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Theo Is Real (And the Draw)And so the Premier League starts once again. This time of year used to be one of extreme stress for me... when I was 15, my mum sent me to the doctor for what she called my "August ailments." I suffered from migraines and severe stomach pain nearly every August and it got worse with each passing year. They ended up sending me to a therapist who determined that I was just a little too serious about Arsenal's prospects and was, in fact, making myself ill with worry. I did all these relaxation techniques that accomplished nothing at all. As it turns out, I'm just keyed up about everything. I don't suffer from the August ailments these days, as I've found other ways to exorcise the demons, but I still get a little anxious. And Saturday morning was no different, as I tortured myself wondering how how well the lads would play, having transitioned from the narrow confines of Highbury to Emirates' broad acres. Would we be match fit? Would we be sharp? Were we in mid-season form, I wouldn't have given this match a second thought but this is a renewed Aston Villa - a team now managed by Martin O'Neill. His teams are always well organized and tough to break down. Given our collective match fitness, this could have been a disaster. It almost was.
It wasn't until early in the second half that Villa mounted an attack worthy of the name and their lone goal eventually came on their only corner. In a moment of foolish arrogance, Jens Lehmann came out against Steven Davis but couldn't reach the ball in time. Olof Melberg caught up with the inswinging corner and nodded the ball into the net, unguarded, in the 53rd minute. For the next 20 ticks, things were a little tense. But then came a revelation... Theo Walcott! The youngster, greeted by a standing ovation, immediately showed the promise that I was beginning to think Sven-Goran Eriksson had imagined. He settled wide on the left of a reshaped 4-3-3 and terrorised Villa with his touch, working one flank while Emmanuel Eboue relentlessly drove down the other. With time running out and Villa now double-marking him, Walcott took Aleksandr Hleb's pass and chipped cleverly to the far post, where the ball skimmed off Jlloyd Samuel's head on its way to the unmarked Gilberto Silva. At a sharp angle, the Brazilian volleyed it home with fierce delight. Though this wasn't the three points we would have wanted, I'll take a draw. Considering our current state of match fitness and the fact that this was a season opener, it could have been a lot worse and we'll be looking good in the coming weeks. In other news, Cuntenham got thrashed by Bolton, which is high comedy. Fucking rotters.  Posted at August 21, 2006 6:29 PM Permalink • Filed under: Arsenal FC , Football (Soccer) |
Despite an embarrassment of possession (including 18 corners to 1), Arsenal were only seven minutes from defeat in Premiership cherry popping at Emirates Stadium. You'd think that'd be a sign of bad play but in terms of constructive football, we blew Villa off the pitch with strong attacks, angled drives, and the typical speed, verve, and imagination. Trouble is, we couldn't convert to save our lives, as our efforts were blunted time and again by the tireless protection from Villa's back four.
Comments (5): Theo Is Real (And the Draw)
Cullen Barker
August 21, 2006 6:31 PM
The Gilberto goal was a score that, last year, we would not have made. We simply would have gone down in humiliated defeat. I'll take a draw at this stage. Henry is not fit and we've yet to find our rhythm and pacing... all in good time though.
zoogs25
August 21, 2006 10:15 PM
I know the Gunners were in mid season form but come on, they should have beaten Villa. They out played Villa in all aspects.
The gunners passed the ball waaay too much inside the eighteen even with a clear shot on goal, it was like they were playing hot potatoe with the ball. I am all for a good passing game but that was just too much. Well you've got City to thrash around coming up.
Nathan Arrington
August 22, 2006 1:09 AM
If this kid was so great the other day, why didn't he get played during the world cup?
Toxic
August 22, 2006 10:09 AM
Premiership started, Bolton ? Nope I've got no idea what you're on about.
The kid did look quite good, it pains me to say.
Barrett
August 23, 2006 10:02 AM
Henry looked absolutely knackered throughout. I know that tosser Domenech played him for a full 90 just 2 days prior but that was not an encouraging sign. He's 29 and was running about like a 35 year old.