we could sort out our defensive issues and get a striker banging the goals in, we would be in the shake up when the trophies are handed out at season end no doubt.
I’m slightly aroused at the thought :blink:
Billy G’s tackling and passing were spot on as per here: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/11/20/arsenal-2-3-tottenham-tactics/
Also thought Koscielny couldn’t be trusted to handle Defoe, so Clichy couldn’t romp down his wing as Rafa moved around the park.
fantastic article! bookmarked that wesbite actually, cheers! The comments in their about us having to narrow up also ties into what the commentator on the day said about the Arsenal bench counter-reacting by asking ‘jealously makes you nasri’ and arseshaving to get wider on the pitch
That move turned our first half emptybacks back into fullbacks as Sid pointed out above, cryptically.