Proud.

Haven’t much time for a full match report but what a day it was. I arrived in Cardiff about 11 o’clock and headed to the gatekeeper pub for the pre-match banter. As I entered the stadium Ljungberg, Lehmann and Clichy + some more were entering. I got a nod of approval from Mad Jens for my “Leeeeeeeeeeee-man, Leeeeeeeeeeee-man” and a high five from Freddie. My seats were 3rd row, behind the goal but more in line with the edge of the box. It was a fantastic atmosphere and well done to the Gooners for travelling so far for a game nobody expected us to win.

It was Arsenal reserves vs. Chelsea 1st team and we started the much better side. Theo scored in the 12th minute and what a finish it was, his first for Arsenal and what I time to get it. I went ballistic and my shins still hurt. We were on top but Drogba equalized 9 minutes later with a clearly offside goal. The first half was all Arsenal and we should’ve been winning. Not only should’ve Drogba been flagged offside again, but we had so many chances; we really should’ve scored again.

Half time came and it was 1-1. It was all set up nicely for the 2nd half. Things carried on in Arsenal’s favour and we looked the most likely to score. Chelsea brought on Robben for Makelele and half time to try and shake things up but Traore was immense. On the hour mark there was a bit of drama when Terry was knocked out cold. It was a Chelsea corner and the ball was whipped in, the was a bit of a goalmouth scramble with people trying to get any sort of touch they could on the ball. This was up the other end so I couldn’t see what was going on but next thing I know Terry’s on the floor with players from both sides screaming towards the touchline in desperation. You could tell it was bad and the first man on the scene was Arsenal’s Gary Lewin.

I only saw the incident a few minutes ago when I got home, Diaby went to clear the ball putting his foot through the ball as hard as he could but he made the connection square in Terry’s face and he was gone before he even hit the floor. He was rushed hospital but was back at the stadium 2 hours later. I’ve heard he doesn’t remember anything that happened that day and that Diaby had a tear in his eye when he was coming off; with the reaction his injury got from the players it looked as if he could’ve been killed. But you missed the target Abou; you’re supposed to go for the bollocks.

The game was a bit more even now and I could feel a goal coming and with 6 minutes of normal time to go Drogba got the winner with a great header. I knew the game was over. We tried to inspire the lads on but it wasn’t to be. There were 7 minutes added time so you thought maybe we had a chance but not after all the sendings offs we didn’t: Toure had his shirt pulled by Mikel and reacted violently and everyone joined in this massive brawl. The coaching staff and officials all ran on to the pitch to try and sort it out. It got really heated and it’s nice to see the youngsters hate Chelsea as much as the fans do. I still haven’t seen exactly what happened yet but in the end Adebayor, Toure and Mikel. There’ll probably be some sort of discipline from the FA for this but oh well.

Personally I don’t think it ruined the day. I had a fantastic time but hopefully I won’t have to go all the way to Cardiff anymore. Thanks for the memories, well done the kids. I would talk about every play individually but I don’t think it’s worth it; they were all incredible. I think a special mention must go to Diaby though, it’s beyond me how me wasn’t man of the match.

Sorry about the shit quality of the report, only just got back and I’m knackered. Also I’m going to Edinburgh in the morning and I’ve still got bits and pieces to sort out. I won’t get a chance to update the blog until next weekend, but hang tight and I’ll be back with a Reading match report. See you then, have a good week.

Well tomorrow is the big day and a cup final in Cardiff always messes with your nerves the previous day. Gunnerblog has some good advice on what to do today to try and forget about tomorrow.

We’ve usually dropped out early in the league cup due to Wenger’s youth policy. However this year our bunch of youngsters have been so good we’ve managed to make it all the way to the final. Some may argue that we’ve included one or two big names along the way such as Toure etc but that’s literally one or two.

It all started up at West Brom in round three which was followed by an exiting tie against Everton. In the draw for the quarter final we got Liverpool; the match was abandoned due to heavy fog an hour before kick off but in the rescheduled match an inspired reserves side won 6-3. In the Semis we were drawn with Tottenham in a mouth watering, two-legged affair. We came from two down to draw 2-2 at the shithole and when they came to ours the game went to extra time but in the end we won 3-1. And now here we are at the final facing the favourites Chelsea.

The 29,000 ticket allocation sold out and it should be a fantastic atmosphere. A trip to Cardiff is always special, you don’t just remember the game, it’s all the events building up to it and the long pilgrimage to Wales you remember. This final is different to any other we’ve had there though. The FA Cup is undoubtedly the most important and the Community Shield is really just a pre-season friendly. Both of those cups are quite fiercely contested though.

For Arsenal anyway, the Carling Cup is a bit of a nothing tournament which we use to test our youngsters at a higher level. We never really expect to go anywhere but the likes of Diaby, Denilson, Almunia and Aliadiere have been excellent and earnt 1st team places along the way. If it wasn’t for this cup we would’ve have seen Denilson, what a wonderful player he is. I used to be so exited about Cesc’s future but now it’s all about this kid.

I’m not really sure what team will start tomorrow. Gallas wants to start but I’m sure I read somewhere that he’s part of a group of 1st teamers who definitely won’t play. I imagine it’ll be the same sort of line up we’ve seen in early rounds but with a very strong bench including Rosicky, Adebayor and Gilberto. Clichy and Hoyte are having fitness tests and if they are fit I expect they will play. I thought the tests were yesterday but I’ve heard nothing yet. Cesc might start in the centre; it’s weird to think he’s still officially one of our younger players isn’t it?

The only real question is who’ll play at left midfield, it could be Hleb or Rosicky but if Wenger is going to use his reserves it’s hard to predict who’ll be there. I was very impressed with Denilson when he played there at Anfield but both Diaby and Baptista have been put there before and looked lost. There’s also the option of going 4-5-1 with Baptista up front and Aliadiere on the wing but I prefer him as a striker. So if it was up to me this is what I’d do, I’ve kept in mind injuries and also thought about what Wenger would do:

Rosicky played against Spurs in the last round so it’s not as if his inclusion in the side would be a surprise. He’d do a great Job on the left wing for us; it’s just whether or not Wenger feels there is a youngster that can take his place. If it wasn’t the final we might’ve seen someone like Randall there but I think Hleb or Rosicky will be out on the left come tomorrow afternoon. There is also the option of playing Clichy or Traore there with one of them behind in defence, I also think that would work quite well.

Well we’ll find out tomorrow what the team will be and I’ll be interested to see what Arsene will go for. John Terry is now fit which is a bit shit but I have heard Lampard’s got the flu but I don’t expect him to miss the game becasue of it.

I’m leaving London at 7.30am tomorrow morning and hope to be in Cardiff for lunch. I’d prefer to be there earlier with a 3.00pm kick off but Cardiff is fucking ages away + there’s two sets of fans coming up the M4 to Wales. Whatever the result, I hope to just have a good day out. I’m going to Edinburgh early Monday morning for the week and there’ll be no updates on the site. So I’m going to try and do a quick match report how ever late I get back Sunday night. Make sure you follow the boys tomorrow but most importantly, just have a laugh. See you later.

Oh Shit. All I wanted out of this fixture was one away goal, I said I’d settle for a 1-1 but I was trying not to sound too confident as I actually thought that side could’ve battered PSV. Somehow, we lost and although it’s a slender lead it does make the 2nd leg tricky; we’re going to have to score twice to go through.

Gallas started at right back ahead of Djourou. I have no idea why, Johann has played well there when called upon and Gallas is a left back if anything. I suppose Djourou is being rested for Sunday but still. We went for a 4-4-2 with Adebayor partnering Henry instead of the 4-5-1 that’d served us so well last season. If Henry was the same player he was 12 months ago then I would’ve said play him on his own, but he’s nowhere near as good as the old Thierry anymore. We started well actually and Arsenal looked the most likely to score. Rosicky nearly did early on but the ‘keeper just took the pace off it and it was cleared from rolling over the line. Also in the 1st half Henry had a good shot, flicking the ball up with his left and driving it with his right, but the shot went straight at Gomes and it was a comfortable save. Henry had a few shots outside the area, cutting in by the left corner of the box and trying a looping and bending shot into the far top corner. Every time it just wasn’t quite good enough but he did have the goalie worried a few times.

I thought in the first half we were by far the better team and it looked like if anyone would score, it’d be us. PSV had a couple of chances on the break but nothing really came of it and Lehmann didn’t have an awful lot to do in the first 45. Eindhoven were coping with us, just, so we needed to come out in the second half all guns raging but we didn’t. PSV were there for the taking and I’m not sure what the hell went on in that second half. We went back to that old Arsenal giving the ball away and not creating anything decent. To be fair PSV weren’t getting much closer to goal either but were not afraid to have a go from distance. In the end it paid off in the 61st minute when Edison Mendez had a shot 25 yards from goal and it went right into the bottom corner. I don’t think Lehmann really had a chance saving it, it was a well-struck goal and I didn’t think we were coming back from it. Toure tried to block it but I wasn’t too happy with Senderos though who just stood there and watched it go in.

The only good chance we had for the rest of the game was Cesc Fabregas’ effort. He and Rosicky played a clever one-two setting up Cesc just outside the area, he hit a swerving shot just going under the bar but it was too close to Gomes and he made a good save tipping it over the bar.

The game finished 1-0 and I’d say overall it was a below par performance. I was pleased with the first half but I just don’t know what happened in the 2nd. Henry didn’t look bothered again, Cesc wasn’t his usual self and Gallas was lost a right back. Senderos and Toure kept the defence well but there was nothing they could’ve really done about their goal. It leaves us with a lot to do at the Emirates and the crowd will need to pull their finger out and show some support.

Why do we need the likes of Spurs and Man United to inspire the crowd to make some noise? On Saturday the atmosphere was shocking, I know it wasn’t a full crowd but it was still 56,000 people and that is more than enough to make a deafening sound. I know if there’s not a lot going on, on the pitch then there’s not a lot we can sing about. On Saturday the players attitude was not very inspiring to the fans but it works the other way round for the players too. We’ve got a few matches to sort it out before the 2nd leg, starting with the Carling Cup Final on Sunday and I can’t wait.

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. It should’ve given me sometime to think about what I can write about the game, but no. The worst game I’ve seen at the new stadium. It was a 12.30 kick off which meant I had to wake up at half 9 to get there nice an early but on a Saturday morning? No chance. In the end I got there just in time and early enough to get a 4 pound pie before the game, ‘cos I don’t want to be getting it while we’re playing or anything do I, incase I miss something? Even at that price, I wasn’t impressed with my pie. I’ve heard good things but I was disappointed. Hmm.

This is pretty much was this match report will be like.

Anyway I finished my lunch and the game was underway. It was a side featuring William Gallas making his return from injury. He’s been out of action for about 3 months and it showed. He started at left back and it didn’t take long for the runs down the left wing to stop. Before Clichy replaced him on the hour mark he was just strolling around the pitch totally out of the game.

It was the most surreal experience watching. Due to the short notice of the game it didn’t sell out and there must’ve been about 500 away fans there, no exaggeration. I just sat there, no noise whatsoever. It was a beautiful day and everyone just seemed so relaxed and watching the game. Most people I’m sure still nursing the Friday night hangover. As always the northwest corner were making an effort but it was dead everywhere else. I cannot recall any ‘highlight’ from the first half but personally I was content with the score line, confident we’d perform in the 2nd half.

It was so dire where I was sitting I decided to walk around the stadium to block 5 where everybody sings hoping to have a bit of a sing song. To be honest it wasn’t incredible there either. Well it was good but not like it normally is. You could put this down to the early kick off but there was nothing happening on the pitch to inspire the fans but if you think about it, it was probably vice-versa too.

The second half started as the first half began and you started to wonder whether we were actually going to see something exiting. The first chance came just before the hour when Aliadiere put Walcott through but Theo’s shot went into the side netting. Just after that Clichy came on and helped stop Blackburn taking the lead clearing Christopher Samba at the far post from Bentley’s free kick. Wenger brought on Adebayor and Rosicky for Ljungberg and Walcott to try and get the team actually playing and try to get that goal. I thought Theo was better on Saturday; he impressed me a lot in the first 20 minutes or so but let himself down after that. Before he came off he was looking dangerous and getting into decent positions but his first touch was letting him down.

Ade and Tom did help the team push forward. They both used the space out on the left well and threatened goal a few times. However there were still no clear-cut chances and I had a feeling a penalty might settle this. A few minutes later it looked as if we’d got one when Aliadiere was brought down by Warnock in the area. It looked like a decent shout but the referee waved the claims away. When I watched the replay on TV it was an obvious penalty and I can’t believe it wasn’t awarded. When you’re in the stands, you’re some distance away from the ball and when a decision like that isn’t given I accept there was probably something I didn’t see but I do not understand why the ref didn’t point to the spot. Martin Atkinson was a terrible referee all game; I read in the paper today he was extremely bias towards Arsenal, I didn’t really see it but I do know he didn’t have a clue.

We should’ve been 1-0 up now and the players were trying to make up for it. Friedel made a few good saves in the final stages including a one-on-one with Rosicky who was sent clear on goal. Also there was a bit of a goalmouth scramble that ended in Hoyte missing from 4 yards out. It was a slightly tight angle and I’m not sure whether he hit the side netting or it was saved but he should’ve scored.

At the end there were boos, I can understand them but I hate it when our players get booed by their own fans. Ok they were pretty shit but it’s not as if they didn’t try. There were cheers at the end from the one or two Blackburn fans that’d shown up and it was obvious they came for a draw. So it’s another cup replay and I’m going to be away in Scotland for it. I might be able to see it somewhere. It means the Man City game gets moved again. Hopefully we play much, much better against PSV. Build up to that one tomorrow.

It was a strange team that started with Gilberto captaining the side from centre back and Djourou filling in at right back. The busy schedule is really harming us but if we lost last night we would’ve had a well deserved break. Thankfully, we’re still in the FA Cup and will play Blackburn at 12.30 on Saturday. I was wondering how we’d do with this weakened side against the team that put 3 past us last time we were there. However Adebayor scored an early goal in the 13th minute to give us some confidence. Hleb and Denilson made some great little touches out on the right wing; it was beautiful, one-touch Arsenal football around the Bolton players. To ball came to Rosicky outside the box who tried to square it to Baptista ho would’ve been one-on-one. The ball was cut out by a defender but Adebayor was following up and tried his luck taking a shot at goal. It took a wicked deflection off Stelios and looped over Jaaskelainen’s reach making it one nil to the Arsenal. The credit for that goal must go to Denilson who was just brilliant in the build up.

We had quite a few chances and out quick movement on the break was really causing Bolton some troubles. Bolton were lucky just to be one nil down but they did have some chances of their own. Gilberto and Toure were great at the back dealing with everything thrown at them rarely forcing Almunia into action.

We nearly made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute when we were awarded a penalty. Baptista drove into the box and was brought down by Ben Haim. Gilberto stepped up to take it but blasted it way over the bar, nowhere near the target. Before the penalty I was thinking we should be at least 2 goals ahead so I thought the captain would step up and make things right. About ten minutes later Hleb came off for Ljungberg, both players just returning from injury and both players putting in great performances.

When the board went up for 3 minutes of injury time. I thought we were safe and going through but we lazily conceded a corner. Jaaskelainen and everyone came up for it, overloading the box and the Arsenal defenders couldn’t cope, in the end Meite squeezed it in at it was 1-1 with the game going to extra time. I couldn’t fucking believe it, it should’ve been about 3-0 by now but somehow we messed it up and it’s all even. Aliadiere replaced an excellent, but tired Rosicky to maybe try and nick a goal before the end but it wasn’t to be.

Justin Hoyte came on for Djourou at right back who had a great game there, as did other players who were out of position last night. Right at the begging of extra time Bolton nearly scored and hit the post, I just held my head in my hands just as I did when Heskey hit the post on Saturday. Bolton were on top for start of extra time, we’d been going at them all game and I think the players were feeling it. That was Bolton’s last chance though and when Freddie scored just before half time it was all over. Aliadiere picked up the ball in our half and made a great run down the left side of the field and finished it with a great ball to Ljungberg who scored with a great finish right into the far corner passed the ‘keeper. 2-1 now and it was another beautifully worked Arsenal goal.

The second half of extra time was quite strange, Arsenal were by far the better team and came so close to scoring on the counter attacking with Bolton pushing all their men forward. Arsenal got away with Adebayor charging towards an open goal with Jaaskelainen sprinting back to his box. Baptista was open in the middle but the pressure from Anelka chasing didn’t allow Ade the space to pass. In the end Anelka brought Adebayor down in he box and I don’t understand why he wasn’t show the red. It was a tackled from behind in the area as the last man with an open goal. He only got a yellow for it and another Brazilian Baptista blasted the ball over the bar from the spot again, I couldn’t believe it. Late in the game Bolton got another corner but the ‘keeper stayed in goal for this one as Baptista and Adebayor were waiting on the halfway line. Ljungberg won the corner and hoofed the ball up field with Baptista charging at the ‘keeper with Ade there for the pass. The Beast simply squared to Ade when he got up to Jaaskelainen and it was a simple tap in for 3-1.

It was a dramatic night with so many twists and turns. Also Tal Ben Haim got a second yellow late in extra time but Bolton were playing like they had 10 men anyway. Well done if you sat through all of that last night. Thanks to that win the next game is against Blackburn in two days time, build up to that to come. See ya.

Thierry Henry, Jens Lehmann and Mathieu Flamini are all out of the squad for tonight clash with Bolton. The Flam has picked up an ankle problem and I think Lehmann’s yellow card suspension only comes into effect until the Carling Cup Final. However I’m not sure why Titi has been rested for this fixture, we’ve always struggled at the Reebok and surely we need our best player? You could think Wenger has given up on the FA Cup or just that he has a lot of confidence in his players. Yesterday Arsene said he is keen to silence the doubters over our form up at Bolton so you’d think he’s want Thierry in the side? Also I’ve heard a rumour that Fabregas won’t play but it’s only a rumour.

There is some good news about the team though; Ljungberg and Hleb come back in after their injuries. We have been lacking wingers recently so this is great news. Freddie’s been out for quite a while so hopefully he can find his feet quickly as he might be needed tonight. Also Djourou who broke his nose against Wigan is available; if he wasn’t we may have had to play Gilberto at the back. So this is the team I reckon for tonight: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky, Adebayor & Baptista. The only ones I’m not sure about are Baptista, Ljungberg and Gilberto; Aliadiere, Denilson, and Diaby may come in for any of them I’m not sure. It’s by no means a bad side but it’s definitely a weaker one.

I’m going to be honest with you, I’m nervous about tonight. Either Bolton or Arsenal will be out of the FA Cup tonight and will face Blackburn on Saturday. I really want us to go all the way the year. It’s scheduled to be the first final at Wembley and I want to be there. Hopefully Arsene hasn’t given up on the competition, I see no reason why he should. I think the key man tonight will be Adebayor; the boy always works his socks off every game and we’re going to need that tonight. We need to show Bolton that we’re not up there just to be pushed around and bullied. Baptista needs to unleash the beast inside of him, Almunia needs to be on top form and Toure needs to be a rock at the back. It will be a good night if we beat them; we’re far superior in quality to them so if we perform it should be a walk in the park.

Kick off is at 5 past 8 and it’s live on BBC 1 so there’s no excuse not to be watching. Valentines Day? It’s rubbish, watch the game. Match report to follow as always, thanks for reading.

So we’re on are way to Cardiff where a strong Chelsea side waits. However the team that finished last night included 7 first team players and the only ones you’d say were reserves were Almunia, Hoyte, Walcott, Denilson and Aliadiere. They all played as if they were our regulars though putting in fantastic performances. Traore was good too but was stretchered off early in the second half and replaced by Gael Clichy. The game started off quite even with neither side causing the other any real problems in the final third. The first half wasn’t amazing to be honest; we started in a 4-5-1 with Aliadiere dropping back onto the wing. Even with Jeremie and Theo supporting Adebayor we weren’t allowed to create much and the teams went in level at half time.

We started the second half with two upfront, Wenger obviously felt we weren’t doing well with a lone striker and moved Aliadiere up top. The impact was immediate and we were having much more of the ball in Spurs’ half. At 0-0, officially we were going through but there was no way we could risk that. The away goals rule only applies after extra time in this competition so we couldn’t risk holding on for the draw. You could feel a goal was coming though and it took until the 77th minute for Adebayor to make it one nil to The Arsenal. Rosicky had a powerful shot blocked by Robinson but it came back to an arsenal player and we were still on the attack. Tomas got the ball back on the edge of the box, drove in and played a beautiful through ball to Adebayor who snuck the ball calmly passed the ‘keeper. A really nicely worked goal and we were in a well deserved lead.

We were well on top and it looked like we were going through when Spurs nicked and equalizer 5 minutes from time. They got a free kick on the corner of the box, Jenas played a great ball in and Mido’s header went between the hands of the ‘keeper. A good goal but one I think Almunia could’ve probably saved. 1-1 now and the large section of Tottenham fans were loving it. That goal levelled the tie at 3-3 and took it to extra time. We had a young team out and I wondered if they had it in them to go 120 minutes. Spurs still had Aaron Lennon on the bench and if he was brought on he would’ve caused a tired Arsenal a lot of problems. For some reason he never came on I’ve heard it was another case of food poisoning but that probably bollocks.

Aliadiere made it 2-1 in the 105th minute with a really well taken goal. Denilson crossed it but it wasn’t a very good one and was going straight to a Spurs defender’s feet but for some reason he decided to clear the ball with a diving header even though the ball was on the floor. Stupid fucking tottenham scum, bless him. He got a head to it but it didn’t go anywhere and Aliadiere was there to pounce. He was running away from goal and on the turn shot and squeezed the ball past Robinson at his near post. A really good goal by the boy who’s making the Carling Cup his own.

We sealed the game at 3-1 in the 22nd minute of extra time. I think it was Toure who played a long ball from inside our half to Adebayor in the box. He nodded it down to Rosicky just outside the six-yard box who shot and hit the inside of the post. The ball was just going in the side netting on the opposite side but Pascal ‘I-should’ve-stayed-at-Wigan’ Chimbonda fumbled the ball over the line to take us to Cardiff.

It was another amazing night at the Grove and I have never been so happy before to see us progress in the League Cup. The man who impressed me the most on the night was Denilson. He looks such a great player and I think this guy can be better than Cesc. He can hit the ball well too and forced Robison to make a few good saves. I’m looking forward to see how this guy progresses at Arsenal. As per usual we picked up a few more injuries in this game. I mentioned before Traore being taken off but apparently he was walking around the pitch after the game so it can’t be that bad. Adebayor “has been touched at his knee” and will have a late fitness test ahead of Saturday’s game. Diaby is definitely out for the weekend after twisting his knee ligaments; hopefully it’s not bad, as he’s just come back from a year out.

I should be going to Cardiff but you need three away credits and I’ve only got two…I’ve been to a few away games this year not on my own membership so I’m one short of enough credits for the final. Hopefully I’ll manage to sort out a ticket another way. I should have a Middlesbrough match preview up tomorrow or Saturday daytime but I probably won’t be able to so when I speak to you next could be the match report. I’ll try update the site if I can. See you then.