Match Report: Arsenal 2-0 Birmingham...New Signings Steal The Show
Sunday, February 05, 2006
First off I'd like to say sorry for not posting the past 2 weeks, i was just very very busy explaining Arsenal's bad form to my uncles(Man U fans) .
On to the headline, Manu Adebayor and Thierry Henry score to clinch a physical match AWAY to Birmingham. No munitizer today because it was the kind of match where you hardly have anything to shout about.
This match saw the debut of Togo International Manu Adebayor, returning from The African Cup Of Nations after his team failed to qualify for the knockout stages. It also was a first for Theo Walcott who was in the Arsenal lineup but sat on the bench the whole games.
All credit to Birmingham in the start of the match, the came flying out forcing Jens Lehmann into a save as early as the fifth minute. Thought Arsenal had a few chances themselves, it was a non-stop attack from the Sky Blues that kept Arsenal's make-shift back four busy.
Almost unexpectedly, not to mention against the run of play Henry and Diaby managed to play a nice 1-2 realeasing Diaby into space. The defensive midfielder shot a low cross into the middle where a miss kick from a Birmingham defender hit Maik Taylor falling kindly for Adebayor who easily headed the ball into an empty net(21st minute) with his 6"3 frame! Adebayor later had a chance to double his tally but his shot was easily saved by Maik Taylor.
On to the second half, Arsenal gained in confidence and contact the early minutes of the half, Birmingham players were left chasing balls left and right. Just when Birmingham looked like mounting a solid attack, Fabregas grabs the ball and delivers a delightful pass to Thierry Henry who finished a good run with a fabulous goal, his 200th for the club, making him the first even player in an Arsenal shirt to score 200 goals.
At this point you would think that Birmingham whould have given up, but instead they went on the attack and were carving up chances every minute, Steve Bruce was even forced to delay a few substitutions! Finally, Bruce put on 2 more strikers, making it 4 up-front for them, Matt Upson ended up hitting the post from a corner but that was a near Birmingham came to a goal. One positive note that Sky Blues fans can take out of this match is the debut of young Dudley Campbell who was looking very lively in the dying minutes.
Birminghams frustrations started to show as Emile Heskey was read carded for a second bookable offense, he decided to take out his anger on the 4th official as he continued to argue over the red card, forcing Steve Bruce to pull him away. Arsenal managed to hold on and get their first 3 points away since beating Charlton 5 matches ago!
posted by highbury1913 @ 1:48 pm | |
<< Home
