3 second half goals from Keiran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Oliver Giroud gave Arsenal an away win at the intensified Sukru Saracoglu Stadium against host Fenerbahce. The Turkish side could not hold the gunners as Arsenal took a giant stride towards the group stage of the Champions League.
Aaron Ramsey was the Man of the Match. In Arsenal’s last visit to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in 2008 the Welshman, then 17, netted his first goal for the Club in injury time as the visitors roared home 5-2. On Wednesday, he returned to show he was a more mature midfielder capable of controlling a game. Six minutes after the break, his exquisite pass sent Theo Walcott clear down the right and the Englishman crossed for Kieran Gibbs to net his first European goal for Arsenal.
Just past the hour, Ramsey did it all by himself; cruising through midfield and firing home from just outside the box. Those goals killed the game (and potentially the tie). Olivier Giroud’s late penalty just started nailing down the coffin lid. This is the same Ramsey that has been used as scapegoats by the fans and now, see what he has turned into. Things do turn around.
Prior to the Fenerbahce game, Arsenal had lost to Aston Villa and all hell was let loose at the emirates. The media added pepper and salt to the injured Arsenal expected Arsenal to be beaten in Turkey. The injury crises made matter worse especially at the back. Gibbs had a cut, Sagna fell awkwardly, Vermaleen has been on loan to Injury FC.
Kos D’Boss sustained a deep cut on his head and we hope he gets well fast enough to face Fenerbahce at the Emirates.
While the inhabitants of the Milky Way expect news from Ashburton Grove, rumours have it that Arsenal is set to sign Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer. The Tenacious midfielder is training with gunners to keep fit (reminds me of Henry, Campbell and Lehmann) but I won’t be surprise that he would put on the red and white soonest.
According to Wenger: “I don’t say there is no chance and I don’t say there is a chance. He (Flamini) is just here to work on his fitness and he does that very well”
Flamini rose to prominence in the 2007/08 campaign, where he forged a telepathic understanding with Cesc Fabregas in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, with Tomas Rosicky and Aliaksandr Hleb providing width through the flanks. His performance made some of us call him Gattuso or even Flanimal. I still remember his magnificent goal against Newcastle with Shay Given at the goal and the way Adebayor kissed his boots. It was January 2008 and Arsenal won 3-0. That goal was voted Arsenal’s 49th greatest goal of all time.
my saddest moment in 2008 was his injury at Anfield in the Champions League lost to Liverpool. As he was stretched out, I knew it was all over for the gunners as regards Champions League. That season was the closest to breaking the barrenness of trophies.
Would he be a needed addition to the squad? Goonerdaily has dissected the pros and cons of the Frenchman playing for Arsenal again. Isn’t Coquelin better? Should we have loaned Coquelin away? When would he be signed? Well, he is free. But, awuf dey purge belle as we say in Nigeria. .” Flamini’s transfers have always been free; From Marseille to Arsenal to Milan to Arsenal?
The buy and sell may still be on in the transfer market, the journalist may ask Wenger everyime about his transfers but the real work continues at Craven Cottage as Arsenal visit Fulham. Martin Jol is not easily beaten by Wenger and last season reminds us of that 3-3 encounter.
Arsenal must continue to prove critics wrong in as much as they need to buy players. We must defeat Fulham on Saturday. We must defeat them well. We may be short at the back with Koscielny suspended and even injured, but we can outrun them and start our surge towards the top of the league. I don’t care who plays, we just need 3 points.
So it is Friday and the week runs to a working end for most of us except me. I hope I would be able to see the Arsenal game tomorrow. I have no weekends.
In other footballing matters, especialy regarding Nigeria, Enyimba would play Warri Wolves in the Final of the Nigeria Federation Cup. The Peoples’ Elephant is tipped to win the trophy. They also sit on top of the Nigeria Premier League.
For the gooners, I hope we win tomorrow, I hope Wenger buys.
Have a nice weekend. Enjoy football. Love God.
SoccerGunz 