THE TUCKSTER on Saturday’s Premier League defeat against Arsenal.
This was always going to be a big ask, especially against an Arsenal side who had won their last four games and with the league`s in form striker, Robin Van Persie.
I took my five year old son to this match trying desperately to temper his eternal optimism. I myself am always an optimist because on the day it is eleven men against eleven men – but, you have to face facts this would be a tough one.
Paul Lambert changed the team around with Elliot Bennett and Grant Holt starting on the bench and David Fox and Andrew Crofts making up a five-man midfield to try to get a foothold in the centre of the field. It looked as though he wanted to try to put a brake on the gunner`s famous passing game.
The game was only minutes old when the difficulty of the task first became apparent. Walcott and Gervinho were surging forward almost at will and their pace and skill was clearly going to be a massive problem for our full backs.
The first thing of note was an unbelievable goal line clearance from Russell Martin – the word “sensational” is not inappropriate to describe it. Walcott easily beat Marc Tierney and raced into the box he wrong footed the next defender he faced and switched the ball onto his left foot from where he curled the ball into the top right hand corner with Ruddy only able to watch – at least that was going to happen until Martin seemed to come from nowhere to acrobatically slice the ball away. I was right behind it and it was simply staggering.
His stock continues to rise in the centre of defence. But Arsenal kept coming and RVP also had a gilt edged chance that he somehow put the wrong side of the post. We could`ve been three down within the first 15 minutes but a combination of luck and great defending and blocking kept them out.
Then with no danger to him at all, Per Mertesecker found himself facing his own goal on the edge of the box with the ball. City`s lone striker, Steve Morison wasn`t going to make it easy and went for him. Mertesecker had the time to do something but didn`t and Morison simply muscled him aside and took the ball off him before thumping the ball past Szczesny to give City an improbable lead.
I was out of my seat with my lad along with the rest of the stadium as the players celebrated in front of the Barclay. Mertesecker hung his head and afterwards, Wenger moaned about him being fouled but not a chance – he simply wasn`t strong enough which given the size of him seems strange.
The City players looked like they had some belief now and something to play for but the lead only lasted ten minutes before Walcott once again slipped past Tierney and played in a low hard cross across the box. RVP was unmarked and tapped in from six yards.
Half-time came with the teams level but Lambert clearly felt we were not asking enough questions and substituted Fox for Bennett at the start of the second half.
The Arsenal passing game continued to be something to behold. With Song providing the muscle and Ramsey and Arteta hardly misplacing a pass at all they held the ball and pulled the City team back and forth until a gap appeared before playing the killer passes.
This was an example of the beautiful game and how it should be played. Unfortunately it didn`t last for City and on the hour mark; the otherwise excellent Russell Martin surged forward from the back.
He held on to the ball a moment too long though and lost it to Song on half way. He instantly released RVP who ran through and chipped the ball over Ruddy with his right foot to make it 1-2.
It was a deserved goal but when you`re holding a team like Arsenal 1-1 at home you feel like you could get something.
The rest of the half went by with City always in the game. Pilkington went close with a free kick and could`ve scored in free play as well and Holt was booked for a dive in the penalty area late on. Arsenal could`ve had a few more really and the score line doesn`t reflect their dominance. John Ruddy in particular saved a one on one with Gervinho with a superb dive when it seemed as though the Arsenal winger was already past him.
However, the fact is we only lost by the odd goal and as is our way didn`t give up. We were always in this game and as a spectacle of entertainment at Carrow Road it was great. Sure the result didn`t go for us but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and accept that the opposition were better than you.
I would`ve liked to have seen someone quicker than Holt or Morison running at Mertesecker because he doesn`t seem an Arsenal type of player. He is clearly big and strong but also pretty slow. If Jackson or Bennett could`ve got a run at him we might`ve managed something more, maybe. It`s easy to say these things…
Despite the loss there is still plenty to cheer but we`ve lost two on the bounce now and need to pick up some points again. Next Saturday`s visit of QPR will provide a quick home opportunity and it`s a game we should be looking to get something from, preferably a win.
But before I sign off, I just want to say that when you are playing in the best league in England, arguably the world, then the best players come to your ground and you get to see them play. Part of the joy of Premier League football is seeing the likes of RVP, Walcott and Gervinho et al putting on a show. It`s up to City to match them which will never be easy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this match despite the loss although my lad was particularly upset by Alex Song as we left the ground – “I don`t like that man with the orange hair, daddy.”
On the Ball City…
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