Arsenal went into this game with a 4 match 0-0 streak, with their next year’s Champions League place at stake. Aston Villa were slipping away, though the young team had lost their sheen. Wba, on the other hand, had a 2 match winning streak that had seen them fight back from the bottom of the table.
Wenger started with highly criticized Bendtner, and Arshavin as secondary striker. They started brightly, passing and popping the ball around, and were rewarded right away as a poor Nasri freekick was badly cleared and Denilson teed Bendnter up on the right. A beautiful low shot from Bendtner on the right slid under Scott Carson and curled wonderfully into the net in only the 4th minute.
But they gave away a freekick and Chris Brunt smashed the ball through the defensive wall well past Almunia, who conceded his first goal in 8 games.
Arsenal had finally thrown off the shackles but, within two minutes, they were pegged back. Brunt lined up a free-kick from 22 yards and his low effort flew through the defensive wall past Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard was furious and rightly so – Arsenal had just undone their good work.Buoyed by their unexpected equaliser, Albion pressed for a second and Luke Moore almost obliged. The striker had his back to goal and Djourou in close attention when he received the ball 20 yards out but Moore span and fired towards Almunia’s near post. The keeper scrambled to his left to keep Arsenal level.Moore headed another chance over the crossbar after Brunt’s corner had caused consternation in the visitors’ box, but by and large Arsenal were in control. Bendtner fluffed a great chance after Eboue’s mis-kick fell invitingly for him and Arshavin sliced a shot wide from the edge of the box. The Russian would soon make amends.Eight minutes before the break, Clichy was shoved off the ball on the left flank. Arshavin drifted a delightful free-kick into the box and Toure guided a downward header past Carson. This time, Arsenal did not waste their advantage. Indeed, six minutes later, they effectively put the result beyond doubt.This time Toure turned provider, lofting a pass into the right channel for the unmarked Bendtner. The Dane was given far too much space by the Albion defence but his first touch was exquisite and his finish was clinical.It was suggested before the game that, if Wenger were to hand-pick an opponent in light of Arsenal’s recent travails, he would have chosen Albion. The Baggies were certainly living up to their billing. They lack the bite of the other promoted sides and, although they try to play football; Arsenal play it better.The visitors confirmed their superiority after the break, creating chance after chance.Bendtner was at the hub of most of Arsenal’s finest moves. The Dane set up Arshavin inside the box after 52 minutes but Carson tipped the Russian’s effort past the post. Seconds later Arshavin showed quick feet to get another shot away just eight yards out but, once again, he was denied by a minor deflection.You could smell a goal and Abou Diaby, on as a half-time substitute, almost obliged. Turning Ryan Donk one way and then the other, the Frenchman sent a vicious shot towards goal but another deflection rescued Albion.Bendtner, chasing a hat-trick, so nearly completed his first Arsenal treble after a slaloming run into the box ended with a low shot against the left-hand post. Four minutes later the Dane picked out Eboue but the Ivorian shot straight at Carson.Arsenal were almost caught out on the break with 17 minutes left. Marc-Antoine Fortune broke clear on the right but Almunia tipped his angled drive round the post. It was a brief respite for Albion. Bacary Sagna fired over the bar and Bendtner followed suit as time ticked down. Then Arshavin forced another save from Carson right at the end when it seemed a first Arsenal goal would be his.Arshavin will have to wait a little longer. For now, it’s good to see any Arsenal player finding the net.
Wenger started with highly criticized Bendtner, and Arshavin as secondary striker. They started brightly, passing and popping the ball around, and were rewarded right away as a poor Nasri freekick was badly cleared and Denilson teed Bendnter up on the right. A beautiful low shot from Bendtner on the right slid under Scott Carson and curled wonderfully into the net in only the 4th minute.
But they gave away a freekick and Chris Brunt smashed the ball through the defensive wall well past Almunia, who conceded his first goal in 8 games.
Arsenal had finally thrown off the shackles but, within two minutes, they were pegged back. Brunt lined up a free-kick from 22 yards and his low effort flew through the defensive wall past Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard was furious and rightly so – Arsenal had just undone their good work.Buoyed by their unexpected equaliser, Albion pressed for a second and Luke Moore almost obliged. The striker had his back to goal and Djourou in close attention when he received the ball 20 yards out but Moore span and fired towards Almunia’s near post. The keeper scrambled to his left to keep Arsenal level.Moore headed another chance over the crossbar after Brunt’s corner had caused consternation in the visitors’ box, but by and large Arsenal were in control. Bendtner fluffed a great chance after Eboue’s mis-kick fell invitingly for him and Arshavin sliced a shot wide from the edge of the box. The Russian would soon make amends.Eight minutes before the break, Clichy was shoved off the ball on the left flank. Arshavin drifted a delightful free-kick into the box and Toure guided a downward header past Carson. This time, Arsenal did not waste their advantage. Indeed, six minutes later, they effectively put the result beyond doubt.This time Toure turned provider, lofting a pass into the right channel for the unmarked Bendtner. The Dane was given far too much space by the Albion defence but his first touch was exquisite and his finish was clinical.It was suggested before the game that, if Wenger were to hand-pick an opponent in light of Arsenal’s recent travails, he would have chosen Albion. The Baggies were certainly living up to their billing. They lack the bite of the other promoted sides and, although they try to play football; Arsenal play it better.The visitors confirmed their superiority after the break, creating chance after chance.Bendtner was at the hub of most of Arsenal’s finest moves. The Dane set up Arshavin inside the box after 52 minutes but Carson tipped the Russian’s effort past the post. Seconds later Arshavin showed quick feet to get another shot away just eight yards out but, once again, he was denied by a minor deflection.You could smell a goal and Abou Diaby, on as a half-time substitute, almost obliged. Turning Ryan Donk one way and then the other, the Frenchman sent a vicious shot towards goal but another deflection rescued Albion.Bendtner, chasing a hat-trick, so nearly completed his first Arsenal treble after a slaloming run into the box ended with a low shot against the left-hand post. Four minutes later the Dane picked out Eboue but the Ivorian shot straight at Carson.Arsenal were almost caught out on the break with 17 minutes left. Marc-Antoine Fortune broke clear on the right but Almunia tipped his angled drive round the post. It was a brief respite for Albion. Bacary Sagna fired over the bar and Bendtner followed suit as time ticked down. Then Arshavin forced another save from Carson right at the end when it seemed a first Arsenal goal would be his.Arshavin will have to wait a little longer. For now, it’s good to see any Arsenal player finding the net.
No comments:
Post a Comment