#Arsenal 3 - 2 #HullCity
Match Report
Did you hear that? The collective sigh heard around the world from Arsenal supporters, "oh shit, here we go again", when Arsenal found themselves down 2 nil, within the first 10 minutes of the FA Cup final.
Throughout Arsenal's nine year trophy drought, the manager, players, and supporters have had to endure thousands of questions and overly critical comments about all aspects of Arsenal FC. Of all the questions and comments about the Manager, and players, the one question most vehemently asked was, "do Arsenal have the mental toughness required to win big games?" In every big game throughout the nine year trophy drought, Arsenal's answer to this question was a resounding NO, until Saturday's #FACup final. Arsenal's victory in the FA Cup final was a microcosm of redemption for the last nine years of futility. The big game debacles, the Manager's decisions, the players lack of mental strength were all redeemed on Saturday.
Mr. Arsene #Wenger - No one has had to endure the questions about his decisions and the players performances more than Wenger. Wenger's transfer policy, the tactics used, players lack of performance in big games, and would he ever guide another Arsenal squad to trophies, have all been criticized and questioned by the entire footballing world and more notably us Arsenal supporters. Through all the criticism and questions Wenger never swayed, and he displayed unwavering faith and support for his players and his football ideology. The most audible criticism cast at Wenger is his lack of transfer dealings. Wenger bought Santi, he bought Koscielny, and last but not least Wenger bought Mr. Aaron Ramsey aka "Rambo" and all three of these players scored the goals that brought Arsenal FC their 11th FA Cup, and redemption for Wenger.
The Players - The entire squad displayed the mental toughness and grit, they have been criticized for lacking in Saturdays final. All of them, the players in suits, the subs, the coaching staff, everybody who witnessed the game had to be mentally tough especially going down 2 nil only to scratch and claw their way back into the game, and eventually get the victory in extra time. Cynics will try and discredit all the heart Hull City displayed, and say Arsenal should've won easy, but tell that to Man City when they played Wigan and lost last years final. Man City choked last year, Arsenal didn't, and showed great mental toughness in victory.
Aaron Ramsey - The best player on Arsenal epitomizes redemption, and should be an inspiration to us all. The sheer determination, self belief, and work ethic displayed by Ramsey, are all attributes we should try to emulate. For the past two seasons no Arsenal player has been more overly criticized than Ramsey, and what was his response? #Ramsey didn't respond verbally, Ramsey responded on the pitch with hard work, determination, and his best quality, unwavering self belief. In the second extra time of Saturdays FA Cup final, you could see that no other Arsenal player wanted to step up and assume responsibility, and take a shot on goal. But not Aaron Ramsey, he kept shooting, and working hard to get in positions to score, and you could see his self belief, because after every errant shot, Ramsey never stopped believing, and just when I was about to jump through the TV and strangled Giroud for not shooting, he made the most delicious back heel pass for Ramsey to slot home the game winning goal. A fitting end to a nine year trophy drought. #COYG
Peace Out,
Blanco
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
An Unscathed Victory
#NorwichCity 0 - 2 #Arsenal
Match Report
When I saw the team sheet for Sunday's season finale, I thought to myself, I wonder which one of these unlucky bastards is going to get injured and miss the #FAcup final. The first 20 minutes of the first half that's all I thought about, "someones going get hurt". I thought Wenger had gotten it all wrong when I saw Ramsey out on the pitch, and at one point in the first half it looked like Ramsey might have tweaked something. But as the first half worn on, and Ramsey had not injured himself, I started to understand Wenger's reasoning behind started certain players. Ramsey in particular appeared a bit rusty throughout the first half, not connecting on simple passes and attempting way too many back heeled passes. Ramsey, never a player lacking in determination and confidence, kept working himself into the game, and finally broke the 2nd half deadlock with an absolutely wonderfully struck volley taken with all the ease and class of some of the best midfielders in the world. And by the end of Ramsey's 63 minutes on the pitch, I clearly understood what Wenger was doing. Wenger was letting Ramsey get his rhythm and timing sorted out before the most important match of the season, the FA Cup Final. And Ramsey's performance in Sundays match, showed us Arsenal supporters that the best player on Arsenal will be ready for the final.
The Good - Carl Jenkinson scored his first goal for the club he's supported his whole life. Arsenal is all he's ever known and loved, and in a match that felt like a pre-FA Cup final friendly, Jenkinson's reaction to scoring his first goal, showed all us supporters the true passion and love he has for Arsenal.
The Ugly - The miserable lesbian herself, also known as Samir #Nasri won her second #BPL title in 3 years, not too shabby for a pre-op transsexual whose male hormones haven't kicked in.
Peace Out,
Blanco
Match Report
When I saw the team sheet for Sunday's season finale, I thought to myself, I wonder which one of these unlucky bastards is going to get injured and miss the #FAcup final. The first 20 minutes of the first half that's all I thought about, "someones going get hurt". I thought Wenger had gotten it all wrong when I saw Ramsey out on the pitch, and at one point in the first half it looked like Ramsey might have tweaked something. But as the first half worn on, and Ramsey had not injured himself, I started to understand Wenger's reasoning behind started certain players. Ramsey in particular appeared a bit rusty throughout the first half, not connecting on simple passes and attempting way too many back heeled passes. Ramsey, never a player lacking in determination and confidence, kept working himself into the game, and finally broke the 2nd half deadlock with an absolutely wonderfully struck volley taken with all the ease and class of some of the best midfielders in the world. And by the end of Ramsey's 63 minutes on the pitch, I clearly understood what Wenger was doing. Wenger was letting Ramsey get his rhythm and timing sorted out before the most important match of the season, the FA Cup Final. And Ramsey's performance in Sundays match, showed us Arsenal supporters that the best player on Arsenal will be ready for the final.
The Good - Carl Jenkinson scored his first goal for the club he's supported his whole life. Arsenal is all he's ever known and loved, and in a match that felt like a pre-FA Cup final friendly, Jenkinson's reaction to scoring his first goal, showed all us supporters the true passion and love he has for Arsenal.
The Ugly - The miserable lesbian herself, also known as Samir #Nasri won her second #BPL title in 3 years, not too shabby for a pre-op transsexual whose male hormones haven't kicked in.
Peace Out,
Blanco
Sunday, May 4, 2014
A Nice Boring Victory
#Arsenal 1 - 0 #WestBrom
Match Report
The Good - Arsenal score from a corner. It doesn't happen a lot, but when it happens I always think to myself, Arsenal really should be scoring more on set pieces. Arsenal have players who can deliver great balls, and Arsenal have some players who aren't bad at attacking balls in the air. Arsenal usually stick Mertesacker in front of the near post, so he can flick the ball far post, but in today's match Santi kicked it to Giroud, who showed great strength to beat his marker, and score a powerful header near post. Great movement, great delivery, and a great finish. I hope next season set pieces become more of a priority in training, because its a great way to steal goals and points, when lesser opposition "park the bus", or when Arsenal's free flowing beautiful football isn't producing goals.
Podolski - I really enjoyed watching #Podolski run around the pitch like a mad man, with his one man press the ball routine. His work rate today was unbelievable, my brother and I just kept laughing and saying "look at Podolski", "what's gotten into this fool", "where was this hustle all season."
There were a number of strange things happening in Sunday's match. I didn't recall Giroud acting like a bitch. Not one time did I see him writhing and wallowing in pain shaking his wrist, and he showed great strength scoring on the corner. How about Flimini playing the Ramsey role. Pushing forward, getting in great position to score, and actually getting angry when passes went to other players who could actually score. All of these things were pure quality, and they made an extremely boring game enjoyable.
The Bad - Aaron Ramsey not playing on Sunday was a little disappointing, because I feel like he's Arsenal's best player, and when he plays there is urgency, energy, and drive in the team. It is also a shame because over the past couple weeks it appeared the chemistry Arsenal's attacking players developed in the first half of the season was starting to reappear. Hopefully its really not a serious injury,and he can be fit and roaring to go for the FA cup final. But as Arsenal supporters, how many times has a "not serious" thigh muscle strain, turned into 6 weeks out injured? Fingers crossed this is not one of those times.
The Ugly - The lack of intensity West Brom displayed in Sunday's match was shocking, and much appreciated from an Arsenal perspective. West Brom acted like they just secured 4th place, and had nothing else to play for. They didn't act like a team that could still mathematically get relegated, but I guess West Brom assumed Norwich would get destroyed by #Chelsea in the "Parked Bus Derby" match at Stamford Bridge. Well that didn't happen and Norwich "Out Chelsea'd" Chelsea and scraped a draw, and now its squeaky bum time for West Brom. #COYG
Peace Out,
Blanco
Match Report
The Good - Arsenal score from a corner. It doesn't happen a lot, but when it happens I always think to myself, Arsenal really should be scoring more on set pieces. Arsenal have players who can deliver great balls, and Arsenal have some players who aren't bad at attacking balls in the air. Arsenal usually stick Mertesacker in front of the near post, so he can flick the ball far post, but in today's match Santi kicked it to Giroud, who showed great strength to beat his marker, and score a powerful header near post. Great movement, great delivery, and a great finish. I hope next season set pieces become more of a priority in training, because its a great way to steal goals and points, when lesser opposition "park the bus", or when Arsenal's free flowing beautiful football isn't producing goals.
Podolski - I really enjoyed watching #Podolski run around the pitch like a mad man, with his one man press the ball routine. His work rate today was unbelievable, my brother and I just kept laughing and saying "look at Podolski", "what's gotten into this fool", "where was this hustle all season."
There were a number of strange things happening in Sunday's match. I didn't recall Giroud acting like a bitch. Not one time did I see him writhing and wallowing in pain shaking his wrist, and he showed great strength scoring on the corner. How about Flimini playing the Ramsey role. Pushing forward, getting in great position to score, and actually getting angry when passes went to other players who could actually score. All of these things were pure quality, and they made an extremely boring game enjoyable.
The Bad - Aaron Ramsey not playing on Sunday was a little disappointing, because I feel like he's Arsenal's best player, and when he plays there is urgency, energy, and drive in the team. It is also a shame because over the past couple weeks it appeared the chemistry Arsenal's attacking players developed in the first half of the season was starting to reappear. Hopefully its really not a serious injury,and he can be fit and roaring to go for the FA cup final. But as Arsenal supporters, how many times has a "not serious" thigh muscle strain, turned into 6 weeks out injured? Fingers crossed this is not one of those times.
The Ugly - The lack of intensity West Brom displayed in Sunday's match was shocking, and much appreciated from an Arsenal perspective. West Brom acted like they just secured 4th place, and had nothing else to play for. They didn't act like a team that could still mathematically get relegated, but I guess West Brom assumed Norwich would get destroyed by #Chelsea in the "Parked Bus Derby" match at Stamford Bridge. Well that didn't happen and Norwich "Out Chelsea'd" Chelsea and scraped a draw, and now its squeaky bum time for West Brom. #COYG
Peace Out,
Blanco
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