Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
I’ve just returned from watching the Liverpool – Arsenal league at Anfield and had one of the weirdest experiences of Arsenal supporting life. I was actually a bit gutted when Arsenal scored.
But first, to the game itself. It was superb. The whole game was back and forth and both teams looked like scoring. Arshavin was brilliant and his second goal was beautiful.
I am a bit gutted that Bendtner’s goal was ruled offside, cos that would of been a quality finish. But oh well.
I imagine both teams will be disappoined with their defending, as it was key mistakes that let a number of the goals in, but it has to feel like a win for Arsenal, and a loss for Liverpool. Arsenal played well and scored four goals at Anfield. They could even of nicked it at the end. Liverpool however needed the 3 points if they are gonna keep chasing United and you could see how gutted they were after the game had finished.
And that’s why I found the Arsenal goals bittersweet. Yes, I want Arsenal to win. Yes, I want them to keep a good momentum, espically with the Champions League semis against Man Yoo coming up. But ultimately I feel a bit like we helped United towards the Title with that performance. We denied them crucial points and probably dealt them a psychological blow.
And why don’t I want Man United to win? Well mainly cos I dislike them so much. But I do feel that Liverpool deserve it more this year. They have beaten both Chelsea and Man U twice and played the better football out of the two teams (in my opinion). United however have as usual got wins when they havent played well. Plus they keep getting late winners (from annoying players like the over celebrating, greasy Macheda) or getting away with dodgy play (such as the suspect shirt pulling from Vidic).
So in conclusion, I’m very happy with Arsenal’s performance tonight, but its bittersweet as we may have cost Liverpool the title. I’m hoping that Portsmouth beat Man U tomorrow (which won’t happen) or that Arsenal slap them about at Old Trafford.
James
Tags: Arsenal, Arshavin, Liverpool, Manchester United
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April 22, 2009 at 11:59 am
Twas a brilliant game. I’ve just checked Utd’s remaining fixtures. They’ve got Pompey, Spurs, Man City & Arsenal at home. Middlesboro, Hull & Wigan away. I would reckon they could maybe drop points in the derby against City and hopefully Arsenal will destroy them but even then Pool still need someone else to get a result against them. Can’t see it happening. Thats if Liverpool win all there remaining games of course.
April 22, 2009 at 3:21 pm
James, thoroughly enjoyed your piece, so keep them coming.
I have to say I have got so annoyed with Man Utd this season. Normally they don’t really bother me, but I just hate their attitude sometimes, particularly when they lose (Rooney against Fulham a prime example) and Fergie, although a brilliant manager, just comes up with complete rubbish sometimes. I was even more annoyed when the player of the year nominations were announced, where 5 of the 6 nominees were Utd players. OK, Giggs is a great player and fully desrving of his place and maybe Vidic, but Van der Sar, Ferdinand and Ronaldo just wound me up. Personally I don’t buy all this ‘Van der Sar is the greatest ever Premiership goalie’. His clean sheet record, while admittedly down to some good goalkeeping, was mainly down to a solid defence. And Ronaldo? Yes, one or two pretty good goals, as well as some pretty average ones, but he is a shadow of the player he was last season. The thing that griped me was that these players overshadowed the achievements of other players at ’smaller’ clubs who have quietly made had an enormous influence on their team. For example, Phil Jagielka for me has been one of the players of the season, as has Mikael Arteta (although injured at the moment). Other deserving nominees include Shay Given, Fulham’s Danny Murphy, Gareth Barry or Stephen Ireland. They may not be the best players in the world, but they are consistent, work hard and make a big difference. Also, how the heck was Rafael in the young player of the year nominations? Maybe I have missed something, but I only recall him scoring in one game this season (v Arsenal) and not doing much more than that. Again, very annoying.
Sorry for rambling, but it is good to get it off my chest! I do hope Liverpool win the league, even though I am not the biggest fan of Benitez, but I am not sure that they will. But we can hope and I hope Spurs do them a favour by beating Utd this weekend.
April 22, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Tim, I am in complete agreement with you here on certain issues.
Fergie is one of the best managers in the world, but he is also a right old prickstick. He’s just comes out with utter tosh at times and them slams over managers for saying similar stuff to him (ie Benitez). Also, his psychological mind games with refs and stuff like that is just plain annoying. Any other manager and they would get slated, but because of his success, people just laugh and shrug it off saying ‘thats just Fergie’.
The five Man Utd players nominated for player of the year was also a joke. I’ll now go through them individually:
Vidic – Has been very good for United and contributed towards their great defensive record but, I keep on going on about it, yet Vidic has consistently resorted to dirty tactics such as shirt pulling and got away with it. This should not be rewarded.
Giggs-Although he has played very well when he’s been on the pitch, he hasnt played that many games this year and doesnt deserve to be in the list in my opinion.
Ferdinand – Fair game. He has been very good.
Van der Saar – Has been very good, but his record must be in part to United very good defence, and the defensive mentality in which teams take on United. Few teams really go at Man U and as a result Van der Saar doesnt have as much to stop (I would argue).
Ronaldo – I am with you Tim. He hasnt been anywhere near as good as last year. I also believe he doesnt deserve a place in the shortlist.
I’m with you on some of the players you did list. Here are some more I think deserve a shout:
Kevin Davies or Youssi Benayoun (controversial, and probably spelt wrong).
But noooooo, United have to flipping get every single nomination.
April 25, 2009 at 11:05 am
This season, I too have had what you might call a ‘revelation’ regarding the haughty, conceited, self-important arrogance of Manchester United; the pompous, bumptious, self-satisfied smugness of their manager; the vain, conceited, over-preening narcissism of their over-greased, overpaid players; and the downright stupidity, idiocy and ignorance of many of their fans. I’m not a violent man, but I very much hope that Berbatov’s legs are broken this evening by Wilson Palacios.