Arsenal v. Fulham

how high did that rate on the stomach-puncher scale?

i'd say an 8.5


our attacking players need to keep the ball.
hope this keeps up on wednesday.

 

Totally agree with ChicagoTom-Knight was strangely masterful(ill have whatever hes having) but Baird was a perpetual liability being skinned down the flank constantly(for $6m i could have provided the same cover).McBrides only contribution was being captainly in disputes but atleast with Healy we looked like we had an attack unlike last year.omens are better than expected but dont you just hate this familiar sinking feeling at the result from a game we deserved to draw.

 

What a great 83 minutes. I thought the biggest problem with the defense was the insistence of playing the off side trap. Towards the end the match the defensive line couldn't keep up with the gunners forwards. That was the problem with the second goal.

I am happy that the Bocanegra penalty was at least a solid shoulder to the sternum. If you're going to give up a penalty, make it count.

 

The problem is we needed to get at least a point after being ahead for so long. We need an upset from time to time because we are going to lose against some of the bottom tier teams. We got ourselves in a position to gain at least a point and we didn't do it. Arsenal will only get much better now.

It was a good effort, but it would have helped in the long run if fortune was on our side a little bit more today.

 

What a match...

The goal that was gifted to Healy may have provided some false hopes. It was fantastic to go ahead so early, but Fulham began to sit back and start absorbing the Arsenal attack. Baird left something to be desired, although Rosicky did make the entire Fulham side look silly at times. Warner was immense in the goal and is Fulham's MOTM.

It was a cruel way to lose a match and IMO Fulham deserved a point, but that is football.

Fantastic bunch in the chatroom today. As always, a pleasure discussing footie with this group.

 

One more bit I need to add...

67% Possession for Arsenal and measly 33% for Fulham. Fulham needs to maintain possession to alleviate the pressure on the backline.

Still loads of positives. Can't wait to see the boys have a run at Bolton. Wonder if Cook, Liam and Hughes will have a run out.

Anyone else impressed with Kamara?

 

That game hurt...only if McBride could've gotten a touch on that ball by Boca. Fulham had their chances. I'll be extremely pleased if the defense can keep up their good play.

One of the few things that pleased me was that the Arsenal fans were pretty pissed after Lehmann's screwup for the first 83 minutes.

 

Petty critique:
{My handle is SO handy sometimes.. I was brilliant in picking it more than ten years ago!}

As a yank, watching yanks, the best performance by far was Boca's.

McBride was virtually invisible the first part of the match. another couple games and I believe we'll see him surrender the armband.. seriously it DOES affect and not everyone is suitable to wear it. It distracts too much.

Dempsey needs to condition his 'quicktwitch' reactions... he does best when he has the chance to get some rhythm going and in his role with Fulham, he doesnt really have that time.

I suggest a combination of physical training and hypnosis, then visualization sessions while watching tapes.

We wont know until the highlites, but am I wrong in thinking Boca was solidly planted in the way? How then can obstruction be called for a pen? In any other sport would be called offensive foul.

The only mistake made by LS, in my view, was taking Smertin off... he's a good candidate for Captain should Brian have second thoughts... or else hand it to Bullard once he's match-fit.

disclaimer - When I watch a match, I try hard not to focus on one or two players so that individuals must stand out to impress me.

So... I dont think I'm too wide of the mark.

 

a truly memorable game, but a real kick in the guts

 

Wow for 80+ minutes 60,000+ people were collectively crapping their pants. Nothing like some good home cooking to even the score. I owe Zat Knight a small apology, only to most likely take it back within 2 weeks. Tony Warner did an admirable job, lots of great saves...

Things I noticed: Fulham still has no possession skills on the road

BUT they had a lot more chances than usual to score. It seems like there were quite a few games last year where Fulham didn't have 1 legit chance. Today it seems like they *just* missed, instead of launching the usual no-hopers from 30 yards.

Arsenal is a top flight club for a reason, this incarnation of Fulham has been together for a few weeks, yet they still stood toe-to-toe with them for 80 minutes. Sure, Fulham bent a little, but they never broke. They don't call that bogus PK, and I think it's a 1-0 final

I think the very winnable match on Wednesday will determine the season more than this one did, but I liked what I saw.

 

Like I could possibly wait until the 2pm PST replay (this one of the few instances being on the left coast was a disadvantage, I woke up briefly at 3 AM, should of stayed up), thanks for all the perspectives.

 

Hurts to lose in the last 10, but I saw some good stuff (and some bad, of course).

Most surprising? I kept finding myself putting "Good" and "Zat" in the same sentence. Startled the heck out of myself.

The penalty hurt; can't complain too much about the Hleb goal. Warner was on fire--all credit to him for focusing and coming up with so many saves.

Well, we're not last, and our goal differential isn't -4 with one game in the bag. I'm out of town all week, but if my Tivo favors me, I'll come home to a comfortable win over Bolton.

COYW!!!

 

The loss hurt, considering how late the goals came. But there's some solace we can take out of this.

1. Fulham has a capable backup GK - who I admit played out of his mind.
2. Zat Knight makes me look like a fool; he played very, very well today.
3. David Healy, Steven Davis, and Diomansy Kamara are going to be very good for Fulham.
4. Despite the constant pressure from Arsenal and the dominating possession, Fulham actually had a good number of shots and opportunities on goal.
5. Fulham is too good to be relegated.

Crushing loss, the Arsenal fans I know felt Fulham was incredibly unfortunate to get 0 of the game, but it's time to look ahead to Bolton. I hope Fulham stomps the crap out of the Wanderers.

 

Wow. I tune in 5 minutes late and find out we are up 1-0 and Warner is in goal?!?! It was tough to lose like that but Arsenal dominated possession and we were lucky to stay ahead for so long. On the other hand, the penalty on Boca was nonsense and they were offside on the 2nd goal.

Warner was fantastic and Zat had a good game. Smertin was class and I thought the game turned when he was subbed. Bad move there.

It was a disappointing result considering the circumstances but I am very encouraged. We attacked and created chances, the effort was good, and the defense actually look solid. With another effort like that, we will kick Bolton of the pitch!

 

I was impressed with Kamara. I thought he moved the ball well and our possession and attack were better after he and Dempsey entered the game. I liked Healy's aggression but Kamara seemed to help stabalize the attacking end.

 

Petty,

I tend to agree with you about Brian. The best forwards combo might be Healy and Kamara. Maybe Brian and Kamara will work well together, but Healy is the kind of guy Fulham needs because he'll get those rare poached goals that Fulham desperately needs.

As I'm typing this the refs have also about handed the game to Man U. They red carded Kitson immediately after coming on for nothing. God awful decision. Bocanegra didn't commit a foul against Toure. The Fulham radio guy even thought he was innocent. We were had.

 

umm... sorry.

We all love Gentleman Jim, but he would call a roundhouse fist to the face as someone 'stepping in front' of it.

 

I have to agree with petty in regards to Dempsey. Bouazza showed flashes but never seemed to get through or running consistenly by his mark. I'd like to see Dempsey start the match vs. Bolton so as to get a good comparison. He definetly is the type of player that create solid opportunities.

 

I disagree with point 5. Sunderland beat Tottenham. Derby drew with Portsmouth. Reading held Man U scoreless at Old Trafford in a draw.

It's going to be a really hard season this year. Harder than last years.