Arsenal 5 v 0 Derby

September 22, 2007 on 8:10 pm | In Arsenal FC, Matches Reviews 2007/2008 | posted by Block19er |

Arsenal spanked Derby, let’s face it, they are poor, but we are bloody good. Today we fizzled the ball about, we made amazing passes, and we scored great goals. Arsenal were creating chances from the first few minutes. Clichy sprinted with the ball up the left and fizzed the ball to Adebayor but it was under his feet and he couldn’t turn it home. The first goal came on 10 minutes.

Cesc rolled the ball to Diaby out on the left, he took a few touches with his right foot to bring it inside and crashed it into the top corner of the net. A breath taking shot from over 20 yards. Another early goal to send floods of confidence amongst the players and fans at Ashburton Grove.

Soon after Diaby was shaping to come inside and crash a shot in, the keeper managed to parry it away, Adebayor was out on the right to cross the ball back in, Walcott’s shot went wide.

Then Theo got away, his pace was amazing, the Derby defender pushed him to the floor just outside the box. No free-kick was given, perhaps Walcott was a little lightweight under the challenge. Theo again shaped a run in from the right and put the ball to Eduardo, it was over hit and Eduardo had no chance. Theo certainly wanted it but the final ball was not there.

Arsenals second goal came on 25 minutes. Cesc chipped the ball over the top of an advancing defence for Adebayor to run on to, he took two touches to pass the keeper, and tap the ball home. It was one of those typical quick Arsenal breaks of 2004, Cesc and Ade seem to have an amazing understanding, and Ade has the pace to chase down these balls.

Arsenal had masses of attacking possession as the first half wore on, the best of the chances came in the 46^thminute. Cesc curled in a lovely corner and Eduardo rose to meet it, the header was perfect but the save matched it. Derby’s keeper lifted it up and over the bar. Theo also had a chance a few minutes before, Cesc put him in and with his pace he beat the defence his shot was powerful enough for the keeper to drop it but it was right at him.

It didn’t take long in the second half for Arsenal to make it three. Good work down the left and the ball came loose to let Eduardo in, as he swivel to shoot his shirt was tugged, he went down and the penalty was given. Adebayor took a deep breath ran up to the ball and cracked it with his right foot beyond the Derby keepers left hand.

Arsenal were stepping up and down the gears, with masses of possession and ripping them apart with passes and pacey runs. Derby were poor and Arsenal were bang on it. On 70 minutes it was 4-nil. Cesc grabbed another goal, that’s a goal in each of the last six matches. It was a belter. Eduardo passed him the ball and Cesc whipped it in with his right foot from 25 yards. The keeper got a hand to it, but only enough to raise it into the back of the net.

9 minutes later Adebayor completed a deserved hat-trick to make it 5-nil. This guy works so hard for the team, he is constantly moving, he has great pace, and now he has the confidence he has scored 6 goals in the last 3 league games. Denilson chipped a lovely ball from the half way line, Ade jumped and controlled the ball on the edge of the box with his chest to bring it down and side foot it home. It was an amazing ball and a brilliant goal.

Gooners are buzzing, goals, amazing football, and a player in Cesc who is looking like he will replace Thierry as the best player in World Football. It’s impossible to remember that this guy is 20. His vision, his passing, his shooting, and the will to get back to defend is unbelievable. It is hard to find words to some up the recent performances of Cesc. He is amazing and so are Arsenal at the moment. We all know this is early season, things will change, we’ll go through low points, the wheels may all come off again in February but let’s all enjoy this moment. The football is as amazing as we’ve all known we can produce and it’s just a joy being part of it, and being able to watch it first hand every week.

I was pleased Theo got 71 minutes today, hopefully he was withdrawn with Tuesday in mind. A full 90 in that game and I’m sure he’ll be right up to the challenge. His pace is such a threat it unlocks doors that would not always be there. You can moan about his final ball but he’s had no football, I think Adebayor highlights this, his confidence was low and he was in and out of the team. You wouldn’t think he could hit a barn door, with his confidence up, and a goal under his belt, Ade is flying, I think Theo will be the same. I am 100% behind Theo as you’ve read before here and I hope this is the beginning of his chance to shine.

Lassana made his Premier League debut for 20 minutes in his preferred central midfield role. Enough time to put in a couple of tough challenges, the strength in this squad now at central midfield is unreal. Eduardo also worked hard all game and is a great asset to the team, hopefully he also gets another chance to play against Newcastle in mid-week.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Walcott (Diarra 72), Fabregas (Denilson 71), Flamini (Song 77), Diaby, Eduardo, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Van Persie.

Booked: Eduardo.

Goals: Diaby 10, Adebayor 25, 50 pen, Fabregas 70, Adebayor 79.

Att: 60,122

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).