Good day to you.
So, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League group stages, following yesterday's win over Fenerbahce.
Arsene Wenger made a few changes to the side, that secured three points on Saturday, with Whilshere returning to the starting line-up, replacing Rosicky and Gibbs being benched in favour for Monreal. There were also a few surprises to the choices, the manager made. Koscielny, though fully fit, remained on the bench for the whole 90 minutes, with Sagna deputising once again at centre-back. The other interesting decision was to start both Podolski and Walcott. Their playstyles are similar and, knowing that, Wenger opted several times already to play Cazorla ahead of the German. Maybe it has more to do with Rosicky's fitness, than the manager's views on our tactics. Either way, Cazorla was moved into the under-the-striker position, with Podolski starting out wide.
The first half was rather uneventful and the goal we scored basically came out of the blue. Podolski's pass, combined with Walcott's effort, saw Ramsey send the ball home from close range to make it 1-0. We should have gone further ahead in the dying seconds of the first half, only for Giroud to spurn a wonderful chance, missing from close range.
Fenerbahce wasn't completely listless, I have to say. Szczesny palmed away a close-ranged effort from Emenike and then there was a double save, when our defense messed up. The Pole was also the saviour in the latter stages, parrying a point-blank shot with his chest, but Fenerbahce's man was flagged offside moments earlier.
Apart from these awkward moments, we were completely in control during that first 45 minutes. It seemed, the Turks didn't believe a miracle can happen before the start of the game and offered little resistance for this reason.
The second half started rather nastily, with Podolski sustaining an injury straight away. He made a brilliant run down the left, held his hamstring in pain and minutes later was carried off on a stretcher. Gibbs came on for the German.
Fenerbahce showed even less desire going forward during this half, content to let us keep the ball and sit back. Both managers made changes at around 60 and 70 minute marks, taking off their respective leaders. We substituted Giroud and Walcott for Sanogo and Miyachi, to give them their first taste of CL football. Both tried hard, with Miyachi nearly providing an assist for Jenkinson, only to see Carl's shot deflected.
Then, on the 74th minute we added another, with Ramsey getting on the scoresheet once more. Gibbs made a low pass across the penalty box and Ramsey, catching the ball in the air with the inside of his foot, sent the ball into the far corner to double our advantage. A masterpiece of a goal.
After that we kept on trying to add another (surprisingly) with Whilshere, Cazorla and Jenkinson all coming close. This effort died in vain, but we got the result we needed long before that. Overally, a controlled performance from the Gunners, a deserved win and a clean sheet on tp of that.
The nasty side effect of this encounter (the one I already touched upon) was the new injures. Podolski is out for at least three weeks and there was talk of Whilshere and Ramsey not being quite alright, with the latter even coming off in the dying minutes of the game. The manager said, both players will have a check-up on Wednesday, but it doesn't seem we're looking at something serious here.
In other news, Arsene was also pressed on the matter of transfers, but he had little to say. There were, interestingly, questions about Mata, with someone spotting his dad in the stands. It was also pointed out, that the Spaniard didn't take any part in Chelsea's draw with Man Utd. The boss admitted, he likes the player, but had nothing more to add. I wonder, if all of this hints at a move to the Emirates. We all know, Arsene was interested in signing the Sppaniard two years ago, so, seeing as the player may not fit into Mourinho's plans, it would not be all that surprising, if Mata ended up joining us.
Then again, we saw quite a few players, that were perfect fits, passing us by this summer. Like Higuain and Gustavo. So you never know, what the manager has in mind.
One thing is obvious: this new injury (and I hope, I'm right, when speaking of it in the singualar) leaves us stretched to breaking point in both midfield and attack. Our defense can cope at the moment (surprisingly), but even there a need for centre-back is evident. So we have to strengthen this squad significantly during these last days. We can'count on players returning from injures anymore, cause the ones out now, will be out for a long time. Start splashing the cash and making the signings you promised, Arsene.
Until later
So, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League group stages, following yesterday's win over Fenerbahce.
Arsene Wenger made a few changes to the side, that secured three points on Saturday, with Whilshere returning to the starting line-up, replacing Rosicky and Gibbs being benched in favour for Monreal. There were also a few surprises to the choices, the manager made. Koscielny, though fully fit, remained on the bench for the whole 90 minutes, with Sagna deputising once again at centre-back. The other interesting decision was to start both Podolski and Walcott. Their playstyles are similar and, knowing that, Wenger opted several times already to play Cazorla ahead of the German. Maybe it has more to do with Rosicky's fitness, than the manager's views on our tactics. Either way, Cazorla was moved into the under-the-striker position, with Podolski starting out wide.
The first half was rather uneventful and the goal we scored basically came out of the blue. Podolski's pass, combined with Walcott's effort, saw Ramsey send the ball home from close range to make it 1-0. We should have gone further ahead in the dying seconds of the first half, only for Giroud to spurn a wonderful chance, missing from close range.
Fenerbahce wasn't completely listless, I have to say. Szczesny palmed away a close-ranged effort from Emenike and then there was a double save, when our defense messed up. The Pole was also the saviour in the latter stages, parrying a point-blank shot with his chest, but Fenerbahce's man was flagged offside moments earlier.
Apart from these awkward moments, we were completely in control during that first 45 minutes. It seemed, the Turks didn't believe a miracle can happen before the start of the game and offered little resistance for this reason.
The second half started rather nastily, with Podolski sustaining an injury straight away. He made a brilliant run down the left, held his hamstring in pain and minutes later was carried off on a stretcher. Gibbs came on for the German.
Fenerbahce showed even less desire going forward during this half, content to let us keep the ball and sit back. Both managers made changes at around 60 and 70 minute marks, taking off their respective leaders. We substituted Giroud and Walcott for Sanogo and Miyachi, to give them their first taste of CL football. Both tried hard, with Miyachi nearly providing an assist for Jenkinson, only to see Carl's shot deflected.
Then, on the 74th minute we added another, with Ramsey getting on the scoresheet once more. Gibbs made a low pass across the penalty box and Ramsey, catching the ball in the air with the inside of his foot, sent the ball into the far corner to double our advantage. A masterpiece of a goal.
After that we kept on trying to add another (surprisingly) with Whilshere, Cazorla and Jenkinson all coming close. This effort died in vain, but we got the result we needed long before that. Overally, a controlled performance from the Gunners, a deserved win and a clean sheet on tp of that.
The nasty side effect of this encounter (the one I already touched upon) was the new injures. Podolski is out for at least three weeks and there was talk of Whilshere and Ramsey not being quite alright, with the latter even coming off in the dying minutes of the game. The manager said, both players will have a check-up on Wednesday, but it doesn't seem we're looking at something serious here.
In other news, Arsene was also pressed on the matter of transfers, but he had little to say. There were, interestingly, questions about Mata, with someone spotting his dad in the stands. It was also pointed out, that the Spaniard didn't take any part in Chelsea's draw with Man Utd. The boss admitted, he likes the player, but had nothing more to add. I wonder, if all of this hints at a move to the Emirates. We all know, Arsene was interested in signing the Sppaniard two years ago, so, seeing as the player may not fit into Mourinho's plans, it would not be all that surprising, if Mata ended up joining us.
Then again, we saw quite a few players, that were perfect fits, passing us by this summer. Like Higuain and Gustavo. So you never know, what the manager has in mind.
One thing is obvious: this new injury (and I hope, I'm right, when speaking of it in the singualar) leaves us stretched to breaking point in both midfield and attack. Our defense can cope at the moment (surprisingly), but even there a need for centre-back is evident. So we have to strengthen this squad significantly during these last days. We can'count on players returning from injures anymore, cause the ones out now, will be out for a long time. Start splashing the cash and making the signings you promised, Arsene.
Until later
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