Another Win and Beware of Captain Tackles...

Lots has been going on in the Cam-universe lately. Actually, it has been happening for everyone’s benefit, but I’m the one talking about it here. Anyway, I’d like to first start off with the historic event yesterday of Obama’s inauguration. I was able to sneak away for an hour yesterday and I went down to the lower level food court here at my office building to watch the swearing in and presidential address. I was truly amazed and inspired by the event. I really feel that the new administration is going to put the country back on track and help it regain it’s place as a respected world leader. Right after the election, an English friend remarked, “Welcome back to the world, America,” or something along those lines. I think there is a lot of work to do, and there is never an instant change, but I foresee the US being back on the right track. The size of the crowds also show a renewed hope in our country. Having been to Washington and stood on the west Capitol steps, the Mall is an immense area and seeing it full was breathtaking. With that, I’ll leave my political statements aside and move on to more pressing matters. Namely football.





So my friend, the Gunners seem to be on a bit of a hot streak. Well, they aren’t losing, and that is a good thing. The lads traveled to Hull City and were looking for some redemption for their loss at home earlier in the season. As the match began, the Arsenal looked to be playing OK, but again, not getting much. Eboue played on the right wing and I didn’t see much to impress me. Arsenal had a couple of early chances from rocket free kicks by RvP that were either just wide or finger-tipped into the cross-bar by the Hull keeper. Not much else happened for awhile with OK play from both sides, but in the 30th minute, RvP whipped a corner into Ade who nodded it far post to go up by 1. This was the score at the half and it stayed that way with more OK play until Hull leveled in the 65th minute. Clichy should have dealt better with closing down their winger, but instead he nicked a cross that went straight to the head of Cousin (or Coo-zin as it is properly pronounced, in a snooty French sort of way) who then nodded it past Almunia. The match was now level and it really looked like Arsenal were going to draw the match. Bendtner came on for Eboue (thank goodness) and the formation switched to a 4-3-3 and it started to free things up a bit. Though it came late, RvP claimed a pass in the middle and was able to hold off the defender just long enough to play a beautiful ball into Nasri, who slotted it home far post to go up 2-1.



A few minutes later, RvP made another fine cross to Bendtner who knocked that home to give the Gunners a 3-1 win and 3 needed points. RvP didn’t have any goals, but he did wonders for setting them up. He’s really doing well and is showing some great creativity in the absence of Cesc. I hope he keeps it up. Nasri has also been doing quite well and isn’t afraid to shoot the ball, which is a nice change of pace from Hleb, at least in my opinion. So the Gunners now travel to the land of sheep to play Cardiff on Sunday in the FA Cup. Should be an interesting match and it sees young-un Aaron Ramsey return home. I hope he gets to play and sneaks in a goal or three!



In American football news, there isn’t much to comment on, at least as far as I’m concerned. The Steelers beat the Ravens, though I was hoping it would go the other way. Then the Cardinals did the country a favor by taking out the Eagles. Having a Philly-Pittsburg Superbowl would have been a bit annoying. Plus, I don’t like either team, so this way I can root for the underdog Cards and cheer for some crazy catches by Fitzgerald. What a good receiver.

Lastly, I’ve been watching more and more rugby over the last few years. And that’s union, not crappy league rugby. This has been partially spurred along by a Kiwi friend of mine and out enjoyment of watching the rugby and drinking beer. Plus, he turned me on to Jed Thian of the Rugby Roundtable podcast and Alternative Rugby Commentary. Those are truly great shows and a fantastic way to keep up with the sport or watch a match. Anyway, as a note to you, my one (I hope) reader, there is some good rugby coming up. The European 6 Nations tournament and the southern hemisphere Super 14 are about to kick-off in February. There should be some good matches and I’m looking forward to seeing Captain Tackles (aka Richie McCaw) back in action, even though he nearly knocked over my daughter! Ah, the joys of learning photoshop.






Well, I think that is enough for one day (or week as these posts have been going… well at least I am posting, so stop with all the nay-saying. Jeez!!)

Adios

Bye Bye Bogey Team, Well, Pretty Much...

Well friends, here we are. Another week on. Quite a bit has gone on in the land of Cam. My son Liam had his first birthday last week and did a very impressive job of smearing chocolate icing all over his head. And I mean all over. Face, eyes, hair, neck, chin. The boy loves icing, what can I say. The weekend that followed involved lots of friends, lots of wine, and lots of food. At least so I’m told. Let’s just say I’ve been drinking a lot of water lately.

As for the Arsenal, they played at home against Bolton on Saturday. Over the previous years and under Fat Sam Allardyce, Bolton seemed to be a tough team for Arsenal to defeat. The Wanderers haven’t been a powerhouse, but they always seemed to be able to stymie the Gunners, mostly because they would play tough, physical defense and not worry about scoring goals. It looked like we were in for the same this last match as Kevin Davies let everyone know he is an ass by getting into some rough challenges soon after the opening whistle. Arsenal did fairly well and had loads of possession, but it looked like another one of those days of “almost.” There weren’t too many shots, but a couple of good chances by Ade, RvP and Bendtner were either too slow, hit the post, or straight at the keeper. In the second half, Wenger made a tactical move and moved Nasri from the left and into the center.



This was of course something I suggested to friends at the beginning of the match, but that’s neither here nor there. This move, coupled with Vela coming on later and playing wide left, made it possible for Nasri to dictate play a bit more and be creative. After a few misses mentioned above, an RvP cross was slotted home by Bendtner in the 84th minute to give the Gunners 3 desperately needed points. It wasn’t a beautiful game but it got the result.



These last few matches, though wins for the Arsenal, have shown that the team is just barley getting by. At least in my opinion. The defense doesn’t look very solid, though Djourou is starting to show that he should be a starter. And the midfield. Oh my, the midfield. It seems so weird that just a season or two ago we had so many quality midfielders that there was cover 2 and 3 deep at every position. Now, we’ve seen an entire midfield made up of backup central mids! Rosicky is just gone it seems, Walcott is out for who knows how long, Cesc is gone until April, and we were light before these injuries (except Rosicky as he was hurt in 1912). I’m no football manager genius, but there needs to be some action in the transfer window this January, if anything, just to wake everyone up. There should be no automatic picks right now for the First XI. They should all be trying to prove they deserve to play.

Outside of Arsenal, there was playoff football, but I really didn’t care too much about it. It was interesting that the Cardinals won, but I don’t think they’ll go too far. They are the Cardinals don’t forget. Also, I was glad to see that the Giants lost, just so I don’t have to listen to their fans anymore. The Eagles won, but I am comforted by the knowledge that they tend to choke later in the playoffs.

Not much else has been going on, but I did see an interesting story where the titans of media “American Idol” are going after a small, wholesome outfit, just trying to have fun. A nudie bar in Austin is being sued by AI because of their event “Stripper Idol.” This fun event lets everyday ladies live their dream of being a dancer in front of an adoring crowd. Plus the can get 500 bucks! Leave these people alone Simon Cowell! You’ve already done enough damage to our fair country with your show and bringing Paula Abdul back to the limelight!! For shame.

And with that, “Cam Out!”

Adios

Hoping For a Good Time in 2009!!

Well chums, the new year is here and I'm back in the saddle. Well, back on the keyboard to some extent. The past year was a bit of a weird one. It started off great with the birth of my son, Liam, but then it seemed to go a bit potty. The Arsenal were top of the table in January 2008, but soon started to slip and finished 3rd. Ugh. The summer saw the beginnings of a global financial meltdown and quality players leaving the Arsenal, but none coming in. There was, however, a great US victory in the Ryder cup and some fantastic achievements at the Olympics. Soon after though things went back to crap in the autumn months with more financial chaos, sinking economies, and erratic Arsenal results.




But now my friends, here we are with a new year and new hopes. And a new bed, at least for me anyway! I can't wait to have some nice long sleep-ins!

So let's get down to the brass tacks. The Arsenal started off the new year in 5th place. Not a great place to be, but they are only 3 points off ManU and Villa (3rd and 4th) and 10 from Liverpool who top the table. I don't really see the Gunners putting in a serious title challenge, but the way the league has gone so far this season, you never know. I just want them to make sure they qualify for the Champions League next season. Some new signings this January will be imperative, in my opinion, if they want to put in a serious bid for the top spot or in either the FA CUP or CL.

Speaking of the FA CUP, the Gunners played one of my favorite lower league clubs, Plymouth Argyle, in the the 3rd round last Saturday as the first match of 2009. The first half was bit of a bore, but both sides seemed to play OK (at least from what I could see on a crappy video feed, thanks a bunch Setanta!). After the break, things turned around quite quickly as Robin van Persie headed in a goal just 2 minutes in! It seems RvP can not only use his "chocolate leg" to score goals, but his chocolate head as well! A second goal (that looked to be an own goal, though Bendtner claimed it) came just a few minutes after. Arsenal seemed to by flying and hitting on all cylinders, but a Pilgrim goal soon after changed the tone of the match. Plymouth gained some belief and began to press the Gunners. However, the introduction of Carlos Vela started to turn the match back in the Arsenal's favor. Vela was put out wide left, which meant Nasri was able to move inside and dictate forward play. One of his passes sent RvP through and he took a deflected chip over the keeper and blasted it home to make it 3-1 to the good. It was a good win and made sure the Gunners made it to the next round where they will travel to Cardiff. It should also be noted that Plymouth had a very large away section (about 10,000) and they were great/loud fans. I've heard a number of reports that they were very gracious and had a lot of fun. Good on ya Green Army!



A lot of other stuff has happened over here in our football, but I can't really be bothered. The Cowboys missed the playoffs by being stomped by the Eagles. A&M, well, I don't really know how they turned out as they had another season to forget. The BCS championship game is on tomorrow, but I could really care less about Oklahoma or the Gators. I will put my very limited support behind Oklahoma though as I can't stand Florida. Ever. No thanks. Ugh.

Well, with that I'll call it a post. More to follow. Seriously!

Adios.