FAB IN FEB
FAB IN FEB
Looking to progress further in all competitions, Arsenal open the month against Derby in the FA Cup and also face Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Premier League brings Blackburn, Wolves, Fulham and Liverpool to try to get Arsenal a loss. The month is rounded up with a trip to Wembley for the League Cup final against Chelsea.
Derby were swept aside pretty easily by the Gunners. The two goals came from Santos and Benik Afobe. Santos netted the first with a screamer after 37 minutes. Young Afobe scored Arsenal’s insurance goal with 11 minutes left. It wasn’t really an exciting game to be honest, Arsenal controlled the game and kept the pace low, which would help them preserve energy for the important games, like the Madrid one coming next. Just over 50,000 fans witnessed what was the most boring game played by Blackett’s folks this season.
Despite Blackburn being 18th, this next game promises to be a heck of a lot more exciting. Blackburn need a point to climb out of the relegation zone over QPR, but that looks highly unlikely. They didn’t get a point, and nor were they close to getting one. Arsenal steamrollered them 4-1 to hold the gap over United. After just three minutes Arshavin scored a blast from the edge of the area to give the Gunners the lead. Mikel Arteta doubled that lead soon after but Samba cut it in half with his strike. Willian scored the third for Arsenal with a close range chip over the keeper. Mertesacker completed the rout with a solid header off a corner.
8th place Wolves take on the league leaders this time around; Arsenal are five points ahead of City and 6 ahead of United, City has played one more than Arsenal and United. Two points were dropped here by Arsenal in a high scoring draw. 4-4 was the final score. Carlos Tevez netted a screamer to give Arsenal an early lead that was wiped out 10 minutes later by Doyle. Tevez reinstated the lead with another blast, this time from inside the area. His hat trick goal came just 12 minutes later. Kevin Doyle popped up again to give Wolves a whiff of success. Tevez scored yet again five minutes into the second half. With defeat looking likely for Wolves, Fletcher began the comeback with a superb close range finish. Mertesacker gave away a needless penalty, one which Fletcher gladly tucked home to ensure a point. £45m well spent for Arsenal on Tevez? On this performance yes, but he needs a lot more goals to help Arsenal to silverware.
After a lengthy break, Fulham took on Arsenal. Fulham were way below initial expectations, whereas the opposite could be said of Arsenal; Blackett didn’t considered them a top three team, let alone a league leader. United dropped two points at Aston Villa, and City could drop points against a solid Everton side. A 3-1 loss to Arsenal cost Martin Jol his job as he was sacked because of poor performances; he was the first manager sacked in the calendar year. Arshavin gave Arsenal an early lead over the Cottagers, but failed to double that 3 three minutes later due to an offside call. Another two goals came in the first half, van Persie adding another for Arsenal, but Mertesacker put the ball in his own net seconds before half time. Mertesacker righted his wrongs with a powerful header after 63 minutes. Arsenal still unbeaten this season, bringing back memories of the old invincibles.
Arsenal met their toughest opponents yet in what would be a tight affair, and certainly a game for the neutrals. Leg one of two went Madrid’s way in a tight battle. 2-3 was the final score at the Emirates, meaning Arsenal needed to win by two goals over in Madrid. A tentative start nearly gave Arsenal an early lead, but they had to wait until 24 minutes before Arshavin got the first. Higuain equalised for Real before Ronaldo gave them the lead from a penalty given away by Sagna. Higuain gave Real an insurance goal with 15 minutes remaining,. The insurance was gone five minutes later as Pepe earned a red card. Arshavin scored two minutes later, but it was too little too late.
It was back to England for the Gunners, they face Wolves in the FA Cup 5th round. Park Chu-Young netted the first goal with a flicked header after Hennessey’s error. O’Hara had a penalty shout turned down as Wolves stared at the possibility of defeat. Fletcher struck once more against Arsenal to level the score. Hot shot Maroune Chamakh scored the winner on 74 minutes. Arsenal will play either Burnley or Fulham in the 6th round.
Liverpool would present a rather larger challenge for Arsenal, but Blackett still expects a win. This time the closely fought battle fell Arsenal’s way. Vermaelen started them on their way to a 2-1 win over Liverpool with a strong header from van Persie’s corner. Maroune Chamakh scored the insurance goal that turned out to be the winner. Young English striker Andy Carroll scored Liverpool’s only goal on the hour mark. Steven Gerard could have equalised on a penalty, but Szczesny saved it well.
Chelsea would round off a great month for Blackett’s men, could they make it unbeaten in England once more?This was the League Cup final, this time last season it was Wenger leading the Gunners into battle. They coughed that game up and lost to Birmingham City, but this year’s different. A more confident and adventurous manager heads the charge this time. Arsenal lifted the trophy this time around after a dominating performance over Chelsea. Didier Drogba gave Arsenal a horrid start with his early blast that was too hot to handle for Szczesny. Moments later, Mikel coughed the ball up to Chamakh, who dually clid the ball home. Mikel then had his penalty shout turned down by the ref. On the hour mark, it was Gervinho who capped off a wonderful move with a deftly executed shot low into the corner. Apart from the goal at the start and a lone chance at the end, Arsenal more or less controlled the game.
Szczesny was named young player of the month.
League Cup champs 2012, Arsenal
