Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Fever Pitch Redux Part 6


Friday, January 24, 2013 2:45PM Arsenal vs Coventry FA Cup 5th Round

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
I almost feel like Arsenal scheduled a rare Friday night match so that I could see it. That's because tomorrow I am off to London to see Arsenal's next 2 EPL matches away to Southampton and at the Emirates against Crystal Palace. So, as I pack for my trip I get to sit on my couch and watch Arsenal host Coventry.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
When I first started following Arsenal, Coventry were in the EPL. It now seems like a long time ago. Arsenal should easily handle Coventry and move on to the next round. Of  course as we've learning in the past (Birmingham City, Bradford) nothing can be taken for granted. I don't see that happening as this Arsenal squad take care of business.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)


(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In the end if was a 4-0 victory for Arsenal, but to be fair Coventry certainly did themselves proud. The first half was all Arsenal as Coventry could barely string two passes together. 2 Podolski goals gave Arsenal a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In the second half, Arsenal seemed to be playing a bit too casually and Coventry actually looked threatening at times. They had a good number of chances but couldn't find the target. Fabianski made one great save, but for the most part he had little to do. Arsenal were looking for a third goal to put the game to bed and within five minutes of Olivier Giroud coming on for Podolski, he did just that. Cazorla closed out the scoring with a goal in the closing minutes of the match. In the end Arsenal had 61% of the possession and outshot Coventry 19-8.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Hopefully the draw for the next round will be kind to Arsenal and we can continue our quest for the club's first FA Cup since 2005.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)


(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Following the Coventry match I headed over to England to take in Arsenal live as opposed to on my couch. With some amazing help from fellow Gooners I was able to secure tickets for Arsenal away to Southampton and for the return of Marouane Chamakh to the Emirates with Crystal Palace. There was also an outside shot of securing tickets for Arsenal's visit to Anfield, but that wouldn't be known until closer to that match.


Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:45PM BST Arsenal at Southampton


Along with my friend Paul, we took an early evening train from London's Paddington Station to Southampton. The train was packed with commuters and we stood for the entire trip. 

My view at St. Mary's Stadium
Once in Southampton we walked in the pouring rain to St. Mary's after stopping off at a bar/club where Paul used to play with his band when he was a teenager growing up in Southampton.

After a pre-match pie and a pint we joined the other 3000 travelling Arsenal fans for the match. (Truth is that Paul is a lifelong Saints fan, but he kept his loyalties hidden so as not to put a target on his back.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
To put it bluntly, Arsenal overall stunk on the night. They looked lethargic, their passes were all over the place and Southampton looked the better side for large portions of the match.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Southampton scored on header in the 21st minute and took this lead in to the half. Once the second half kicked off, it seemed as if Arsenal appeared. Within ten minutes of the restart Arsenal had the lead with goals from Giroud and Cazorla. The players celebrated in front of the travelling fans and finally looked up for it. Unfortunately, within two minutes, Adam Lallana scored and the match was level.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The final 2-2 draw was a decent result for a tough trip to Southampton, but it really felt like a loss. With Arsenal sitting atop the table and the critics just waiting for the club to fail, this match really was a must win for Arsenal.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sunday, February 2, 2014 4PM BST Arsenal vs Crystal palace


I prepared for the Sunday afternoon match versus Crystal Palace by visiting Piebury Corner for an Ian Wright Pie and then met some fellow Gooners for pre match pints at the Tollington Pub. Then it was off to the Emirates where it was actually sunny and I was determined not to lose another coat at the game. (I left my leather jacket at the Emirates last year when I attended a match and it was never seen again).

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Crystal Palace fans sang their hearts out and, to be honest, made the 57,000 Arsenal fans look pathetic. We sang, but not in unison, not consistently and not with the passion that the Palace fans had. The only time we really turned it up was when it was obvious that we were going to win. We then serenaded the Palace fans with a never ending chorus of "You're Going Down".

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
As for the game, Arsenal once again looked lethargic and a shell of the club that they are when they are firing on all cylinders. Palace played solid defense in the first half and soaked up every Arsenal attack. Palace didn't mount much of an attack themselves and the half ended 0-0. 

Going in to the match expecting an Arsenal mauling, I was beyond frustrated at the half. Crystal Palace was supposed to be a walk in the park and this was not looking like that.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In the second half, the Ox came alive. His pace created problems for Palace and Chamberlain scored twice; in the 47th and 73rd minutes. In the end it was a clinical 2-0 victory for the home team and Arsenal remained at the top of the table.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Saturday, February 8, 2014 12:45PM BST Arsenal at Liverpool

When I was planning my trip to the UK there was a possibility that I would be able to get tickets for Arsenal's visit to Anfield. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I didn't spend the money and travel all the way to Liverpool. for this one.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Instead, I went with my friends to a pub to watch the match. Within 16 minutes it was 3-0. The match ended 5-1 and Arsenal's goal was really a consolation penalty. It was a humiliating defeat and Liverpool made Arsenal look like pure crap.
I couldn't bear to look at the Twitter posts after this one, so just suffice it to say it was PATHETIC.

Pathetic (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:45PM EST Arsenal vs Manchester United

The return of Judas
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Following the drubbing at Anfield, it was important that Arsenal bounce back and show what they're made of. In years past a visit from Manchester United would be a tough test. This year, Manchester United are rather ordinary and at the Emirates, Arsenal should be able to win this match.

This was one of the worst matches I've seen in general. Both teams looked slow and lethargic and the match ended 0-0. Normally a point against ManU would be considered good. Instead, this was a wasted opportunity to defeat a wounded ManU and earn three valuable points.



(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Two weeks after being humiliated by Liverpool at Anfield, the two clubs were meeting again with passage on to the next round of the FA Cup on the line. To say that Arsenal need to right the wrong and get some revenge on Liverpool is an understatement.




Finally something for Arsenal fans to be proud of. Oxlade-Chamberlain ran the show scoring Arsenal's first and setting up Podolski for the second. Liverpool had a majority of the possession, but outside of a Steven Gerrard penalty, Arsenal were able to keep them at bay. In the end it was a 2-1 victory and passage on to the sixth round of the FA Cup.

 (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)






(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

February 19, 2014 2:45PM EST Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Champions League Final 16 First Leg

If it seems like we've been here before, that's because we were. Exactly one year ago on this date Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich in the first leg of their home and away Champions League knockout draw. The 1-3 result didn't tell the true story as Bayern pretty much owned Arsenal. The fact that Arsenal won the 2nd leg 0-2 in Munich doesn't make this rematch any easier. Bayern are the best team in Europe and have conceded just 9 goals in 21 Bundesliga matches while scoring 57. They also have yet to lose a league match.

So, while I am hoping for a miracle, I am prepared and pretty much expect that Arsenal will not make it out of the final 16. Not because Arsenal are bad....because Bayern Munich are out of this world good.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)






(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
In the end Bayern walked away 0-2 winners, but Arsenal really put in an effort and it seems that the majority of supporters appreciate the level of intensity on display.

Arsenal looked very dangerous from the start and for about the first half hour or so, they outpaced Bayern and put together some scoring opportunities. Unfortunately that ended when Mesut Ozil missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Ozil was judged to have been fouled in the box and went to the line. As he did earlier this season, Ozil delivered a crap effort that was saved. From there the momentum changed. Add to that the fact that Wojciech Szczesny fouled Arjen Robben in the box and was red carded. Bayern missed their penalty as well, but down to 10 men against an insanely talented team was not a good omen.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
And, so it proved to be true. Toni Kroos scored a wonder goal in to the top corner of the Arsenal net in the 54th minute. From there it was all Bayern, and despite a valiant effort from Arsenal, Bayern added to their lead with a second goal in the last moments of the match.

Why am I feeling positive after that? Because the team showed great and as Wenger always says, "spirit" in putting up a good fight against the best team in Europe. I was also impressed by the fans. When I attended the Crystal Palace match a couple of weeks ago I was appalled to witness 3000 Palace fans drowning out the 60,000 Arsenal supporters. Today's match was different and the home crowd played a big part in getting behind the team and giving Arsenal a true home field advantage.

The second leg is in two weeks and while it's going to be tough, you never know.


(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)



(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
February 22, 2014 10AM EST Arsenal vs Sunderland




Halftime



POST GAME





Saturday, March 1, 2014 10AM EST Arsenal at Stoke











AFTER
















Saturday, March 8, 2014 7:45AM EST Arsenal vs Everton FA Cup 6th Round






AFTER




Tuesday, March 11 3:45PM EST Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Champions League Final 16 Second Leg








AFTER






Sunday, March 16, 2014 Arsenal at Tottenham 12PM EST 




AFTER













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