First, it's great having something to write about after a long long long international break.
Second, this post goes out to a rather impatient Arsewiping reader. You know who you are. I suppose his impatience is due either to (a) his being rather bored on a Saturday night, or (b) this being a rather scintillating, edge-of-your-seat type of blog. Whatever the case, I now being to write.
Third, a rather strange match to review. Not least because I had to watch in on a live stream, and because I also missed our two first goals. Fine. Laugh. I had to dash off for a toilet break around minute 15, and by the time I came back, the score was very nicely at 2-0. The two goals were super, in particular Song's ball to RVP, and RVP's super control and turn for the first goal. Was this to be another Saturday afternoon stroll at the Emirates? Alas. No.
How often have we seen it already this season. Playing well, in control, opposition with little to no possession or threat, and then out of the blue, a soft goal. Diaby with the pathetic effort at a headed clearance that went straight up into the air - which I suppose we should just be glad did not go straight into the goal - Mannone with the flap straight to of all people Lee Bowyer, and the Brum goal. Can't say I was terribly surprised. It's beginning to look a lot like the intentional little mistakes master carpet weavers put into their persian carpets.
So for all the possession, shots on goal, we get into half time only one goal to the good.
Second half then. We don't do too badly, but I must say Birmingham did play quite well at the back and didn't allow us very much. Defended much better than other visitors thus far, and I was really left wondering whether this would end up a gritty hard-fought 2-1 victory. We were presented a gift-wrapped opportunity with a bow around it when the crap ref gave us a free kick for a supposed backpass. Thank you very much, but all we do is have RvP crash one just off the crossbar.
Brum never really posed a threat in attack, and the one time they did, Mannone at least showed some usefulness in palming away a clever pass back across the goal by Liam Ridgewell.
But at long last, a counter attack, and leave it to the Arsh to keep his cool with the calmest and cheekiest of caresses of the ball with this right instep to bring it to 3-1. 3-1 was all in all, a result we largely deserved. It was by no means easy, and given the really easy games we've had at home, this was probably coming anyway. I'll be thankful for the performance, and note that at some point last season, would very easily have come away from such a game with a 1-1 draw.
As for the player ratings:
Mannone 6.5 - Poor guy. With Almunia back and watching, puts in his least convincing display. Had that one howler, and after that, did just enough to keep things tight.
Gibbs 7.5 - Apart from one stray pass, didn't do much wrong. If there's anyone more adventurous in attack that Clichy, it's Gibbs. My word, we'd better watch how far forward he runs, and how often.
TV 7 - A solid performance, but by his high standards, not his best. But give me this day in day out, and I'll be fine.
Billy 7 - Ditto.
Eboue 7 - Not too bad too, and made his usual nice runs on the right. As we all know, just needs to work a little bit more in finessing his final ball.
Diaby 7 - Erm. Not sure really. Again, can't seem to get out of the habit of keeping the ball for that 10 seconds longer than he needs. Gave him some credit for the goal, and more for a sure second if not for a great save from Joe Hart.
Rosicky 7.5 - We've missed him. And thank god he's back, given Mr Made of Glass - and not even Tempered Glass Walcott. In fact, he looks like he never left, both physically and in his vision, touches and all.
Arsh 7.5 - God bless his soul. Full of clever touches, runs, and of course, goals. It's a great feeling to be able to have his sort come off the bench. Just hope he's not too knackered for Tuesday.
Walcott - Sorry. Didn't see much of the boy. I sense trouble on the injuries front for him. Fingers crossed, but who knows, really.
Cesc 7 - Not his most imperious, which was why we seemed to struggle in the second half. But we'll give him a break. He's had enough international football and family issues to deal with.
Song 7.5 - Liking him more and more this season. Does the job. If only he could grow another 2 inches, look a bit more menacing, lose some hair, and he'd be our Vieira.
RVP 7 - Didn't I see him score an identical goal v Blackburn? Nice to see the confidence back.
Nice full highlights are right here, so enjoy; after that, Le Boss's post-match views as well.
Watch Arsenal v Birmingham City in Sports Online | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Le Boss makes reference to this and no doubt this was a good Saturday for more reasons than what happened at the Emirates. First, Chelski losing 2-1 to Villa in the early kick off. SWEET! Chelski have been crap this season, and it's about time it showed. Too many last minute winners against lesser teams, and at last, their crapness has showed. So we're four points off the pace with a game in hand. Who would've thought. Just brilliant I say.
Elsewhere, Pool get beaten by a balloon. And a red one thrown on by a Pool fan no less. What larks. I've had a look at the goal, and it's hilarious. Bozo Reina actually looks over at the ballon instead of the ball as it heads into the net. Not that the deflection was that massive, but what a twit. Anyways, I'll leave it to the Dubious Goals Committee to decide if that's going to be a Bent goal or a Balloon o.g.
So our esteemed challengers have now lost four. Four. Four. Is their season over then? Who cares. Probably not. But in any case, it all sets up quite nicely for next weekend, when we get Pool v Man U. Perfect opportunity for us to play a little catch up.
On the injury front, Theo's out for 23 years looks like, so fingers crossed Nasri gets back into shape in extra quick time.
Wonder if I'll bother watching Citeh tomorrow. Bluuurrgh.
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