Good Effort; Bad Result

Well, it’s a funny thing when you pass a test but get a bad result.  Arsenal played pretty well yesterday against €iteh yesterday but came out on the short end of 1-0 result.  And but for a goal disallowed when van Persie strayed slightly offside and a 50/50 penalty call not given, which Sp*rs would still be complaining about if it had happened to them, we might’ve grabbed a share of the spoils.

In the first half, both teams came out and pushed forward and it led to both teams getting some chances with Man €ity probably being the better of the two sides in the Etihad.  If you want a full rundown of the action and chances you can find it here.

I’ll just say that for starting four centerbacks in defense for the second match in a row, we played pretty well defensively, if you ask me.  Unfortunately, Johann Djourou tweeked his groin and had to be replaced by teenager, Ignasi Miquel, which Wenger attributed to Man €ity being able to make the breakthrough.  Man €ity did look more dangerous when Miquel came on, in fact, blowing a golden chance to go up 2-0 following David Silva’s matchwinner in the 53rd minute and certainly grabbed control of the match during the early second half, but overall, I felt we acquitted ourselves well.

Thomas Vermaelen nearly leveled twice for us but his first shot coming on a freekick layback was saved brilliantly by Joe Hart before the Belgian curled a shot just outside the post on a later effort just a few minutes before time.

So, unfortunately, we drop a chance to move into fourth place but there’s still over half a season for food borne illnesses to round into form.  After the match, Arsène Wenger questioned a possible offsides call on Silva’s goal but the Spaniard was clearly onside.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quoGKjxRVSc&feature=player_embedded

However, on another €ity chance, Micah Richard, was a good mile offsides but the linesman kept his flag but luckily the defender shot wide.  So, it is what is.

Anyway, it’s a loss to the league leaders which still means it’s better than a good day at Sp*rs, where you don’t do well in the competitions you don’t care about unlike at Arsenal where you almost win competitions that you don’t care about (1) & (2).

Quick turnaround with a match against Aston Villa on Wednesday before the Holiday match period with three matches in a week (Wolves, QPR and away to Fulham). Also, with Alex McCleish now in charge of Villa, you can expect them to sit back and try and frustrate us on Wednesday, even on their home ground. McCleish-managed clubs won’t win any Brazil lookalike competitions any time soon, that’s for sure.

There’s also a reserves match against Chelski today and I’ll get the Man €ity match ratings to all you fiends in the next post. Have a good one because I’m about to cap off the weekend with some Maker’s 46. Cheers!