Charlton 1-2 Arsenal: Addicks out-gunned
Posted by The Addickted in Arsenal, Charlton | 1 October 2006
An atmosphere of numbing inevitability hung, unwanted, from the rafters of The Valley this Saturday and the thought on the minds of most Addicks fans was most probably damage limitation to goal difference. However, things in the Jimmy Seed Stand were no more cheerful as Arsenal, already languishing below league leaders Chelsea by 7 points knew how much of a must win the fixture would be.
Firstly I should pay tribute to the visitors. The fluid football played by Arsenal in spells of the first half was great to watch and there were notably some great runs and touches by Hleb, Fabregas and the magician: Thierry Henry. Also, it was an absolutely glorious winning volley from Robin Van Persie that secured the points and by far one of the best strikes I have ever seen at the Valley.
From my perspective as a Charlton fan, the game was one of "what if's?". What if Van Persie had been sent off early on for that hideous double footed challenge on Hasselbaink? What about Gallas's dangerous's tackle on Lisbie that left his sock and boot in shreds? What if the stone-wall handball for a penalty was given? I could go on...
Despite the result and the continuation of our worrying run, I once again urge the Valley Faithful to keep giving their support to Iain Dowie and the team because they certainly are playing with some passion. Particularly in the second half we matched the Gunners and I personally feel we deserved to come away with a draw. Our midfield and attack played with more flair and desire than previously and the vision of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was spectacular, notably on his pin-point pass to Bent for the opener.
However, a main point for concern for me is the defence and with the exception of Luke Young they seemed out of their depth. The calamatous Jon Fortune didn't suprise today and provided us with a few heart-in-mouth moments, involving horrific marking and dawdling on the edge of the box with the ball, only to be tackled by Henry. El Karkouri and Hreidarsson proved more reliable but hardly confidence inspiring as the Arsenal front line repeatedly attempted to walk the ball into the Addick's net.
On the whole, an encouraging perfomance, but I eagerly await the recoveries of Gibbs, Traoré and Diawara in central defensive positions.
Comments
If you take the "What if" approach, then, what if Fabrigas hadn't headed the ball over the bar, what if Henry's shot wasn't saved etc etc etc. Charlton were outclassed!