By Boris Mellor
December 2 2006

Oh the agony and ecstasy of watching Wenger’s Arsenal. Some say it not rock and roll, and if it isn’t then it is certainly a roller coaster.

 For the first time this season I left the upper tier and watched the game from behind the North Bank goal. It was like Palm Springs, but without the riff raff. I took my seat and told all and sundry that Hamburg would score first and it would be Van Der Vart. Not original I know, but I should have taken out a bet.

 

Meanwhile The Wallow Foundation was working overtime. Any team wallowing in the lower reaches is given a day out in London and a free first easy goal. They are then treated to a display of the ball being lashed at the woodwork, but not in the net, and all this in luxurious surroundings. No wonder they look forward to the visit. Hamburg fitted the conditions perfectly, no points at all in the CL and only won only one of their last 22 games. So if you know of any other deserving teams that need help from the Wallow Foundation please do write in.

 

But I digress, so there I was behind the goal, perfectly placed to see Van der Vart gratefully watch Toure and Senderos go in opposite directions to allow him plenty of room for a volley. He didn’t disappoint it was a wonderful curler into the top corner that left Lehmann with no chance. It seemed like only minute had passed, but it was four to be precise. A worst possible start could not have been imagined.

 

That was the signal for Arsenal to wake up, and although they pounded the Burgers for 30 mins, and hit some woodwork, it was not that effective. In the second half Arsene reverted to 4-4-2, and it only took seven minutes for that decision to bear fruit. Van Persie received the ball in a central right position, and skilfully passed the ball beyond the keeper. We were on terms; the crowd now urged the team on. Whatever complaints about atmosphere, they did not apply last night. The stadium was rocking, perhaps Arsenal fans only chant when they have to. They also began to chant Theo Theo.  The team now pressed and pressed, but the time was running down. Wenger now took action, first Adebayor for Van Persie, but the important change was Walcott for Freddy.

 

Freddy had done sterling work covering for Gilberto, but it wasn’t creating space. Hamburg had blocked off the middle area. It was Walcott’s speed on the wing that began to open them up. His pass to Eboue gave the full – back room to cut in, at first it seemed that his shot had been saved, but it rolled in under the keeper.

 

Hamburg fought back, it was a dangerous period. Wenger acted again, the next substitution was the Beast. This would produce a glorious goal. Adebayor and Walcott did a one two down the line at amazing speed, Walcott then cut in, ignored Henry, and placed the ball for Baptista. The Beast did not let us down. OK he wasn’t marked, but he really knows how to head - the ball rocketed home. Three – one and it was all over, and it all happened between the 83^rd and 88^th Minutes. At last Arsenal had discovered the wide open spaces in their new ground. Theo was only on for 16 minutes, but he was my man of the match.  It felt like rock and roll.

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