If you had a nickel and threw it on a 4-4 score, I guess you would have been 80 times richer. No matter how crazy you are, I do not think anyone would have swung a wager on such an outcome. Liverpool, with only 8 goals conceded in their last 16 home league matches, versus an Arsenal team, rocked by a 1-2 loss in the FA cup to Chelsea a few days ago. It would take a genius or an idiot to guess such a score.
The game produced was a beauty for all neutral football fans, but it was definitely heart attack inducing for gunners and pool fans. It is a tribute to attacking football and both attacks should take credit for it although the defence probably got an earful from their managers. In addition to the great game, many amazing statistics were also created. Think about this. What was the last time one player scored 4 goals against Liverpool at Anfield? The answer is a distant 1946 by Dennis Westcott for Wolves! Most of us are not even born then. One can argue though that Julio Baptista did score 4 in 2007 at Anfield, albeit the fact that it was in the mickey mouse cup. How about another trivial? When was the last time an Arsenal player scored 4 goals in a league game? This is one that a google search did not produce any useful result.
Back to the game, pool started brightly and was raining shots all over the place in the hope that the crashed confidence of young Fabianski was again in question. Like many young players, the unpredictable keeper chose to present himself as an impressive keeper this time round instead of giving presents all around like in the Chelsea game. Indeed, one wonders if the same player was on the pitch as per 4 days ago. It is suffice to say he contributed a lot to keeping the clean sheet for Arsenal at half time.
On the other end, our talented Russian torpedo was ready to roar after being kept on the leash by Wenger on Saturday. After 35 minutes of feeling around, he exploded with a shot that ricochet off the crossbar and into goal. This after good work down the flank from Fabregas and Nasri. At the end of the half, the score was 1-0 to Arsenal. A normal, ordinary scoreline.
An amazing 7 goal thriller exploded in the 2nd half that nobody would have expected. Liverpool hit back with 2 goals from Torres and Benayoun before the Arshavin Show went on display. It was a great team effort on both sides and Arshavin and Torres were the crucial finishers so lacking in the early part of the season for both team respectively. When Arshavin score in the final minute, I though we have secured an amazing victory with an exceptional player grabbing 4 goals in a game. Hence, it was like 2 points dropped when our shaky defence decided to fumble a clearance for Benayoun to score his second for the night. Well, I guess you could have expected that the match is not going to end without the last minute dramas.
All said, I guess it’s a fair result that both teams do not want. The biggest winner from this game? Manchester united and the odds makers……..
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment