Saturday 19 October 2013

Arsenal End on a High

Well, as finishes go in football that was pretty impressive today but it may overshadow an under below par performance during the middle third of the game but highlights will show goal of the season contenders. 

It all started with a majestic move that involved Wilshere and Giroud. The last two flicks are just sublime, the crowd gasped and Wilshere slotted home as our jaw drew closer. Unbelievable goal and I don't think the ball hit the deck between the pair. Something really special. 

Then a lull, Flamini departed through injury and a gaping hole appear between midfield and defence and Norwich started to take control. We looked lost and Szczęsny did well to palm away a shot from distance. Half time arrived in just the nick of time. 

I was fully expectant that half time would see us address our lack of discipline in midfield but it appeared Arteta failed to adapt, Norwich kept coming but they snatched at half chances and just as it appeared that they might get an equaliser, we broke. Cazorla led the charge forward, he sent it wide to Giroud who put in a Beckham esque cross and Özil threw himself at the ball and headed home. Just what is going? Diving headers. 

So time to sit back and relax? Not quite. We dropped off slightly and got punished. Howson attacked our back four and smashed home, with no midfielder anywhere near him but in a way it spurred us on. We upped our game.

We adopted a shoot on sight policy and Ruddy's hands were warmed by Ramsey and Bendtner. 

Then our in-form Aaron Ramsey stole the show, a goal very reminiscent of Henry v Liverpool. He received the ball in the box, threw one dummy and weaved his way forward with an inevitable shot incoming, but he checked back and fired home. The crowd went crazy, it's only Norwich but sometimes you get carried away with moments of brilliance and this was one of them. 

Then the icing on the cake, a Rosicky cross to the back post, Ramsey unselfishly laid it on a place for Özil who slotted home (nutmegging a Norwich player en route too). It was just football at it's finest. A day when Pires and Bergkamp were (alledgely) in attendance and we played football that they would have been proud of. The movement and interchange was a sight for sore eyes and  it made a lot of fans feel that maybe, just maybe, we might challenge for honours once again.