Three for the Times
For a little while in the second half, it was "oh no, not again!", wasn't it? In the end, two of our elderly statesmen stepped up to show the youngsters what true class is all about and we managed to grab the three points necessary to keep at Spud's heels with a 3-1 home win over the Baggies.
All three goals were amazing - other than the obvious technical merits and the fact that they kept us in the running for 4th place, halted a two-game winless "streak," and provided a timely boost of confidence ahead of the mid-week rendezvous with Villareal, they were scored by representatives of the 3 wonderful teams of players we've witnessed and are witnessing under Arsene Wenger.
A Living Legend
Actually, to call Dennis Berkamp one of our "elderly statesmen" is like calling Pele an "excellent footballer". DB10 is a living legend of Arsenal Football Club and one of the greatest gifts to the beautiful game. The fact that he also hails from Holland, one of my favourite footballing nations ( which also gave us another one of the greatest footballers of all time, Marco van Basten), made me love him even more.
Yesterday, Gooners at Highbury & all around the world saw once again why we dedicated a whole special day to the Dutch Master to mark a glorious decade at the club. The assist for our crucial Goal No. 2, which Le Bob did well to put away on his second try, and that delightful chip that wrapped it all up are just delicious icing on an illustrious career that needs no further embellishment. As I've said in the previous post, that the Grove will be opened with DB10's testimonial - and against Ajax too, we know that now - could not have been more fitting for both the man, the new stadium and the club.
Of "Les Invincibles"
Le Bob's ability to hold and move the ball up has always been an exciting and effective dimension of our attacking play. He is one of those players who, once he has the ball, is extremely difficult to dispossess. Not to mention his seeming telepathy with Titi and PV14, which were exploited with often devastating effect, especially in our second Double-winning season and that "Invincible" run under Arsene. Le Bob has had an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time, pouncing on any goalkeeping and defensive errors in the box. His silky skills on the dribble and those amazing strikes from the edge of the box will remain etched in my memory.
Unfortunately, with age, injury and loss of form, we have not been seeing the best of Le Bob for some time. Arsene has not been able to replace true like for like but with Hleb and Cesc, we have a new combination that has once again allowed us to keep up the pressure on the opposition and attack with verve.
The Best that is to Come?
All three goals were amazing, as I've said, and the important opener showed yet again the promise of our young ones and, in particular, one Alex Hleb. British or not, we are once again witnessing the uncanny ability of Arsene to pick out, unearth & polish young talents who are willing to fight on the pitch with heart and soul.
This season the manager has been thrown a particular nasty curve ball and he's had to improvise and throw in the youngsters earlier than he would probably have liked. New Gooners used to a top-two finish will rant about how badly we've done this season and how we have not been able to win everything every season, but given the unfortunate circumstances with injuries and how they've all had to step up prematurely, I maintain that the youngsters have already done very, very well. Whether we'll play in the CL next season, they have already shown the promise that with better fortune, greater things should come our way. Just be patient and, I'll say it again, keep and show your faith.
All three goals were amazing - other than the obvious technical merits and the fact that they kept us in the running for 4th place, halted a two-game winless "streak," and provided a timely boost of confidence ahead of the mid-week rendezvous with Villareal, they were scored by representatives of the 3 wonderful teams of players we've witnessed and are witnessing under Arsene Wenger.
A Living Legend
Actually, to call Dennis Berkamp one of our "elderly statesmen" is like calling Pele an "excellent footballer". DB10 is a living legend of Arsenal Football Club and one of the greatest gifts to the beautiful game. The fact that he also hails from Holland, one of my favourite footballing nations ( which also gave us another one of the greatest footballers of all time, Marco van Basten), made me love him even more.
Yesterday, Gooners at Highbury & all around the world saw once again why we dedicated a whole special day to the Dutch Master to mark a glorious decade at the club. The assist for our crucial Goal No. 2, which Le Bob did well to put away on his second try, and that delightful chip that wrapped it all up are just delicious icing on an illustrious career that needs no further embellishment. As I've said in the previous post, that the Grove will be opened with DB10's testimonial - and against Ajax too, we know that now - could not have been more fitting for both the man, the new stadium and the club.
Of "Les Invincibles"
Le Bob's ability to hold and move the ball up has always been an exciting and effective dimension of our attacking play. He is one of those players who, once he has the ball, is extremely difficult to dispossess. Not to mention his seeming telepathy with Titi and PV14, which were exploited with often devastating effect, especially in our second Double-winning season and that "Invincible" run under Arsene. Le Bob has had an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time, pouncing on any goalkeeping and defensive errors in the box. His silky skills on the dribble and those amazing strikes from the edge of the box will remain etched in my memory.
Unfortunately, with age, injury and loss of form, we have not been seeing the best of Le Bob for some time. Arsene has not been able to replace true like for like but with Hleb and Cesc, we have a new combination that has once again allowed us to keep up the pressure on the opposition and attack with verve.
The Best that is to Come?
All three goals were amazing, as I've said, and the important opener showed yet again the promise of our young ones and, in particular, one Alex Hleb. British or not, we are once again witnessing the uncanny ability of Arsene to pick out, unearth & polish young talents who are willing to fight on the pitch with heart and soul.
This season the manager has been thrown a particular nasty curve ball and he's had to improvise and throw in the youngsters earlier than he would probably have liked. New Gooners used to a top-two finish will rant about how badly we've done this season and how we have not been able to win everything every season, but given the unfortunate circumstances with injuries and how they've all had to step up prematurely, I maintain that the youngsters have already done very, very well. Whether we'll play in the CL next season, they have already shown the promise that with better fortune, greater things should come our way. Just be patient and, I'll say it again, keep and show your faith.
posted by snowcalla @ 4:01 pm (UTC+8)
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