This past Saturday, Arsenal battled back to rescue a 2-2 draw at Everton, a fantastic outcome considering we played like shit for most of the game. The bottom line remains the same though; until we find our form and fitness again, all that really matters is that we get as much as we can from every match. It's definitely a cliche to say it felt more like a win the way we stole a draw at the end, but I'm going to go ahead and say it anyway.
It also needs to be mentioned that Everton's second goal was offside. There has been a lot of debate over whether the move that lead to the goal was started by a foul on Per Mertesacker by Romelu Lukaku, but there is no question that Steven Naismith was clearly offside before he scored. That's not to take anything away from Everton's opener though, which was really the result of Mesut Özil's failure to track back. As a whole, Everton took the game to us and were the much better side. But even though we didn't play very well, it was extremely encouraging that we kept pushing for a goal and didn't just feel sorry for ourselves and let the game slip away.
Down 2-0 with less than seven minutes remaining, there didn't look like there was any chance we would score one goal, let alone two. But that's exactly what happened. What more can you say about Welsh Jesus? He just keeps scoring goals for us when it really matters the most. It's really something that we can't take for granted and hopefully other key players will be able to follow his example and step up for us so he won't have to do it every time. Ramsey finished Cazorla's low cross to make it 2-1 and then even when he badly overhit a cross into the box, Nacho Monreal picked it up on the end line and crossed it back in to Olivier Giroud who powerfully headed it past Tim Howard to secure the draw for us.
Up next is the second leg of our Champions League qualifier against Besiktas, which is made all the more nerve-wracking now that Giroud joins Kieran Gibbs and Mikel Arteta on our injury list. Giroud hurt his ankle just minutes after scoring the tying goal and his absence will make it even harder for us to find our form as a team. Besiktas proved last Tuesday that they are no pushovers, plus they can eliminate us from the Champions League with a score draw. Once again, as long as we can find a goal and keep them from scoring on us, we'll be through to the group stages.
It's good to have Mertesacker's experience back in the defense and Özil's creativity, but the third of our German contingent, Lukas Poldolski, is rumored to be on his way (with Juventus and Wolfsburg being the leading destinations). For all of the frustrations with his all-around game, we need his goals now more than ever. Arseblog pointed out on his podcast today that Podolski has always been a weird fit the whole time he has been at Arsenal. He would be subbed off regularly, if he got into the starting lineup, seemingly because he didn't regularly fulfill his defensive responsibilities. Other times, he struggled for fitness after long injury spells. Somehow, he still managed to score 16 goals last year and even if he isn't the most technically skilled, he can kick the fuck out of the ball in a way not many others can. I know how different hindsight makes things too, but £16 million for Mario Balotelli is looking like the bargain of the year right now.
Today marks seven days until the end of the transfer window, so we'll see how things go and hopefully be qualified for the CL group stage as the deadline approaches.
August 25, 2014
August 18, 2014
Three Points From Three - Besiktas Preview
So since we last spoke, Arsenal won the Community Shield quite convincingly, then opened the Premiership campaign with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Tomorrow, we travel to Turkey to face Besiktas in the Champions League qualification round first leg. Busy times all around but so far, so good.
I didn't get to watch the Palace game live, but I did watch it on DVR. Understandably, we looked a little sluggish & disjointed, likely due to the number of members of our squad who participated in the World Cup. That, plus Crystal Palace's blockade-style setup, made for a mostly frustrating match for the Gunners, except for our ability to get two goals just in the nick of time.
After Hangeland's opener from a corner kick for Palace gave them a 1-0 lead, Arsenal returned the favor through Laurent Koscielny in first half stoppage time. Then in the second half, Welsh Jesus scored off a rebound in stoppage time again to steal the three points for us, really. While it was disconcerting to see us concede another set piece goal, it was encouraging that we did what we had to do to get a win in the end, whether we played well or not. Cliche or not, it's more important to get wins at this stage until we work our way into form with each coming match. After Besiktas, it's Everton at Goodison Park, so we have to get better in a real hurry.
I think it's going to take us some time to regain the fluidity in our performances with our German contingent of Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski yet to return to the lineup. Plus, our new signings are being thrown right into the starting lineup, which isn't a surprise for Alexis and Debuchy, but it still means they are getting used to playing with a whole new squad and a mostly new style of play. Another very encouraging sign is that 19-year old Calum Chambers looks the most settled and composed of the new field players we've signed (Ospina is still recovering from injury as Szczesny's backup in goal).
Even with that, I think we're still a signing or two away from fully fleshing out our squad with the obvious need for another center back and maybe even another body for the midfield. At this stage, we're probably looking at another deadline day deal if that is going to happen, but we will still be acclimating another new player into the system after the games have well and truly gotten going.
So right now, all that really matters are the results. Besiktas features a couple of familiar faces in ex-Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba, as well as former Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup. We already face a bit of a fitness shortage at defense with Kieran Gibbs out for three weeks and Koscielny a doubt to start the match, but what else is new? Last year, we beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in the first leg so while I'm hopeful for more of the same, just to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal or two would set us up well enough for the return leg in London.
That's it for now though, until later.
I didn't get to watch the Palace game live, but I did watch it on DVR. Understandably, we looked a little sluggish & disjointed, likely due to the number of members of our squad who participated in the World Cup. That, plus Crystal Palace's blockade-style setup, made for a mostly frustrating match for the Gunners, except for our ability to get two goals just in the nick of time.
After Hangeland's opener from a corner kick for Palace gave them a 1-0 lead, Arsenal returned the favor through Laurent Koscielny in first half stoppage time. Then in the second half, Welsh Jesus scored off a rebound in stoppage time again to steal the three points for us, really. While it was disconcerting to see us concede another set piece goal, it was encouraging that we did what we had to do to get a win in the end, whether we played well or not. Cliche or not, it's more important to get wins at this stage until we work our way into form with each coming match. After Besiktas, it's Everton at Goodison Park, so we have to get better in a real hurry.
I think it's going to take us some time to regain the fluidity in our performances with our German contingent of Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski yet to return to the lineup. Plus, our new signings are being thrown right into the starting lineup, which isn't a surprise for Alexis and Debuchy, but it still means they are getting used to playing with a whole new squad and a mostly new style of play. Another very encouraging sign is that 19-year old Calum Chambers looks the most settled and composed of the new field players we've signed (Ospina is still recovering from injury as Szczesny's backup in goal).
Even with that, I think we're still a signing or two away from fully fleshing out our squad with the obvious need for another center back and maybe even another body for the midfield. At this stage, we're probably looking at another deadline day deal if that is going to happen, but we will still be acclimating another new player into the system after the games have well and truly gotten going.
So right now, all that really matters are the results. Besiktas features a couple of familiar faces in ex-Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba, as well as former Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup. We already face a bit of a fitness shortage at defense with Kieran Gibbs out for three weeks and Koscielny a doubt to start the match, but what else is new? Last year, we beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in the first leg so while I'm hopeful for more of the same, just to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal or two would set us up well enough for the return leg in London.
That's it for now though, until later.
August 8, 2014
The One in Which I Actually Start Writing Stuff
Here I go again on my own, blogging down the only road I've ever known... or something. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is welcome to my new blog, written by me, DCJonesy. I've been thinking about starting something like this for a long time but I never quite had the guts to start writing about the club I love.
So, why now?
I guess after supporting the club since 2003 and seeing our very well-documented nine-year trophy drought end, I was inspired carve out a unique niche among Arsenal fans, one that extends beyond watching the matches and wearing their jerseys and stuff. Furthermore, seeing the reactions of fans from all over the world to the FA Cup win reminded me that the scope of this club is global, indeed, and everyone belongs.
This past season was extremely cathartic for so many reasons, but winning the cup capped off a statement that Arsenal was back among the top clubs in the world again after not really being there for several years. Even before we won the cup, there was a noticeable difference among Arsenal fans I encountered this past season. Being top of the table for so much of the season certainly had something to do with it, but more people complimented me for wearing my jersey in the street or at the bar and I just felt a happiness and feeling of pride more than ever before. I'm guessing anyone who made the trip to New York for the Red Bulls match experienced this, but it's such a bizarre feeling to encounter a total stranger and have them feel almost like family if they're wearing Arsenal colors.
The way we're conducting transfer business this summer suggests that our sights are set firmly back to the very top, signing the electrifying Alexis Sanchez and replacing our departed players early in the summer transfer window. Of course, our Premier League and European rivals are strengthening around us, too, but this time it doesn't feel as though the other clubs are running laps around us. Arsenal is setting themselves up to be right in the thick of things, in the league and in Europe. Truthfully, it's where we always belonged. It's just good that we're actually giving it a go this time.
Before I close, it's probably worth mentioning that I have no idea what I'm doing. I'll be making this up as I go along, which is how I do most things, for better or for worse. It will mostly be a challenge not to copy Arseblog word for word, but I'll try. As for how this is going to go, such as whether there will be regular features or not, I haven't a clue. I'll cross those bridges once I come to them. For now, it's all about getting my rambling thoughts collected and posted here, loving and supporting the Arsenal and seeing where this journey takes us from here. I couldn't be more excited for things to get started this season.
So, why now?
I guess after supporting the club since 2003 and seeing our very well-documented nine-year trophy drought end, I was inspired carve out a unique niche among Arsenal fans, one that extends beyond watching the matches and wearing their jerseys and stuff. Furthermore, seeing the reactions of fans from all over the world to the FA Cup win reminded me that the scope of this club is global, indeed, and everyone belongs.
This past season was extremely cathartic for so many reasons, but winning the cup capped off a statement that Arsenal was back among the top clubs in the world again after not really being there for several years. Even before we won the cup, there was a noticeable difference among Arsenal fans I encountered this past season. Being top of the table for so much of the season certainly had something to do with it, but more people complimented me for wearing my jersey in the street or at the bar and I just felt a happiness and feeling of pride more than ever before. I'm guessing anyone who made the trip to New York for the Red Bulls match experienced this, but it's such a bizarre feeling to encounter a total stranger and have them feel almost like family if they're wearing Arsenal colors.
The way we're conducting transfer business this summer suggests that our sights are set firmly back to the very top, signing the electrifying Alexis Sanchez and replacing our departed players early in the summer transfer window. Of course, our Premier League and European rivals are strengthening around us, too, but this time it doesn't feel as though the other clubs are running laps around us. Arsenal is setting themselves up to be right in the thick of things, in the league and in Europe. Truthfully, it's where we always belonged. It's just good that we're actually giving it a go this time.
Before I close, it's probably worth mentioning that I have no idea what I'm doing. I'll be making this up as I go along, which is how I do most things, for better or for worse. It will mostly be a challenge not to copy Arseblog word for word, but I'll try. As for how this is going to go, such as whether there will be regular features or not, I haven't a clue. I'll cross those bridges once I come to them. For now, it's all about getting my rambling thoughts collected and posted here, loving and supporting the Arsenal and seeing where this journey takes us from here. I couldn't be more excited for things to get started this season.
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