Fan Report: Arsenal 3-1 Birmingham City
Match Center, Match Reports, News | admin | October 18, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Blues were looking to be on the end of a good hiding when the Gunners rattled in two goals in two minutes. On 16 Van Persie found a square foot of room and fired a left foot drive past a helpless Joe Hart. The Gunners increased their lead when Song’s cross evaded Blues retreating defence and fell nicely to Diaby who sided footed home a crisp shot.
To Blues credit they regrouped and got into the game, with Carsley stationed in front of the back four they had a more solid look. The Sheldon lad seemed to be clearing every ball at times.
With memories of the injustice of Martin Taylor’s pillorying 18 months ago Ridgewell crunched into Walcott leaving the youngster prostate. It was a wonderful tackle and ref Lee Probert was happy with its legality. Walcott lay prostate for several minutes before giving a Hollywood performance reminiscent of an amputee limping off. After treatment on the side, a sure sign that there is nothing wrong, Walcott returned and with his very first touch passed Ridgewell like an express train before an audacious chip was well saved by Hart. Whether Walcott’s epic performance was just seeking sympathy or trying to get Ridgewell in trouble only he knows. Such was Arsen Wenger’s embarrassment he withdrew Walcott after a further 20 minutes of un- restricted movement. Maybe he was trying to convince the world Walcott was injured but when you have Arshavin to take his place who cares.
Blues struck back just before half time when a Mcfadden cross was headed skywards by Gallas. His goalie Mannone, flapped under pressure and Bowyer fired home. Looks like a return to the bench for the young keeper.
After chasing shadows for most of the first half Blues were getting their fair share of the action although Arsenal were far more penetrative. Several times Hart came to Blues rescue while Mannone only had two real tests when he failed to cope with teasing crosses. One of these saw the end of Jerome who aggravated his ankle injury. O’Connor came on for him and McSheffrey replaced Mcfadden.
The game entered a farcical stage when Eboue’s dangerous cross was blocked by the extended leg of Scott Dann. The ball rolled to Hart who collected. Ref Probert deemed this to be a pass back. WRONG!
Fortunately for Blues, Van Persie was unable to profit as his shot skimmed the cross bar.
With ten minutes left Carsley was sacrificed as Blues went for the point they probably deserved at this juncture. Blues were stretched when McSheffrey’s cross was scrambled clear to Arshavin. With no Carsley to shield the defence the Russian ran on and curled the ball past Hart. This settled the argument and the Arsenal fans were obviously relieved.
Blues slipped to 16th in the table and could find themselves in the bottom 3 if Blackburn aviod defeat and Fulham draw with Hull.
Gunners: Vito Mannone, Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas (C), Thomas Vermaelen, Tomas Rosicky, William Gallas, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs.
Subs: Manuel Almunia, Bacary Sagna, Aaron Ramsey, Mikael Silvestre, Jack Wilshere, Andrey Arshavin, Armand Traore
Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, Liam Ridgewell, Seb Larsson, Lee Carsley (C), Barry Ferguson, Lee Bowyer, James McFadden, Cameron Jerome.
Subs: Maik Taylor, Garry O’Connor, Kevin Phillips, Gary McSheffrey, Damien Johnson, Marcus Bent, James O’Shea
Referee: Lee Probert (Suddenly he has become a ‘homer’. Please read pass back law.)
Att: 60,082
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Ridiculous, Walcott is injured and may have ligament damage, he wasn't faking it. The only disgusting thin was your fans chants supporting Taylor. I like Taylor, and there's nothing wrong with supporting him but doing it while our player is down injured after a fair but robust challenge and aiming it tauntingly at Arsenal fans is extremely distasteful to say the least. Oh, and Taylor's tackle was poor but he didn't get hounded in the press, in fact, he was disgustingly defended with " These foreigners want to take tackling out of our game" attitudes and sympathy for the effect his horrible tackle may have on his mental state.
erm, walcott is injured. he tried, but couldnt continue – thats why he was subbed off. not exactly known for faking, is theo.
that said, it was a hell of a tackle. class.
You got exactly what you deserved. Three cloggers in the middle of the park stopping the game from flowing interrupted by the occasional lump up to Cameron Jerome.
You came praying for a 0-0…..you left with nothing.
Instead of trying to find excuses perhaps you should look at the clear inadequacies on display from your side.
Shit side shit article.
"With memories of the injustice of Martin Taylor’s pillorying 18 months ago…." So the injustice was criticizing Mr. Taylor for breaking a man's leg in two places in an illegal tackle? What planet are you from? Walcott won't be playing for a while. Are you happy about that? Is the purpose of football to injure players? Again, what planet are you from?
"With memories of the injustice of Martin Taylor’s pillorying 18 months ago Ridgewell crunched into Walcott leaving the youngster prostate. It was a wonderful tackle and ref Lee Probert was happy with its legality. Walcott lay prostate for several minutes before giving a Hollywood performance reminiscent of an amputee limping off. After treatment on the side, a sure sign that there is nothing wrong, Walcott returned and with his very first touch passed Ridgewell like an express train before an audacious chip was well saved by Hart. Whether Walcott’s epic performance was just seeking sympathy or trying to get Ridgewell in trouble only he knows. Such was Arsen Wenger’s embarrassment he withdrew Walcott after a further 20 minutes of un- restricted movement. Maybe he was trying to convince the world Walcott was injured but when you have Arshavin to take his place who cares."
Where did that come from? You must have failed to realise that Theo is having a scan to determine the extent of his injury could potentially rule him out for weeks. As for the tackle, it was reckless and it splits opinion due to the fact he did get the ball but he followed through which could have been a bookable offense or even red card if he hadn´t. No point trying to convince someone who writes the kind of tripe you did in the above quote.
Birmingham didnt go to the Emirates stadium to play football, they just went there to kick Arsenal players. What was worse then the constant fowling and kicking from behind was the disgraceful chance from their so-called fans.
Whilst Walcott was prone on the floor the sickos decide to chant a song for Matin Taylor about him breaking eduardos leg.
From now on i hope Aston Villa stuff you every game
I hope(against hope) that when it finally dawns on you that Walcott is indeed injured, you will feel the cold shame that's your excuse of an article.
I'm not certain what kind of agenda you think Arsenal have. We don't need to feign injury to get the better of visiting teams. For the record the tackle on Walcott was fine, it was however no better than the tackle on Ronaldo in the Champions League that resulted in a penalty and a straight red card to the defender that won the ball but followed through. Similarly Ronaldo played on but is out for 3 weeks. Sound familiar? Walcott is now back in the treatment room, this was his first start of the season, cheers for that. I certainly have no problems with Birmingham fans and your support was good, but the singing of Taylors name when the guy isn't even on the pitch is plain stupid, what do you think is going to be gained by that except to give Birmingham fans the label moronic idiots.
With idiot fans like yourself, I'll enjoy the day in 2010 when its mathematically impossible for you to stay in the prem. Scum club, scum fans.
This article just about sums up the Birmingham mentality to Football, you might just have well said, Oh well at least his leg is not broken and dislocated from his foot, but we'll waiting for you up at our place!
I didn't know that Brimingham fans are such mother fuckers who would be delighted when their players injured others. Anyway Birmingham are just making up the numbers in the premier league and I am sure they would be relegated again.
pathetic article… shit club, shit fans… hope you drop back down in to the lower leagues where you belong