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Saturday 18 February 2012

Arsene, we have a problem. (Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal)

This game was one that was going to prove to be vitally important for Arsenal. It was around this time last season where their fortunes began to turn sour, and the signs were imminent for it to happen again. They received a thrashing from AC Milan in midweek, in what will surely be an inevitable exit from the Champions League, and if they fail to claim victory today, their ambitions of winning a cup this campaign will plunge into serious doubt. There is a magnitude of pressure on Arsene Wenger, and it wasn't going to help that they were facing high flying Sunderland. .. and fly high they did
Despite this, they had a fairly confident start to the game. They seemed composed when keeping possession throughout the opening five minutes, and also had a chance on goal through an Arteta free-kick, which flashed narrowly wide from 30 yards. However, this high tempo start was dampened by an injury to Francis Coquelin, who subsequently went off for Sebastian Squillaci. There were then injury scares for Djourou, Ramsey and Song, which allowed Sunderland to neutralise the threat that Arsenal displayed during the early stages. Martin O'Neill's side had appeals for a penalty when Alex Song flicked out his right hand towards the ball during a corner, but nothing was given.

Arsenal had several chances throughout the first half as they seemed to be the team in control. Gervinho was put through by Ramsey and managed to get a shot away while being hassled by Turner, which was saved from Mignolet (the resulting corner came to nothing) and then leading goalscorer Robin Van Persie made a run into the penalty box, but was tackled by John O'Shea, with half-hearted claims for a penalty. But on the 39th minute mark, it was Sunderland's turn to strike. A Larsson free kick was cleared out to Richardson on the edge of the box, who then hit a venomous half-volley towards goal, taking a deflection off of the substitute Squillaci and past the helpless Fabianski in the Arsenal net. Sunderland had taken the lead against the run of play, expanding the ever growing black cloud above Arsene Wenger's head.

The home side seized the initiative to go and try and get another goal before the break. Larsson took the ball onto the wing and whipped a delivery into the box, which was headed down by Colback towards Aaron Mclean. The Irish youngster's volley then hit the side netting after pressure from the flailing Fabianski. Arsenal failed to attempt a response before the half time whistle, and went into the dressing room slightly down heartened, knowing that their domination of the game should have really produced a more positive scoreline.

Second half began with Arsenal on the back foot, Mclean was running towards goal when he was brought down by Sagna on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece was put just over by Larsson. The away side’s defence was looking increasingly shaky. Djourou could have easily got a second yellow for a two footed challenge and made countless mishaps throughout the first half. Vermaelen was still having nightmares about his performance in Milan and Alex Song had to be brought into the centre of defence to replace the injured Squillaci (who was a substitute after an injury to the left back)

The only real chance the Gunners got in the next 20 minutes was a Robin Van Persie free kick, which was deflected away for another lacklustre corner, whilst Sunderland were now the one’s in the ascendancy to possibly get a second. The Tynside team were quick to close down any attacks that their opponents tried to initiate, and this resulted in ever more frustration for Wenger. Chances came and went, before the final nail in the coffin was driven in on the 77th minute. Sessegnon broke free (for not the first time) and shrugged off the challenge of Arteta. Larsson then picked up the through ball and struck against the inside of the post, and the rebound awkwardly fell infront of Oxlade -Chamberlin, who was powerless to do anything apart from divert into his own net. 

Looking tired and without purpose, the North Londoners nearly conceded a third, the ever present Sessegnon strolled through the defence to cross into Mclean, but a brilliant last ditch tackle from Sagna saved their blushes. The full time whistle must have held some sort of relief the travelling Gunners; the awful week being capped off by a diabolical cup exit. Arsenal will now be concentrating on getting a Champions League place for next season, and possibly overturning the deafeat they suffered in Italy, but judging by today's performance the comeback seems a million miles away...

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon (Campbell 89)
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Coquelin (Squillaci 11, Walcott 53), Song, Arteta, Gervinho, Ramsey (Rosicky 53), Oxlade-Chamberlain, van Persie.

BeeTeeSports Man Of The Match: Stefan Sessegnon

Sunday 12 February 2012

England Managerial Crisis!

It was a slight shock when Postman Pat decided to pack up his bags and leave just a few months before England's Euro 2012 campaign was about to kick off. Nevertheless, it seemed as though he wanted to leave and was looking for the perfect excuse to do so... step forward John Terry. With Capello now apparently on his way to some ridiculously rich Russians called Anzhi Makhachkala, it's the FA's job to find a man to guide England to inevitable Euro success (sarcastic or just very optimistic, you decide). Everyone's obvious favourite is the local simpleton Harry Redknapp, who can mastermind a Tottenham revolution from relegation to Champions' League, but cannot read or write (I think that this was some form of sympathy story to get him off the hook for some dodgy money troubles). The 64-year old has led Spurs to within touching distance of Manchester City at the top of the table and has constructed a team who play outstanding football. With his vast managerial experience and the fact that he's English, he would seem like a perfect candidate for the job, but with his club doing so well this season, he may be tempted to continue the project that he started there four years ago. In which case, we have to consider other options.

Psycho Pearce

If the managerial vacancy is not filled by May (which is possible) It will be Stuart Peace who will probably take caretaker charge. Imagine if we pull off amazing results in the friendlies against Norway and Belgium? There may be a call for Pearce to take on the job full time for the Euro Tournament and beyond. He led the England U21's to the semi-final of the World Cup in 2007 and went a step further in 2009 (although they failed to get past the group stage in 2011). Pearce has also been put in charge of the Great Britain Olympic football team, showing that he is trusted at international level by England. Even though he has relatively little managerial experience compared to Redknapp, (a two year stint at Manchester City and caretaker job at Nottingham Forest) he will be fairly capable of handling the position should he have to.

Guus Hiddink

Unlike Redknapp and Pearce, Hiddink has a massive amount of international managerial experience. He has coached Holland, Australia, Russia, Turkey and South Korea (who he led to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup). The former Dutch midfielder also had a brief stint at Chelsea in 2009 as caretaker manager, whilst also coaching the Russian national team (a rather hard task in itself). This clearly shows that Hiddink will not be phased by the pressure that of hopeful England fans. He may not be English, but unlike Fabio, he can actually speak the language reasonably well, so there will be no lack of communication between him and the players.

Jose Mourinho

Woah... let's not go here. Mourinho is indeed a very talented manager, but also a controversial one. I fear his massive ego will collide with alot of people in English dressing room and the FA headquarters.

I personally think that we should let Stuart Pearce take charge until the end of the Euro 2012, and then lure Harry away from Tottenham to start fresh with the England side after we go out in the quarter finals. If Redknapp was to take charge now and fail horribly in the upcoming competition, there will be unnecessary pressure on him during the World Cup qualifiers.


In conclusion, HARRY FOR ENGLAND!... But not just yet...