The outcome was not a great suprise, and even though I would rather loose out to anyone other than ManUre, but, the thing that leaves the worst aftertaste is the way the boys played for the 5 minutes of extra time. Once Viduka scored, before the 90 were up, the lads just gave up. Gave up with almost 7 minutes of playing time? I know it was probably a done deal, but, for pride you don't just...give up, do you? In the final analysis, did it all come down to a lack of character?
You mean they just gave up in extra time? Like at Bolton? Sorry, just had to watch Sir Al*X uncork champagne for the thousandth time.
Yeah, this is a bit of a concern for me. I really don't like to buy into this idea but, it seems that we enjoy turning on the style, but enjoy getting our hands dirty. Our most talented players, Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Cole, etc. have gobs of skill, but I don't see them nut up enough and just get a result. I'm not saying I want Parlour on the pitch, because I don't, but a little more of that intensity would be nice. But I just don't see it. Will Taylor bring it next year? I don't think so. I don't think it's Sol's style either.
I go back to what Freddie said before today's debacle about not being able to tough things out. Unlike last year, when this team seemed ready to take on anyone and anything, this year's team seemed more concerned about making the clip shows than about gutting it out and playing solid at the back. The downfall of this team wasn't injuries (though it contributed), but it was this team's lack of resolve in the end that ended the hopes for another double.
frankly i was suprised too, when dukes scored i knew we were in the box seat but i didnt pop the bubbly just yet, i wsa very suprised not to see arsenal come right back at us however. not that im complaining, cheers for giving up. was a great game that we deserved to win.
Your boys did play a solid match, Oz, and deserved at least something out of it. I only wish Arsenal would've shown something in stoppage time and not just let things go.
Well said, jwaldman. the leeds did deserve sumthing out of the game but its the same old story..arsenal are typical of an all to common trait among english clubs in the past, bottle-jobs. When the time comes to perform and really prove your worth, we bottle it. its a long debated point this side of the pond, but i can put it down to one thing - and ray parlour certainly helps here - a lack of englishmen. i dunno if u guys hav ever played footie in england but its so different to our continental counterparts and id imagine americans tooo. Over here its all about heart, passion and spirit, we may lack in technical abilty but we make up for it with true grit, determination and the will to win, something truly apparent in london derbys(esp. againsts the scum(sp*rs)). but unfortunately lacking in most other matches. i hope AW rectifies this...im sure he will. one things for certain, i believe in him. the last thing i want to say tho is how surprised i am in the passion i share with u guys, i live and die for arsenal and hav done all my life. some of u lot show more passion and pride than many of my fellow 'supporters' here in london. God bless. and LONG LIVE ARSENAL!
something that is makin me sick is reading all the tabloids... seeing that smirk on SAF's face makes me wanna puke.. he was right all along (ashamed to say it).. we (AFC) were cocky and arrogant and couldn't stand up to manyoo at the end of the day.. i hope the club thinks long and hard as to wot went wrong this season and try's to rectify it.. i know that finanically we can not compete with the manyoo's or real's of this world, but, money doesn't always translate into wins (see mallorca thrashing of madrid).. ugh... this is gut-wrenching stuff lads... still say we could use lucio at the back.. call me mad phishy
I have to eat some humble pie in the Parlour department. I haven't been his biggest fan over the years, but, when it comes to having the right stuff, he's shown he's got plenty. He was my MOTM yesterday and he's put in some gutsy performances over the last few weeks. Whatever else is to be said about him, it's clear that he's Arsenal through and through and that gets him my vote. And phishy your not totally mad, Lucio would be sweet!
First off, thanks for the kind words at the end. Second, I agree with you to an extent on the need for more Englishmen, if for no other reason than grit and heart. Ray Parlour was one of the few players who looked like he actually gave a damn during the last few matches, and he was certainly one of Arsenal's best players during the run-in, although that's not saying much. I do think that Vieira has that kind of heart and grit now, particularly after watching him play against Chelsea and Everton a couple of months ago and watching him try and gut out the ManUre game at Highbury. But they have to get other players in there who will fight for the full 90+, not just go in spurts.
Arse-n Whiner Ok. Fair enough, Arsenal is a good team with a lot of talent. And no, they don't yet have the pockets that ManU have, but then no one gifted this money to ManU. They've been brilliant not only on the field, but also on the business side of things, and it has afforded them many luxuries. It must be said that Arsenal have been slow to get into a bigger stadium and have missed out on a lot of potential revenue. But why are they second place once again? Because they are second best, period, despite the managers insistence that they are best, and his whinings about this and that. Arsene, to be the best, you have to consistently beat the best. Against the top 5 clubs right now in the Premeirship, Arsenal have a record of 3 wins, 2 losses and 5 draws (3-5-2) with a total score of 14-14. Compare that with ManU's record of 7 wins, ZERO losses, and 2 draws (7-2-0), with a total score of 28-11, and you'll see the gap between the two is not as close as it seems. The Champions League failures to advance speaks volumes as well. All this being said, Arsenal can be fun to watch, although they consistently whine (Henry), and is one of the best when they are on their top form, but they have to get a manager that takes them to the next step, rather than whine about why they can't get there, and claim they are already the best. Get a clue Arsene. Good luck in Cardiff.