The Two Vitals Sides Of Our Game
We won the league
By Olosi (AJ The Gunner)
February 9 2005
Arsenal's game against Villa saw a scintillating first half display by the Gunners. The second half saw Villa fightback and score a goal.But overall Arsenal held firm. Is it proof that Arsenal are back on track for a trophy? Here is the personal view of Olosi a regular contributor to Arsenal Times.
It was enthralling to watch Arsenal explode out of the blocks to finish the first half three goals up against Villa. It could have been six but nevertheless it was great to see a glimpse of our real form. The goals were simply clinical and carved out with great vision. Our attack was pure master class and the way our passes split the Villa defense was simply a delight to watch. The experience of Edu in the midfield confirmed that it had been lacking in our previous games. Make no mistake Cesc and Flamini are almost there. One wonders whether experience was what Vieira needed to carry the attack forward and show us a glimpse of his best (we will all wait to see if it’s so). Edu personally surprised me with his display of commitment. I wonder how complete our team display will be when Gilberto returns to ignite our game once more? With this return to form can we dare to hope for a trophy this season or should we wait to see consistency first? Total 90 minutes commitment and consistency is needed because I don’t know whether it was a figment of my imagination or pure paranoia that Arsenal was once again a little slack and less committed in the second half. Villa do not compare with United, but our second half display could have turned sour if we were playing a team with more zeal and mental strength. Being three goals up after first half does not leave room for complacency. I had thought that the united game would have taught us a bitter lesson. Arsene commented that he was pleased with our team character, but said that when one is 3-0 up at half time it is psychologically difficult to stay sharp and that overall it was a deserved victory. Is that a good excuse? By our first half display against United did we not deserve a victory? This slack display saw us go to sleep with Villa scoring and still believing they could still get something from the game as United did. The Arsenal we know likes to strike a damaging blow early in the contest and then control the tempo of the rest of the game. A typical Arsenal would come into the second half to hold possession and work the ball around to wind up time while waiting for a perfect opportunity to counter attack. Had they played like that against United it would have been a different story. In general the game was a big mental test. Our game must show these two vital sides. The side that neutralizes and kills off the opponents in the first half and the side that snuffs the life out of them in the second, and giving no room for recovery, while not squandering leads. We must show these two sides consistently if we are to hope for a trophy this season (especially Europe Ed).
THIS IS WHAT ARSENAL ON TOP OF THEIR GAME IS ALL ABOUT…
By AJ The Gunner.