Season 2006/2007

Season 06/07 round-up

Munjeet — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:39:00 GMT

Apologies fellow gunners for the lack of blog coverage over the last few matches of the season, but such has been the disappointment over the way our season fizzled out – I haven’t felt up to it.

Losing Campbell, Pires and Bergkamp has massively damaged the squad and speculation over summer transfers is not looking positive. As expected we have the usual ‘Henry sensationally about to leave Gunners’ crap that is published in the press based on nothing more than speculation, even though he has openly expressed his intention to stay with us at least until the end of his contract. However, far more worryingly there is little talk over any major signings, in fact quite to the contrary all our transfer talk so far have been regarding players on the way out, Baptista on his way back to Real Madrid (seemingly without the return of Reyes) and Aliadiere off to Boro.

So far we have bought keeper Lukasz Fabianski who looks pretty smart and may well be a long term replacement for the ageing madman that is Jens, but with our lack of definitive strikers due to injuries, it does seem somewhat of a backwards step to be releasing two strikers?

It’s far too early into the summer transfer window to panic, but as the wait goes on, I can’t help but start to get a little nervous…

Maybe the situation is down to a lack of potential spending money? Is the current board capable of giving Arsene the funds he needs? The board doesn’t look set to make any immediate change after Dein’s shock departure and with regards to Kroenke, he has not made any intentions clear, and until he does - publicly, there is no reason why us Arsenal supporters should feel anything but sceptical with regards to his intentions.

Arsene and David Dein have both invested hugely into Arsenal's future with the purchase of players and the Emirates Stadium, this with interest predominantly in our club, rather than their pockets. So, with speculation mounting on Dein’s imminent return this could get interesting…

Overall, I’m sure you would all agree reaching the Carling Cup finals with the team that got us there was a brilliant achievement, but other than that without Thierry and Robin we never really challenged elsewhere and surely with their return, things can only get better.

Tottenham 2 - 2 Arsenal

Munjeet — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:07:00 GMT

Spurs score a last-minute equaliser to earn a frustrating draw almost typical of how this season has gone for us.

Keane put Spurs in front after 30 minutes before Toure turned in Fabregas' free-kick and after 77 minutes Adebayor headed in our second.

Unbelievably, we also hit the woodwork three times and even though we let them score first, after drawing level and then taking the lead we dominated the majority of the match - and still we let the three points slip away.

>>Discuss the Match

Will Arsene stay?

Munjeet — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:21:00 GMT

Yes says chairman Peter Hill-Wood, but given the shock departure of David Dein (who was key to Arsene's arrival at Arsenal) on Wednesday because of "irreconcilable differences" with the board, I can't help feeling something major is brewing and we'll probably only find out after it is too late.

Peter Hill-Wood has publicly said the relationship that Arsene has with the board is good. That is all good and well, but, we know Arsene and David Dein became firm friends over the past 10 years and so how Dein's departure will affect Arsene's future is far from certain.

It would seem as though the difference in opinion causing Dein's departure stems from Stan Kroenke's involvement at the club after the American billionaire recently bought a 9.99% stake in our club. It would seem Dein was in favour with the Americans full or at least majority take over of Arsenal.

Now, its fair enough to say in order to compete with the top two we need the financial resources to do so, but I for one do not want to see us sell our soul to bring in big names and I really don't think its necessary. The board has publicly promised Arsene funds when he requires them, and unless he makes clear that this is not the case, do we really want to follow the trend and suffer the humiliation of an owner talking about us as a 'franchise'?

We have a great deal to be grateful for from David Dein and I’m not about to forget all he has done for us. Were it not for him, arguably Arsene would never have joined us in the first place and having a vice-president who sat on the FA Board until June 2006 and is still chairman of the G-14 has probably helped us behind the scenes.

But, selling out may well go against those who have jumped ship already and I don't see why we should for a short term gain with a potential long term disaster and at best a long term embarrassment.

Arsenal 3-1 Man City

Munjeet — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:17:00 GMT

Again we move up to third in the Premiership after beating Manchester City at home, the men of the moment Rosicky and Fabregas netting another goal each.

Rosicky gave us the lead after 12 minutes lead when he clinically finished from Eboue’s right wing cross.

City pulled one back just before halftime after ‘Mad’ Lehmann cleared the ball – straight to Joey Barton enabling Beasley to finish and bring the match back level again. City then had a few decent chances, but Jens regained his composure to pull off some great saves and keep us in the match.

Adebayor again had some good efforts saved (which is becoming somewhat of an uncomfortable reoccurrence), but yet again he failed to capitalise on the first team opportunities he is currently being given. With the return of Thierry and Van Persie next season, its difficult to see Adebayor starting too often unless he can really make a bigger impression.

In the 73rd minute Fabregas collected a loose ball just outside of the box and smashed home an absolutely amazing volley. Then seven minutes later Baptista converted Hleb’s cross to wrap up the win.

>> Discuss the Match

Arsenal 2-1 Bolton

Munjeet — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:58:00 GMT

Cesc Fabregas' goal gave us the win over our so called bogey side - Bolton. Although, lets not over look the fact that this was Fabregas' first league goal in 11 months - and for a player of his capabities, regardless of how much his overall game has improved (and it has come on leaps and bounds) we still need him to score more and I have no doubt that he will. This was Cesc’s 45th game of the season as our injuries have almost forced his inclusion at times, and he’s not turned 20 yet.

Much has been made out about how Bolton is our bogey side recently, but the fact of the matter is they have not won away to us in the league for 45 years.

However, more important than anything else from this match was the win. In the race for a Champions League place we were left looking for our first win in five games and after going behind within 10 minutes to Anelka's volley, once again we had to fight back.

Tomas Rosicky got us back on level terms and Fabregas curler home an amazing 12-yard shot finishing of the comeback and sealing the win. Ivan Campo was his usual dirty tactics self and got himself sent off for a second booking and Gallas was lucky his attempted punch off the line was ignored by the referee when Anelka got the opener. In the final minutes of the match the ball bounced up onto Eboue's arm in the Arsenal box but the referee rightly waved off all appeals.

Overall our passing game was back in form, but yet again Adebayor should have scored. Hleb, Toure and Ljungberg was all close, but yet again none of them could score and most wasteful of all was Diaby who had the chance to further seal it, but shot straight at Jaaskelainen.

>> Discuss the Match

Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal

Munjeet — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:14:00 GMT

We put in another below-par performance resulting in a dull draw. Our last 0-0 was 15 months ago.
The continued absence of Thierry and Robin proves to be a devastating blow to our attack — Adebayor was substituted for Jérémie Aliadiãre but neither really looking like producing the goods. Arsene said we “will find the resources” to nullify Bolton’s challenge, but I’m nervous.

We need to cement fourth place to secure Champions League football, so why we played at such a slow tempo for the entire match is absolutely astonishing.

In the first half, Alexander Hleb produced a slow shot which was easily saved by Given, who was later on hand to prevent Adebayor running through on goal and later Adebayor header over the bar. These three chances were almost all we created though the entire match. In the 84th minute two chances that fell to Gilberto, both cleared from the line by Solano.

Newcastle’s closest effort came after Milner looped in a cross from the right flank and it swerved over Lehmann and cannoned back off the bar but even that did nothing to jolt us into moving out of first gear.

Still, in light of our recent performances a draw is better than a loss.

Next up we meet Bolton at the Emirates on Saturday, two points ahead of them for a Champions League place… lets hope this provides the motivation we have been missing in the last four games.

>>Discuss the Match

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

Munjeet — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 09:07:00 GMT

Zamora's goal first half goal gave West Ham the win even with our 30 efforts on goal.

Attack after attack, wasteful chances, hitting the woodwork twice (again) and our first defeat in the Emirates stadium.

Arsene pretty much summed it in that "It's difficult to say we had a bad game because we should have scored 10 and yet we lost the game". Well, its at least somewhat of a relief to be aware that Arsene recognises the problem.

>>Discuss the Match

Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal

Munjeet — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:14:00 GMT

Peter Crouch's hat-trick gives Liverpool the win and moves us back to fourth in the Premiership.

Again we looked uninspired and I just hope we can do enough in the remaining fixtures of the season to hold off Bolton from snatching that crucial fourth place from us at the last hurdle (qualifying for Europe would be an absolute disaster).

To be fair Adebayor did have two shots come off the bar, and had they gone in it could have been a different score line altogether.

Julio Baptista too had his chances but our wasteful efforts proved expensive as Liverpool were on good form.

West Ham next…

>>Discuss the match

Everton 1-0 Arsenal

Munjeet — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:41:00 GMT

A loss following their last minute goal gives our chances of finishing third a minor dent.

Andy Johnson got their goal in the 90th minute, and to be honest only Diaby played with any real intent.

Overall we didn't really deserve to win to this match with our performance, but at the same time we didn't deserve to lose it either. Our moral seems to be at an all time low for this season and given all the injories and suspensions I cannot see much belief in the remainder of this seasons fixtures.

>> Discuss the Match

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

Munjeet — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:31:00 GMT

We move into third place in the Premiership after Diaby gives us a win at Aston Villa.

We were fortunate to get the win – but as we have learnt to our cost this season that sometime victory is all that matters.

Aliadiere missed far too many chances for us and although you could argue after 10 minutes when Baptista’s shot was going wide, Diaby was in the right place at the right time to divert the goal in, he did almost score an own goal and would certainly have done so were it not for Ljungberg to clear the ball off the goal-line.

I cannot be too hard on the team because, we did come away with the win after grinding out the match, especially having had a shocking recent spell after losing the Carling Cup final and exiting the FA Cup and Champions League – all in such quick succession.

Overall, not the most convincing performance - but a win's a win.

>>Discuss the match

Arsenal 1-1 PSV (agg 1-2)

Munjeet — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:06:00 GMT

In 10 days our season is over as any chances of Silverware this season is gone.

PSV Eindhoven defender Alex (or should that be Chelsea defender) gave us a fighting chance with a Champions League lifeline in the form of an own goal after 58 minutes.

Arsene had made clear that he thought we needed to get an away goal in the first leg, but going a goal behind left us needing to score twice to reach the last eight, and when the own-goal went in, there really looked a chance it might happen.

But again we are left feeling sorry for our selves for not finishing off any of our created chances and paid the ultimate price.

With eight minutes left on the clock Hleb fouled Xiang Sun, and Mendez took the free kick (a distance away from where the foul was committed) which Alex rose over too many of our defenders to head in and cap of what has simply been a gut-wrenching few weeks for Arsenal and all us fans. This season had so much promise with Arsene finally getting Baptista and the young guns shining brightly, but what are we left with? A fight for third place in the Premiership... You don’t need to be a mind-reader to guess what Thierry must be thinking about his decision to stay with us over Barcelona.

Add to that he appeared to be struggling with a groin injury and was forced to play after Arsene had made it clear he was not fit (and may well have further incurred injuries) and there can be no denying - we need a player to score as well as Henry. Yes Adebayor has played well this season given his age and experience, and yes Van Persie has been injured, but we need someone to put the ball in the back of the net - now. Adebayor and Fabregas wasted good chances - that at the level we want to be cannot afford to be missed.

Let’s face it, PSV defended over both legs and scored on almost their only chance in both matches. But why oh why if we played so well have, could we not get goals? The fact that this has happened in the FA Cup against Blackburn, in the Carling Cup against Chelsea and now against PSV shows that this is no coincidence.

There are no excuses and we cannot blame luck as we got away with a penalty appeal after 64 minutes when Denilson body checked Farfan to the ground, but referee Alain Hamer waved their appeals away.

We were in command after taking the lead in this leg and Arsene played his trump card sending on Henry for Baptista but he was clearly injured and although he soldiered on tested Gomez with a trademark free-kick - why is there no one else we could have bought on.

Let hope we get the transfers we so clearly need to help prevent next season going as disastrously as this one.

>>Discuss the match

Arsenal 2-1 Reading

Munjeet — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:54:00 GMT

We move to within one point of third-placed Liverpool with a 2-1 result putting us back to winning ways.

Damn, did we need that. We came into the match on the back of three successive defeats but we did not let that effect our enthusiasm to go for the win one bit.

It could have been a comfortable victory in a similar way to the last few games that have ended in defeat with the overall manner of our play be the better of the two teams playing, but crucially this time we did hold off any comeback and go on to take all three points.

Fabregas had an unusually bad game, mis-kicking in front of an open goal created from Baptista's short pass and scoring a bizarre own goal, but he did almost make up for this with his first-half saved shot angled in from 20 yards forcing a fingertip save from Hahnemann.

Gilberto put us ahead from the penalty spot after 51 minutes when Andre Bikey fouled Clichy who created a run into the box at terrific speed - he was so fast he almost took off!

Great to see our temporary captain in Thierrys absence take the penalty himself and score after his miss last time - a true indication of leadership.

With the game poised at 1-1 Baptista toe-poked the ball home from eight yards after 62 minutes delectably shrugging of Graeme Murty with ease - exactly what I hope to see from a player with his size and physique.

Crucially does this result signal a return to form ahead of our Champions League tie with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday? Lets hope so.

>> Discuss the match

Blackburn 1-0 Arsenal

Munjeet — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:53:00 GMT

A denied penalty, several missed chances and a late Blackburn goal knocks us out of the FA.

Damn. Having suffered the difficult to swallow defeat in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, this FA Cup fifth-round replay was a perfect opportunity to bounce back, but instead we are again left to dwell on missed chances and what could have been.

Having said that, Graham Poll struck again, rejecting two first-half penalty appeals, while Baptista missed with a header and had a couple of shots saved.

Benni McCarthy’s winner was a devastating blow in the 87th minute, breaking in from the wing past Senderos and powering in his shot but we had our chances and again Friedel's goalkeeping keep them in the match, just as he had done in the first match.

Yes, we should have had penalties for both Aliadiere and Ljungberg appeal, with Friedel taking Aliadiere to ground and Emerton basically barging Ljungberg to ground, but it was disappointing to again see us not finish any of the chances we had to score from open play, lacking the clinical finish.

To have beaten Liverpool and so-called ‘bogey’ Bolton, it’s a real sucker punch to go out at this stage to Blackburn.

>> Discuss the Match

Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Munjeet — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:35:00 GMT

Our young guns do us proud although Chelsea come from behind to win the Carling Cup.

Well, it was always a win-win situation for every arsenal supporter as far as I am concerned. The Carling Cup has always used to groom our young players, but this year, reaching the final, taking out several first team premiership clubs along the way is a clear signal of success.

The match got of to an absolutely brilliant start and Chelsea looked surprised at just how fast we got out of the traps. Then after 12 minutes we all got to see what we had been waiting for - Theo Walcott gave us the lead after slipping past Ricardo Carvalho and netting his first goal. What a time to step up to the plate. Now he has that off of his chest (and with his celebrations – it clearly was a moment he will always rejoice) we should see a much more confident player. Let’s remember all the pressure that was piled onto him – signing for Arsenal, being an England youth team player and even being taken to the World Cup for the first team – all at the age of 17, its no wonder pressure was stumping his performances – but now having scored against Chelsea in a Cup final… we wait with baited breath. I get the feeling he is on the verge of making a mammoth impact – soon.

Our midfield shone as bright as ever with Fabregas and Denilson dominating the play against all of Chelsea's expensive line-up and we continued to control the play. However, after 20 minutes our back line pushed up to make Drogba’s run offside from the overhead pass, but the linesman failed to flag and he ran on to slip the ball under Almunia (who really should have done better). This was the first signal that the Ref was going to play a major part in the outcome, but he really did turn out to be a complete idiot.

After we lost our lead unjustly, the brilliant young guns still went on to finish the half without any loss of nerve and no change in attitude, continuing to produce some wonderful football and some good chances to regain the lead with Baptista, Diaby, Fabregas and Aliadiere all coming close, but not finishing.

Midway through the second-half John Terry took a full on boot in the face from Diaby as he went in for a header and was knocked completely spark out. Obviously all the Chelsea and Arsenal players united to call on for help and the Arsenal and Chelsea medical teams rushed on to help - together.

In the 84th minute Drogba headed past Almunia and gave them the lead, and four minutes later the brewing frustrations boiled over and Mikel clashed with Toure and several players all had a little tussle, so where was the ref while this was happening… standing back watching, looking stupid.

Even Arsene and Jose came on to try and defuse the situation, but somehow the press claim both should be disciplined… eh, did I miss something? After it was all over Howard Webb pulls out red cards for both Mikel and Toure, when a yellow would have been sufficient. Really if he wanted the red cards to have an effect – why on earth didn’t he pull them out right away? Next he gave yellows to Fabregas and Lampard, and for some unknown reason a red to Adebayor. All the way through the match he was stupidly giving Chelsea players one more chance rather than making bookings and all of a sudden 3 reds come out?

Everyone is always so quick to point out that there is no passion involved in the Carling Cup, but when there is the players, the managers and pretty much everyone besides the ref should be punished – ridiculous. The whole match was played (to be fair by both us and Chelsea) with the perfect attitude of wanting to win and maintaining a respect for the opponent. This was even reflected by both Arsene and Jose.

So, where does this leave us? Of course we would have wanted to guarantee a piece of silverware by lifting the carling cup, but we are still very much in the FA cup and the Champions League and the experience gained from all our young guns – may well prove to further strengthen our set of foundations for the future. For a team whose average age was 21 taking on an all out Chelsea and really outplaying them for much of the match – lets be proud, if disappointed in defeat.

>> Discuss the Match

PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal

Munjeet — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:52:00 GMT

PSV Eindhoven take a one goal advantage against us after we dominated play and became frustrated.

We definitely had the better of play, with Rosicky again playing out of his skin forcing the PSV keeper to make some fine saves. But after a first half where we easily controlled the game, our motivation seemed to plummet and after 61 minutes Mendez beat Lehmann with a low effort from 25 yards.

During the second half, all the flowing football and the one-touch passing seemed lost, and I can’t remember a recent performance of ours where we have lost possession through such ragged passing.

Rosicky and Henry both came quite close to getting an opener but after some sloppy play, PSV committed more players to attack and punished us for our loss of focus. Our attention was all off after PSV took the lead and the incident that most summed this up was the big cheese (Senderos) rather amusingly committing probably the most obvious (and unnecessary) handball ever.

The match headed towards a clear loss after Baptista seemed to steal a free kick (and waste it, shooting straight at the keeper) after Thierry was fouled and looked to be aligning himself for the shot. This left Thierry shaking his head, but whether this was disbelief at the stolen free kick or generally be annoyed by the wasted chance is unclear.

Let’s hope with only a one goal deficit, in the second leg at home we can produce a better full-match performance and break what is likely to be a heavily defensive strategy from PSV.

>> Discuss the Match