UPDATED: 17:23 EST, 20 April 2013 They lacked depth, were walking and were slack. They didn't develop a chance in the next half against 10 men, till Aaron Ramsey mis-hit an attempt wide over time added on. In short, Arsenal were a good way short of the standard expected of England's elite. And yet, at the conclusion, they punched the air, exchanged embraces and were serenaded by their supporters. Large five: Per Mertesacker (left) celebrates rating the starting goal with Nacho Monreal Going home: Arsenal's Per Mertesacker slides into report Arsenal's purpose from a garden out Fulham (0) 0 Arsenal (1) 1 Fulham: Schwarzer, Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson, Emanuelson (Frei 87), Sidwell, Enoh, Kacaniklic (Petric 85), Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs Maybe not Used: Etheridge, Riise, Karagounis, Hughes, Rodallega. Sent Off: Sidwell (12). Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosicky (Podolski 71), Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott (Wilshere 71), Giroud, Cazorla (Vermaelen 90). Subs Maybe not Used: Mannone, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Gibbs. Sent Off: Giroud (90). Booked: Arteta, Ramsey. Goals: Mertesacker 43. Att: 25,700 Ref: Andre Marriner (T Midlands). Latest Premier League table and results Because of it is that stage of the summer season when things mean anything and Arsenal had sneaked from Craven Cottage with three. No matter that they had spent the last fifteen minutes of this game holding on against 10 men - the numbers were only equalled in the 90th moment when Olivier Giroud was severely sent off; no matter that they developed so little with 71 per cent of the possession; no matter that the team's deficiencies in strike and midfield were revealed. Strategy are on program for Champions League qualification for a 16th successive year but, on days such as this, you do wonder quite how. Fulham, who enjoyed 78 minutes with 10 men following the inexcusable indiscipline of Steve Sidwell, were a match for his or her more illustrious competitors. Correct, they too did not produce important rating chances, yet they at least had an excuse. 'The remaining 10 minutes were actually nervy,' mentioned Arsene Wenger, who conceded that the second-half performance wasn't good. 'Was it actual? Was it intellectual'? he asked rhetorically. 'In the 2nd half we needed merely to protect the lead. Against Everton on Tuesday it had been a very real game and I thought we were slightly jaded.' In action: Dimitar Berbatov requires the ball past Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey Rash: Steve Sidwell found a red card with this clumsy tackle on Arsenal's Mikel Arteta Just click here for full table Still, Arsenal have taken 16 items from the possible 18 since what seemed to be described as a season-defining defeat at Tottenham in March and today the burden remains on the neighbors to help keep pace. Wenger had bemoaned the lack of security his players received against Everton but could don't have any complaints here. Umpire Andre Marriner rightly took a firmer line when Sidwell released his right foot at Mikel Arteta's leg long following the ball had gone. It was enough for a red card after only 12 minutes. 'I can't protect him because that will probably seem ridiculous,' said his boss, Martin Jol. 'But I'd not have given it because I knew that it wasn't intentional, and often you hope that referees may only guide you. But when you are consistent then, yeah, it absolutely was a red card.' Caught in the middle: Berbatov is shut down by Gunners midfielders Arteta (left) and Ramsey Challenge: Bacary Sagna flies into a handle with Kieran Richardson on the ball for Fulham Challenge: Tomas Rosicky (Left) vies for the ball with Fulham's midfielder Eyong Enoh Under pressure: Olivier Giroud contains off Brede Hangeland before seeing a card in the minute Sidwell argued his case and trudged off gradually. But having just return from a three-game bar following a similar expulsion against QPR - his team is also put by an indiscretion which in jeopardy - his team-mates and manager should despair of his lack of control. Because it was an additional successive red card, a four-match ban is now faced by the former Arsenal midfielder, indicating his season has ended. Wenger described that it absolutely was the worst injuries that are threatened by the kind of challenge. Better late than never: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger arrived straight back late for the next half Early bath: Giorud leaves the area after being sent down in the final moment of the fit 'It is just a question of a fraction of a second,' he said. 'If you are entirely in your foot right now you get hit, you break your leg. Arteta only eased off somewhat and that's why he got away with it.' The expected onslaught from Arsenal never materialised and Fulham looked significantly more than ready, with the very outstanding Urby Emanuelson providing Dimitar Berbatov in the 20th minute and the Bulgarian creating a good picture that pushed Wojciech Szczesny to push wide. Giroud then created an identical time of quality in the minute, striking a styling shot from the edge of the field that ricocheted off the article. But Emanuelson answered by taking Nacho Monreal to shoot, with Szczesny struggling to save. System took the lead just before half-time with a Walcott free-kick finding Laurent Koscielny, whose header across goal was met by the forehead of Per Mertesacker. The next half saw Fulham create the more harmful times. Koscielny provided an important header to avoid Berbatov nodding in a equaliser. And Kieran Richardson's free-kick was only parried by Szczesny, but Stanislav Manolev was offside as he put the ball home. Then, Arsenal were merely hanging on, a predicament exacerbated when Giroud mis-timed a handle on Manolev in the 90th minute. 'I talked with Giroud and he said to me that he slipped right now he went for the ball,' said Wenger. 'It isn't a handle but he went a little over the ball and, since Sidwell had been sent off before, I'd no illusions about the color of the card. But it is just a extremely important gain for us.' Dimitar Berbatov and Olivier Giroud went head to head at Craven Cottage in today's London derby between Fulham and Arsenal. Both strikers went into the match in good form, but neither can find the net and Giroud saw red in the last second for a tackle on Stanislav Manolev. GESTURES Berbatov lived as much as his reputation as a sulker. The Bulgarian flung his arms up in disgust at Urby Emanuelson for maybe not pulling the ball back again to him in the first half while Alex Kacaniniklic, Manolev and all three authorities got the hairdryer therapy from Berbatov during the match. Giroud was much more sprightly and inspired his team-mates through the entire match. WORK RATE Berbatov did not bother pursuing Mark Schwarzer's long move in the first half, however in equity to the striker, he did frighten the Arsenal protection when they had the ball. Giroud was determined, working the routes and offering support to Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla. He is cost by his exuberance in the ultimate second although when he acquired a card for a tackle on Manolev. LINK-UP PLAY Berbatov dropped too heavy at times and deficiencies in communication with his team-mates meant he was captured offside four times. Giroud was able to stay static in his position and combined well with his team-mates despite being clattered on two events by Philippe Senderos. COMPLETING Berbatov shot straight at Wojciech Szczesny when he got in behind the Arsenal straight back four and his only other work was a weak free-kick which went straight into the wall. He hit the foot of a post with a low drive, on the main one occasion that Giroud gained a yard on Brede Hangeland.
More Info: [Live Football] CA Tigre - Argentinos Juniors - Argentine football
No comments:
Post a Comment