Thursday, September 20, 2007

Arsenal 3-0 Sevilla

What a great run we've been on, and what a great start to the Champion's League! 3-0 against the second best team in our group is really more than i could have hoped for. I guessed our goals correctly but I thought they would push a few past us but we held strong and kept them out.

Our lineup was a bit different from the match against Sp*rs, we went with:

Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Senderos-Clichy
Hleb-Cesc-Flamini-Rosicky
RvP-Adebayor

The game started off with a chance for Adebayor in the first minute but his shot just wasn't there. He's had a couple of those this season where he misses a good chance, and tonight was no exception. He really needs to get better with his finishing. I love his work rate and his energy but please Manu you have to put the ball in the net.

In the 28th minute Cesc, the goal scoring machine, had his shot from thirty yards deflect off of a Sevilla defender and right into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Right at the end of the half Adebayor missed a chance and Sevilla missed two chances to equalize but nothing came of them and we went into half time 1-0 up.

Tomas Rosicky had to go off injured shortly after half time, and he seemed to have pulled his hamstring. He seems to get these nagging injuries all the time. Never serious ones thank God but ones that just keep him out for a few weeks at a time and take him out of his rhythm. Diaby came on to replace him and had quite a rough night out on the left. He's really not a winger at all and Wenger needs to put Walcott or Clichy or anyone else up there in the left of midfield because it isn't where Diaby needs to be.

A couple minutes later we had a freekick in a good position and Cesc took it. Sagna, who was brilliant in this match, headed it on to RvP's foot and he finished it easily. 2-0 to the Arsenal.

The last goal was a typical Arsenal goal. There was a poor pass out of the Sevilla defense which was intercepted by Hleb, who then waited for support, found Fabregas, who squared back to Eduardo for a nice finish. Great passing and the beautiful game was on display at the Emirates. 3-0 to the Arsenal. Good to see Eduardo score as well.

So overall it was a great performance against a good team that has won the UEFA cup two times in a row. A couple of players stood out for me, Bacary Sagna was great, Flamini gets better every game, Clichy is the best left back in England, and Cesc is...well brilliant.

Man of the Match: Cesc Fabregas - I'm getting quite used to writing this. A goal and an assist give him the award, and he had some great passing as well. World class.

Needs Work: Big Phil Senderos - Very, very sketchy in defense. Looked like he had no confidence really. Needs to get it together because we need him this season.

In other news Jose Mourinho has left Chelsea, which is good news for everyone who hated that egotistical twat. He's a very good manager but I guess after all the drama it finally caught up with them and now he's left. Chelsea will be distracted hopefully by looking now for someone to replace him and maybe they'll lose all of their matches. Hopefully.

While all this is going on at Chelsea, it's wonderful to see our manager sign a new contract and for the team to all have such a great spirit. If we can keep this up through wins AND losses, and yes there will be losses, then we have a real chance at making a run at the title this year. We need to keep playing like we're playing.

Up the Arsenal

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