Wengered.
I was hoping someone would step up and make this post simple, so I waited for the Bayern game, waited for Alexis to dazzle and Arsenal to concede late on. What I didn’t count on was an Arsenal display of such clarity, such strength, tooth for tooth with the hulking machine that is (was) Bayern Munich. Tuesday night, under the floodlights and the pressing heat of confident opposition, Arsenal turned in a performance of gritty, sharp brilliance, the sort that Chelsea think they play but in reality run from. It seemed for the first time since the golden era, fans in red and white witnessed a group of players, playing as team, playing for their manager, the fans, their stake in the greatest competition, all under clear instructions on how to beat a seemingly unbeatable threat. And they listened. The German giant fell under one Frenchman’s leap. That could be referring to Giroud and his nose dive to glory, but we all know it’s Wenger. There’s been doubts, but surely, surely, he’s seen the way he can use this group of players and how effective they are in this sleeping-tiger system. Arsenal may act like the all dominating team in England, we’ll pass you to death approach. But there’s no hiding the fact that they are best utilised as a counter attacking team. I haven’t really mentioned a player that stood out yet, which is due to the collective spirit everybody showed. I guess it boils down to the life and death moments, when Arsenal were put to the sword – and Cech comes steaming in with his hand up: not today!
Yes, I don’t think it’s much of a surprise. Our star protector was there, then again, and again, and then one more time at the end, still there, still protecting. Without being harsh, or needlessly petty, It would have been a darker story had another keeper been in the net. Questions were asked when Cech was the only signing, myself included. If we play like that every week, then it doesn’t matter – oh, and if we win the league, that’d be nice, too. After some nervy first moments Cech was the last man standing and he stayed that way, holding off a point blank effort. No, sir! He made another save shortly after just for giggles. Neuer getting jealous up the other end produced his own magic and claimed all the fame – for a couple of minutes, everybody praising him. Granted, Theo should have scored, but he was a threat all game – I’ll get to him later, there’s a Czech wall to smash through first. The second half mimicked the first. Bayern looked all powerful and scary, Arsenal were fighting on the ropes – on the ropes but in no way struggling. I felt we played that way to catch our breath, focus, play in the moment rather than chase it. It worked wonders. When the moments came players fed Ozil and Sanchez and they looked long for Theo, every time, and it mostly worked. It was great to see. The terror came in a Polish flash a couple minutes before Giroud scored. Lewandowski latched onto a rare ball and rampaged towards goal, pulled the trigger, Cech sent the bullet over his crossbar. There he was again. Keeping the fire burning. The hopes were very much alive all the way through and it was because we could rely on Cech to save the day when it mattered. Turns out it mattered an awful lot. Turns out world class keepers are nice things to have. Who knew…
Everyone of course. But look, this keeper thing is new for Arsenal fans post Seaman.
I’ve always had the faith in Theo Walcott, more than most, and his weekly improvement as first-choice striker is making Wenger grin again. His was very good again. It’s hard to fault him, and people will moan that he didn’t score, but he was too effective for anybody to really care. He was our game plan. Every time.
Both Ozil and Monreal showed their class. Bellerin offering the flair, and Monreal the calm – what a pair they make. Monreal had a tough game. The commentator frequently felt compelled to mention how insane this Douglas Costa was. Well, then, what on earth is Monreal? Surely not of this world. He was solid all game. He didn’t put a foot wrong. He could have been man of the match on another night.
Quickly on Ozil… He was sensational. He really was. You’ve never seen him work harder than he did Tuesday night. He adapted his game to help the team. He played deeper, he was often a great outlet in tight spaces, and him and Monreal down that left are devilish. He scored, too! So much for people saying he doesn’t have a big game in him. He does. Just nobody ever pays attention.