The Crappiest of the Derbies – Arsenal vs. Fulham

Really weird day ‘ere over Sydney. It was misty, then sunny, rainy, misty, then sunny, then really heavily rainy rainy, then sunny and now it’s raining again. It’s been a crazy last round of the A-League in Australia too, and Arsenal played Fulham which I watched on the Soppycast live while abusing the Arses commenting system on Arseblog.com.

First and foremost – Central Coast Mariners have took the first Champions League Spot for 2009 by taking the Minor premiership, but more on that tommorow. Just doing match reports today.

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ARSENAL: 3
FULHAM: 0
Statistics

No Walcott on the bench for Arsenal, Hoyte was given a place on the bench for cover. Fulham looked to crowd the midfield with a 4-5-1 and release the wingers which changed their formation to 4-3-3. The first 10 or so minutes were you’re basic back and forth, Simon Davies looking the liveliest of the Fulham camp with some early chances. It was an open sort of game with reasonable chances coming. Arsenal got they’re passing game on fairly early and Hleb looked good.

 

Hleb and Matt Damon looking good.

Yeah, disturbing picture I know – those crazy Belarusians. Really look at Vysechlav or Vyschlav or Alex’s brother V. Hleb and I think you’ll all be pleasantly, well not pleasantly surprised. At 18 minutes Adebayor scored a header, twas a great run from Clichy down the left and a good cross as well. I think Clichy and Sagna for that matter slip under the radar, but without them we would struggle.

Fulham lacked an attacking drive after the goal even though we looked scrappy for a few minutes after the goal. We looked great with Arsenal doing some exquisite buil up work from well, everyone. Davies and Dempsey caused some minor problems in defence but after Gallas and Senderos (unfairly judged by some) sorted them out we proceeded to play the possession card.

 

Lame joke.

37th minute with another Adebayor headed ball after a cross from Hleb. Huuuuuuuuuge jump from Adebayor although we kind of expected him to get to that hanging cross. Tenacious work from Flamini to win the ball back, his tackle on the Fulham guy (don’t remember who) took the ball to Hleb who then proceeded to cross it in. After that we were dominating.

 

Start with New Zealand.

At the start of the second half Bullard came on for Steven Davis. Bullards first game in about 78 years apparently. Eduardo looked dangerous through the left-flank and Rosicky hit the post in the 49th minute. It was funsorta game to watch, whenever we lost the ball we got it back again. Full ham beef sandwhich looked dangerous on the break, briefly. We played with alot more width and that was good. Very good. Senderos got an armful of Dempsey’s… arm but it was all unintentional. We were in cruise control.

 

Elton John!

Back n’ forth after that and Fulham had the one chance every 15 or so minutes. For a bit we went 4-5-1 but we reverted back to the ol’ 4-4-2 after it stayed the same score. Almunia was a statue for most, well all of the game. Hleb showed great strength and skill on the ball and basically started taking the piss out of the Fulham defence. He doesn’t get caught in two minds anymore and can decide whether to pass or shoot within the space of a minute now. We’re playing with alot of confidence.

 

Lets hope we don’t explode.

Typical aftermath goal by the Sitsky after a good run-low cross from Eduardo on the left. Rosicky at full stretch getting to it and stickin’ it pass Niemi. Great run by the Sicks as well I must mention, no-one picked up the Czech star. I was expecting Bendtner to come on for Eduardo or Adebayor but we didn’t make any subs, we just stood around passing and dominating after the Sicks’ goal. Full time and we looked like the business at the end of the game.

Updating with A-league reports tommorow.
Sorry for the wait but I’m really, really tired.
Until tommorow, cheers.