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ARSENAL & LIVERPOOL, REVISITED

August 25, 2010 — by Tyler

Eating my Delicious Words as a Snack

Hours after the EPL season kicked off, Sean wrote about the Arsenal/Liverpool game. I agreed and disagreed. Let’s glance at these teams a week later…

Arsenal, capable of the dominance they demonstrated this week, will always scare me with their predictable unpredictability. 6-0 vs. Blackpool was a hearty meal, but they could so easily starve me with a loss or draw at Blackburn next game.

The goalkeeper saga continues for the Gunners. What a gossip-mill conundrum! To buy or borrow Schwarzer or Given? My money is on Arsene offering for neither, which could be a mistake. At the very least, please buy another center back, Professor!

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Reina Flubs It

August 15, 2010 — by Sean6


Barely a minute before the final whistle, Arsenal were gifted a goal in ludicrous fashion by up-’til-then standout Pepe Reina. The keeper was responsible for maintaing 10-men Liverpool’s advantage on more than one occasion, but his terrible mistake cost them two points. It remains to be seen what effect the draw will have over time, though you can be assured that this goal will be part of  “Worst Goals Ever” compilations for many years to come.

What else did we learn watching today’s match? Arsenal aren’t going to win the league this year. Fabregas wasn’t playing, and Van Persie only had a short run around at the end, but Arshavin turned in a muted performance, Chamakh wasn’t finding any space, Nasri wasn’t seeing any passing lanes, and the delivery from the wings was consistently lobbed to the far post with no pace on the passes. Plus, they’re a bunch of pansies.

The bright spot in attack was Vermaelen. Yes, Arsenal’s center back was their most potent offensive weapon, and not just throwing himself at set pieces—the man likes to attack with the ball at his feet. Eboué tried to keep the play moving forward quickly, but lacked the precision needed to execute his intent. That’s about it for threats from the Londoners.

Liverpool had their typical hard-nosedness about them, and played resolutely a man down. Ngog’s blast right at the opening of the second half gave them the lead (4 goals in 3 games for him), and they didn’t look about to relinquish until the aforementioned slip by their keeper.

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Cesc Will Go

July 17, 2010 — by Sean1

Eventually, Cescly Fabregasly will take his leave of Arsenal and head to Barca.  The La Liga side are in no rush, since they don’t really need him right now anyway. From Barcelona President Sandro Rosell:

“The Cesc issue is very complicated. The reality is that Arsenal were very hurt by the Barcelona institution and do not want to listen to offers,” Rosell told Spain’s TV3. “They say he is not for sale. There was a brief discussion three or four months ago and they were offended.

“Anyway…the new board is convinced that if the Spain international doesn’t join for this season he will join for the next.”

There’s no doubt that Pique and Puyol would like to see Cesc join them for club as well as country…