Ozil to Ramsey, Ozil to Flamini and the Theo/Aaron axis brought about the goals – Three fine goals, I might add.
There is no doubt that Ozil has made a difference to our fortunes. His composed passing in the final third is always going to lead to chances. The latest step in Ramsey’s development is obviously a huge factor too. Goals win games and Ramsey scores goals. These are huge factors.
Yesterday, however, we saw a clear example what I believe to be the biggest factor of all. At 1-0, Cardiff were mounting a fight-back, and why wouldn’t they. Last week they kept the current champions within sight and earned themselves a draw – why not do the same to the future champions?
We know our team is good enough to create chances but I can’t recall any team in all my years of watching football who are good enough to not concede chances. Every great football team needs a great goalkeeper to bail them out from time to time.
When a cross came in from the Cardiff left and found their striker’s head just a couple of yards from goal, the game was set to go level.
When I used to collect the World Cup ring-binder things, they would always have an illustration of a save by England’s Gordon Banks. The ball was all but in when suddenly Banks was on the deck scooping the ball over the bar. Well, Szczesny didn’t get the ball over the bar but the Cardiff header was all but in and the save had this Gooner on his feet.
If Cardiff got back to 1-1, the whole thing would have been different. Perhaps we would have won but it would have been against a side with something for which to fight. It would have been against a stadium of Welsh fans who were no longer full of respect for their former player. At 1-1, they would have tasted our blood and wanted more.
From that moment, it looked like Cardiff realised that it wasn’t to be. Our boys battled to regain supremacy and the familiar pattern resumed. We were back in control.
So, I say that many of these wins –particularly yesterday’s— have been hugely down to Wojciech Szczesny. The guy is truly one of the top players in his position.
Thank you and keep going Chezzer!
Thanks for reading,
Up the Arsenal!
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Brady, everyone – those goals all had me on my feet and as for Jack’s effort, whew!
I was watching in a pub when a supposed Gooner postulated Chesny would never win anything.
“Never?”, I predictably challenged.
Apparently he lacks concentration and talks too much. So I was especially pleased the youngster went on to complete his 51st clean sheet in what I think was his best performance to date for Arsenal.
And I, too, was immediately reminded of the Banks save – my earliest footballing memory in fact; my second earliest memory was multiple re-enactments of that save in the garden (with superb precision – in my 7 year-old head at least) of the header from Pele that even he could not believe I’d saved. Over and over again.
A significant win yesterday, methinks.
How much so will be clearer in a few hours …
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It was a good result away to a team who have proved at home they are difficult to beat. However, in my opinion we have yet to play well as a team but we still getting wins. Our biggest test will come at the etihad city are demolishing teams there yet away from home their form is average. Now interestingly we have nine clean sheets in all competitions five in premier league. We have second best defensive record in league behind the saints. Now I have heard from many different places Ozil has not been outstanding but I fail to see what he has failed to do he creates chances galore and has weighed in with a couple of goals to boot. He may not do a Christiano Ronaldo and set the world alight with tricks and shimmies he goes about his work in a quiet yet effective way he has an eye for a pass and once him podolski and Walcott get a run of games together we will create and score more goals. We do need an extra attacker to back giroud up. City are scoring at home across all comps an average of 3.88 goals a game and conceding 0.77 goals a game in those games but fancy a draw against them at the etihad which will be a good result. Now today the best result will be utd and spuds drawing however either leaving with no points is a bonus city and Chelsea I care little about and Liverpool well they will do what they do. What’s your take on Ozil so far this season and our performances so far have they been a below par team gaining results like all great teams do or just doing enough to get results that are needed.
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Anyone know what Arsene actually said about this £50 million Aaron valuation?
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his one moment in the match are becoming a habit, he is now looking the world class butterfly that many of us could see when he was just a caterpillar
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pg not exactly but my understanding was that he said he wouldn’t sell him for 50 mil not he wasx worth 50 mil
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Sunday supplement was good they said that all of them round them round the table was having a ARSENAL love in at the moment and then talked about shirtsleeves for ten minutes, that’s like saying there’s a girl you love and then telling everyone she has a really big nose
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The Radio Five Live commentary from Cardiff was good yesterday with Ian Dennis and Clive Allen, yes that Clive Allen, gushing enthusiastically about the quality of Arsenal and particularly Ramsey.
Listening to it on the radio it sounded a much closer game than the one I saw on Football First last night
What display of gorgeous football though
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Anicoll – it was certainly closely contested, all credit to Cardiff, and definitely not a walkover.
Although according to some, still not a test.
The World According To Danny Murphy.
#MOTD
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A or B’s big nose line wins!…Coll I had the 5live commetry on along with a dodgy stream…they were 2 very different games.
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Another one who immediately thought of Banks! Must be our age.
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gordons save
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Richard
“but I fail to see what he has failed to do”
in a nut shell.
Ozil does his job efficiently and with little fanfare.
A bit like a German.
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1-0 to the spuds.
settling up nicely for a draw,
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And Theo is only getting back. That’s the player who will kick off the carnival of goals we’ve all been expecting since Özil’s arrival.
I’ve got Tim Howard on my feed. Excellent commentary.
United are getting played off the bleeping park at the moment.
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1-1
as I said,
the draw is brewing along nicely.
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Kyle Walker with the assist.
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steward robson on my radio,
gawd help me.
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Michael Owen entertaining us with his usual sparkling wit and repartee on BT
Bring back Buzby
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Howard is miles upon miles better than Stewart Robson. He gives technical analysis, when he situation calls for it, and avoids being negative for the sake of controversy. I’m also happy to hear Tim doing commentary because it’s a sign that he continues to cope extremely well with Tourettes syndrome.
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I’m leaning toward a Spurs victory.
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Enjoying this mid-table clash, I do hope it stays 2-2.
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Would be good result for both teams I reckon. Takes them one further point away from relegation battle.
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There are so many divers on both sides,
surely Mike Dein will give a peno to one of them to ruin the 2-2 draw?
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Maybe we will see something unique as two opposing players dive away from the same ball
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nice one Apropos.
Who can Dein give the peno too?
his mind must be in such a funk because he can’t hurt Arsenal today.
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I know I should have wanted the draw. Two teams with pretensions, both dropping points. But I hate Man United too much. I want them to lose whoever they play.
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Seww, the draw was as good as a loss to both sides.
That 3 points the scum got off us has disappeared fast.
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Oh well before the game I was hoping zombie face would bite avb in the arm, causing a zombie spree that forces the government to issue the nuclear bombing of shite hard lane. I guess 1-1 works too.
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Dc you should know better than getting me started on refs
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Similarly I don’t mind Liverpool even though I should want them to lose. Still, as long as we win we stay top. Simple when you look at it like that.
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Nice one Ronan. A memorable week for the ‘keeper.
I felt his form and confidence dropped when he played through painkillers (not the best idea for a ‘keeper?) at the end of the 11/12 season, carried those niggles into the Euro’s and lost his place for Poland. He got lucky when Fabianski who is undoubtedly also a good ‘keeper got injured and hasn’t look backed. If Fabianski leaves at the end of the season I hope we sell him abroad.
–
I’m guessing that the footballing Everton fans are happy with Martinez (over Moyes).
1 Arsenal 13 17 31
2 Liverpool 12 11 24
3 Chelsea 12 11 24
4 Everton 13 8 24
5 Newcastle13 1 23
6 Man City 12 22 22
7 Southam 12 8 22
8 Man Utd 13 5 22
9 Totten 13 -3 21
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And only earlier this week Hansen told us in a telegraph article it’s ludicrous to suggest manure will miss out on champions league football. He still reckons the title fight is between the two Manc club and chelski
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DC – you’re right, I know. But second to us winning watching them lose is the best thing in football.
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Have to be honest I’d forgotten Hull were still in the league. They any good?
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I want us to be at least ten clear of Manure before Christmas. I don’t want them getting any ideas.
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I have to say it’s very rare for me to watch other sides except when we are passing them off the pitch, but when I do the standard of play is noticeably lower than that to which I’ve become used.
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Come on, Hull.
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Got to feel for the keeper what a horrible deflection. Still all good for us!
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what is the point of being in a defensive wall if you stand behind a team mate? #Hull
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Everton certainly aren’t missing Moyes.
I’ve always rated Maritinez as a better manager.
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Steww
Arsenal play Hull City fluffy kittens FC on Wednesday night.
In the form we are in, Pray for them.
I expect Theo is hoping to make up for missed games and bang-in a hat full.
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everyone raises their game when they play the arsenal… especially now that we are top… hope for a draw so they are not to desperate and that also includes the fouls…
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Hull vs Pool is a snorefest. Just hoping for a draw.
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the results are falling in nicely… A hull win obviously better… a draw at the very worst.
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Results going our way entirely. What do we want from the next game?
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I knew I had good reasons to like Mr doubtfire
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Blimey,
3 teams knocked out of the title race in one afternoon.
What can they talk about on the BBC for the next 6 months to keep then going?
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Fucking hell.Liverpool have lost as well.
I feel much better today.
Come on Southampton.
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Lescott playing, dare I to dream
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