PDA

View Full Version : EPL: Arsenal v. Charlton March 2nd [R]


dwinkler
02 Mar 2003, 03:26 PM
Thought I should start the official thread with the [R] even though the result's already been given elsewhere.

Unusual lineup, took awhile to click, but in the end it was way more than enough for a poor Charlton side. I know they're the feel-good story of the year, but if they do manage to sneak into Europe they'll face a good "Ipswiching" next year. Nice story, good for them, but no way are they in the same league as Arsenal. But I guess you can say that about 19 other teams, too.

For the record, the starting lineup was:

Seaman
Toure-Keown-Campbell-Gio
Freddie-Parlour-Edu-Pires
Jeffers-Henry

Henry, as usual, drove the offense. Great cross for the Jeffers goal, then he motored up most of the field in the dying seconds of the first half to set up the cluster that became the second goal, eventually headed in by Pires.

We could have had more in the 2nd half but our Fox in the Box couldn't push it over from about 6 inches out.

Wiltord came on for Freddie, Gilberto for Pires (with Edu moving to the left), and Charlton barely ever threatened. Scott Parker, touted as a future England superstar because 1) he's English, and 2) he has a pulse, was thoroughly unimpressive. He kicked out at Henry, Thierry's retaliation earned a yellow. And I think he escaped a booking in the second half despite a nasty scissors tackle on Parlour. Rob Styles, the ref, didn't have much to do, but he still managed to turn in an unimpressive performance.

Jermaine Pennant was on the subs bench - he didn't get in the game, and his only contribution was to be caught by the TV cameras goofing around with Stuart Taylor when he should have been watching the game. Future England star indeed...

fox point fury
02 Mar 2003, 03:43 PM
Thanks. How was Toure at right back?

dwinkler
02 Mar 2003, 04:05 PM
Originally posted by fox point fury
Thanks. How was Toure at right back? I thought he was fine - more than fine. He didn't have a helluva lot to do, but he wasn't caught out of position, he made some overlapping runs, and on one play in particular he tracked back very well in the box with Lisbie (I think) and headed a dangerous-looking cross away.

fox point fury
02 Mar 2003, 04:41 PM
Cool. I'm very impressed with his versatility. I know I'm counting my chickens well before they hatch but I think he'll be an important player for us in the future.

442
02 Mar 2003, 04:52 PM
Toure looked good when given some opportunities in the early part of the season. If he got regular playing time he would be a stud. All he has to do is jump in line in front of Freddie, Pires and Wiltord.

It's really a shame because he's so young. With two years of solid play in the Arsenal side, he would probably be like Wiltord. Maybe not quite as many goals, but constant energy, creating goals, etc.

Martin Daoust
02 Mar 2003, 05:41 PM
Today was eerily reminiscent of the run-in last year as we controlled things start to finish, took an unassailable lead, settled some, defended solidly, and looked like we easily could've won 4-0 or 5-0 had we felt like it. There was even almost an inevitability about the result again like the run-in last year. Charlton came to play and fought hard but there was never the sense they had a chance to really get anything-there was always going to be only one winner and once we scored it was clear we would win. Great overall effort-Toure was excellent and is an extremely valuable player because of his versatility as is VanBronckhorst. Henry was solid and his work to set up Jeffers goal was splendid. Jeffers had a good game-a very good game before the runner-up for Miss of the Season to my new hero Ryan Giggs-besides his goal. While Sol and Keown were splendid at the back-and I think we found another striker in Big Number 23...........................

jwaldman11
02 Mar 2003, 10:26 PM
I can only talk about the second half because I missed the first half due to the Worthless Cup and the fact that, for some unknown reason, the game was replayed at 10 instead of 11 like it was supposed to be. But I have to say that, even though they didn't score and, at times, didn't really even look to score, Arsenal still put on a clinic on possession. Charlton, who is certainly not a bad side, looked pretty helpless out there today. Not only didn't they get many chances, but they barely touched the ball. Almost everytime Charlton got possession, they either made a bad pass or somebody made a big play at the back to win the ball. Solid all-around effort from the Gunners, which hopefully bodes well for the rest of the season. Hopefully, 'Boro can at least get a point against Newcastle on Wednesday and keep 'Toon well back. Same goes for Leeds against ManUre!

michaec
04 Mar 2003, 02:50 PM
This display was much more like the Arsenal I want to see, in complete control from start to finish. Everyone had a good game against a surprisingly poor Charlton side considering their recent results. I am surprised Pennant didn't get a run out, he plays the same position as Ljungberg who obviously wasn't going to last the whole game. The match was over so I think it would have been ore benificial to give him a run for 25 minutes rather than Silva or Wiltord who we already know pretty much everything about.