What a great game of football « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News, supporting the club, the players and the manager
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By Walter Broeckx
Before the game it was clear to see for everyone that could see it that the refs who are so well trained by Mike Riley have done all they could to make a complete fool of themselves in trying to help a certain to team a certain title.
So for City it was very clear that they needed a win to stand a chance to even think about coming close to the forbidden place that is reserved to Utd. Not that it would matter because whatever will happen the gang of Riley will make sure that United will win the title.
So did we see a City team coming out at the start to win the game? It was as if Arsenal was the team that was still playing for the title. The ran the show in the first 45 minutes as if the visiting team was team ready to just stay in the EPL and hope for a better season next season. Did the team in second place ever got close to the Arsenal goal in the first half apart from a few corners? I really cannot remember it. But my memory sometimes lets me down.
The ref review is still on its way but lots of talking points for the ref reviewer I think. And in other games also. The tackle from Balotelli on the knee of Song was an offence that warranted a red card and a heavy suspension. The ref even didn’t call the foul. Beyond words. Also beyond words was the way Vermaelen prevented Arsenal from scoring. The header from Van Persie was on its way to the goal but Vermaelen accidentally prevented it from crossing the line.
Meanwhile the team fighting for the title was nowhere to be seen apart from terrible tackles from Balotelli who on more than one occasion came in studs showing to Sagna. Kompany and Lescott were defending and playing on a high level but the rest of the team looked like a bunch of overpaid and lazy mercenaries. Oh…. yeah I forgot it was Manchester City after all.
Going in at half time with a 0-0 score was a bit harsh on Arsenal but if you don’t score you can’t take the lead. But look at the start of the second half City actually came out a bit. Was it Arsenal who took the foot of the gas pedal a bit? Or did City actually tried to do something better? But this was only a short period as Arsenal took over once again and from then on it was one way traffic even more than in the first half.
And the chances came. A magnificent chip from Song found Van Persie who’s header came back from the post with Hart well beaten. A bit later he scored but he was ruled offside and it was close but the assistant got it right. One of the few assistants to get it right in fact. We do give credit when credit is due.
And a few minutes later even worse to come. A low pass found Walcott who took a low shot that ended at the post. The ball came out to Vermaelen and surely he wouldn’t miss but he scuffed his attempt with his right foot. No problem the ball ended up in the feet of Benayoun who stood 2 yards from the goal line but he shot wide with his left foot. An amazing couple of misses.
And misses that start to tell you…it isn’t going to be your day. But Arsenal came back to the City goal time and time again, time and time again. And then our last day panic buy (jokingly meant) Arteta robbed a City player from the ball and took a shot (with his laces) and scored a cracking goal. 1-0 to The Arsenal.
Balotelli then made sure he got what he had deserved in the first half: a sending off. And with time running out City got a last chance from a free kick. The ball ended up in the wall, Santos released Rosicky, who gave it to Ramsey. Ramsey made a brilliant run, cut out a defender and had a clear view of the goal. He could give the ball to Van Persie or the The Ox who were well placed in front of goal. He took the shot himself….and it was way of the target. The icing of the cake was missing.
What I found great was the atmosphere in the ground. I was in front of my TV but the noise was amazing. One of my sons and his girlfriend was in the Emirates today and he has been there a few times but the texted me he never had felt and experienced such an atmosphere in the Emirates. So a big compliment to you Gooners out there in the Emirates today. You made us proud. Very proud.
There was only team who deserved to win this game of football and that was The Arsenal. We got what we deserved. And that is the 3 points. A great game of football from Arsenal with a majestic goal to win it.
I can only agree with the text from my son from the Emirates: Oooh to be a Gooner!