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Arsenal are really putting their many fans through a range of emotions this season. Over the last few weeks it has gone a bit like this: Beat West Ham, draw with Spurs, lose to Stoke, draw with ...

Joe Cole Made to Eat His Words As "Average" Arsenal Beat Chelsea at the Bridge

by Maire Ofeire (Senior Writer)

48

3,547 reads

Game Recap

November 30, 2008


Arsenal are really putting their many fans through a range of emotions this season.

Over the last few weeks it has gone a bit like this:

Beat West Ham, draw with Spurs, lose to Stoke, draw with Fenerbahce, beat Manchester United, beat Wigan, lose to Aston Villa, lose to Manchester City, beat Dynamo Kiev and today beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Personally I thought Arsenal would sneak a win here—the dreamer in me was hoping it would be a 1-0 to Arsenal with William Gallas getting the winner—and we did.

Today in an Irish "newspaper" that I will not name as I am ashamed to say I even read it, stated that Arsenal would be walked over by Chelsea, that Arsene Wenger will finally get his comeuppance for "Project Youth" and to tune into Sky Sports today as they would be showing the cremation of the Arsenal ruins. Apparently the Gunners were heading for mid-table mediocrity.

Now don't get me wrong, this victory gives Arsenal, Wenger and the fans a welcome boost but the problems are still there—the majority of Gooners aren't delusional, we saw what happened after the United victory.

However, what this Irish sports "journalist" and so many others didn't take into account was Chelsea's current form—they were all too busy having a laugh at Arsenal and a go at Wenger.

I have seen Chelsea over the last few weeks and they didn't really put the fear of God into me as an Arsenal fan no matter what names they have on their team sheet.

Yes they have had some big victories—Sunderland, Middlesborough and Hull—but that does not disguise the fact that they are not playing well. In recent weeks they have been defeated by Roma and Burnley, drawn with Newcastle and Bordeaux and now lost to Arsenal at home.

Roma beat them quite easily, they could not break down a stubborn Newcastle and by all accounts were lucky not to be defeated by a plucky Bordeaux.

So Chelsea have dropped premiership points, got knocked out of the Carling Cup and are the only English team yet to ensure qualification to the next round of the Champions League (although I am certain they will) and all I heard all weekend was how EASY it would be for them to beat Arsenal and extend their lead at the top of the table.

When Arsenal were down the media decided to kick them a little more, making fun of the fact that William Gallas had an outspoken outburst at his teammates. Then to poke fun at Wenger some stated that he had to grovel to Gallas to play as he was so short of central defenders. Oh and the beloved tabloids stated Arsenal fans were a bit odd in not booing him off the field against Kiev.

The thing is, Arsenal fans didn't boo Gallas because most are aware that what he said is true, it is just the way he went about it was all wrong—I suspect his manager thinks the very same.

Anyway Gallas did a fine job for Arsenal today and organised his defence better than when he was captain—not bad for the man causing "trouble" at his club. Strange thing is the man causing all the trouble at Stamford Bridge couldn't rectify his wrongs as he was too busy sitting a match ban—made me smile as Drogba always does well against Arsenal.

Joe Cole stated that "In fairness to Arsenal, they are playing nice football but look at the past four years and who's won the trophies?"

Well Joe, there was no fancy football by Arsenal today and while we may have no trophies we do have three extra points that we didn't have at 4 p.m. GMT. Besides I'm sure you have something better to do with your time, like watch I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Arsenal were not at their best today.

Chelsea were in charge for the first half and the beginning of the second half. Then two strikes from Robin Van Persie in the space of three minutes put the Gooners in front and from then Arsenal never looked threatened by the home team.

There were doubts as to whether Van Persie was offside for the equaliser but every Arsenal fan will take a bit of luck when it comes their way.

So Arsenal get back into the top four and offer Liverpool the chance to go clear at the top of the table if they can beat West Ham tomorrow.

It was not a classy display Arsenal fans have come accustomed to under Arsene Wenger but a win is a win is a win and on a day that Cristiano Ronaldo gets sent off because he is afraid the football may dirty his beautifully plucked eyebrows, this Arsenal fan will go to sleep happy. 

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48 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Martin Bentley 7 months ago

    And where was Joe Cole through all this? It's always sweet when words get shoved down people's throats, and they're made to look stupid.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Well players say this all the time but I thought it was just extra nice that Arsenal didn't play the silky football today and we won :-) And Wenger got his tactics right WOOHOO

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  2. Shyam Parthasarathi 7 months ago

    I'm not sure about Wenger's tactics - playing Denilson on the right side wasn't the greatest move, but it came off today.

    Wasn't Drogba offside for the first goal which he scored against us in the corresponding fixture last season? Believe me, Arsenal have had horrible luck in some games, so it's always nice to see some horrible decisions which are in our favour... lol.

    That said, Chelsea, for most of the game looked out of ideas and toothless. They didn't defend all that well either - so, I think that Arsenal deserved something, and a victory is a great bonus.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      It worked for Wenger today so I'm going to say his tactics worked LOL

      Oh and apparently Chelsea lost because Drogba was out and they had some injuries - the pundits make me sick, they make a load of excuses for Chelsea but when Arsenal lose its have a go at Wenger time - pathetic

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    • Shyam Parthasarathi 7 months ago

      We didn't have Walcott, Diaby, Eduardo, Rosicky.. so even we had our problems, but we won..

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Yep that's my point - last week Arsenal lost to City with 9 players out but the media didn't care it was Wenger been senile and not spending etc but this week Chelsea lost and its all about Drogba not been available and the odd injury, complete rubbish.

      If it were the other way around here would be the report "Same old Arsenal, had all the possession but could not create any chances lacking any cutting edge and Chelsea punish them taking their chances".

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    • T G 7 months ago

      Drogba's first goal against you last year was edge of the box with probably 7 or 8 players in between, so no it wasnt - but i agree luck will go both ways - just sickening for fans when its against you....

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  3. Willie Gannon 7 months ago

    Good stuff Mary,

    I think you're being a little unfair to Cole though, he's usually a solid pro.

    Sunday World by any chance?

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Thanks Willie

      Your right on Joe Cole and see my comment to Martin, I just couldn't let it go the fact that Cole said Arsenal play nice and don't win trophies but today we played ugly and won :-)

      Ha ha how did you guess it was the good old Sunday World and Roy Curtis?? I didn't buy it mind it was lying around at home it'll be used to light tomorrow night's fire :-)

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  4. Jayant Moudgil 7 months ago

    A word about Gallas. I think it was a massive performance by him. If he plays like this day in and day out, he can regain the form that once made him one of the best in the business. May be the captaincy was too much for him. Now he is a lot calmer and seems to be relaxed in the field.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Great point Jayant I thought he had a very good game, Sagna - Gallas - Djourou - Clichy is our best back four at the moment and today Gallas did a good job in keeping them organised.

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    • Dan Wade 7 months ago

      Like the rest of the Gunners, Gallas seemed to get better as the game went on. He struck me as a little nervy at the start of the game, but ended up being a very solid contributor.

      If anything, though, that game proved how much Sagna helps this team. They looked so much better having him at the back then they did against Kiev.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Love Sagna - he is a very good defender and good going forward we just need him to stay injury free - not that John Terry tried to help in this matter

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  5. Ricky O'Neal 7 months ago

    So another defeat or draw on the cards for next week now eh gunners?

    Untill they get their consistency back, I wouldn't be getting excited about this result if I were an Arsenal fan, the Chelsea win is just making up for the points dropped against Stoke, Villa etc.

    They seem to crank it up in the big games and get fired up to play against the top sides but aren't on the ball when it comes to facing everyone else. I'd hold my breath for a win next week before I started celebrating If I was a gunner.

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    • Martin Bentley 7 months ago

      That is a good point. Next week is Wigan at home, and our kids beat them easily. Hopefully the adults do the same.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      I made that point in the article Ricky - but it was only about 2 sentences ha ha

      I'm going to the Wigan match my first game at the Emirates so we better win :-)

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    • Martin Bentley 7 months ago

      Not gonna make the Wigan game, but I am going to the Liverpool game.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Here's hoping we make it 3/3 from the "Big Four"...

      The kids will have a tough game against Burnley and we need to beat Wigan - anything less will be an embrassment

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  6. Jayant Moudgil 7 months ago

    I think Clichy is the best LB in the world right now & i agree that Sagna - Gallas - Djourou - Clichy are the best 4 we have. I hope Wenger keeps Djourou there instead of Silvestre. The lad has done enough to deserve starts in the league.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      I have fingers, toes and all crossed that Wenger keeps Djourou in, if we see Silvestre in the midweek lineup against Burnley that is good news because it'll surely mean he is keeping faith with Djourou for the League

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  7. Jayant Moudgil 7 months ago

    Absolutely, he is a quality player and his height makes him excellent in air which was a big shortcoming in the defense till now.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Still think we need to buy another Central defender though - an injury or bad run of form and we're fecked again plus it'll be interesting to see what Gallas does

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  8. Nick Howson 7 months ago

    How typical, one win after three leagues defeats in a row and suddenly everything is ok? These the same fans who wanted Wenger to leave after years of loyalty, the same fans who wanted William Gallas' headed severed after speaking his mind for once and the same fans who wrote there own team off in the title race
    This win only proves that Chelsea have taken a step back since the loss of grant/mourinho. Not Arsenal's return to greatness, class is permanent they didn't turn into a bad team overnight and this win shouldn't be taken with so much surprised, remember Arsenal ain't a bad side

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  9. Arran Dutton 7 months ago

    Beating Chelsea is fantastic and despite a bit of luck for Van Persie's first, the Arsenal put in a decent all round performance. That said, we have to follow it up. We have Wigan at home in the league next and we really can't afford another slip up like the match at Villa. Let's hope this is the start of something now. I had a feeling we'd get something today and we did it. Fans stay positive - United won the league losing five games last year and on their day Arsenal can beat anyone. Let's hope we put a run together!

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      We need to get players back from injury and keep them off the treatment table as well.

      Besides we beat Chelsea when we were far from our best and isn't that what the best teams do?

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  10. agooner from goonerTV 7 months ago

    Having gotten first hand, Chelsea fan reaction during this game, all I can say is they were gobsmacked. They knew we were unpredictable, but were looking forward to going toe to toe in a wide open game.

    They really thought they were going to kill us off after our first half own goal, but I just kept thinking to myself "It's not Drogba out there, its Anelka. Carvalho isn't out there, and Chelsea have been shakey lately. They might get another on us, but we might pop in a couple ourselves". It was tight, but there was something about the determination I saw from our lads. Sure, Clichy didn't hardly get a mazy run down the wing, but Denilson put in a solid 'offensive' performance while Song played mop up duty. And Gallas was actually coordinating his defense, so that Chelsea were left grasping at straws taking long range pop shots near the end of the game.

    Robin surprised me, not only once, but twice! All I could say was "Oh My god! Oh My god!" as if we snuck in some surprises that even amazed the players. Chelsea were stunned, you could see it. The long streak at home, of not conceding goals, etc etc snapped in 2 minutes. Its as if they didn't know what else to try, and we kept pushing them back. I looked at our bench and thought "God, we're thin" and just kept hoping we didn't pick up any injuries or too many cautions.

    As the clock wound down, and 4 mins of extra time came up, I just leaned forward, wide-eyed, thinking "Meh, likely will end up in a draw" thinking back to the countless times Chelsea rocked the woodwork in previous fixtures from last season games. It didn't happen, we held on, we DEFENDED!

    At the end, I was thinking to myself "Had we lost, at least we could think Arsene would definitely do something in the January transfer window" - that his youth policy and frugal manner still had another card up his other sleeve to play and at least, as a club we had options other clubs could only dream of.

    The Chelsea fans were pretty positive during the run up to the game, in stark contrast to the end of the game.

    One remarked "Guess that means you'll lose to Wigan next week, eh Gooner?"

    I replied "I dunno, I mean, its not like we have a Billionaire owner funding us, and we're on our 4th coach in 5 years, and despite our deep pockets we still can't manage to be anything but underachievers. But I guess there is still January for that; more money spending even in these difficult financial times, perhaps reflection on the part of the coach, especially if more mediocre results creep in. I guess not having another option would seem pretty bleak to me about now..."

    They were gobsmacked again.

    "..and the kids get to play in the Carling Cup. Does Chelsea have a youth system, or is the club really just an old age home?"

    "Enjoy your Sunday."

    And I left, humming our old team standard as I walked out the door.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Ha ha LOL at your comments

      Where you at the game judging by the comments you were?? If you were you lucky bugger :-)

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    • agooner from goonerTV 7 months ago

      Local neutral watering hole. Sparse seating room meant some awkward moments trying to keep some chairs reserved for friends, and these Chelski fans are the type that get so hyper before a game and they just have to talk and make some nice remarks but with a bit of this air of "but we'll still beat you cause we have established stars and a world cup coach" about them. The kind of blokes you want to ask if they remember Zola the player before Zola the coach, knowing they have no clue...

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Agh yes the "I've been a loyal Chelsea fan since the Russian turned up" although Arsenal have a few of them too they'd be the gobshites calling for Wenger's head after a few losses

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  11. Nick Howson 7 months ago

    wasn't in reply to the article didn't have a problem with it
    it was the reaction of the comments I thought was a little off
    Chelsea r clearly not in crisis, that why i said 'step back' i.e. they've lost their resilience
    This result for Arsenal hasn't changed anything, there was nothing to change they were always a title contender and were never out of it, especially in november

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Fair enough :-)

      This was really a go at the media and how they create the "illusion" of crisis at a club. What I was trying to say that Chelsea are no great shakes at the moment but yet Arsenal are suddenly rubbish ... watch for the headlines tomorrow "what is wrong at Chelsea" etc

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  12. greg hall 7 months ago

    First goal was offside.=D

    But fair play I had a bad feeling you lot would get a result.

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  13. Jeev 7 months ago

    Djourou was better than Gallas (he was unfortunate)
    Nasri was not good defending and tracking back (the first goal showed it)
    Denilson - is not much of a winger (tried running pass cole 3 times and was dreadful)
    - wins the ball but losses it as easy as well
    Song gotta firm defensive grip in midfield - impressive
    Glichy - GOD
    Fabregas - a quiet game
    Sagna - impressive in clearing the ball, rigid, physical and supportive in tracking back
    RVP - just needs more proper balls from the flank if not we should've seen one lethal SOG
    Adebayor - did everything he could to keep the possession
    Bendtner - physical and a natural ball winner could've created something if he was in earlier
    Almunia - got back he's.. REFLEXES!!

    Here's what i think of the team.. Arsenal r known for their attacks through flanks, but neither side were good.. Denilson did more works but did not really settled throughout the game, Song was covering both flanks defensive wise, Nasri was dreadful. So where our attack came from? Why? Coz Denilson always drift towards the middle whenever he plays on the flank - HE IS NOT A WINGER, WENGER!!!!!

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Arsenal were average at best but if you go through the Chelsea team they were probably just as bad.

      Denilson is definitely not a winger and I am not Song's biggest fan but he did a good job yesterday

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  14. T G 7 months ago

    Honestly, i thought Arsenal were poor for the first hour and Chelsea looked comfortable. The offside goal gave Arsenal confidence and from that point on they were excellent. However a title winning side gets results when confidence is low and Arsenal and now Chelsea (recently) cant do that. Yes you beat us but only after you had confidence. I think wenger got the tactics WRONG as the team he started with got dominated across midfield for almost an hour.

    I think that liverpool are the only team that truly look solid at the moment, and Man Utd look next best. I think that Chelsea have flatterd to deceive this year (like malouda, kalou and anelka the most overrated trio in the league) and arsenals team is just not physical enough.

    Arsenal only have a chance of pushing the top 3 if they keep van persie fit - he is probably in the top 5 in the world but is always injured!!

    The crazy thing is that Chels and Arse are opposite teams - we thrash the crap team and you beat the good ones.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      I agree T, Arsenal were pretty bad yesterday and while Chelsea looked comfortable they didn't exactly put Arsenal under much pressure.

      In all fairness to Wenger his only other real option in midfield was Ramsey

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  15. rishi redkar 7 months ago

    wonderfully written..win or loose gooner till death,,

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  1. Vedaste Nkuranga 7 months ago

    I'm happy b'se of my Team Arsenal soon we are approaching a head
    thanks

    Nkuranga kigali_ RWANDA

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  2. Keith Griffin 7 months ago

    Good win for the gunners. Thought they got mangled in the first hour but were good after that. Chelsea were passing well but just couldnt penetrate! Arsenal defended! I dont believe it! Haha!

    Ill hold my judgement on Arsenals season till nxt week against Wigan and see if they can put together a run.

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  3. Joseph Kutialo 7 months ago

    The win at the Bridge which inflicted a second defeat for chelsea this season is a moral boost for the gunners.I hope the win will not be followed by the inconsistent perfomance after the man-u thrashing at the Emirates.Let this win continue with more, especially when playing against the middle table and survival premier league teams.I hope those doubting the gunners strength and ability to challenge Man-u, Chelsea and Liverpool for the 4 trophy will start respecting us now.This can only be achieved by getting maximum points from the remaining fixtures and at least more than 15 points from the big three. Finally wenger should blend our youth policy with experience, strengten the current squad with Tough,Combative hard tackling and lethal, Defenders,Midfielders and Strikers respectively during the January window transfer.

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Yep agree with you there Joseph but Arsenal are only in competition with United for the quadruple remember Chelsea and Liverpool are out of the Carling Cup :-)

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  4. Tony McCarthy 7 months ago

    can you tell me which irish newspaper that was in?? I'd like to read it. My first presumption was Eamon Dunphy. He loves making outrageous comments. I remember when he said on RTE that we would get hammered by Madrid in our 2006 champions league run and we won 1-0. Too many so-called experts on TV and in the papers. I think all Arsenal fans should completely ignore the media comments on Arsenal and once again we learnt that Arsenal should never ever be written off. Sweet sweet win against the Chavski...love it

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    • Maire Ofeire 7 months ago

      Roy Curtis in the Sunday World

      In The Irish Star today Dunphy said that Roy Keane has not got it in him to be a top manager - my word their relationship has soured!!

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