Lazio vs Arsenal
2nd Aug 2007 - Amsterdam Tournament – Amsterdam Arena
This is Arsenal's first match of the Amsterdam
Tournament which also includes Ajax and
Athletico Madrid
who play later. Like the Emirate's Cup last weekend there is a point for each
goal scored.
First Half
While driving home from work to watch the
match tonight I was listing to Ian Wright on talk sport talking about the game.
It had already started! I got the time wrong. Luckily I got the TV on just in
time to watch a very good Bendtner goal from a tight angle.
Arsenal are wearing the new third choice shirt, which
I must say is still not growing on me. It's a very young team - pretty much the
Carling Cup team + Eduardo and Cesc.
The starting line-up was:
Manuel Almunia
Philippe Senderos
Gael Clichy
Justin Hoyte
Johan Djourou
Armand Traore
Alexandre Song
Francesc Fabregas
Theo Walcott
Eduardo
Nicklas Bendtner
Didn't know that Song came back from Charlton - He is shit. He has already
given away number of free kicks for stupid fouls.
We are controlling the match with some very good pressure.
On 25mins the ball comes into the box from an unusually good (!) corner kick.
Eduardo gets a head to it but it's poor and he should have done better.
Only 1 min later a good Lazio shot from just inside the box is hit straight at
Almunia who makes it look easy.
Theo is doing well, it's good to see him playing again and I think he will have
a good season.
We are dominating the game and setting the tempo, soaking up the Lazio pressure
when it comes.
There's a chance with a free kick on the 18yard box buts the free kick by Cesc
is very poor - a wasted opportunity.
In case you missed it earlier, Song is shit.
Lazio goal - poor defending by the boys. There were plenty of chances to clear
the ball but Lazio were allowed to line it up. It my have been disallowed
because of a foul on Eduardo, but it wasn't. 1-1.
On 44 mins Lazio get a cross into the box which is completely undefended. An
easy header but luckily poorly executed and goes straight at keeper.
During the first half we played some excellent football but were prone to the
same lapse of concentration that cost us last season.
Half Time
A couple of subs made and
a scrappy opening. On 52 mins Song gives the ball away cheaply and it's nearly
2-1 to Lazio. We are able to clear the ball and get it up the other end. A foul
on Theo gives us a free kick from out side the area. It’s cleared for a corner.
Substitute Rosicky take the corner, and it’s another good one (two in one
match!). Eduardo gets a head on it. Nice one. 2-1 to the Arsenal.
A couple of minutes later and Lazio are taking advantage of our shaky defence.
They have three good chances. The third is cleared and very quickly Eduardo is
running into the box, past the last defender but it's over hit and their keeper
gets to it. Eduardo is looking very good.
On 60 mins Eduardo has an
outrageous shot from the Arsenal half – It’s not bad either but the keeper can
scramble back to his line to get it.
Under a bit of pressure at the
moment but it’s very scrappy – stop, start.
On 76th RVP is
passed through one on one, not a great angle so passes across to Rosicky on the
penalty spot but rather than shoot he passes to Justin Hoyte who just has to
get it on target - It hits the post. Déjà vu.
RVP is looking lively again today;
the break has done him good. He takes a powerful shot on 82 mins but it’s from
too far out and it’s easy enough for the goalie.
Not a great performance but it’s
a good result for such a young side.
