Grateful Gooner

Arsenal 3 – 0 Newcastle

// August 30th, 2008 // No Comments » // Adventure

The good form started on Wednesday continued this afternoon as Robin van Persie’s two goals paced the Gunners to a 3-0 home victory over Newcastle United. The visitors from the north east were no match for the Londoners today, as Arsenal dominated all but a few minutes of the match. Newcastle barely got a touch on the ball all afternoon. Denilison added the third goal, his first for the Gunners, and Samir Nasri added to his new legend by giving ex-con Joey Barton a taste of his own medicine after the multiple felon took the new Arsenal man out with a late tackle.

So, a nice bit of momentum, right in time for… the international break. God, I hate these. No Arsenal until September 13th. Uggh.

Arsenal 4 – 0 FC Twente

// August 28th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Arsenal FC

Ahh…some breathing room. That’s what this 6-0 aggregate victory over FC Twente earns the Gunners. That and some 15 million Pounds. That’s why qualifying for the Champions League group stage is so important. The draw was held earlier this morning, and Arsenal found themselves in Group G along with FC Porto, Dinamo Kiev, and Fenerbahce. Lots of long flights there, but thankfully the trip to Ukraine is in September, and not December!

The win last night came courtesy of some great performances from the likes of Walcott and Gallas – two players who were criticized for their underwhelming displays at Craven Cottage this past Saturday. Both players got on the score sheet, as did Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner. It was Nasri’s second goal in as many home games, and it’s great to see him getting into a position to score. That’s been sorely lacking from the wing these past few seasons – since Bobby Pires and Freddie Ljungberg left. I have high hopes for Samir, and I’ve got a feeling he’ll meet them. Bendtner had a horrible match last night, but still managed to find himself in the right place at the right time as Denilson (who also improved from Saturday) played a perfect back heel pass right into Bendtner’s path. Last night also saw the welcome return of Cesc Fabregas to the middle of the park, and the European Champion played only a half before coming off, but showed no signs of the hamstring strain that had kept him out these past few weeks.

So, with another season of European nights ensured, the focus goes back to the Premiership. A re-born Newcastle visit this Saturday. Kevin Keegan has improved the Magpies greatly since taking over last season. They gave ManUre a hell of a time on opening weekend, scoring the opening goal before having to settle for a 1-1 draw. The Gunners will need to put on a good performance to get a win, but win they must. Kickoff’s @ 12:30 PM ET here in the US, and the match will be shown live on FOX Soccer Channel.

Fulham 1 – 0 Arsenal

// August 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Arsenal FC

Well, Arsene surely cannot be pleased with the performance put forth by his Arsenal side on Saturday. Being busy with Mikeapalooza on Saturday and the cleanup yesterday has afforded me some time to think a bit more rationally about the loss, but here I am, two days later, and the stench from Craven Cottage is still fresh in my nose.

Not one Arsenal player did anything right. It’s absolutely the worst performance in years. Arsene had this to say after the match:

“We lacked a bit more quality in our passing. We you look at the possession we had and what we did with it that is always a sign it is not only down power but vision and technical quality. That was not there today. I don’t know why. You have to credit to Fulham as well.”…

…”It was the kind of game where you could not afford to make a mistake and we made a massive one. It was a game where if you get to half-time at 0-0 then you would win the game. That is the biggest regret I have.”…

…”The result is there and we have to cope with it. We have a big game on Wednesday night and we have to respond with a top class performance because was we did today was just not good enough.”

Things need to turn around quickly, as the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against FC Twente takes place on Wednesday. That should see the Gunners advance thanks to the 2-0 lead that they earned two weeks ago, but if anything, Saturday’s performance, by the midfield in particular, underscores the urgent need for a veteran signing. Someone who can come in and do the business. There’s only a few days left before the transfer window closes. Let’s hope Arsene does something soon.

TODAY

// August 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Adventure

Favorite Albums of the last 34 years..

// August 19th, 2008 // No Comments » // Adventure and Music

A recent post on Bready’s blog got me thinking, and so, without further ado, here is a listing of my favorite record from each year I’ve been alive:

1974 – From The Mars Hotel – Grateful Dead
1975 – Blood On The Tracks – Bob Dylan
1976 – Turnstiles – Billy Joel
1977 – Going For The One – Yes
1978 – Some Girls – Rolling Stones
1979 – London Calling – The Clash
1980 – Remain In Light – Talking Heads
1981 – Reckoning – Grateful Dead
1982 – Combat Rock – The Clash
1983 – War – U2
1984 – Unforgettable Fire – U2
1985 – Little Creatures – Talking Heads
1986 – Graceland – Paul Simon
1987 – Joshua Tree – U2
1988 – Past Masters Vol 2 – The Beatles
1989 – Stone Roses – Stone Roses
1990 – Lawn Boy – Phish
1991 – Achtung Baby – U2
1992 – A Picture of Nectar – Phish
1993 – Zooropa – U2
1994 – Parklife – Blur
1995 – The Bends – Radiohead
1996 – Billy Breathes – Phish
1997 – OK Computer – Radiohead
1998 – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel
1999 – Flaming Lips – Soft Bulletin
2000 – Kid A – Radiohead
2001 – Stephen Malkmus – Stephen Malkmus
2002 – Last Broadcast – Doves
2003 – Chutes Too Narrow – The Shins
2004 – Funeral – Arcade Fire
2005 – Separation Sunday – The Hold Steady
2006 – Boys & Girls In America – The Hold Steady
2007 – In Rainbows – Radiohead
2008 – Stay Positive – The Hold Steady

Arsenal 1 – 0 West Brom

// August 16th, 2008 // No Comments » // Arsenal FC

Arsenal got things off to a winning start today with a 1-0 victory over West Brom at the Grove. The Gunners opened the scoring early, new signing Samir Nasri finishing nicely on four minutes after some good build-up play. The relative ease and quickness with which the goal came made it seem that there’d be more goals to come. Unfortunately, those additional goals never materialized. That’s not to say the chances didn’t come. This is Arsenal, of course they came. But then again, this is Arsenal, so of course they weren’t converted.

Arsene Wenger didn’t seem too concerned. He was quoted as saying;

“Well it was the first game of the season, we had a physical game on Wednesday night and I was worried before the game that we would not be sharp. We made a good start, were always in control but could not finish the game off.

“You have that old story in the game, when you cannot finish the game off you feel you deserved to be punished when there’s 10 minutes to go.

“I am pleased with the fact that we didn’t concede a goal. We scored two on Wednesday, one today, so it’s better than the reverse. Overall it was a good week for us. A winning start, a win in the Champions League, so yes a good week.”

He’s right. It has been a good week. Now, thanks to the idiots at FIFA, we’ve got international friendlies scheduled this week, so most of the players will be heading off to play for their countries. Let’s hope they come back healthy. With the injury situation being what it is, the last thing we need is for more players to pick up a knock or two.