In the first half, we were guilty of a bad bad letdown from Wednesday. We looked understandably lethargic, lacking in inspiration, and for god's sakes, we were outpassed by Sunderland Athletic. In any case, we showed we were worthy of the luck of champions, when Cesc did his best to deflect a perfect lob for our goal.
We were lucky to get into half time still 1-0 to the good, and I must admit, I had a pretty good feeling about the game at the point in time. The Squid and Koscielny looked solid, and despite all of Sunderland's possession, we still looked dangerous those few times we had a look at the ball.
Second half - more of the same, Squid and Co. looked as comfortable as our offensive options looked blunt. Cue referee to screw the whole thing over. Song off for a rather soft second yellow (I'm being very very politically correct here), and the whole rhythm of the game changes yet more in Sunderland's favour. The Arsh off, and there went any hope of an offensive resurgence.
Even then, we were gifted the penalty. There I was, thinking 2-0, in such a one-sided away tie, just the perfect result for us. Then up stepped Rosicky, and I'm like...this is shit. Why is he taking the damn penalty? Is he pushing the accidental captain's armband a little too far? Do we not have Chamakh? What? What's happening? Oh, I see. I know what's happening. We're skying the goddamn penalty.
At that moment in time, I look over to Arsewiper Jr, and say: "We're going to lose."
So the fact that we didn't, I'd like to think, is a bonus. Yes, letting in that last-second goal was utterly utterly pathetic. The thing I'd laughed at with Man U in days of recent past. Yes, Clichy was the one who let us down, who let Squid and Co. down, who was where Song might've been in the middle of the box. It was truly, sickening. Nauseating. And the worse thing is, it was just about expected.
But on the positive side, that last-gasp goal - I'm just glad it wasn't for 2-1, instead of 1-1. You piss over a gift-horse by missing a penalty, you deserve to get pissed on in return. I'm going to make myself feel better by saying that at least it was only a half-piss back. Sunderland have supposedly only lost once at home all 2010, and on this showing, methinks they didn't really deserve to lose. They took the game to us, out-played us for vast stretches, and deserved it. Fair play to them.
To us, well, let this be a lesson. It's still a nice time for lessons. Lessons on Rosicky taking a penalty. Lessons that Clichy could take in calm under fire. Lessons that we'll need learnt by the time we head to Stamford Bridge.
As for our start to the season, 3 points would have been momentous, and almost unheard-of victory that would never have come to pass in seasons past. 1 point is far from a disaster. Sunderland will likely take a couple off the top few in months to come. This time last season, it was played 5, win 3, lost 2. This time, it's two points more, and still unbeaten. Nothing to be sniffed at, and I'll take it.
So. Why not a player rating, just to get it off my chest:
Almunia 7 - Pretty good actually. Hat's off to the man, and there was little where he could be faulted.
Sagna 6.5 - Efficient, if not his usual effervescent self. Wonder why. He had a rest.
Squid & Co 7.5 - I'm beginning to like their partnership. Generally commanding, kept the defence solid, and could hardly be blamed for the goal.
Clichy 5 - Yes, he's to blame, if you asked me. That, and one too many stray passes and dodgy moments. It may be time for Gibbs.
Song 6.5 - Really, had a few too many niggly little fouls for our puritan ref's liking. Nothing deserving a red, but still...
Cesc - What a great goal. Shame he keeps injuring himself while scoring goals.
Wilshere 7 - Deserves to be in the starting 11. What a lad. With balls.
Nasri 6 - Kinda damp, no? Had a few good moments, but contributed to our overall offensive malaise.
Rosicky 6 - Tried his best, but alas. Alas, alas, alas.
Arshavin 5.5 - Again, at his frustratingest best.
Chamakh 6 - No service, no action. Can't fault his commitment.
As we dust ourselves off, and head off to White Hart Lane, I can't help but wonder if Wenger shouldn't just throw the damn game. What's it worth? Can't we just forfeit the damn thing? Who cares? If we win, yay. Yet another fixture to add to the congestion. If we lose, Spurs will think they've won the World Cup. Not worth it by any stretch of the imagination. Hey, if fan der Faart thinks Spurs are a bigger club than Arsenal, then so be it. He can have his damn Carling Cup tie.
Speaking of which, what kind of fetish do these fools have? Why does it always have to be about Arsenal? Get a life. And you, Fat Sam, get a life too. Who cares what you think, if you should be managing Real Madrid, if you're better than Arsene Wenger. Just make sure you're satisfying Mrs Fat Sam, and get a life. This ain't about anyone else but you and what you do. So just do it. Even if it's at bleedin' Ewood Park. Loser.
So there we are. What we really need now is the fast forward button to Saturday, West Brom, and 6-0 again. That would be nice.
Ciao ciao.
2 comments:
I think part of the problem was that most of our team played in the Champions League mid-week. Shdn't we have enough players to do a minor rotation?
Arsh and Nasri were visibly tired or not mentally in the game. We paid for that.
This is going to be a problem because we've got some long-distance Champ League games coming up with huge Premier League fixtures immediately after (Man U and Chelsea away if I'm not mistaken).
It was not most of our team. It was our ENTIRE team from Braga. Anyways, the only reason(s) why I think he did it were: (a) Almost all would probably sit out Spurs in the Carling Cup, so they would get their rest later, (b) We basically have nobody else who is of starting 11 quality and fitness right now.
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