Random Football Match Related Stories

While I was getting started on the festive season (two months late according to Tesco) by preparing mincemeat for my homemade mince pies, Wolves prepared by gift wrapping two goals for us.

After the build up of suspense and making life difficult for us, one Wolves defender headed Cesc's corner into his own net.

Then Eduardo thought he'd scored the second when actually it had bounced of a Wolves defender's head.

The third and fourth were definitely ours, Cesc and Arshy making sure we weren't going to throw away another 2 goal lead.

Then right at the end we returned the favour and gift wrapped a goal for Wolves. Vermaelen even bent down to present it to them!

After all that we still weren't first in the running order for Match of the Day!

I wonder if Mr Greedy is moaning to Man Shitty yet?

Thought I'd post a highlights video instead.

Cesc, you're amazing!

On Friday, my Dad sent me on an errand to find some curtain hooks. The first shop I went into had a Sp*rs clock on the wall and gave me 8 curtain hooks for free. (They were probably just lying around for years) I said to myself "wouldn't it be nice if Sp*rs could present Arsenal with a gift or two tomorrow."

Well, they obliged. But also took the time to gift wrap it, tie a bow round it and send it straight to Cesc's feet. Thank you very much, Sp*rs. Big team; you're having a laugh!

Anyway, those Gooners without tickets yesterday found one of the many Arsenal related pubs in the Finsbury Park area and made sure that they filled every available space from midday well into the evening. (By that time the Sp*rs fans had skulked off to lick their wounds, or something)

I arrived at The Arsenal Tavern just as the match was about to kick off. Pushed my way to the bar, bought my drink and found my friends in a corner. What followed was 45 minutes of chants with the basic theme of "We Hate T*tt*nh*m" with 2-0 to the Arsenal at the end.

After a first half of missed chances and not much else, Robin was able to put the ball past a diving, but otherwise helpless, Big Nose Gomes. Cue the whole suburb of Highbury erupting in cheers.

We hadn't finished celebrating that first one when Cesc intercepted Sp*rs restart, walked right past several Sp*rs defenders and whacked the ball past Big Nose. More loud eruptions, as people in Potters Bar were probably wondering what the noise was!

At half time the pub emptied as the smokers all headed for the only place it is still legal to puff.

As the teams came out for the second half, my Psychology lecturer friend remarked how the disinterested body language of the Sp*rs players was encouraging. They hardly troubled Mad Manuel (back in goal) during the match.

Goal number three, and the gift tag on the present - Ed goes down injured, and everyone except the ref stops. When Sagna, who slowed to a brisk walk (even at that speed, Sp*rs defence still couldn't catch him) got the ref's message to play on, he resumed running and crossed it to Robin for his second.

After that it was easy. Sp*rs were pretty much beaten, although no Arsenal player, Gooner or Arsene Wenger dared to relax unless we screw up for the second time in a week. Prompting my friend Adrienne to comment, "this is what happens when you concentrate".

At full time, we had more drinks and went to a nice Italian place on Stroud Green Road. Unfortunately, the food stuffs of the title weren't on La Porchetta's menu!

Actually it wasn't just the kids, it was the reserves, those recovering from injury and Nicky Bendtner.

Started following the match updates a bit late, as I was busy attempting to make white wine. When I settled down at my computer, the match was about 10 minutes old.

1. First goal scored by Freddie Mercury's double.
2. The Jammy ones equalise soon afterwards, leading Gooners to bemoan another lead thrown away.
3. Cue half time, and much criticism of Bendtner on twitter. (Not by me)
4. Bendtner scores what turns out to be the winner, and many tweeters suddenly talk about him in glowing terms.

Anyway, kids and reserves perform again in the cup that no-one wants.

Concede two late goals at the time I'm no where near my blind, West Ham supporting uncle to verbally abuse him. (Win, lose or draw, I'll still be verbally abusing him because that's the way my family works)

Anyway, you've probably guessed that I was at a family event during this match and other people forgot to bring a radio. There was the mobile internet of my cousin's fiance, but the phone battery conveniently died halfway through dinner. (Or switched off!)

All I know is,
1. Robin continued his scoring run (and presumably showed off at the same time).
2. Gallas reminded us that Vermaelen isn't the only central defender that can score.
3. West Ham got two goals back, including one possibly dodgy penalty.

I don't feel like watching Match of the Day - may just find the highlights on youtube tomorrow.

How many more times, Arsenal!? You cannot defend a one goal lead!

We had many great opportunities in the second half to score two or three more, and upset the Dutch team's home support. Sharpen up! (Especially you, Van Persie!)

That's all really - thanks to work, I've found other things to make me angry.

This was one of those games that produces a good result, but not enough major incident to warrant a high billing on Match of the Day. So I had to sit through Chelski (haha!), Sunderland vs. Liverpool (haha. Beach Ball own goal), Manure and Spuds (this is why it's important to have something to read during MOTD. So you don't burn your eyes watching Spuds!)

Anyway - Arsenal.

1. Brum came, saw and kicked lumps out of Theo Walcott.
2. Van Persie came, saw and stopped showing off long enough to score.
3. Diaby turned up, ran and didn't worry any Gooners.
4. Almunia came, saw and took his place on the bench!
5. Arshavin came, replaced an injured Theo and made sure we won.

That sums up the match. Now, onto Holland...

Sometimes (when we can be bothered) you don't want to take the lead against Arsenal - it only makes us mad enough to score loads of goals.

However, it is remarkably easy to score against Arsenal - as our defence is creaky and more interested in scoring goals than preventing them.

Our top scorer currently this season is a defender. Sums up our performances.

In terms of attacking Arsenal showed that they are a quality team.

The Belgian seems intent on breaking Thierry's goalscoring record. (nice to see him applauding the Gooner crowd)

Robin gave up showing off for long enough to score one.

Arshy avoided being stepped on, and put us 3-2 up.

Cesc controlled the show. Scored and let us know where his heart lies.

Little Theo moved off his hospital bed to score number 5.

Nicky moved his mind off his insurance claim to score the final goal.

Blackburn appear to have less travelling supporters than Wigan.

No matter how easy this game looked on paper, Arsenal will always try to make it look like Barcelona have arrived on the pitch in the opposition's shirts.

Having said that, teams of this (low) quality do tend to turn up at the Emirates and only want to defend against the inevitable goal.

Not that it worked tonight, in the end.

Noticed earlier that some ex Villa player called Mellberg was playing for Olympiacos - so that's why Cazza wanted to go to this match!

Barnet beat Dagenham & Redbridge - double happiness for me.

The problem with playing out a scrappy win against a UEFA Cup quality team is that one has to sit through Chelski, Spuds and Manure among others before Match of the Day show the Arsenal highlights.

Scrappy, or possibly lucky. All we know is that Mannone is providing Manuel from Pamplona with some competition. Assuming the dodgy haired one is ever recalled to the first team.

Van Persie scored his second goal of the season. Imagine if he scored for every time he showed off, he'd be the league's top scorer!