Greetings!
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Hope you’re all having an eggsellent Easter despite the miserable weather. It’s been a while but I’m back - better late than never, eh? An immediate spring in my fingers as Norwich go 1-0 up at the Lane. Let’s be ‘avin you!
It’s been a month since my last post. My sincerest apologies - I’ve been a very busy boy. An awesome holiday in New York & Washington DC during which I put on an unwanted 11.5kgs in just eight days, the return of Facejacker ‘ooohhh mr mohammedddd’, been to watch Shrek (the musical, not Wayne Rooney), the magical wedding ceremony of my good friend, Casanova Qureshi, and the eagerly anticipated return of BBQ season – what’s there not to be happy about? Not to forget the immense resurgence of my beloved club, rising like a phoenix from the ashes.
After a memorable trip to Anfield, we hosted AC Milan in the second leg of our Champions League tie. Trailing by four after an abysmal first leg at the San Siro, we braced ourselves for the comeback of all comebacks. I had written in my previous blog that I thought we had a genuine chance to overcome such a deficit but sadly, we fell just short, winning 3-0. As sad as I was that we had been eliminated, I was immensely proud of the boys. What an incredible performance, for me, the best we’ve played this season. From the KO there was a real hunger, a strong desire, and unbelievable drive about us on the night, so much so, that I walked away from the Emirates feeing utterly satisfied despite losing 4-3 on aggregate. Sounds so odd when I read that last sentence back but those around me at the Emirates that night will know what I mean.
*GOAL ‘GAP WATCH’: 1-1 SPUDS: Defoe (How does he not start more games?)
Having exerted ourselves for such an effort against Milan, I did worry about the risk of losing focus against a very tough Newcastle United team on Sky’s MNF. Two things, before I forget:
1. Credit to Alan Pardew. Hasn’t he done well at St. James’? I had doubts about his appointment but he deserves praise for their season thus far – let’s hope they can pip the Spuds and Chelsea for 4th.
2. I love Gary Neville. Totally hated him as a player but what a superb pundit. Slightly irritating voice when co-commentating though nothing like Clive Tyldesley, who makes you want to stab your own ears. Neville is so refreshing. Kudos to Sky for an excellent addition to their squad.
It was a tough game against The Magpies. Incidentally, I’m a huge fan of Yohan Cabaye – plays with such wonderful guile and vision, reminds me a little of Cesc (nowhere near as good looking). We fell behind to a lovely goal by Hatem Ben Arfa, easily cutting in on his left and smashing past Szcz’s near post. Gibbs should have done better. Luckily for us, we have RVP who equalised within a minute of the restart with a neat finish. We then endured endless time-wasting by Newcastle goalkeeper, Tim Krul. He slowed the game down with every goal kick seeming to take an eternity. We were rewarded with ‘5’ minutes stoppage time and BOOM. TV5. As the clocked ticked past 93 minutes, Newcastle lost possession from a throw deep in our half by the corner flag. We won the ball back and broke light lightning. A Song one-two with Van Persie, spread out to Walcott, who’s cross was bundled in by the on-rushing, Tommy Vermaelen. What’s impressive about this goal is that you see TV5 setting off on a galloping run from his own penalty area. He had an air of ‘Sagna vs. Spurs’ about him. You know, that ‘enough of this shit, I’m going to win this for us’ look.
What a guy. Slam dunk.
*GOAL ‘Gap Watch’: 1-2 NORWICH: Bennett. Laaavly.
We then went on to pick up a very impressive three points at Goodison against a decent Everton side, courtesy of another match-winner from TV5. Goodison is one of my favourite away grounds. A good-old English traditional stadium where you can drink Bovril! David Moyes is a fantastic manager and I wish them all the best in the FA Cup. Let’s hope this can be their year. Goodison was quickly followed by a 3-0 victory over Villa at the Emirates to make it six wins out of six. Does anyone else think McLeish looks like a ‘sunburnt testicle’?
Whilst in New York, I bumped into Amit Bhatia (Co-Owner and Vice Chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club). We rowed in Central Park and had an insightful chat about his project at the club. I even teased him about getting tickets to the Emirates to watch a ‘proper’ team. Boy, did that come back to haunt me! We slipped up at Loftus Road losing 2-1, bringing our winning streak to an abrupt end. This was a timely reminder that despite six wins on the bounce and moving up to 3rd in the league, there was still much to play for.
Yesterday saw the return of Samir Nasri to the Emirates for the first time in a Premier League match. As expected, he was jeered on every touch of the ball and was laughed at as he was subbed off following a mediocre performance. However, I am one of very few fans who didn’t boo him. Don’t get me wrong, I was angry when he left us but let’s get one thing straight… If someone offers to treble your salary and you refuse to move, then quite frankly, you are mad. Greed, my friends, is within us all and human nature is to always want more. He has no allegiance to Arsenal and so expecting him to stay was unreasonable. I have pleasant memories of him in a red shirt, always trying his best and fighting for the team. Furthermore, he even played well against Liverpool earlier this season knowing that he was leaving. It does make you realise how good Cesc made some players look though.
Emirates v Etihad. The game itself was terrific. A fine, solid Arsenal performance from which we more than deserved the three points. For me the game was won in midfield. Impressive shifts from Thomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and Yossi Benayoun all of whom pressured our opponents into making silly mistakes by closing tenaciously. With 86 minutes on the clock it looked as if we’d get our 3rd consecutive 0-0 against Man City at home. Until, the most beautiful man in the Premier League had some of the Sagna mist. Robbing Pizarro, he picked up the ball, the wind in his hair, his unusually small feet poised for lift-off and BOOM. What a hit, son. What a hit from the monobrowed beaut.
My favourite part of the day was the Poznan celebration. Don’t Arsenal know how to take the Mik-el. Even the stadium is doing it..
Finally, one downside from the City victory is that Larry Koscielny picked up his tenth booking of the season which means he’ll miss our next two games; Wolves (a) and Wigan (h) but he will be back for Chelsea at the Emirates.
*FULL-TIME 'Gap Watch': Spuds 1-2 Norwich – Love that Delia lass. #BANGtidy.
Till next time, much love, stay hip.
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