Sunday, September 24, 2006

Arsenal continues their resurgence



Arsenal picked up where they left off with a 3-0 win over bottom club Sheffield United to hand Arsene Wenger his first Premiership victory at the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, Sheffield United remains rooted to the bottom of the table with this loss.

Following a sluggish start to the new campaign, Wenger's men have now picked up seven points out of nine and looked more like the outfit which produced a strong finish to last season, reaching the Champions League final after clawing themselves back to fourth place.

Despite the flattering scoreline, this was no easy victory as they were made to work hard for an hour. Eventually, though, Arsenal's patience paid off, with William Gallas firing in his first goal for the club, an own goal from United captain Phil Jagielka and Thierry Henry's late header then sealing victory for Wenger, who celebrates 10 years at the club next week.

Henry looked comfortable and showed his match fitness was not hindered by his foot injury. In the 14th minute Blades keeper Ian Bennett produced a brilliant stop to deny Henry. Kolo Toure had sent over a lofted pass to the far post and Henry arrived on queue with a deft header back across goal - only for Bennett to somehow get enough of his hand on the ball to deflect it to safety.

However, despite all their possession, Arsenal were unable to find a telling pass in the final third - much to the frustration of the Emirates faithful.

United thought they had scored towards the end of the first half when Mikele Leigertwood lashed in a stunning half-volley from the edge of the area after the ball dropped following a corner. However, the whistle had already been blown because of dangerous play against Hulse, for an attempted scissors-kick in the six-yard box.

Arsenal started the second half brightly, Toure flashing a shot just wide. Then, on 52 minutes, Bennett produced another fine reaction save to tip over Freddie Ljungberg's header. Despite the efforts, the home crowd was getting frustrated as the chances were not converted into goals.

Finally, though, Arsenal got the breakthrough with 25 minutes left following a well-crafted move.Henry chipped the ball into the area for Fabregas, who in turn took one touch to tee up Gallas - and the defender volleyed past Bennett for his first goal since joining from Chelsea on deadline day. A beauty, no doubt and a booster to Gallas who has been facing allegations and doubts about his professionalism after Chelsea's press releases.

Having worked so hard to get in front, Arsenal looked determined to close out a first Premiership win at the Emirates and the points were wrapped up on 69 minutes. Henry again weaved his way into the left side of the area and to the touchline, before cutting a pass back across goal. Jagielka took an almighty swing - but could only manage to spin the ball with the outside of his foot into the far corner.Henry made it 3-0 when he headed in Emmanuel Eboue's cross with nine minutes to go

The fact that Arsenal has got the first win under their belt at the new stadium will have calmed their nerves and nobody will doubt that there will be more victories coming up soon. On the same night, Liverpool and Chelsea maintained their winning form but Manchester United stumbled once again as they forced a draw against Reading.

The race is still wide open and things are just getting interesting. United running out of steam so early in the season is worrying and it certainly doesn't evoke confidence that they are going to be champions. The absence of Ryan Giggs is proving vital to their midfield creativity but the pertinent question is even if Ryan recovers from his injury, will he still be able to maintain his early all-guns blazing form?

Truth is, United's squad is too thin for them to mount a serious challenge and if there are further injuries to either Scholes, Rooney or Ronaldo, then Ferguson will have to be at his very best to steer the team to a miraculous championship season. Soccer Pundit believes that another barren season may get the board of directors edgy and calls for his resignation may finally become a reality...

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'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'
- Bill Shankly