There is a city in the Rhur Area of Germany that ranks as the 8th largest city in Germany. That city is the largest in that area. In that city, there is a club named Borussia Dortmund. The club owns a stadium called Westfalenstadion licensed to be called the Signal Iduna Park till 2016. This football slab had been an abattoir for many European teams.
Last season, Jose Mourinho and his Madridstars failed to get a draw against Jurgen Klopp’s seemingly heavy metal side. They were Lewandowskied or LewanRoasted. sorry, LeFOURdowskied. The German machines made it to the final but were drifted aside by an efficient Bayern side that wanted to make amends for their previous failures.
A fortnight ago, Klopp had exposed his admiration for Arsenal and how he would love to buy a ticket and watch the gunners play. His side stole 3 points from the Emirates courtesy of a late goal from Lewandowski. The gunners had searched for a winner at all cost and exposed their back to the rampaging yellow and blacks.
Last night, Arsenal paid back Dortmund in their own coin. Klopp had brandish his side “Heavy Metal” but my chemistry knowledge tells me heavy things sinks and heavy metals doesn’t necessarily mean strong. A challenge won by Rosicky, a cross from Ozil, a cushion heading from Giroud and a bundled headed goal from Ramsey.
Game Bullets
No Signal? Lewandowski or O-One-dowski?
The threat possessed by Robert Lewandowski is being felt around Europe especially after his four goals against Madrid last season. The Pole got Dortmund’s winner at the Emirates but was left with no chance to try Szczesny. Metersacker and Kos did a good job and when it was necessary, Arteta got the Yellow for the team.
The plan was to snuff Lewandowski off the ball and it worked out so well. Arsenal kept possession and had no threat at goal till the 62nd minute. In all Arsenal was efficient scoring from 2 shot on goal unlike Dortmund’s 14 wasted chances. The signals were taken off like the Network mast in Maiduguri where Boko Haram and the JTF are at loggerheads
For the first time in history, an English side wins over Dortmund in Westfalenstadion. For the second time in 61 games, Lewandowski and Dortmund failed to score. The Last time Dortmund failed to score at home was a 1-0 loss to Milan in December 2002. What happened to the Signal? Falen?
Clean Sheet, Tight and Discipline Defence
This is Arsenal’s first clean sheet in the group stage. We had conceded goals from other teams and it is good to see that we kept our sheet clean. Since Szczesny signed a new contract, he hasn’t picked up any ball from his net except to take a foul resulting form an offside goal. The Pole did little work at the Iduna Park but the major work come from his defense.
Laurent Koscienly and Per Metersacker have formed a partnership that would make Thomas Vermaelen seek greener pastures sooner a later. The duo have snuffed off any threat from seeming dangerous opposition. Suarez and Sturridge came but fired blanks. Lewandowski did same but he looked toothless. Mkhitaryan would regret missing his chance though.
Ramsey the Inspirer
Aaron Ramsey has now scored 11 goals this season for the gunners. This is the first time he would get into double figures since he joined the gunners. The Welsh had grown in leaps and bounds from the lad that couldn’t fit into Fabregas’ shoe and was the scapegoat of the team’s misfortune to the Lion that springs up with the super goals. He has upgraded his engine to run at full power form 90 minutes.
The Welshman has been rewarded with a Barclays Player of Month award for September and has won Arsenal’s player of the month award successively in the last 4 months. The emirates may have brought in Ozil to inspire the gunners but deep down within the ashburton groove hearth lay our inspirer: Aarom Ramsey.
In wenger’s words:
He just shows how difficult it is to have assessment on players because one year ago everyone said ‘yes, but Ramsey cannot score goals. He’s in box in the right positions, but he can’t score’. This season he scores game after game. I was always positive with him because when you watched the games again he was always in situations where he could be dangerous. This season he has gained confidence and he has an unbelievable engine to go from box to box. Confidence and his ability of course makes him a dangerous player.
Is Any one Younger than Rosicky?
I doubt he is 33. Tomas Rosicky seems to be growing younger like The Curious case of Benjamin Burton. The Czech had been away for about 2 years due to an injury but has since exhibited features that enhanced his capture in 2006. Virtually the oldest member of the squad, Rosicky doesn’t look old at all. He runs and outpaces, he tackles and stretches, he contests and wins, he has this passion that ranks him above others.
No one has the passion that Rosicky has for Arsenal. Playing in Westfalenstadion for the first time since he left Dortmund, He gave a man of the match performance before he was subbed out in the 90th minute. I am only worried that his contract expires by the end of the season. It is high time we extend his contract, else we would loose the Lil Mozart. For Rosicky’s sake, I wish arsenal win trophies this season. He has given all.
Quick Pacey strike Force
All through the game, we had possesions but lacked that final knife-cutting through pass to finish up our slick play. Even when we had the ball on the counter, we always end up running to the sides with no pacey one running to finish up the counter. The Arsenal is lacking in pace upfront and I can only lick my lips for the return of Walcott. If only Giroud was quicker like Lewandowski or even PEA.
Giroud had a bad game last night. He found it difficult to keep play. His flicks failed him and he rarely held on to play. But he rose up to cushion the header for Ramsey’s goal: His singular contribution? If ramsey had converted the second, I wonder what would have been said. Bendtner did have a feel of the game but had an offside registered in his name for being off for Ozil’s free kick in the 93rd minute.
We just need pace. I hear Lewandowski had made up his mnd. to where?
Away, Away and Away.
Three points were collected from Dortmund and we are three points away from the Germans. we have another three points to struggle for in Naples which would determine who finishes where on the table. Napoli are with 9 points and they would want to revenge their loss to Arsenal.
This is Arsenal’s 14th away win in all competitions since the 3-1 win at Munich over current champions Bayern. Only Westbrom had gotten away with a draw. Klopp may have forgotten about that but I believe Moyes wont forget that soonest. I hear Manchester United want to unleash WAR (Wayne, Adnan and Robin) on Arsenal. Laughing in Cantonese. We are 5 points away in the league and I hope we widen the gap soonest.
Arsenal’s Logo should be: “Your home is our fortress.” Bring on the Devils.
Meanwhile the Golden Eaglets have qualified for the Final of the FIFA U-17 Worldcup in UAE thanks to a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the semi-final. They face Mexico who they thrashed 6-1 in the opening game. Fly Eaglets.
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