SOBS V ARSE

The Lads took on the defending champions and put in a far better performance than the 0-2 scoreline suggests. Let's just say that I've gone right off Arsenal - I wanted them to win the league last time, just for a change, but last night they showed that fortune doesn't favour the brave, but the side that plays within a millimetre of the law. Fall down in your own box, with no opponent near, clutch your face, and get a free kick which your keeper will then take well over the allowed time to take... and the ref will allow it. 

Warning - the following words are based on what I've been told happened- Enzo's penalty was really well saved on about 55, and their sub Guimaraes, the money grabbing rat (according to our neighbours) hit a beauty soon after. The added-time penalty that saw Reinildo sent off made things look much worse than they really were, and emphasised my earlier point about who fortune favours. Basically, we went toe to toe with the champions and nearly gave them a bloody nose before they smacked us back. Not quite good enough in the end, but damned close.

The city was rammed, showing that we're now very much part of the Premier League showbiz nonsense. A warm and sunny evening seemed perfect for football and for an hour it was...

Roefs 

Meunier Mukiele Ballard Danso Reinildo 

Xhaka (c) Sadiki

Angulo Le Fee 

Brobbey 

...and a bench of Elllborg, Alderete, Fofana, Isidor, O'Nien, Hume, Methalie, Rigg, and Talbi. 

We faced north, they kicked off and we quickly settled into a block/press/whatever to snuff out their attacks, however patient they were. We put in an early tackle to get the home fans going, and Arsenal clearly didn't like it - and our eagerness won us a free for a foul on Brobbey after six minutes. More decent play got us down the right a couple of minutes later, but the low cross found - nobody, when we should at least have had bodies in the box. 

Five minutes later, Roefs took a high ball comfortably and he hit it to Enzo on the left - but the rather naughty foul on him didn't bring the deserved yellow - a taste of "top team bias" that pervaded the following 75 minutes. Roefs tipped an effort over the bar then Reinildo was fouled as he tried to get over halfway, but we stuck at it with Xhaka showing commendable patience in the centre circle to dictate our rhythm.

Mukiele broke ranks and galloped forward to hit a shot that was cleared and we won a free 35 yards or so out on the right. Going canny, this, with the champions unable to really impose themselves on the game and Saka being kept almost as quiet as Rice. Raya caught our ball in, then fell down without a challenge and was awarded a free. Hmm. 

We won a couple of corners, Angulo had a go down the left, and we looked promising for a while with seven or so to go to the break. Enzo hit one wide, there was a single solitary minute added (when their goal kicks and throw-ins had merited at least five, but hey - who's counting? Not the ref).

Level at the break, and we were worth it. I'd like to say we should have been ahead, but to do that you need to shoot, and be on target. Still, we were giving the Arse a good game and they knew it even if there'd been no real chances for either side.

That's not bad, is it?

No changes for us, but two for them, showing that a) they were worried and b) that they wanted to show off that they could spaff squillions on a money-grabbing mag.

Brobbey went off on a great run, but was far too honest when tussled with - just fall over man, Bri - it's what Arsenal would do. Anyway, we hoyed in a long throw that Raya held but then did a Donnarumna and had a lengthy sit down, presumably because his hairband had come adrift. Another throw caused mayhem and Ballard was wrestled to the ground. Soft? Not a bit. Penalty? Yes, absolutely, by today's rules, and Arteta's post-match comments show why so many people can't stand him. I've just joined the club.

Anyway, Enzo hit it hard and low to Raya's left - but that's the way the keeper went, and he tipped it round the post. Look, it was a good save and Enzo's scored with much worse penalties so let's not be too hard on the Lad. Oh, and there were three, possibly four Arsenal players in the box before Enzo hit his spot kick. Who cares, though?

What followed was the killer moment. Down our end an Arsenal attack was partially repelled only for the ball to drop perfectly for Wor Bruno, who loves the mags so much he nicked off as soon as the going got tough and the money got better, and no keeper could have stopped the wallop from the edge of the box. 

Bugger.

Basically, from there on it was a case of us trying to find a way through a resolute Arsenal defence and them waiting for a chance to hit us on the break. For some reason not spotted by the crowd, Ballard was booked, then off went Angulo and on came Isidor. Perhaps his telescopic legs could get in somewhere in the last twenty minutes. 

One of the threatened Arsenal breaks forced Roefs into a decent save, then, with extra (or more energetic) legs needed, on came Fofana for Meunier. He caused immediate mayhem, being as predictable as a supermarket trolley, and there were three quick penalty shouts - mind, two were rather hopeful, but you never know - had it been in the other box....

The ball was in the net from a visiting free, but it was pretty clearly offside. 

We tried our best to get it into their box, but they're not champions for nowt. They "won" a string of free kicks, which they "managed" brilliantly, and we arrived at six added minutes still maintaining a shred of hope. You have to hope, don't you?

Mukiele got booked, we battled away, then in the dying embers Saka raced towards our box. Reinildo chased him, clipped him well outside the box, and in a movement reminiscent of Gary McAllister all those years ago, Saka managed to stutter into the box and finally fall over. Well, that was my view.

Not the ref's view, so Reinildo was off - if it'd been given outside the box, would it have been a red? We'll never know. Anyhow, Saka put it away to flatter the Arse with a 2-0 win.

Enormous credit to our Lads. We showed great character - in fact, we probably out-charactered our opponents,  but until we can pop away every chance we get, teams like Arsenal will punish you/us. 

No shame in defeat, but it could have been so different.

Man of the Match? Great moments from a few, but Xhaka's dictation of play was a joy to watch, so he gets my vote.