Report: Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough
By Randy Osae
A fab-ulous captain’s contribution capped a scrumptious football exhibition from Arsenal which will resonate all the way to Old Trafford ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-finals.
Cesc Fabrgeas was the rare finisher of a pair of sublime moves from the Gunners which were only a fraction of the number of occasions Arsenal strolled through the visitors.
Arsene Wenger mastered Gareth Southgate for once, and he made sure he did with comfort.
Starting line-up (not necessarily exact formation)
The Emirates’ favorites were the pace-setters as usual and passes were stringing. Fabregas found Gibbs at the near post, but the youngster was shy to react.
Arshavin wanted five today and was active on the left. Within 26 minutes, he would compose the opener.
Before sprinting, the Russian handed a pass to Bendtner who flicked the ball to Fabregas on the center-line. The Spaniard swiftly teed up Arshavin who returned possession over for the skipper to drill the ball home from the edge of the area.
On another day, the struggling visitors may have had an appeal for penalty approved when Bendtner’s arm seemed to have met a corner-kick from Stewart Downing.
And despite being second best, Boro posed their second question for the home side when that same man alarmed Almunia with a 20-yard snap-shot.
Arsenal’s defense regrouped after Silvestre was swapped for a fit-again Djourou into the second-half. And Almunia had to rush out of his area to deny Jeremie Aliadiere from making the most of a slight indiscipline at the back.
Boro were slacking more at the other end as Fabregas and Eboue teamed to set up Walcott who forced action from Brad Jones.
Still at 1-0, Southgate’s men were still biding their time to nick something and when Marlon King volleyed on target, Arsenal lost their mercy.
And so on 67 minutes, Eboue sent in a ripping through-pass for Fabregas who rounded off the goalkeeper to coolly end the contest.
With nothing to debate about now, it was necessary Wenger saved his knacks for midweek and so Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Adebayor replaced Fabregas and Walcott respectively.
It was another walkover today.
Another happy day to all Arsenal supporters.
Another happy day to all Arsenal supporters.
Arshavin and Cesc = CLINICAL
Arshavin and Cesc = CLINICAL
special!!! captain fabolous.great feeling indeed.BRING it ON Ronaldo n co.we can hardly wait 4 ur turn.
special!!! captain fabolous.great feeling indeed.BRING it ON Ronaldo n co.we can hardly wait 4 ur turn.
Lets not be carried away by this win because Man Utd present a different proposition. Anyway,this win will give us the confidence to go to Old Trafford.
Lets not be carried away by this win because Man Utd present a different proposition. Anyway,this win will give us the confidence to go to Old Trafford.
the formation you’ve stuck up there is slightly incorrect – nasri played alongside denilson, arshavin out left, theo right, cesc central behind bendtner, it was 4-2-3-1….
wenger said he was doing it as a test to see how nasri did in a deep lying central midfield role with cesc further up the pitch in front of him….
the formation you’ve stuck up there is slightly incorrect – nasri played alongside denilson, arshavin out left, theo right, cesc central behind bendtner, it was 4-2-3-1….
wenger said he was doing it as a test to see how nasri did in a deep lying central midfield role with cesc further up the pitch in front of him….
How many times do I need to emphasize that the team sheet above is only made to show the starting line-up and NOT necessarily the formation?
How many times do I need to emphasize that the team sheet above is only made to show the starting line-up and NOT necessarily the formation?
hahahha…getting angry randy? looks like the only time u didn’t write(not necessarily exact formation)..great game though..cheers!!
hahahha…getting angry randy? looks like the only time u didn’t write(not necessarily exact formation)..great game though..cheers!!
I’m impressed with Nasri I like him in this position behind Cesc, his passing may not be as good as Cesc but then who’s is … he’s chunkier, good at shielding the ball, nipping in front of oponents stealing possesion and then dribbling past players and laying off a decent pass. He’s a better dribbler than most and a better shot. I can’t wait to see him next year after he’s settled in the premiership.
I’m impressed with Nasri I like him in this position behind Cesc, his passing may not be as good as Cesc but then who’s is … he’s chunkier, good at shielding the ball, nipping in front of oponents stealing possesion and then dribbling past players and laying off a decent pass. He’s a better dribbler than most and a better shot. I can’t wait to see him next year after he’s settled in the premiership.
LOL Usama, yeah some people just can’t help but try to be a sore grape.
By the way AD (last poster before me) – give yourself a tap on the head because you posted the 2,000 comment on da SPOT.
Hope there are more views to come!!
LOL Usama, yeah some people just can’t help but try to be a sore grape.
By the way AD (last poster before me) – give yourself a tap on the head because you posted the 2,000 comment on da SPOT.
Hope there are more views to come!!