A very important result this weekend. Its not just three points, it represents a significant step forward in our league ambitions. We have now suceeded in closing out a difficult, physical game where we failed last year. If we want to win the title we can't afford to slip up in games like this so while its still early this was a significant win. I left the house with a spring in my step and cheered just a little in the street.
Also Champion's League draw was this week and Arsenal drew Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Partizan Belgrade. Its a decent draw really, we have a good record against Portuguese teams and Partizan don't have great deal of Champion's league experience so despite the distance for a couple of away matches I'm hoping this should be a decent group for us.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Friday 27 August 2010
Arsenal Preview - Blackburn Rugby Edition
The weekend is almost upon us once more and tomorrow my beloved team are the early kick-off against Blackburn. We lost to Blackburn at the end of last season to some ridiculous goals after some ridiculously over the top physical play. I'm predicting that we're in for more of the same this time as far as the physicality of the game and defensive tactics go. I'm hoping and feeling quietly optimistic that we can reverse the result and come away with a win.
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Sports Quote of the Week
This week three for the price of one.
"You should not have it, you have everything." - Andrei Arshavin (referring to England's World Cup bid)
"I looked at my watch after the sending-off, they were 2-0 up and there was all that time left, and I thought, 'Holy mackerel'. Luckily for me, it was only six." - Ian Holloway (referring to the Arsenal game.)
"I nearly forgot it, I can't believe that. One of the ball-boys had it. Everyone has signed it and I don't think there are any swear words on it." - Theo Walcott (referring to the match ball from the Blackpool game)
"You should not have it, you have everything." - Andrei Arshavin (referring to England's World Cup bid)
"I looked at my watch after the sending-off, they were 2-0 up and there was all that time left, and I thought, 'Holy mackerel'. Luckily for me, it was only six." - Ian Holloway (referring to the Arsenal game.)
"I nearly forgot it, I can't believe that. One of the ball-boys had it. Everyone has signed it and I don't think there are any swear words on it." - Theo Walcott (referring to the match ball from the Blackpool game)
Transfer News!
Arsenal v Blackpool - sixy football, hit for six, etc
I know my review is a little late but here it goes anyway. Entry three in the Arsenal season log. I didn't get to see the entire match but I did catch the highlights later on Match of the Day and to be honest I could not have been prouder of all the boys. I know Blackpool are one of the teams many people are predicting for relegation and thus shouldn't provide too much of a test but slipping up here would have been all too easy and was a mistake we made many times in previous seasons. So to us perform that well was very very encouraging. That performance truly was the Arsenal I know and love; proper fluid passing, attacking football and gorgeous to watch. Another thing that was great to see was Tomas Rosicky back to his best. He pulled all the strings in midfield and his passing and vision were impeccable. So my early season optimism is well and truly back in place.
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Sporting Quote of the week
The inaugural quote of the week comes courtesy of Soccer Saturday's Jeff Stelling (the first of many I sense) with this cracker:
"Ian Holloway once said every dog has its day, well today I want to say WOOF!" (in relation to Blackpool's first Premier league win)
"Ian Holloway once said every dog has its day, well today I want to say WOOF!" (in relation to Blackpool's first Premier league win)
Moto GP - The most beautiful love story
In tribute to the fabulous, passionate, crazy genius that is Valentino Rossi here is his version of the most his most beautiful love story (no not the one with Dani)
"Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004, but especially ‘she', my M1, has changed. At that time she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers. Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the ‘top of the class'.” Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me ‘I love you!'"
(picture via motogp.com)
"Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004, but especially ‘she', my M1, has changed. At that time she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers. Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the ‘top of the class'.” Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me ‘I love you!'"
Moto GP - Czech it out.
Well it surely was an interesting weekend in Brno. First there was the insane practice session/qualifying that included crashes for (deep breath) Marco SImoncelli, Randy de Puniet, Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Hector Barbera. Then there was Dani Pedrosa'a stunning last minute pole that took a third of a second out of Ben Spies (!) Then there was the race itself. I'll make it clear now I'm a Dani fan. That's where this post is heading. He scares the hell out of me when he races so I spent a large portion of the race hugging a cushion. I would have loved to see him win but having seen him crash last race I was delighted to see him back on the podium. I nearly had a stress related episode when Andrea Dovizioso crashed into the middle of the track and our entire house gasped when he nearly got ran over twice. I'm developping a real soft spot for Dovi I must say, something about his boundless innocence and optimism just makes me smile. One of the highlights of the race weekend for me though was JOrge Lorenzo charging past a bemused Casey Stoner in the middle of his post race interview hollering "aahhhhhhhh" at the top of his lungs. Comedy gold.
Also this weekend came THE big news regarding next season with Valentino finally announcing his move to Ducati. I'll admit I had my reservations and was extremely childish at first in refusing to read the press release. But I'm glad I gave in. The way he talked about his motorbike as 'his girl' and told their 'love story' was one of the most beautiful and weirdly moving things I've evr read. It reminded me of exactly why we all love The Doctor.
Also this weekend came THE big news regarding next season with Valentino finally announcing his move to Ducati. I'll admit I had my reservations and was extremely childish at first in refusing to read the press release. But I'm glad I gave in. The way he talked about his motorbike as 'his girl' and told their 'love story' was one of the most beautiful and weirdly moving things I've evr read. It reminded me of exactly why we all love The Doctor.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Match Reaction.
*deep breath* Well that was quite something. I've now composed myself enough to type. Immediately after the match my heart was pounding and I was actually physically shaking. My opening day joy bubble was definitely punctured during that match but I think its just about still intact. I spent most of the match jumping up and down like a fool and I can't count the amount of times i yelled "What the HELL!!!" I came extremely close to uttering a string of very unladylike words on a number of occasions and a lot of time looking heavenwards in an entreating manner. I must admit that come eighty minutes by faith was starting to waver but when the goal went in the feeling of relief was indescribable. The joy came flooding right back and now the whole season is on track again. Miraculous!
Back to reality, I feel that we should have won that match but all in all a point away from home in a game that difficult is still a very good result. I think without doubt Tomas Rosicky was the best Arsenal player out there today, the side looked much better when he came on and he was very creative and looked threatening. Samir Nasri had a good game. The defence actually looked quite good but the goalkeeping was undeniably shaky HOWEVER Almunia can not take all the blame for that goal the placement of the shot was excellent. I feel postive about our chances as Koscielny and Vermaelen look a good pairing, Bac and Gael were as good as ever, RvP looked promising when he came on and we should have Song back before long (fingers crossed.)
Back to reality, I feel that we should have won that match but all in all a point away from home in a game that difficult is still a very good result. I think without doubt Tomas Rosicky was the best Arsenal player out there today, the side looked much better when he came on and he was very creative and looked threatening. Samir Nasri had a good game. The defence actually looked quite good but the goalkeeping was undeniably shaky HOWEVER Almunia can not take all the blame for that goal the placement of the shot was excellent. I feel postive about our chances as Koscielny and Vermaelen look a good pairing, Bac and Gael were as good as ever, RvP looked promising when he came on and we should have Song back before long (fingers crossed.)
Opening Day!!!!
August 15. Entry one in the Arsenal Season Diary.
Well here I am on the opening day of our season preparing to start my season long diary of the trials and tribulations of following my beloved team. I have the wonderful bouyant feeling of opening day hope, that little bubble of optimism that only exists on this day, the feeling that this season anything can happen, everything could click, everything could finally.....well i'm sure you all know what I mean. I love the unique glow that opening day has there's nothing in the world like it. To be honest I'm feeling a little apprehensive but I think that's largely due to having Liverpool as our first opponents. Also since this is an ARsenal diary I'll say the 'i' word for the first (and definitely not last time) this season: injuries. I'm a little concerned at missing quite a lot of players (Song, Djourou, etc) but I hear through the internet grapevine that we have fewer missing today than on our opening day last year. SO what the hell I'm going to throw caution to the wind and give in to pre-season joy. Good luck boys, I know you can do it!
ps: moto gp update later
Well here I am on the opening day of our season preparing to start my season long diary of the trials and tribulations of following my beloved team. I have the wonderful bouyant feeling of opening day hope, that little bubble of optimism that only exists on this day, the feeling that this season anything can happen, everything could click, everything could finally.....well i'm sure you all know what I mean. I love the unique glow that opening day has there's nothing in the world like it. To be honest I'm feeling a little apprehensive but I think that's largely due to having Liverpool as our first opponents. Also since this is an ARsenal diary I'll say the 'i' word for the first (and definitely not last time) this season: injuries. I'm a little concerned at missing quite a lot of players (Song, Djourou, etc) but I hear through the internet grapevine that we have fewer missing today than on our opening day last year. SO what the hell I'm going to throw caution to the wind and give in to pre-season joy. Good luck boys, I know you can do it!
ps: moto gp update later
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)