Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Arsenal Comback Continues

Arsenal claimed a fifth-straight Premier League victory after coming from behind to beat Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road.

Steve Morison gave the Canaries the lead against the run of play on 17 minutes after some lacklustre defending from Per Mertesacker, only for the Gunners to level just before the half-hour mark, predictably enough through Robin van Persie.

The Arsenal captain then scored again in the second half to take his Premier League goal tally in 2011 to 31. Only Thierry Henry and Alan shearer have scored more times in a single calendar year.

The win lifts Arsenal one place in the table to sixth, below local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. Liverpool can reclaim sixth place with a win at Chelsea on Sunday.

Arsenal travelled to East Anglia having not lost in their last 10 league trips to Carrow Road, and they could have been three goals to the good in the first 10 minutes on their latest visit.

No sooner had the game kicked off than Theo Walcott was sent scampering away down the right, but Van Persie could only scuff theEngland winger’s pass pulled back from the byline.

Moments later Walcott was himself denied when Gervinho squared the ball to him only for his shot to be blocked by Marc Tierney, the Norwich left-back already being given a torrid time by the player he was charged with marking for 90 minutes.

Once again Walcott went close when he checked back on to his left foot and bent his shot around goalkeeper John Ruddy, only for Russell Martin to leap in and make a dramatic goal-line block. The Scotland defender would make such clearances twice more before the half was out, although that was far and away the pick of the bunch.

For all their attacking guile arsenal were once again undone by defensive uncertainty when Per Mertesacker – caught in two minds between shielding the ball back to Wojciech Szczesny and clearing it – was muscled off the ball all too easily by Morison, and the Welshman finished neatly past Szczesny for his fourth goal of the season.

The joy was unconfined at Carrow Road as the newly-promoted home side’s impressive start to the season continued, but it lasted just 10 minutes before Arsenal equalised.

Walcott executed the oldest trick in the book by knocking the ball past Tierney and running around his the other way before firing a low ball across the six-yard box. Gervinho almost turned the ball in with a flick, but Van Persie was behind him to tap into the unguarded net.

That goal meant that each of the last seven goals set up by Walcott in the league had been finished by Van Persie.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert made a positive substitution at the break, bringing on Elliott Bennett for David Fox, but Arsenal continued to create the majority of the chances after the break.

Gervinho sent a header too close to Ruddy before he was sent one-on-one with the keeper but somehow failed to score after taking the ball around him.

A second goal did come on the hour-mark when Alex Song capitalised on a mistake by Martin. The Cameroonmidfielder fed Van Persie with a neat ball, and the Arsenal captain dinked a delightful weighted finish over Ruddy for his 14th goal in 17 club appearances this season.

Norwich showed plenty of the desire and drive as they refused to give up. Pilkington could have tested Szczesny when he met Kyle Naughton’s cross at the near post but guided it wide, before Grant Holt gave Mertesacker plenty to think about when he came on for the final 20 minutes.

But Arsenal closed out the win to consign their disastrous earl-season form further into the past.

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  • capedcrusaderbigsy

    A good win but a truly awful game of football and absolute bliss to watch for me If I am honest, Vermaelen is just absolute class, he really is a fantastic player and right up there as I really think best in world when fit I mean that, but alongside him is an absolute laughing stock of a player I piss my pants laughing at him every time he plays, I said recently Vermaelen was covering him at every opportunity and again deep into the second half he is running in behind a 6ft 5inch defender and heading the ball away for him, I just think Mertsacker is the worst defender I have seen in years, he is total shit !…Walcott done well but the lad marking him was pony, and Van Persie just goes from strength to strength although we are all waiting for the injury to come and I am sure it is your biggest fear, Arteta for me just isn’t Arsenal material and Gervinho is looking a luxury…another good win but I am not exactly worried because I see many a weakness, when Jack is back I think it could all come together but relying on the 2 best in the world right now (me being honest) with their injury record is a huge gamble..with little in reserve..and Mertsacker ? well they just don’t make comedy like that anymore do they ! ha ha hilarious …

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    • Anonymous

      Bigsy, if, as you say, Meretesacker is absolute shit what can be said for the geriatric cripples masquerading as centre backs at your own beloved, but unmentionable, club?

      2-1, another win, another three points, moving on up!!!

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        JIN, let’s talk football and not club colours please, you are more than entitled to criticise any spurs player that defends like that, christ I think Kaboul is hopeless at times, but Mertsacker is embarrassingly bad, even the commentators are criticising him..

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        • capedcrusaderbigsy

          No seriously well done, I thought you were awesome, I thought Gervinho looked focus and not at all wasteful, I thought Arteta run the show and never misplaced plasses all afternoon and I thought Mertsacker was strong, solid and not once looked shaky..unlike all of the players at white hart lane…ha ha (what are you lot like honestly, be F**king honest you make yourselves look silly)

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          • arsenalbob

            ‘another good win but I am not exactly worried because I see many a weakness…’ Bigsy, based on what, that tottenham are a solid class act ? You don’t half over rate your lot 

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    • Anonymous

      Hilarious

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        you were supposedly at the game and you view things differently at the match, watch and listen to what the reports are over mertsacker..he is shit ! ha ha what a wanker ! shit I tell ya absolute shit ! ha ha

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        • Anonymous

          Shouldn’t waste my time on a c&nt like you, but will just respond and tell you why I laughed at your match review. You claim TV is world class and he has only had 9 months or so in the prem without injury. And Mertesacker has been here 3 months and has had some bad moments. You make massive statements in such a short time period. Gareth Bale never won a league game at Spurs for over 18 months, but now he is worth 35 million and being tracked by arguably the best team ever. So you come on here to wind people up. Why are you the first person to post on almost every thread on here? You are a sad spurs fan and your opinions are embarrassing.

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          • capedcrusaderbigsy

            I come on here to wind you up because mutually I don’t like what you have to say, I think you are an arsehole and even the way you talk to other fans on here indicates you are a rude nasty individual, football is about opinions clearly and I don’t have to agree with you at all, in fact as I have said before it is easier to just not to comment on each others posts, you wouldn’t agree with me even If you thought I said something right, so commenting on each others post is a waste of time….by the way what a fu*king stupid comparison you make regarding Bale…Arsenal didn’t beat Spurs Victory record at the start of a season on the year they were invincibles, but it doesn’t mean they were not the better side does it ? we can all play about with figures..I tend to look at what my eyes are showing me and right now TV is right up there as the best in his position..I think your final line sums up the problem you have, referring to sad and spurs again, you are just a small minded individual who is incapable of being honest because I support spurs…so what, fucking grow up man..the players drink with each other after the game, Levy and Dein are family and still mindless morons like you try and act like you are a true fan by slagging the rivals off..silly boy !..very very silly boy !….Chelsea are the team I dislike and most spurs fans feel that way…you are just sulking because noone deems you as a rival anymore…I wouldn’t be seen dead on a chelsea site I hate them but you lot are an extension of my family..we are like scousers these days..work together, drink together, live together, (jin)..you are trying to make something of a rivalry that just is not that mutual from us to you …yes we dislike you but the real intense hatred goes to sw territory not you lot..

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        your normal level of intellect mashman..1 word “hilarious” man you are too knowledgeable on the game..do you actually follow football or just go on forums trying to wind people up..laugh all you like at my views but I am yet to even know yours ? you are a glory hunting 1 word geezer who clearly does it to be associated with a winning club, bet you think bertie mee is a liquorice allsort bloke..

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        • Anonymous

          Yes I think Bertie Mee is an allsort , but I also think you are a cock, so give me Bertie Bassett every time.

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          • capedcrusaderbigsy

            nice one..made me smile that did…I am happy to draw a line under it all if you are, I must confess winding you up has become tedious and rather pointless..

            A Cock still remains a light hearted insult so there is either a slight chance to redeem our love for each other or I haven’t been offensive enough..

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    • Berg10

      Bigs. Normally you’re fair but your comments are bordering on bitter here. True, Per has dropped a few clangers but he’s still getting used to the speed, don’t forget when offensive newcomers to the league are getting up to speed it’s acceptable but defenders are expected to slot straight in so stop being so fukin harsh, same with Walcott, the boy can’t win ffs.
      I saw a comfortable game today when you professed an upset or at least hoped for it, we had a typical 1st game after International waste of space game and were unlucky not to be 4 up before half time.
      Unlucky mate, or perhaps you’re a bit worried you won’t emulate us. Ha Ha.

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      • Anonymous

        Berg, I was at the game and it looked as though Per was easily hustled out of it as he maybe doesn’t come up against the likes of Morison much in Germany. Have watched it back on Tv and that is exactly what happened. I think he is an intelligent guy and will learn from it.

        Walcott was superb, he roasted their defence every time and his final ball was spot on.

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        • capedcrusaderbigsy

          Thats a fair comment, but seriously I want to pick you up on the point you make about not coming up against that type in Germany ? have you seen German centre forwards ? Germany fooball is very physical Mashman, but that aside I would hope he has certainly come up against that type of forward in 79 caps for Germany, I accept the point you make but a bit lame in reality..he has more than enough experience to know better, and If he was turkish I would accept your reasons but he is German ffs, the Land where men are men and built like brick shit houses..not having that excuse at all ! nice try !

          Walcott was quality granted

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          • Anonymous

            More genius insight. Thanks

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          • capedcrusaderbigsy

            You’re welcome !

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          • Anonymous

            I used the word maybe. And my point was also about time on the ball. He maybe had more time in German football.

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          • Berg10

            Probably he had more support from his fellow defenders than he gets with us also but as Mashman says he will learn, and he’s experienced enough as you say so I think patience is required (without too many major errors of course)

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        • Berg10

          Yeah me too, I’m not unduly worried in the long term ‘though the sooner he adapts the better for us.

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  • capedcrusaderbigsy

    such a shame not one of you is honest enough to just admit Mertsacker is bad..really is a shame just defending the shirt of the blatant lack of competence where 1 player is concerned is childish not decent at all..the man is rubbish !

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    • Berg10

      We’re giving the guy a chance to settle mate but it’s not your team so why would you be realistic. Remember Adams was ridiculed by fools and he certainly made his critics eat their words.

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        I am always honest Berg10 I cannot stress enough that football debating and discussing the game goes deeper with me than just a shirt, I am not petty enough to defend a player just because he wears the shirt I support, I hate Defoe, I despised Tarrico and I wasn’t a fan of Sheringham to be honest as a person, so I wouldn’t defend anyone just because they wore a spurs shirt, and I expect that same honesty from you guys to be fair…Adams is entirely different to Mertsacker in respect of Adams lacked pace but used his body well and grew into a fine footballer, I must accept that hI read his book and have enormous respect for the man, although he has been a bit away with the fairies in recent years, he has visited the Hoddle institute..but with Mertsacker we are talking about a man who has 70 odd caps for his country and is supposed to be the finished article, his positional sense is woeful, he was hopelessly bad falling over in the last 10 minutes today by the corner flag, and the goal he conceded was dreadful, he won’t turn into an adams or even develop into a tidy defender at all, look at him he is exactly what you don’t want in the prem, slow, poor positional sense, goes to ground too early…Honest Truth…on the day it became apparent you were going to get him, I rang my Dad and was down, I thought the defensive blunders and weakness of last year..home to bham, newcastle, spurs, etc etc etc..were over for good, I thought this German guy was the answer..my dads words on my kids lives “trust me son I have watched him for years and he will be too slow for the prem, I promise you he is not good enough for the prem.” and so far the old man is proven right..The problem as I see it, that just makes me doubt you as a force anymore, is you don’t keep the ball like you used to, you give too many chances to teams over 90 minutes and the way Mertsacker is that is lethal..just being honest as I see it..

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  • Berg10

    Well now that sounds more sincere than the earlier crap.
    I admit I cringed when he allowed the ball to bounce, I always do as this seems like a trait for us, personally unless the player has time and space I’d much prefer him to attack the first ball, that goes for any contact sport.
    RTK has touched on this topic before, the problem seems to be in the training methods or lack of.

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  • capedcrusaderbigsy

    I have said it all along Chelsea are crap !..Nth London will take 3rd and 4th spot for sure, I feel I have been proven right in so many ways today after watching that Chelsea v Liverpool game, I have said the league is true to form this season and it is..Liverpool took a hiding at the lane and Chelsea will too, Chelsea are an awful team fair play to you lot for 3 points there but it didn’t mean much they are toilet..If liverpool are turning them over they are a bad side, we hammered liverpool 4-0 and that Berg10 is why I don’t rate Ashley Cole defensively ..awful player mate as a defender Glen Johnson turned him inside out for the winner…smiling like you can’t imagine 2 games in hand on all our rivals and they all play man city in the next few weeks..put your feet up and treat yourself to an exhibition tomorrow night guys…YID ARMY !

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    • Berg10

      Listening to Jamie Rednapp (for once I agree with) this Chelski side are not suited to AVB’s requirements or they’re too big to listen to the young pretender, either way it’s not working at the moment but soon it will probably click, unless true to form Abro. sacks him.

      I hate Cashley but still think he’s a decent LB, probably he now sits in the category I mentioned above (latter).

      I don’t think you’ll lose tomorrow but a draw would be a result for us imo, exhibition? we’ll see Ha Ha!
      My son-in-law is a spud (love him to bits) and in our banter he goes on about hating greedybayor but the guy looks to have changed since his experience and has helped you no end so far (bastud).
      2 game you haven’t won yet though, don’t count those chickens yet mate.

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        I can’t stand the Redknapps I really Can’t, Jamie more so than Harry, I cannot believe how he has the cheek to shout down people like Souness who has won the lot and achieved things with Liverpool that I doubt any other club side in this country will do is beyond me, every season he was winning a title and a european cup.,Redknapp spent all season on an exercise bike in the gym..
        Chelsea were always going to have this happen, every year that went by with Lampard, Drogba, and Terry it was always going to end up this way, AVB now has 3 maybe 4 players that need changing immediately and I doubt he will have the balls to do it as they seem to be too big at the club, they also remain the only club who don’t seem to be bothered about signing a proper right back, you murdered them down that side and we will too when we play them, Bale will take Ivanovic to the cleaners…Chelsea have big big problems and will finish 5th if they are lucky..Carvalho was such a good player and it annoys me that Terry has built up this reputation there is no place for a cart Horse in the prem unless he has a bloody good defender alongside him, Chelsea most certainly do not have that these days .

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      • capedcrusaderbigsy

        Forgot to mention the last bit of your comments, I tell you what surprised me about Adebayor is his work rate, I didn’t have him down as a man who runs tirelessly off the ball and knocking him would be wrong, like Gallas he has given his all so far in our shirt so long may it continue, we will have a blip Berg10 of course we will but cannot see it this side of Christmas, even when we were crap we were still good at the Lane and of the next 11 fixtures we play 7 of them are at home..so maybe Feb could see us wobble a bit..

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