A few words on the Burnley game

By: travis | March 9th, 2009

It’s late and I haven’t been able to come up with sufficient words to describe Saturday’s game. No, it’s not that I’m blown away and bedazzled by the Arsenal performance we all expect, it’s that I hope to see more of this on a consistent basis. I realize that I might be coming off a bit on the picky side, but when you have players on the pitch who can provide quality finishing like Eduardo, Vela, and to the shock of us all, Eboue, positive results should be normal right?

Ok, banishing those negative ideas and thoughts. It was a great performance by the Arsenal — again, if you missed it, highlights showing almost a third of the game I posted here. Get to it before the FA removes it. Tune in and you’ll see the classy performances that our midget maestros put in. It was sort of funny watching the likes of Arshavin, Eduardo, and Vela (not as small, but in for the effect) contend with the comparatively monstrous defenders next to them. Despite the lack of size, there was no lack of skill out there and Arshavin and Vela teamed up for Arsenal’s first. The first game in the 30 minute range: a simple pass to Vela and the Mexican took care of the rest, nutmegging the Burnley defender and chipping the keeper. The only bad aspect of the goal was the fact I was up getting a cup of coffee and missed it. Blasted caffeine addiction.

The next goal, if you haven’t seen it, was pure bliss. Alex Song, who had a monster of a game, knocked in a cross in the direction of Eduardo, who snuck in behind the defense to audaciously volley a shot into the upper left hand corner of the net. I’m not even sure what part of the foot he hit it with — either heel or outside of the boot — but whatever it was, it was awesome. Watch it right now, like I said, if you haven’t seen it. There are so many elements of brilliance to his goal: the fact that he’s come back from his horrific injury, the incredible timing and placement of the shot, not to mention how easy he makes it look. If I could pull off ridiculous things like that, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this blog for no compensation. Not that I’m complaining here.

The last goal came from Emmanuel Eboue and Song, or in other words, every Arsenal’s fans favorite duo. A cheeky back heel set up his fellow African to lash in the far corner of the net. And that was all she wrote really. Credit to Burnley for working hard, but some beautiful finishing combined with a classy afternoon made it a real joy to watch the Arsenal again. Robin Van Persie got a half hour of work in, Arshavin put in another 90 minutes, hopefully closing in on full fitness, and we all got to witness the return of Theo Walcott. Perhaps this game could be a signal of intent from Arsenal — a return to a consistent vein of form as players like Eduaro, Walcott, and Arshavin attain full fitness. Fingers crossed things go well in Rome in two days. More tomorrow.