My oh my! Oh my days! Wow! Blimey! Oh what a night! 16th of February 2011, one for the history books even if we don't go through on March 8th, was the night we finally beat Barcelona.
Not only beat them 2-1 but beat them at their own game, playing Arsenal's football.
This goal celebration sums up the feelings of every (true) Arsenal fan and everyone at Arsenal Football Club I'm sure!
We may have had a little luck with the goal that wasn't - but was.
It's nice to have some decisions go our way for once though, considering how many of the league ref's are obviously in the pockets of certain other Premier League teams, based on recent refereeing performances.
Try grassing me up on that one Moyes.
After booking Song for only his first challenge of the game, granted, a stupid one, the ref then blew for every blatant dive a Barca player made whenever they went in the vicinity of the bleached wonder.
It was as if his B.O was fouling them and the ref fell for it every time.
Wounded Englishmen and talking shit.
There has been a mixed reaction from the media, pundits and neutral football fans. There is a whiff of cynicism and negativity from a lot of sections, it's just like some of the papers and so called football news outlets to try to dampen and criticise Arsenal whenever possible.
It stinks of the typical reaction that the England team gets around a big tournament; completely cut down and criticised in any way and whenever possible.
Some media outlets - I won't mention names, (Talkshite) have even dared to compare the spuds result the night before in the same breath!
Though the latest poll comparing which of the two North London teams' results was best, had Arsenal's beating of Barcelona way out in front, which, though justified, actually surprised me as 'Talkshite's audience is targeted at Arsenal haters.
We all know that the spuds were expected to beat an ageing, slow team. No-one, outside the realms of Arsenal FC expected us to even draw with Barcelona let alone beat them. So there really can be no comparison - full stop. So Alan Brazil - fack-orff!
Over-all though the performance has been appreciated. Even the Spanish press have given credit to Arsenal, referring to them as a wounded Englishman. They all made a note of pointing out the ref's mistakes understandably!
When Arsenal have played their way but lost, Statistics such as possession and chances created which we tend to dominate in, are always laughed off as meaningless as it's the result that counts.
Yet apparently according to some media outlets and pundits, we don't deserve the win as Barca's stats were better than ours. I thought it was the result that mattered, and WE BEAT BARCELONA 2-1.
We were merely lucky apparently. A little maybe yes, but it was a team effort with fight, vigour, a never say die attitude and with the 12th man at the Grove, the crowd were immense, we fully deserved that win.
I'd even go as far to say that I don't believe any other team in the Premier League could have done what we achieved against Barca last night. Why?
Well, we beat them because we played them at their own game - be it not quite as spectacularly. We know we're not quite at the same level of technical ability at such a consistent level as they are. Yet!
No other team can play pure football like we do, let alone like they do.
We have pace like no other team. Not even Manure or day I say, the spuds.
Not only will this win fill the team with confidence to carry them through the rest of the season but it will have scared the bejeezerz out of the likes of Manure, Spuds and Liverpool who have yet to face us.
The Aftermath
The buzz on Twitter was fantastic, thousands of happy Goonewitter's beaming about the performance and result.
The Arsenal players on Twitter, @jack_wilshere @53Szczesny53 @Nanas08 @cesc4official and co. must have been flooded with messages last night!
And you could tell the players were still buzzing afterwards with a tweet from Szczesny enthusiastically saying 'We did it!"
I, for one, will remember that game for a long time. It's right up there with the best. Two great goals. Fantastic performances from a young team including Jack Wilshere who stepped up another level to hold his own among Barca's 'Globetrotter' midfield.
I struggled to pick a man of the match, but I just gave it to Koscielny. Jack was brilliant, but Kos was immense. He made so many important interceptions, if he hadn't, they would certainly have scored more and that would have nullified any impact Jack had made anyway.
The whole team got high ratings in my book. It was a team effort.
The celebrations alone warrant a 10/10! They sent goosebumps down yer spine!
So I shall certainly continue to basque in the glory and keep the positive energy on a high. The crowd's enthusiasm clearly affected the performance in a positive way as Robin duly acknowledged by thanking the fans vociferously. So maybe this positive energy thing really does work. The Grove will be a fortress after all!
Onto the Orient in the FA Cup where I expect a fair few changes with some experience thrown in. I'd not be surprised to see Almunia, Gibbs, Squillaci, Denilson, Rosicky, Bendtner and Chamackattack on board to replace a few of the main squad. Surely an easy win.
Til next time, here's some flesh:
Not only beat them 2-1 but beat them at their own game, playing Arsenal's football.
This goal celebration sums up the feelings of every (true) Arsenal fan and everyone at Arsenal Football Club I'm sure!
 |
| Szczesny sums up the jubilation! |
It's nice to have some decisions go our way for once though, considering how many of the league ref's are obviously in the pockets of certain other Premier League teams, based on recent refereeing performances.
Try grassing me up on that one Moyes.
After booking Song for only his first challenge of the game, granted, a stupid one, the ref then blew for every blatant dive a Barca player made whenever they went in the vicinity of the bleached wonder.
It was as if his B.O was fouling them and the ref fell for it every time.
Wounded Englishmen and talking shit.
There has been a mixed reaction from the media, pundits and neutral football fans. There is a whiff of cynicism and negativity from a lot of sections, it's just like some of the papers and so called football news outlets to try to dampen and criticise Arsenal whenever possible.
It stinks of the typical reaction that the England team gets around a big tournament; completely cut down and criticised in any way and whenever possible.
Some media outlets - I won't mention names, (Talkshite) have even dared to compare the spuds result the night before in the same breath!
Though the latest poll comparing which of the two North London teams' results was best, had Arsenal's beating of Barcelona way out in front, which, though justified, actually surprised me as 'Talkshite's audience is targeted at Arsenal haters.
We all know that the spuds were expected to beat an ageing, slow team. No-one, outside the realms of Arsenal FC expected us to even draw with Barcelona let alone beat them. So there really can be no comparison - full stop. So Alan Brazil - fack-orff!
Over-all though the performance has been appreciated. Even the Spanish press have given credit to Arsenal, referring to them as a wounded Englishman. They all made a note of pointing out the ref's mistakes understandably!
"Broadly, it unfolded like this: Barca had the ball but not the unbreakable spirit or faith that characterises wounded teams. And a wounded Englishman is very dangerous. And he knows how to fight back. And in the end strength overcame technique."
"Barca gave a lesson in technique up to the 65th minute, Arsenal gave one in courage from then on."
- Santi Gimenez (Sports daily AS - Spain)
There's no pleasing some people though. If we'd have played a defensive non Arsenal way to hold them back then we'd have been ridiculed. There's not enough credit for the fact we played the Arsenal way, scored Arsenal goals (not Barcelona goals - bloody ITV punditry/commentary is shocking) and our 'YOUNG' team deserve huge plaudits for the team performance.
When Arsenal have played their way but lost, Statistics such as possession and chances created which we tend to dominate in, are always laughed off as meaningless as it's the result that counts.
Yet apparently according to some media outlets and pundits, we don't deserve the win as Barca's stats were better than ours. I thought it was the result that mattered, and WE BEAT BARCELONA 2-1.
We were merely lucky apparently. A little maybe yes, but it was a team effort with fight, vigour, a never say die attitude and with the 12th man at the Grove, the crowd were immense, we fully deserved that win.
I'd even go as far to say that I don't believe any other team in the Premier League could have done what we achieved against Barca last night. Why?
Well, we beat them because we played them at their own game - be it not quite as spectacularly. We know we're not quite at the same level of technical ability at such a consistent level as they are. Yet!
No other team can play pure football like we do, let alone like they do.
We have pace like no other team. Not even Manure or day I say, the spuds.
Not only will this win fill the team with confidence to carry them through the rest of the season but it will have scared the bejeezerz out of the likes of Manure, Spuds and Liverpool who have yet to face us.
The Aftermath
The buzz on Twitter was fantastic, thousands of happy Goonewitter's beaming about the performance and result.
The Arsenal players on Twitter, @jack_wilshere @53Szczesny53 @Nanas08 @cesc4official and co. must have been flooded with messages last night!
And you could tell the players were still buzzing afterwards with a tweet from Szczesny enthusiastically saying 'We did it!"
I, for one, will remember that game for a long time. It's right up there with the best. Two great goals. Fantastic performances from a young team including Jack Wilshere who stepped up another level to hold his own among Barca's 'Globetrotter' midfield.
I struggled to pick a man of the match, but I just gave it to Koscielny. Jack was brilliant, but Kos was immense. He made so many important interceptions, if he hadn't, they would certainly have scored more and that would have nullified any impact Jack had made anyway.
The whole team got high ratings in my book. It was a team effort.
The celebrations alone warrant a 10/10! They sent goosebumps down yer spine!
So I shall certainly continue to basque in the glory and keep the positive energy on a high. The crowd's enthusiasm clearly affected the performance in a positive way as Robin duly acknowledged by thanking the fans vociferously. So maybe this positive energy thing really does work. The Grove will be a fortress after all!
Onto the Orient in the FA Cup where I expect a fair few changes with some experience thrown in. I'd not be surprised to see Almunia, Gibbs, Squillaci, Denilson, Rosicky, Bendtner and Chamackattack on board to replace a few of the main squad. Surely an easy win.
Til next time, here's some flesh:
 |
| Jack was gutted when he found someone had knocked his sandcastle over :-( |
 |
| Theo's a lucky man! - Melanie Slade - nice shoes! |
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