Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Highlights: Bendtner rescues point
Posted by Arsenalist on March 1, 2008
A point rescued. We were still feeling the effects of the Birmingham nightmare and weren’t at nearly our best. For every one pass forward, we made two back hoping to create a “better” channel. This of course gives even more ammunition to those commentators who continue to mercilessly point out how we pass too much for our own good. Although they’re all closet Man U supporters sometimes they do have a point. Arsenal were a little too methodical in this one and never applied real pressure towards Villa who were only too happy to run at us on the counter.
The crosses were off, the passing wasn’t crisp and if we we had lost it would’ve been fully deserved. Many thanks to Adebayor for finding Nicklas Bendtner who slotted one home on the last kick of the game. Man U beat hapless Fulham which means we drop two more points but still stay on top of the league. This Arsenal squad hasn’t faced adversity like this before, injury to key players, pressure at the top of the table and emotional distress from the fallout of last week. Hopefully Bendtner’s goal will put a stop to the bleeding and spark the return of the Arsenal side that was playing so well earlier in the year.
Nobody is expecting us to get a result in Italy but a win there would give this team the confidence and belief that it so desperately needs right now.
Cesc Fabregas was scoring goals at an unsustainable rate earlier in the year but the goals have dried up for him and it’s not a surprise, however he should’ve scored towards the end of the first half but instead shot it high. With Eduardo gone and RVP missing, we sorely lack a predator who can also create on a dime with traffic around him. Arsene Wenger pointed out that RVP is almost ready for training which is great news, it’ll pull the pressure off Adebayor and add the creativity we’ve been missing inside the area:
“We will not rush Robin van Persie back, but the news is quite good. It is difficult to say, we go step by step, but he should come back into normal training very, very quickly now.”
10 games left and the two mammoth fixtures at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford will ultimately decide the title race. Even though Arsenal are top of the league, they are the underdogs to win it.
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Senderos Own Goal ’27: Download :: YouTube
Final Stretch + Bendtner ’90: Download :: YouTube
Maloney Shot that hit the bar
Fabregas’s chance just before the break
Ottawa Gooner said
Ugly ugly ugly.
So many missed headers, stray passes, possession given away cheaply, Bendtner and Ade still won’t pass to each other, Senderos had a howler, Clichy looking uncharacteristically nervous, Fabregas well below par.
I don’t know why every time there is a chance to run at a defender and go past him, EVERY Arsenal player (except Walcott, bless) feels the need to stop, look back, and pick out a reverse pass. That’s not how you cut open defenses…ask Manchester or Chelsea based on today’s results.
Even in the 93rd, Fabregas refuses to shoot! Jesus.
And after all that ranting…THANK YOU NICKLAS!
rvp said
@Ottawa Gooner … ask Manchester or Chelsea based on this year’s season …
we´re still TOP of the league!!!
dwightsuperman said
arsenalist i love you man
Grey Roco said
It was a poor performance for sure with Senderos in particular looking vulnerable. But I thought Walcott was just as ineffective as Senderos. Take a look at how often Theo kept possession of the ball compared to how often he lost it. I wouldn’t say his performance was ‘shit’ because he looked dangerous once or twice in the first half but he was a black hole of possession out there, he’s just not up to the Arsenal standard, yet. He was the worst attacking player of the day, hands down.
Good kid, bad day.
shan said
i just wonder whether arsene was too quick to dismiss the idea of a new signing in jan. arsenal is a big club, with lots of money.
Pat said
Hey Arsenalist, there is some great news on arsenal.com
RVP might be on the bench for Milan, but definately won’t start.
He will be checked on Monday.
Ottawa Gooner said
rvp,
True enough and full value to us, but we haven’t played anything near our best football for quite some time now, that’s why our five point lead has dwindled to one.
I still think we can get results away to both of them, but you can’t deny that they both have a certain ability to “put teams to the sword” which we’ve been lacking for awhile.
die 4 ars said
i duno wat the shit 2 say about 2days performance,now wenger should set rvp on the pitch at san siro…..so we can see a pstive result or not it might be 7-0…..who knows
and also rosicky&toure shoul play pls wenger plse
wateva V R still in the top of the table…….plse atleast try 2 maintain this position……..im really disheartend of 2days result,,,,,,im completely oblivious while watching match…….dunno wat th3 toooooooooooooot they’re doin