Can it become any worse than this? Lost 4-0 in UCL, got knocked out of the FA cup and Tottenham were sitting 10 points above us in the league in a better form than us and first time in all these years, favourites to win the Derby. The pessimist will look at it as the most nerve-wrecking situation but the optimist will find it as a springboard to 'start of something good'- Just like our dear Bacary said.
All the gooners were hit with a surprise the moment they looked at the squad. A positive that our first choice defense was in the XI for the first time since the North London Derby earlier this season. But everyone saw that there was no Ox and Gervinho in the XI but Walcott and Benayoun were there. With the performances as poor as earlier games, everyone expected Walcott on the bench but he started.
With the passion running through the veins as blood, you would expect a cracking start. It was one, but for Spurs. Just around 4th minute, our defense was stretched Koscielny slipped behind Adebayor and he found Saha who had acres of space in front of him. Luckily Vermaelen and Gibbs got back in time but Saha's poor shot deflected by Vermaelen's legs looped over Szczesny and into the net. Poor defending again cost us an early goal.
But this seemed to have sprung Arsenal into action with some great chances. First one fell to the Captain Van Persie when Sagna's low cross, found its way to him and his first shot blocked fell kindly to him but his next shot just went past the post. He should done much better by his own standards but unlucky he was to not get an equalizer. Second chance was when Van Persie let the throw in by Sagna run across his body and took a shot but his shot was deflected for croner. From the resulting corner, Rosicky headed the ball by Van Persie from near post but Friedel made a great save. It looked as if Arsenal would take the lead, but the unthinkable happened.
Modric through the middle played a good pass and found Bale who shrugged off Gibbs and ran into the box. Szczesny came out to take ball but could not reach there but Bale made the most of it by 'simulating' the foul and winning an undeserving penalty. Adebayor was appointed to take it and finished it well. So the game went from bad to worse and the score was 2-0 for Spurs on the 35th minute.
If this does not get your blood boiling, nothing ever will. Arsenal needed to respond quickly and they not only responded but shut the spurs player up through out the rest of the game. Song passed the ball towards Walcott who touched it just enough to take the ball towards Van Persie whose shot hit the post and ran towards Gibbs near the corner flag. He found Arteta who put in a teasing cross towards the 6 yard box. Sagna was waiting and converted that into a thumping header beating Friedel and into the net. The fightback was on and Sagna's celebration showed Arsenal meant business here. He took the ball from the goal and with a passionate fist in the air, ran towards the center to start off again. The game just started now.
Few minutes later, it became a dream phase for Arsenal. Song put the ball into the box and Kaboul and Assou Ekotto could not clear it properly. It fell luckily to the one man spurs did not want to, Robin Van Persie. He took couple of touched to take it onto his favourite left foot and curled it out of the reach of Friedel to equalize. Spurs had lost in completely now. From 2-0 to 2-2 within 3 minutes before half time. Spurs dream was shattered so was their defense.
It seemed half time came at the wrong time for Arsenal. But they started the second half where they had left it. Just after 80 seconds, Arteta found Benayoun in the box whose low shot would have gone in if it wasnt Friedel's quick reaction to touch the shot for a corner. But Arsenal got another chance when Sagna cross deflected slightly by the legs of Assou Ekotto went to Rosicky whose deft touch took it past Friedel for Arsenal's 3rd goal of the game and Rosicky's first of the season. That was one brilliant finish by the man who worked hard in the game and was appointed Man of The Match later on and deservedly so.
Now it was Arsenal's chance to play on Counter-attack and it worked out well for them. Few minutes later, Rosicky made a great pass to find Van Persie with Kaboul and King with him. Martin Tyler described it as 'One against Two but a Very Gifted One'. And Van Persie proved him right. He held the ball long enough for Walcott to arrive passed it perfectly on his path and Walcott, who was off-colour through the first half, took a touch and clipped the ball over Friedel for the 4th goal for Gunners. One could see the sense of relief over his face but that was a finish of highest quality.
Walcott soon made it 5-2 when Song found him on side and he shot the ball low past Friedel into the far corner to complete his brace. That was a delightful ball by Song and even better finish by Walcott to turn around the game for Arsenal and himself.
The game showed everyone what Arsenal are capable of and it would take a much better effort by the North London Rivals to shift the power to their side. But it was not the Arsenal team which played the season so far. It felt different and in a much better way.
Arsenal changed their approach in this game. It was not the regular Tiki-Taka football like earlier games. It was direct, straight, in the face of the opposition. We have players who can pass well and make intelligent runs and this game just showed why we could be impossible to stop in front of the goal. We took the game to the opposition, Sagna did not bother about Bale but just attacked him instead. Result- Bale turned out to be useless after the dive in first half. Rosicky provided the support in attack with intelligent runs and incisive passes which made it worth watching. Song was at his creative best with he being involves in every goal, one way or the other. Walcott after a poor first half showed why he should be trusted by playing more centrally than on the wings and made life difficult for spurs defense. Robin Van Persie all always so present to terrorise the spurs back four and made them look ordinary with his grace and quick feet. Over all, Just the way you want our Arsenal to play. Quick, Fluent and Direct- Our attacking Best. COYG.
Player Ratings (Out of 10):
Szczesny: 6. Had nothing to do after the half time but kept his concentration.
Sagna: 9. Brilliant in attack and defense.
Koscielny and Vermaelen: 7.5 each. Both were good overall but need to work more together.
Gibbs: 7. Back from injury, put up a good shift.
Song: 8. Amazing throughout. Involved in goals and covered defense too.
Arteta: 7.5. Controlled the midfield with good passing and defending.
Rosicky: 9.5. Hardly put a foot wrong in the game. Best game by him in Arsenal shirt.
Benayoun: 7. Played well. A good team player.
Walcott: 9. Poor first half but turned it around in 2nd to seal the game.
Van Persie: 9. Brilliant display again by the skipper. Fantastic goal to equalize and great pass for Walcott's first goal.
