This was an identikit football match, in pretty much exactly the same vein as the Aston Villa, Boro, and Everton games already this season. Games against teams that we most certainly should be beating at home in the League. But, games in which we have gone behind (against the run of play), and then struggled to break down the opposition to even equalise, let alone to win the game. Our 4th disappointing 1-1 draw so far, and this more than anything else is costing us a decent crack at the title. Julio Baptista made his starting home debut (I think), today, and looked totally off the pace, which was a good summary for the team's performance really. Chances were created, possession held, but crucially, goals were not scored!
I was sat at the opposite end to my normal seat today, right next to the away section. This part of the stadium is for match-by-match ticket holders only, so there were far more "tourists" with cameras in this part of the ground. However, the view was fantastic, considering how easy it is for Silver members to get tickets here for most games - even though my row was so far forward as to have the crossbar in the way a little bit.
Nevertheless, a good position. It also brought home just how big our stadium is, and how bad at keeping noise inside. Sitting in the opposite corner to the Red Section, I think I heard noise coming from there on maybe one or 2 occasions at most, even though I coculd see them up and singing for much of the game. The away fans sounded loud and were pointing out that we were quiet, but I blame the size and acoustics of the ground!Arsenal really need to address this issue of how to win at home, or this could be a very long and difficult winter. I thought that we had turned the corner with the Liverpool win last weekend, but when another struggling team comes along (Newcastle started the day in the bottom 3!), we seemed to revert to struggling just as much. The next home league game is Spurs - surely we can beat them??!
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