Grit,Discipline and Fighting Spirit

Grit,Discipline and Fighting Spirit.These are the things that Wenger thought we showed in the match against ManUre.This is what we should have been showing for all the games.Fighting spirit,this was clearly something we were lacking in the past few weeks and it showed how much we were missing it.

This match was one that held great importance over the last few weeks and it was good to see the lads come into the game with a high focus level and determination.There was a feeling going around that we were gonna succeed.

Our captain  Cesc Fabregas took a last minute injury during practice and was forced to sit out the game.Instead of bringing Nasri to the middle and playing Arhavin wide,Wenger put his trust into AarOne Ramsey.This was his first start for the club since he got 'Shawcrossed' and he showed to everyone why he was so highly rated.This just goes to show that if he gets some games and a proper pre-season,he could be much greater for the club.

AarOne Ramsey

Many have touted him to be the perfect replacement for Cesc if he chooses to leave this summer.Well,all these people are stupid.Not to take anything away from Ramsey,he is great and he could be a solution if Cesc leaves,in the long run,but not now.He is not ready,yet.He needs to churn out some more consistent performances and get himself established before we consider him for the job.

Coming to the match,we practically owned their asses dominating possession and creating some chances.Theo had a good chance of opening the score when he got on to the end of one of Clichy's crosses,but he put it over the crossbar. We also had a clear cut penalty denied to us when Vidic jumped high and 'played' the ball out of bounds.maybe the ref hadn't seen it,maybe he did,but there is no use talking about it now.

'Played' the ball

Half time came and Samir Nasri was subbed out by Arshavin because of of a hamstring problem.Instead of his usual attacking play,the little Russian was all over the place winning ball,successfully sliding into tackles and defensively more active than normal.His commitment into the game inspired the others to play better.

The loss of Djourou did not seem to affect the team much and Squillaci gelled into the defense prettty well and  it was a good solid performance from the back four.Sagna was brilliant as was Clichy.Both kept the wingers quiet all match and also went forward whenever they could.Chezzers was brilliant at the back.He didn't have much to do most of the game,but when needed,he made brilliant saves to deny Nani from set-pieces.

The only goal of the game came from some real good football b/w RVP and Ramsey.AarOne played Persie  down the right adn continued his run.Van Persie moved to the near end of the box and when he saw Ramsey literally screaming for the ball,he played him in and AarOne shot it first time and it went under Carrick's legs and into the goal.After missing more than a year and to come back into a game of such high calibre and score a beauty of a goal,it was well and truly deserved.

Into the last minutes of the match,ManUre had an appeal for penalty turned down.Replays showed that  Clichy rammed his studs down the back of Owen's thighs (Kudos),but because of his theatrical dive,Arsenal were saved from another self-destruction.

After the game Arsene said "We had a good performance that had everything in it; discipline, fighting spirit and our usual passing game. Until we scored the goal, I feel we completely controlled the game. Then, because we have not won a lot recently, we tried to protect our advantage and were more under pressure. Overall, I believe we deserved to win the game"


This was a good way to respond to one horrid month and maybe we can continue this on to the end of the month and finish on a high note.

On a much lighter note,today is the birthday of our one and only El Capitan Cesc Fàbregas Soler. Fans from around the globe have wished him and all the readers can go to his twitter profile to wish him a Happy Birthday or Feliz Cumpleaños (Spanish).One of my dear friends Gurleen Kaur who is a mad Fabregas fan went all the way and made an entire animated e-book as his birthday present. It is ruddy brilliant and you all should have a look at it.

You can follow Goonerburgh on Twitter and Facebook.Thats all for the day people,have a good day.

Pride,Revenge, Asswhooping

This season has been one of a lot of ups and downs and we need to end it on a high.We don't have much left to fight for other than our pride.Its all about pride now and beating ManUre is just about proving that Arsenal are still a force to be reckoned with.

A month back,everyone looked at this match as the title decider. Four weeks down the lane, a lot has changed.Arsenal are virtually out of the race and ManUre all but need a draw at the Emirates to ensure the title return to Old Trafford.Well,the Gooners all round the world will be hoping that their team will make ManUre wait another week for that.

Winning this match is not about getting those three points.Its about proving a point.Its about showing that we are still a great team.People say that we should never fight for revenge.Well this match should be played for revenge.Revenge for the FA Cup loss.Revenge for the league loss.Moreover we have to beat them just for the fact that they exist.

In recent times,ManUre always seem to get the better of us.They sit tight and give a disciplined defensive performance and attack on the counter and score.This has worked for them in our previous encounters,so we should be ready for them and defend well when they counter-attack. Our full-backs will have their hands full if both Park and Nani start.Park has scored in his last three encounters against Arsenal,so Sagna should be on his toes.Clichy has gotten a lot better since our last meeting with ManUre but i still expect Nani to trouble him.So he should contain his runs and concentrate more on his defensive duties for the match.I expect Nasri and Arshavin to trouble their full-backs in a more devastating manner.So it should turn out to be a very exciting encounter.

Arsenal will be going into this fixture with virtually a full strength team.We have Thomas Rosicky returning from illness.We lost Diaby to a calf strain and also will be without long term absentee Lukas Fabianski.Other than that,we have the whole squad available.I expect Arshavin to start alongside Nasri.These two are danger-men who can shoot from almost anywhere and go through any defense.So Walcott might be benched to come on as the super-sub.

Predicted starting XI : Szczesny,Sagna,Djourou,Koscielny,Clichy,Wilshere,Song,Arshavin,Fabregas,Nasri,Van Persie

Now for some good news.Thomas Vermaelen returned to competitive football after a long-term Achilles injury when he completed 90 minutes for the Arsenal Reserves in the goalless draw against ManUre reserves.This comes as a mental boost for the whole squad and he could still feature in the first team before the league ends this month.I would rather have him get some deserved rest and have a good pre-season rather than rush him back to the first-team.He is a vital part that we have been missing this season and we can't risk losing him to an injury again.

Lets hope he has had enough bed-rest

Our defensive capabilities will once again be tested this match and we have to get out of this unscathed if we are to even finish in third place.We have conceded penalties thrice in the as many games (Liverpool,Sp*rs,Bolton) and we should play well enough and contain them rightly so as not to give away any cheap penalties.Chris Foy will be the match referee and he has always been a fair one.Lets hope he stays one for this match as well.

I predict a 2-1 win with RVP and Arshavin scoring and Rooney getting on the scoresheet for them.A win here could be exactly what Arsenal needs to end the season with some sort of confidence.

That is all for the day folks.You can follow Goonerburgh on Twitter and Facebook. Have a great day and pray for a bigass asswhooping against ManUre.