One American too many!

[Jeff L]

After meeting up for a "pre match pint" in the "Moray Arms" with the families Bobbit (CA), Eversman (NY), and Ruette(NJ), and then made our way inside Highbury Stadium it soon became that there was "one American too many"!........."Brad Friedel"! Without doubt "Man of the Match" and made numerous superb saves to, not only keep Blackburn in the game, but to win it. The fact that Arsenal entered an otherwise "lack lustre" performance all round, and with the echoes off Henrys' "too tired" complaint still ringing in the ears, his performance lived up to his words. Very little seen of him today, with Wiltord taking the early lead in trying to score. The defence again, not at its best, but no blame on Seaman for either goal. Edu redeemed himself for his earlier error with a direct free kick going around the wall and past Friedel at his far post, where perhaps the nearer seemed the most logical place for the shot to go.
Neither post was guarded, and a tactical error by Blackburn I felt. Coming just at the stroke of half time, it gave good heart for the second period. Sadly this was no better. The second goal conceded went through the defence with the two strikers playing first time touch with each other until scoring. A third was nearly added at the end in similar form, save for a wonderful tackle by Campbell. Overall, again "below par". 3 2-1 defeats on the trot. Dortmund on Wednesday, Fulham on Saturday. Wenger needs to turn it around, before his "unbeaten all season" begins to haunt him. The next two games MUST produce wins if only to bring some inspiration that even Bergkamp and Pires failed to add in the final 25 minutes.

[chicago_fan]

Yes, Friedel had an amazing game but here's my question. Why oh why, with such a big 'keeper, did we keep trying to shoot OVER him?? Why didn't we try and make him stretch for the ball...the one really solid low shot was the free kick by Edu, which founds its mark.

The second goal by B'burn was especially frustrating. That's the kind of goal we should have scored.

[kygunner]

Originally posted by chicago_fan
Yes, Friedel had an amazing game but here's my question. Why oh why, with such a big 'keeper, did we keep trying to shoot OVER him?? Why didn't we try and make him stretch for the ball...the one really solid low shot was the free kick by Edu, which founds its mark.

The second goal by B'burn was especially frustrating. That's the kind of goal we should have scored. Absolutely, even Bergkamp tried to go over his head. We refused to pick a corner and a big GK will have more problems stretching than lifting up a hand.

Good stuff from Jeff, cant say much more.

[iansfavouritecopilot]

Best GK in the Prem right now

[Jeff L]

That's being said quite a bit now. To be honest, it's hard to disagree with. (Even being a big Seaman fan!).

[JRedknapp11]

Just wanted to say thanks to Jeff for the superb match tickets and a great pint before the match. I would suggest to anyone who gets the chance to cross the pond for an Arsenal match that they contact Jeff for a quality well rounded experience.

Cheers to Jeff and Arsenal.

[C Bobbitt]

I too would like to add my thanks to Arsenal’s ambassador to the US, Jeff Lancaster. Meeting Jeff was one of the high points on my trip to Europe. Even though Arsenal lost both matches I saw, Auxerre and B'burn, I still left with a grin on my face. Highbury is truly a wonderful place to watch football. I’m hoping on my next trip to London, hopefully before the move, I’ll get to see the Gunners win. Until then, I’ll leave the cheering at Highbury to the next group that Jeff will take under his wing.

“Come on you Gunners!”