Which Bourbon Will That Be Jack?

from the factory floor

FA CUP Fourth Round

Ashburton Grove

Referee: Mike Jones

Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa                  29 January 2012

Van Persie [pen 54, pen 61]       Dunne [33]

Walcott [57]                                    Bent [45]

After 45 minutes this was a glass three quarters empty. But after an hour the glass was quite full. The usual mistakes undid us in the opening period, as the Arsenal set about this fourth round tie with purpose if not precision. Vermaelen had a rocket of a free kick punched away, Van Persie hit another into the wall, and we had yet another half of possession without much threat. It was a low key morning with most of the 4^th round program taking place on Saturday and in general the mood at the Factory was fairly amicable between us and the NY Villans. Inevitably, they went ahead when one of their numbers infiltrated our grumpy inner circle to chat with Barry.  

Aston Villa looked dangerous on the few chances they created but otherwise tried to concede possession and hit on the break. Early on, the visitors singled out Coquelin, who did well without looking fully comfortable, and Agbonlahor was proving a real handful.  I think it was their first corner, and just like in the Champions League earlier this season when Chamberlain got caught on the right, Villa pulled a little training ground short corner routine, Keane stood one up to the back post and Dunne hammered in the header over Koscielny and a couple of other red shirts. I’d moan more if it weren’t the umpteenth time it has happened in recent years.  Then again, I’d moan because of that too.

Lack Of Depth Means Lack Of Width

from the factory floor

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

Ashburton Grove

Referee: Mike Dean

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United     22 January 2012
Van Persie [71]                  Valencia [45] 
                                       Welbeck[81]

Arrival at the Factory was early for this one, necessitated by the overwhelming majority of United supporters that frequent the place, and I was greeted by a pair of them at the door. The banter started there, but in generally good spirits from Mark. Billy however seemed a bit ‘ready.’ More on that later.

Went downstairs to a half full bar, found Clint there and got some beers. Soon enough we were joined by Barry, Steven, Carissa and Chandler, then eventually Jack. A solid core of NY Gooners to fight the massive United turn-out. Other Gooners were dispersed in small pockets around the place but we braved it in our grumpy clump from just about center stage. The side effect of this is that we're right amongst the enemy, but that is unavoidable for these matches. So, having just chided me about not engaging Jason too much, Steven proceeded to chat with Oro for the entire match. The fucker who Keowned me the last time I was there for Arsenal-United. We are a popular lot for being a bunch of grouchy old men [apologies to Chandler and Carissa].

Get Back Jack

The Boy Who Would Be King

Jack Wilshere can’t come back soon enough.  We are in desperate need of a boost in midfield, some guile and invention, as well as the tenacity that Jack brings.  If he’s able to operate closer to the striker with Arteta behind he can bridge the gap when Van Persie is unavailable, out of form, or plain getting marked. I recall Wilshere setting Chamakh up with some goals early on last year, and I’d like to see if he can get something out of the Moroccan again. He'll also provide cover for Arteta with Ramsey taking the advanced role. He give us answers to a few problems.

Of course the fear is there’s too much expectation and the implication that the urgent need for him is proof of just how callow we are. Especially given his age. On the other hand he was one of the league’s outstanding midfield players last season and had games where he bossed even the likes of Barcelona. So I think it’s fair to say any team would be hotly anticipating the return of such a player. I sure as hell am. 


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Well That Was A Bit Shit

from the factory floor

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

Liberty Stadium

Referee: Michael Oliver

Swansea 3-2 Arsenal

Sinclair [pen 16]                  Van Persie [5]

Dyer [57]                               Walcott [69]

Graham [70]

I was a few minutes late for the start of the match. Jack pointed out that Arsenal had the good grace to wait until I got to the Factory so I wouldn’t have to ask who scored, only for me to get there, not see the goal, and have to ask who scored.  I ordered an official beer of Euro 2012 forgetting what happened on its debut 2 weeks ago against Fulham. Things didn’t go so well that day.  It only took about half of the first pint for it to have the same effect today, Crap penalty given, and it was level.  It occurred to me that the Carlsberg was quite possibly the reason we were suddenly so shaky in defense.  Next round was a Bass.

The next ten minutes were nervy, Swansea continued to expose our lack of defensive width and we seemed to be in a bit of shock still over the penalty. A habit, we all agreed, we thought had been broken. The same nervousness from the final minutes against Fulham was back again. But we began pressing high up the pitch, got the spacing between our lines closed down, and it felt like another goal for us was coming. It didn’t and we went in 1-1.

The Return of the King

Dumping Carragher on his ass. Thierry Henry.

It will be very interesting to see how much of an impact Thierry Henry will have on the current squad. We have all been well advised not to expect moments like this one, when he turned around a deficit to Liverpool to preserve our unbeaten title push after crushing defeats to United and Chelsea in the cup competitions.

But there he was again versus Leeds, peeling off the shoulder of his marker, same foot-same post, making the difference in a match we needed to win and having the kind of impact we need to provide in Van Persie’s absence. And in some cases, he will be available to play in tandem with the Dutchman, in tasty encounters with United, Milan and possibly Tottenham.

I especially enjoyed the uncontainable joy showing through the competitive rage in his celebration afterwards. The normal scowl spoiled by a grin that betrays an ever-growing adoration for Arsenal. I’m very optimistic about the kind of influence that can have on and off the pitch. 


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He Scores When He Wants

Ripping an unstoppable shot against Chelsea at the Bridge in 2008

In 2008 after Arsenal conceded a two goal lead to draw 4-4 with the enemy down the road, they entered into a period where we began to see the real impact of Robin Van Persie. Nerves were jangling and we went to Stamford Bridge needing to make a statement.

Van Persie did just that with an outstanding brace, first with this effort, about a yard offside but executed with sublime technique and awesome power, and the second a brilliant one time turn and finish. Right foot, left foot, three points.  Heading into January of that season he began a stretch that would last a month and a half in which he scored or created every goal, with other incredible hits against Liverpool at the Grove and Everton at Goodison.

Now he’s just managed that kind of form for a full calendar year, and seems to be growing in every game. That’s a captain worthy of salute. 


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