After the first game I thought Bolton played really well and caused us a few problems despite us eventually running out 2-0 winners. If there was anything to be learnt from that game, they would sacrifice a forward and deploy a man marker on Fabregas. So they did. Only surprise was they dropped Klasnic, he looked very sharp in first game so that was a bonus for us. I thought they would keep him in and push Davies out on the wing. Kevin Davies is an underrated player, no he doesn't have all the glitz and flair, but he contributes a hell of a lot to Bolton in a way an old fashion traditional centre forward should. I've looked at him closely many times and he’s a handful. He works incredibly hard for the team, a real asset to Bolton.
So we've suffered a few niggley injuries this season but it seems every time a players out, we have good enough cover. By jolly, does this finally mean we have learnt the error of our ways :-) Previous seasons we've missed out I feel due to no strength and depth in the squad, compared to the likes of Chelsea and Man U who could field a strong 11 and an almost equally strong back up 11 out of the same squad. So we have loads of tricky samey samey attacking midfielders and everyone gets on Wengers back (me included) sign a forward no more attacking midfielders, but have we not needed them all?! Not once have they all been fit at the same time. So our big guns...Diaby, Fabregas, Rosicky, Nasri, Denilson, Ramsey, Song, Arshavin. YES that’s EIGHT for FOUR places, bingo. That’s without mentioning Eboue who has been a good versatile player for us, but is he not surplus to requirements now? A bit like Senderos (Sols a gooner, der der der dert, Sols a gooner) Craig Eastmond, impressed (Jack Wilshire, Fran Merida cameo’s have been ok too)
OK we have struggled up front with Van Persie and Bendtner out. I feel Eduardo's still finding himself a bit and Arshavins done ok up there, surely we could benefit from a BIG target man. That said we have not struggled for goals. We are top scorers in the league and the goals are coming from a range of players. So once again IN WENGER WE TRUST. Boy am I going to appreciate Bendtner when he's back!!!! Recently signed a new contract cries of WHY from the fans, it takes us a while...but we get there in the end. Wenger, really in my eyes you are a legend and I honestly can not imagine my Arsenal without you.
So, we go 2-0 down. I thought they would score, I even thought they would get the first goal, as that’s typically us and I've seen it all before. Sorry, I never envisaged them getting 2! After the first goal went it was the usual deafly silence, and then the crowd got straight behind the boys. Not so sure after the second one though. I know this is a bit arrogant, but even at 2-0 down I never thought we'd lose the game not once did doubt set in at all. Fabregas was having a frustrating half, but the team was creating enough chances. It would only be a matter of time before we got something; right now we are just way too creative.
What a break through though, that Rosicky goal was awesome. just before half time and we piled it on them big time, could of got another in quick succession. I looked at Bolton and thought they began to tire if that’s possible, I don't know. Its just they were first to a lot of balls 1st half and their work rate was so high, in the end though does the fast fluid football pull though...you can't chase the ball round forever. We really let the ball do all the hard work.
So second half much better, kept the pressure on and got a controversial equaliser though who else, the man of the moment: FABREGAS. I saw the Gallas foul in the build up and at the time thought to myself he got away with that one. As for Owen Coyle and his assault. No. Yes it was a bad foul. Yes we played on but it was behind the attacking players (how may times do you drill in to the kids, play to the whistle) you don't know if the player gets up and no you can't kick the ball out every time a player goes down and your on the attack 2-1 down at home in a crucial match that could put you top of the league. Could you imagine, players would be dropping like flies? Cast your mind back a few matches when Denilson dropped unchallenged going towards our goal with the ball...in full view of play this time. Did we moan that Everton pounced on this and took the ball right the way up the pitch and nearly scored, no we never.
At this stage I was happy. I remember looking at Bolton home and away within a week and thinking 6pts maybe not possible. So 2-0 down back to 2-2 I was satisfied as I felt my faith had paid off. Hold on, surely not, VERMAELEN: GOAL and we go crazy. Ha ha ha. Taylour, what’s the score, Taylour Taylour what’s the score. Taylour, what’s the score, Taylour Taylour what’s the score. Egg on your face disgrace. You dare to celebrate your penalty goal to put your team 2-0 up in front of our tribe with only 12supporters backing you up and have the wrath of at least 50k plus gooners on your case. I bet he wanted the ground to swallow him up. Now we just play out at a slower pace, purely concentrating on retaining possession. With that just come more penetrating flicks here and there and BAM Arshavin bundles his way through their defense to coolly finish the fairy tale off for us!! So we not only win the game, but that gives us the two goal cushion we required to go...we are top of the league, say we are top of the league.
After the game I was on such a high, what a feeling, checkout the table when I got home...
