six for six

Six for six

So its six points out of a possible six for the gunners after a predicted hard fought victory at the emirates. The group stage of Europe’s elite competition is becoming something of reccuring cliche' for the emirates outfit; they meet decent sides from smaller footballing nations in Europe, they are given one or two “tests” along the way, but they always scale through (atleast for the past 16 years). You have to look back as far as 2003 to find the last  time they were beaten at the emirates in a european competition; so it was always likely it was a match they were not going to lose.

Steve Bould was in charge once again, with Wenger serving the second game of his two game Uefa ban. As in the previous european tie, Gervinho and Podolski scored, while Ramsey put the game beyond the visitors with a deft lob in the dying minutes of the game. It was a more difficult game than the 3-1 scoreline would sugest. The visitors frustrated the home team at times because of their organised defending; they put a lot of men behind the ball for most of the match. For a large chunk of the match, arsenals passing was sloppy, and there were uncharacteristic mistakes from all areas of the pitch that could have cost them had they been against better opposition(no offense to olympiakos).

There are certain statements that would have seemed unthinkable by the end end of last season; gervinho is arsenals top scorer this season, and arsenal are missing Metasacker. Arsenals central defensive pairing looked nervous at times, especially Kocsielny, who was caught out on several occasions by the greek sides attack. Despite their careless play, arsenal took the lead through the aforementioned gervinho with a well placed shot past the Olympiakos goalie. It didnt take long before the visitors equalised, as Kocsielny was out jumped by kostas mitroglou to head in the far post.

The 2^nd half was a lot better as arsenal restored their lead through Podolski who released an incisive reverse shot through the legs of the opposition keeper after some persistent work by gervinho. Substitute Ramsey completed his sides win at the dying minute of the game with a majestic lob over the keeper after being put through on goal.

My man of the match was Kerian Gibbs. The England international was in fine form both devensively and offensively. He sure is growing up to be a world class left back(who ever doubted Wenger?). special mentions also go to Carl Jenkinson, and Chamberlain who worked tirelessly through the course of the 90 mins.

 In the end it was a good win for arsenal ;wasnt their best performance, but a good win nonetheless. However the coach would know there would be sterner sides awaiting his side in coming months; and would know they have to improve considerably if their quest for European glory(or any silverware) is going to be achieved. Next up is the london derby versus West Ham; it never gets easier in the world of football.

Till the next time.............