Arsenal 1-1 Bolton – 28/01/07 – (FA Cup) 29 January, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Cup Games.trackback
A lot of people were expecting a result after last week’s win over Manchester United but Bolton held us to a 1-1 draw forcing us into a dreaded tie up at the Reebok. The replay will be played on the 14th Feb and the winners will play Blackburn at home. It would be nice if we got some easy ties but we face more tough matches and an even tighter schedule. All these games must be having an impact on the team, hence all our injuries. Oh and there’s one more to add to that list, Baptista picked up a groin problem yesterday and Arsene in thinking about making a signing due to all our injuries. There is a chance Julio will play on Wednesday but otherwise it’s going to be Ade and Aliadiere up front.
We didn’t play particularly well yesterday. There was no cutting edge, no final quality and to be fair we didn’t really deserve to score. Bolton weren’t amazing either and I think in the end a draw was fair. The visitors will be pleased to take us on at home but I’m bloody not. We lost 3-1 there earlier in the season and that was with a less injured squad. I really do worry about Arsenal sometimes. We could be out of the FA Cup here, the Carling Cup is a long shot with a full-strength Chelsea waiting in Cardiff and if we don’t get some players fit soon we’re going to struggle against PSV.
We started with the team I expected but none of them had a particularly good game. Walcott looks a completely different player to the one last year. Fabregas wasn’t brilliant but did, now and again play some good passes. Henry had a back-heeled chance just before half time but nothing else comes to mind. I imagine it’s going to be a fairly similar side on Wednesday with all our injury problems but with Aliadiere for Henry and someone in Rosicky + some other changes. Tottenham will be giving it all they’ve got so they’ve got to sort it out.
As Gunnerblog pointed out, the fans weren’t helping the team much either. The atmosphere was poor and it really does annoy me. 60,000 fans but you could argue we made a better noise at ‘Highbury Library’. If you’re going to a football match, please get behind the team come on. If you’re not there for the atmosphere why are you there? Just watch it on TV. There is that one corner who try to keep the atmosphere up and I’m sitting there on Wednesday. Last time Spurs visited it was quite noisy so hopefully we can raise the atmosphere again for the youngsters.
Both goals came in the second half. Bolton’s came just 5 minutes after the break. It was a nice play by Bolton passing around the Arsenal defence with ease. In the end the ball came to Nolan in the edge of the six-yard box who had no trouble making it 1-0.At this point I wondered again if this would be our first loss at the new stadium as we hadn’t threatened the Bolton goal at all and I didn’t see us scoring.
In the 77th minute we did equalize. Fabregas took a free kick out on the right, swinging the ball into the box. A defender got his head to the ball first but it dropped at the back post for and unmarked Kolo Toure. His diving header bounced off the ground and over the ‘keeper. The Emirates made the first real bit of noise all night and with memories of the 2-1 over Man United still fresh in the memory there was belief that we could win this one (You can see the goals here).
However unlike last week, we had no threat going forward and realistically you knew it’d be a draw. 4 minutes of extra time went up again and we did have a chance in the added time but it was saved comfortably. The final whistle eventually came and now we have to look forward to the Reebok, hurrah. See you later.
Yeah. How funny was that.
“No noise from the RedSection” & “Can you hear RedSection sing?”
SHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we felt Gilberto’s absence yesterday. Flamini had a poor game in the centre. While he is useful at disrupting the likes of Scholes, he is less effective against tougher nuts like Nolan. Silly mistakes by Kolo and Senderos also put us under pressure. Without Jens behind them and Gilberto before them, they had a tough ride at times yesterday. Clichy and Hoyte had great games though and Kolo became a huge presence as he came forward in the second half. He can dribble better than Theo…
Excellent un-biased report.
B.W.F.C. Fan
Not too sure whats going on with our defence of late. I mean Kolo’s been alrite i suppose but not at his best. Senderos (dont get me wrong im a fan of the boy), what can i say, one game he’s perfect the next, he makes me look good and im shit. Last night up against the likes of Nolan and Davies, he did not win even 30% of the headers which is why everytime they pumped one into the box my heart was in my mouth. He didnt have a good game at all.
I though even though Rosicky didnt create much, he sorta drove us forward and looked lively. Couldve taken a couple of shot on goal but elected to pass and gave the ball away. Cesc, no need to comment even on a bad day he looks good on the ball. Henry quiet, Ade quiet. Flim flam wasnt too bad i mean sure he gave away balls and whatnot but so does Gilberto. THe fullbacks were the best players on our team. I was really pleasantly surprised by Hoyte. He does seem to be more comfortable now. Almunia looks solid. Walcott, well dont really know whats going on with him but Wenger says its normal and he should know so we’ll leave it at that. Just a point, Aaron Lennon from the team that we’re about to give a good bollocking to, is only what a year or 2 older than Theo, but look at him. He’s an amazing player in my book regardless of whatever team he plays for. I really hope Theo can reach his level of play. Soon. We need it.
It’s been a long month and this is the worst result we’ve gotten. a draw. that’s not too bad. i fope eboue can play on wednesday. I don’t want him picking up another knock, but he made for a damn strong winger last game.
Couldve taken a couple of shot on goal but elected to pass and gave the ball away. Cesc, no need to comment even on a bad day he looks good on the ball.
Clock End Gooner you annoying t*at. taking the piss out of someones mother is real classy. does ashburton alans mum sleep with african guys 30 years younger than her like yours?
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