Most Memorable Arsenal Matches

It’s just around 3 years since my support for The Arsenal began. At first, it was quite mild and I rarely watched them. But what amazes me is how far I’ve gone from their. Not a single match missed in almost two years(except the first half of CC semifinal 2nd leg ).  There have been good moments, bad moments and those brilliant moments. Along with it have come those awful moments like the Cup Final defeat. But it wouldn’t be fair not to suggest my journey with the Gunners as one hell of a ride.

Here are some of the most memorable moments of MY Arsenal-watching career(as a FIFA 11 commentator would say!). Just to inform you, its only been 3 years since I’ve started watching them, so I’m not counting the matches we’ve played before. This compilation is based on how great I felt when Arsenal finally won the game. Hope you like it:

7. Arsenal-Stoke City 3-1(Britannia)

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah I know about Ramsey’s horrific injury. I was watching it with volume muted and all of a sudden I had the worsts of thoughts. I wouldn’t tell what that was but that moment almost made me cry. But after that, we showed some real grit and ultimately were rewarded with a penalty in stoppage time. That wasn’t all. The Verminator managed to get another one and at that moment, I thought that now the title was ours and our players would win it for Aaron Ramsey. They gave it their all but still ended up finishing 3rd.

6. Arsenal-Bolton 4-2 (The Emirates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember the game where we were 2-0 down after Bolton scored the 2nd goal off a penalty. I do.Winning that game by more than a one goal margin would’ve taken us to the top of the league. And what I instantly thought after they scored twice was that we’d always crumble under the pressure of being at the top. And an hour later, I was proved all wrong. Goals from Rosicky, Vermaelan, Arshavin and another Arsenal player(c’mon you can’t expect me to remember that much. And if you do please inform me too!). And we ended up winning the match and going top of the league on goal-difference.

5. Arsenal-Hull City 2-1 (at their stadium)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicklas Bendtner, to remind you, can sometimes finish. And a predatory finish was what won us the game that was level at 1-1 at Hull and probably kept our title chances alive. Denilson(oh all our poor players did well at that moment). He went for a 20-30 yard shot which the Hull keeper failed to hold on. And Bendtner was, for once, there to pick up the pieces and win it for Arsenal.

4. Arsenal- Manchester United 1-0 (The Emirates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were missing a number of key players. And with that, we were also missing some key ingredients such as our confidence. The feeling at the start of the match was a bit of worry and tension. All of that was gone when, just after 90 minutes the final whistle blew. We showed grit, determination and passion to win the game. Combine that with our quality and all that was left for Ramsey was to slot the ball home for the winner.

 

3. Arsenal-Barcelona 2-2 (The Emirates)

 

 

 

 

Maybe it was not the whole match, but the last 30 minutes that were too good to forget. Wenger brought on Theo Walcott and he split the Barca defencee like they were….. Arsenal themselves. Goals from him and Cesc at least kept the tie alive which eventually we ended up losing. Still it was a night to remember.

2. Arsenal Chelsea 3-1 (The Emirates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A match that could be watched again and again by any Arsenal fan. Or a football fan in general. A game that had the biggest impact on Arsenal. We got to know our First-XI. We hunted the Chelsea players in pack and never allowed them enough space. For me, the most important match in the 2010-2011 season for us.

1. Arsenal- Barcelona 2-1 (The Emirates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has got to be at the top.  There wasn’t a part of the room where I was watching where I hadn’t jumped around. This match and every single detail of it will stay in my head for a long long time. Bendtner to Jack to Cesc to Nasri to Arshavin to GOAL!!!! The stadium erupted. And so did I.  The best match I’ve seen ever and possibly the best Emirates has ever witnessed.

That’s it for you. Hope you’ve liked the list.Another reminder it’s pretty much based on memory so I may have missed a match or two. Feel free to post yours below.

Alvarez To Replace Fabregas! Are You Having A Laugh?

The rumour that is gathering some pace around the internet is Ricky Alvarez joining Arsenal from the Argentine club Velez. Just for some formalities, he’s a creative midfielder who plays a similar role to Cesc Fabregas. I don’t know how good a player he is. And seeing videos on Youtube doesn’t help that. But still I can say he looks a decent player. And so does Denilson, Squillaci and others(at least on Youtube).

It’s obviously good that we are linked with him but the story running parallel to it is certainly not. It says we are buying him as a replacement for Cesc. Just to confirm, we are talking about The Cesc Fabregas. possible the best playmaker in Europe. With loads of experience at the age of just 23. I won’t hide that I love him and would never want him to go. But we all know he would. But not now. There’s also Nasri who’s not agreed a new contract as well. That means losing one would increase the chances of losing the other as well. Apparently, Nasri’s waiting for greater ambition from Arsenal in terms of players before signing an extension. And selling Cesc surely doesn’t help it.

Cesc's The Name....Well Not Really!

And now we travel to Argentina. Alvarez, if he signs, will play his first season in England and adapting to the English game is not easy. And even the best of players fail sometimes. The minimum requirement is time. It takes some time to adapt to the hostile environment. Then there’s also the weather, culture, food habits and all. Believe me, it’s no easy task. Selling Fabregas would mean Alvarez is thrown into the deep end. Some survive it(Koscielny) and some don’t(Chamakh).

Fabregas is also the captain of Arsenal and when he plays, it’s almost as if the most important cog of the Arsenal machine is put in place. And when he doesn’t, we do lack that special *Cesc* spark.

That’s it for today. Somewhat busy nowadays.

 

Walcott To Win Arsenal The Title

One major positive in an otherwise disappointing season has been the form of our own speedster, Theo Walcott. He always had shown his talent in bits and pieces(especially against Barcelona) but never looked likely to perform on a consistent basis. This made the fans give him the tag of a “Supersub”. But he proved it all wrong.

Its not that he had an outstanding season with no injury worries. But if I don’t say he’s had a decent statement won’t be justified. His hard-work on the training pitch is clearly visible and if it was not for our striker’s poor finishing(RvP may not read this!), he’d have got an awful number of assists this season. His finishing is amazing. In fact I remember Theo’s goals more than any other Arsenal player. The one against Blackburn was top-notch. Blackpool, Shaktar, Chelsea, Chelsea(brilliant!) and Fulham on the last day. These are the ones that just came even without remembering. There were some others too which I have  forgotten but his tally of 10-15 goals(I hate searching for exact stats!) is great given his injury woes which were less visible this term. But still more than most.

Yeah Theo! That’s The Way To Do It

Walcott is being rumored to shift to play more centrally next season. Yeah I know its just the fans wanting that. I also think the striker role would suit him better as we’ve seen how teams coming to the Emirates and just trying to defend have crowded the right flank making Walcott not-existent. Also given the possible signature of Gervinho who’s a right winger, Walcott’s change of position looks inevitable. And that’ll probably play the biggest role in Arsenal’s title ambition last year.And when he’s not played, we’ve lacked width,pace and ruthlessness. I know Walcott does put some crosses for the ones paying a 100 pounds to watch him do that for van Persie. But still his finishing has been better than our other strikers apart from RvP.

In other news, Barca President Sandro Rosell(due to the Cesc transfer saga I think I know the Barca board more than Arsenal’s!) has questioned Fabregas’ value and said Barca won’t pay over 35-40m pounds. Well I think Cesc’s worth that money. Not more. But that would be in a normal world. And we live in one where Caroll is worth 35m. So that just doubles Cesc’s valuation. Or probably even more.

England crashed out of the Under-21s and Pearce says they could’ve reached the finals. The World Cup problem is still there with England. I guess it’s down to the tough, strong and physical demands from a young player. No one looks at their skills. Oh wait! One club does. And is also criticized for doing that.There is something seriously wrong in there.

Till Then.

REVEALED! Cesc-Wenger Conversation This Summer

As usual, the Fabregas-to-Barcelona rumours are starting to erupt from nowhere again as the season comes to a close. Last year saw most Arsenal fans worried about the possibility of their talisman, Cesc Fabregas leaving for greener pasture. A conversation took place between him and Wenger in what was, for Cesc, the best he’s ever had in his life. Arsene persuaded him to stay for at least another summer. Here’s something similar that’d happen again this summer…

Cesc(enters): Arsene, did you call me?

AW: Yes of course.There are rumours suggesting that you’ve already agreed a personal deal with Barca.

Cesc: Yes I have.

AW:But why?

Cesc: Pique texted that he wanted a rematch of the Skipping competition we two used to have in our childhoods.

AW:And…

Cesc: C’mon boss, that was one competition I used to win. Here at Arsenal, no one plays that game and we also don’t win any trophies.

AW(angrily):What are you talking about? I hold the Emirates Cup every year for the same sake.

Cesc: But there are no quality players here…

AW:Wait a minute, you forgot Deni. And Bendtner.And your countryman Almunia.

Cesc: I can’t stand this much competition for places.How can I replace Denilson or Diaby?

AW: The truth is, you really can’t. Have a ever seen Deni’s 2 yard screamer. You and Xavi can only dream of such a goal. 

Cesc: Yes it’s true!Whenever I try that, it goes straight into the keeper’s hands. Kudos to Deni!

AW:At Barca, you won’t get as good a player as him. So why do you wanna go?

Cesc:Puyol wants the Barca shirt he put on me back.

AW:By the way, you looked good in that one.

Cesc:I sure did.

Cesc:I even looked at our new away kit. Good enough reason to leave huh?

AW:Yeah at least I don’t have to wear it. Any other reason?

Cesc:At least Barca’s rivals don’t do better than ours. Tottenham beat us at home and even did better in the Champions League.

AW:I’m sorry about that.But what can you do about a team comprising of apes?

Cesc: Also I think other Arsenal players abuse me in French.

AW(shocked):You haven’t learned French yet???

Cesc:We are an English team so why should I?

AW:Oh Cesc! You can counter-abuse them in Spanish.

Cesc: Almunia translates it when I do so.

AW(fuming):That Spanish traitor.

Cesc:What about the hair-cuts of some players…

AW:Namely…

Cesc:Song, Sagna ,Chamakh…

AW:What about Puyol’s?

Cesc:Oh about that! I had a fight with him when I was 6 and his hair never recovered from it.

AW:What if you leave and Puyol does the same to you.

Cesc:I didn’t think about that.I also broke Iniesta’s G.I.Joe.Even stole Messi’s Barney.Now I understand why Barca players wanted me to sign for them.

It’s a conspiracy.They want everything back.I love my hair.I still play with Barney.I’m staying at Arsenal.I’m staying.

AW:I knew you would.

Cesc:But what about trophies?

AW:The Emirates Cup has even worse teams this year.

Cesc:Yesssss!This was the best conversation of my life Arsene.You acted like a father-figure and saved me from that devil team.

AW:Any time.

Cesc:Thank you Arsene. I love you.

AW:It’s my pleasure.

Cesc leaves happily…

AW(to himself):Poor boy! Told him the same thing last year and he stayed. Nasri was right.Cesc has a poor poor memory.

And that’s how Cesc will again stay at Arsenal this year.

*This post is completely meant for fun and should not at all be taken seriously.*