I am in no condition to write today. It’s GFP week. In layman’s terms, this is basically a week of carnage in which FK (and others) host c100 students on various nights out. Mental.
In fact, I’m so busy that I even missed our opening Champions League game away to German champions, Borussia Dortmund but more about that later. After yet another fortnight of boring international matches, domestic affairs resumed on Saturday afternoon with a 3pm fixture versus Premiership newcomers, Swansea City.
On paper, this would have looked a home-banker but the tie proved trickier than some might have imagined. Armed with new players, fans’ expectations were high and there was a fresh buzz around the Emirates prior to kick-off…
Considering our most recent footballing memory was the demolition at OT, I thought we started well. My new man crush, Mikey Arteta, with an almost immediate impact as he played in Rambo for an early chance. Swansea, brave in their play, battled hard and fought well succumbing only to a calamitous goal conceded just before the break. The ball was rolled out by their keeper only to ricochet off a defender’s leg and fall straight to Andrei Arshavin who passed it into an empty net from a very acute angle. The game ended 1-0 and whilst it’s not a convincing score, it’s three points. The same three points you would get for winning 5-0. Don’t also underestimate the morale booster that is a clean sheet!
Tuesday marked the start of the Champions League. Don’t you just love the music? It turns me on. A lot. With Tommy V, Ramsey and Rosicky added to our injury list there was a very welcome return to action for discipline-dummies, Alex Song and Gervinho. Dortmund were going to be tough and according to match reports from friends, they ran us ragged in front of 79,999 fans and one Arsenal nutcase – my mate, Dimi. Respect, my little Greek/Turk friend!
I was surprised to see Yossi Benayoun in the starting line-up and apparently he wasn't of much use. I would have liked to see Arsene try: 
In the little I have seen of Emmanuel Frimpong thus far, I am impressed with his energy levels, work-rate and body strength. He and Song could form a strong, combative partnership enabling Arteta to roam further forward. Just a thought.
Very much against the run of play, we took the lead through yet another sublime finish, courtesy of skipper, Robin Van Persie. His form has been scintillating since the turn of the year and one can only wonder what could have been had he not been so injury prone during recent seasons. Dortmund kept knocking and knocking and we defended very well until the 88th minute when substitute, Perisic, blasted home with an unbelievable equaliser. All in all, a fair result and a good start for us.
On to Blackburn at Ewood Park this weekend. Unable to attend myself due to yet another wedding. Seriously, when will people realise that getting married pre-season is the only time to get married! As for the game, I think it’ll be tough but I reckon we’ll sneak a narrow victory. Lying at the foot of the table, Rovers are already in trouble and their fans are protesting against their manager only 4 games in. If there was ever a time to play them, it would be now. Sadly, something tells me that Arsenal summer targets, Samba and Dann, may just have the games of their lives. Typical.
Until next time, much love my fellow Gooners.
In fact, I’m so busy that I even missed our opening Champions League game away to German champions, Borussia Dortmund but more about that later. After yet another fortnight of boring international matches, domestic affairs resumed on Saturday afternoon with a 3pm fixture versus Premiership newcomers, Swansea City.
On paper, this would have looked a home-banker but the tie proved trickier than some might have imagined. Armed with new players, fans’ expectations were high and there was a fresh buzz around the Emirates prior to kick-off…
Considering our most recent footballing memory was the demolition at OT, I thought we started well. My new man crush, Mikey Arteta, with an almost immediate impact as he played in Rambo for an early chance. Swansea, brave in their play, battled hard and fought well succumbing only to a calamitous goal conceded just before the break. The ball was rolled out by their keeper only to ricochet off a defender’s leg and fall straight to Andrei Arshavin who passed it into an empty net from a very acute angle. The game ended 1-0 and whilst it’s not a convincing score, it’s three points. The same three points you would get for winning 5-0. Don’t also underestimate the morale booster that is a clean sheet!
Tuesday marked the start of the Champions League. Don’t you just love the music? It turns me on. A lot. With Tommy V, Ramsey and Rosicky added to our injury list there was a very welcome return to action for discipline-dummies, Alex Song and Gervinho. Dortmund were going to be tough and according to match reports from friends, they ran us ragged in front of 79,999 fans and one Arsenal nutcase – my mate, Dimi. Respect, my little Greek/Turk friend!
I was surprised to see Yossi Benayoun in the starting line-up and apparently he wasn't of much use. I would have liked to see Arsene try:
In the little I have seen of Emmanuel Frimpong thus far, I am impressed with his energy levels, work-rate and body strength. He and Song could form a strong, combative partnership enabling Arteta to roam further forward. Just a thought.
Very much against the run of play, we took the lead through yet another sublime finish, courtesy of skipper, Robin Van Persie. His form has been scintillating since the turn of the year and one can only wonder what could have been had he not been so injury prone during recent seasons. Dortmund kept knocking and knocking and we defended very well until the 88th minute when substitute, Perisic, blasted home with an unbelievable equaliser. All in all, a fair result and a good start for us.
On to Blackburn at Ewood Park this weekend. Unable to attend myself due to yet another wedding. Seriously, when will people realise that getting married pre-season is the only time to get married! As for the game, I think it’ll be tough but I reckon we’ll sneak a narrow victory. Lying at the foot of the table, Rovers are already in trouble and their fans are protesting against their manager only 4 games in. If there was ever a time to play them, it would be now. Sadly, something tells me that Arsenal summer targets, Samba and Dann, may just have the games of their lives. Typical.
Until next time, much love my fellow Gooners.
