Disgusted. This is the first match in my life I didn’t finish watching. Command-DEL sent it right where it fucking belongs.

I fully realize we’re on the back foot with injuries, and we’re about to come away from the end of another long and grueling campaign with nothing to show for it. But that is not an excuse to fuck off on the pitch like you just don’t care anymore. If we play this way against Fulham, we deserve to lose. And further more, the fucking Spuds deserve third place more than we do at this point. They are, in their own ridiculous way, fighting tooth and nail to claw their way up the table. Arsenal are sitting back and watching the remainder of the season just happen to them. I can’t even believe I’m actually writing this, and it breaks my heart. I’m actually considering not watching the final match.

I have never, ever been this upset with Arsenal. Most other teams would be thrilled with third or fourth place in the Premiership, I understand. But, this is Arsenal. Victoria Concordia Crescit, anyone? Our harmony has been upended and victory is nowhere to be seen. Arsène Wenger has some serious work cut out for him this summer if he’s to restore either. Good fucking luck trying to do it with one, perhaps two signings, Professor. And you just know that’s all we’ll get. Chamakh is nearly a lock, and we’ll see one perhaps two other names, if we’re extremely lucky, that no one has ever heard of. “Ones for the future.” I’m telling you right now, that it’s not good enough. I’m getting a little bit tired of waiting for the future. I’m getting a little tired of hearing the blogosphere pundits tell us how wonderful we did this year considering all the injuries we sustained. Tell yourself that when John Fucking Terry is holding the silverware over his head and kissing it with lips still moist from Mrs. Bridge’s DNA.

Wholesale changes are in order. If they don’t happen, we’ll see yet another fruitless season rife with injuries. I hope to sweet fuck that I’m entirely wrong about that.

Now that was a nice display, was it not? Despite a few minor defensive niggles that saw us concede 2 and potentially another, we were simply on fire in all other aspects. Cesc Fabregas was all over the park, moving, shaking, creating… and put one heck of a shot in the net himself. Thomas Vermaelen continued his clinic on how to be a defender and score like a striker, Tomas Rosicky looked terrific, and Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin continued their excellent form. Even Theo Walcott came back and put one for Robinson to pick out of the back of the net. If I had to name all the players who had a good day, I might as well just post the roster.

I’d have a hard time picking which of our six goals was the best, too. Niklas Bendtner put a positively ferocious strike on the right post near the end, but Arshavin’s lightning quick no-touch left-footer could be a close second. But, I think it would have to be Cesc’s goal, not only for the build-up play between him and Rosicky (it was a like a well-rehearsed carnival act) but the goal itself and then the celebration afterward. I love seeing him kiss that badge, but I already knew he loved the Arsenal. A great moment, and a great game. Well done you Gunners!

Oddly, I thought Sam Allardyce was actually pretty decent in the post match interview. He was right about the missed penalty at 3-2, but he also had some quite nice things to say aobut Arsenal and Arséne Wenger. Not what I expected from him.

My apologies for not posting much recently. I’ve been wrapped up in some real life events (all good), one of which brought me over to the UK while Arsenal had Olympiacos in town. Although, I was up in Cambridge and watching the match in a place called The Avery. I was sat upstairs with some friends from work while the Liverpool fans were being disappointed downstairs. I did get down to Ashburton Grove on Friday though, on the way out of town. I stopped in The Armoury and stocked up on Arsenal goodies for the wife, kids and myself. As I was turning from the register to head back to the printing section (I finally got my Highbury redcurrant shirt printed with Bergkamp 10 on it) I saw a familiar face walking past me in the other direction and out the door. He saw that I recognized him, probably guessed by the stupid awestruck smile on my face, smiled back, then gave me a wink and said “Hiya mate.” And he kept on walking out the door. I stood there, slack jawed, trying to place the name to the face. Then it hit me… it was CHARLIE GEORGE! Had I only figured his name a bit sooner, I might have stopped him to say hello. But I didn’t want to seem a giant tit saying things like “Hello… who are you?” I went over to the printing fellow and asked if that was Charlie George who just walked out. He replied that yes indeed it was, and that Charlie was now the man in charge of doing tours around the stadium these days, and that a sweeter person I’d never meet. I’ll be taking that tour someday if he’s the man running it.

Another brush with football came later that day at Heathrow. Not far behind me, in the security queue, was the Manchester United Ladies team. I immediately hatched a plan. As I wasn’t wearing anything Arsenal at the time to give me away, I’d go up to them, pretend to be a United fan, and ask them if I could take a photo. As I framed them up I was going to say “Alright, ready now… on three… one… two… three… say, Come on you ARSENAL!” And then snap the picture to see what sort of expressions I got, fingers up, etc. Alas… it wasn’t to be. The queue was split at the x-ray machines, they went one way, I went another, and I didn’t see them again before boarding. Next time.

Arshavin  2 & 65, Eboue 88 & 92 – Divers:  Gamst-Pedersen

Another somewhat pseudo live blogging of the match as I watch, follows:

Not  at all surprised by the squad picked. But happy to see that 2′ into the match Theo slides to Arshavin and we’re up 1-0. Beautiful move by the Gunners. It was a bit rough about the edges and may even go down as an OG for Blackburn, but Andrey Arshavin has opened his account.

What on earth has happened to Alexander Song of late? A player who used to be derided by many as “just not ready“, myself included, is suddenly more than ready. This is the second consecutive stellar performance by Song that I’ve seen in a row. Most players gradually move up to the quality he is showing of late. Alex chose to transition overnight, like a caterpillar from a chrysalis. I seriously hope that when Cesc returns, we get to see him paired up with Song. The combination could be deadly.

Theo Walcott has now been officially… clattered.

34′ - Samir Nasri rattles the bar from a free kick. Samir’s goal tally is not a reflection of his quality so far this season. He has more than replaced Hleb.

Manuel Almunia gets some serious flack from people, but I think he showed why he’s all Arsenal today. Earlier, El Hadj Diouf came on him with a late tackle, studs first, with full intent to inflict injury. Don’t tell me otherwise. Al came out alright, but when he got to rub elbows in the box with Diouf on a corner a but later, he gave Diouf shit for it. I can’t read lips well, and my Spanish is rusty, but I think it went something like “Go and fuck your mother, you funny haired cunt.” And when Phil Dowd stepped in and said, “That’s not very nice!” Almunia told him something along the lines of “Fuck you too, you myopic cunt. This scumbag shouldn’t even be on the pitch for me to elbow if you knew how to do your fucking job. Pigswine.” To which Dowd said, “Kolo, make them play nice.” Diouf blew a kiss, but Almunia blew it off. Can’t wait for the second half. Fat Sam’s assholes came to play.

56′ - Theo’s seen off two Blackburn Leftbacks, and is getting his third to gnaw on. Must love the man.

The ball handling overall by Arsenal has been gorgeous. The commentators are critisizing them for not taking the game “to Blackburn“, but quite honestly, Rovers haven’t been able to keep the ball for 7 or so seconds. We probably should be up by another goal or so at this point, but I still feel confident. So long as the back line holds up.

60′ – they’re calling for Bendtner’s blood in the stands. Chance after chance keep getting blown by him. He’s having an off day. I want him to rectify it.

65′ - Andrey may not have shown his flair with his first goal today, but he certainly did with his second, and Arsenal’s 100th goal at the Emirates. Running up the left and rounding the rightback  right along the byline he skirts by and hammers one into the ceiling of the net. What a beautiful finish. He’s here, folks… and he’s all Arsenal.

71‘ – Can someone explain to me why there wasn’t a corner kick awarded to Arsenal off Johann Drourou‘s header from Nasri’s free kick? Robinson very obviously got a hand on it to send it over the crossbar. Is it some obscure English rule I’m not aware of in effect?

79‘ – Nick skies a sitter… Arsene taps Vela to come in. Diaby in for Walcott as well. Theo played brilliantly. Bendtner could have had a hat trick today for all the missed chances.

84′ – Eboue on for Nasri. Let’s see him pick up where he left off.

DIVER – Morten Gamst Pedersen, caught by the cameras throwing himself to the pitch when he thought Bacary Sagna was right on his heels, but he was a yard off. Despicable. There was a time when I thought Pedersen might make a great Arsenal player. I’m glad that never happened.

The forever masticating Sam Allardyce is chewing… chewing… WTF does he have in his mouth?

88′ – Arshavin gets a beautiful cross, takes an excellent shot, but Robinson gets a paw on it. No matter, Emmanuel Eboue comes in to stab the deflection home. The planets are clearly still in alignment

92′ - Ok, I have to pause the game here… Vela’s just been brought down in the area and awarded a PK… and EBOUE is taking the kick?! God, I hope this turns out well. Unpause…

Fuck me... he scores. And, he’s got a new dance for this goal. Trendy bastard, that Eboue. Let him have his fun. Come on, Eboue! The prick is beginning to make me regret some of the calls for his head that I’ve made.

Match over 4-0. My dog is seriously pissed. Can’t blame him.

Van Persie 9, Adebayor 45, 78 (pen), 89 – Divers: Eboue

Thanks, Manu… you had to go and fuck up my lovely prognostication by scoring a hat trick rather than be satisfied with a brace, didn’t you? I’ll see if I can find it in my heart to forgive you. Oh, and… welcome home, you goal scoring lion. We missed you. And I bet it felt good to hear those Adebayor chants at Ewood today, didn’t it? Well deserved, too.

Despite my man Theo Walcott lining up on the left, with Emmanuel Eboue on the right, we dominated. Emmanuel Adebayor & Robin van Persie were up front, with Cesc Fabregas & Denilson in the middle. Our typical back four rounded things out and it proved far too much for Paul Ince’s squad. At 8′, Robin weaved his magic to get a left-footed flick just round the defense, and if it wasn’t going in, Ade was there to see it through. One nil to the Arsenal.

We continued to dominate most of the first half, with a random sneaky attack by Rovers, none of which paid off. Then, at 45+1′ Adebayor heads in a Denilson cross, and then immediately shows us that Elaine Benes wasn’t such a bad dancer after all. The Adebayor/Henry Swordfight Cockdance was bad, but this new one he’s trying to cultivate looks worse. We’ll see… but, it didn’t stop the visiting fans from getting up and singing the “Adebayor! Give him the ball, and he will score!” chant. Brilliant.

At 47′, Theo Walcott made a lovely little run through the Blackburn defense to have himself a shot on goal, but it did little more than sting Paul Robinson’s mitts. Theo has been tireless all game and working his own brand of magic from the opening whistle. He’s selfless and figures into every serious move forward.

At 56′,  Eboue nearly hammers one through, but Robinson fingernails it over the crossbar. He tries again 20 seconds later and skies it. Eboue haters, you can’t say he’s not trying.

At 66′, Physios are brought on to blow Morten’s nose. Looks like he took a smash to the beak. It’s been a pretty open second half. Blackburn threatens continuously, but Arsenal always manage to rein it in. At 81′,  an Eboue dive (somewhat) sees Adebayor to the spot and my prognostication is complete (for the moment). At this point, I’m a little scared by myself. If we leak a late goal from Santa Cruz, I might pee a little. But it’s not to be. As much as it looked like Eboue took a dive on that play, and he might have, the injury looked real. While the commentators were looking at the replay for contact, they failed to see Eboue’s left foot get hyperextended on the pitch, which can suck… a lot. I can’t imagine even Eboue having himself stretchered off the pitch to sell a dive, particularly after the penatly was given and the PK scored.

At 89′, Gael Clichy, execllent all match – as usual, is down on the pitch. Not good. We really need him to stay healthy. He walks off of his own volition… can’t be too serious. I hope. We held out and then Adebayor goes and, despite being incredulous that the offsides flag hadn’t gone up for the first time all match, he goes and puts his hat trick away at 90+2′.

A comprehensive victory over Rovers away. My dog is avoiding me at all costs, following the wife about. I have yet to check in and see how the other teams have done, but I’m hoping for dismal results from the rest of the big four five. GO ON, YOU ARSENAL! Great match!

I think I’m going to try something different this season… a match preview. I normally only write reaction to the matches and random football related bits and funnies I find worthwhile. A lot of the blogs I read focus a lot on transfers and club business, which is great, but I’m not cut out for that sort of thing. So, if time allows, I’ll try and throw these previews together a day or so before each match.

This week, we head off to the cozy and rustic Ewood Park to face my dog’s favorite club, Blackburn Rovers. Had I known when I got him, I may have named him Rover, but he didn’t even realize he was a Blackburn supporter at that point. Nonetheless, I’ve had quite a bit of fun over the years rubbing his nose in shit when the Gunners beat his side up. I’m hoping tomorrow will be another such occasion. Although, if we flub it, he’ll be relentless in his efforts to rub my nose in shit. I’ll have to listen to his barking for days. Come on, boys. Don’t let me down.

Paul Ince is the new chief at Blackburn, and he’s off to a better start than I think most people expected. An opening day win over Everton, then a draw with Hull, and then a loss to Hammers has them asking questions, I’d bet. But 4 points from 9 isn’t terrible. They’ll be up for it this week, I think. Probably not enough, but… eh, don’t make me go on about underestimating again. You know the drill. I think we’ll have enough to bring home all three points this week, even with our injury list and resting players from that interminable international break.

The key here is going to be containing Santa Cruz, but also Pedersen and his crosses. It’s going to be fun watching Bacary Sagna do his best to frustrate Pedersen all afternoon. If he can do that successfully, it should be an easier time of it for Captain Gallaxy and Kolo Toure to flummox Santa Cruz in the middle. I’m not sure how they’re lining up on the right, but I feel pretty comfortable so long as Gael Clichy is there.

Is this the game where we see Emmanuel Adebayor pick up scoring where he left off last season? I certainly hope so… unlike Paul Robinson, who probably hopes Manu suffers a debilitating bout of Les Trots at the last moment before kick off. It looks like Theo Walcott will not be allowed to ride his England hat trick momentum (brilliant work, Theo, truly excellent) and will get a rest. Cesc Fabregas should be fired up and well rested after a limited appearance for Spain, and Samir Nasri has picked up a minor knee injury which will see him in the stands. Tomas Rosicky is still nowhere in sight, and it looks as though we’ll get Emmanuel Eboue again. Abou Diaby? Perhaps.

Let’s add a match prediction to this new feature, shall we? I say:

Blackburn 1-3 Arsenal

And I’ll even go so far as to say a brace from Manu, and the other from RvP or Cesc. If we leak a goal, it will come from Santa Cruz. How’s that for prognostication? Good luck, Arsenal. Have a good start to your road trip.