One Song

By Boris Mellor
October 31 2010

Over the pre match ritual of Lamb Chops in the cafe opposite the big Arsenal lettering; my mate said he would walk out if Arsenal hadn’t scored by the final whistle, a bit like an unconditional double no money back guarantee.

However, in the North Bank Upper a couple fans who decided to desert five minutes early were heckled by the crowd. You will miss the winner one wag cried, how right he was, but secretly there were probably quite a few that longed to join them.

I would have been gutted if I had missed the winner; it was the only thing of interest or importance in the whole game. The first half saw a lacklustre Arsenal fail to raise any pace at all. Behind me I had an idiot going on about Arsenal being “too clever”; when clearly the problem was they were not clever enough.

West Ham’s main ambition was to defend, so the total of three shots on target and three shots off was hardly a test. Meanwhile Arsenal obligingly strolled up to the packed penalty area without any imagination or guile. I was puzzled about Cesc’s poor passing and running, and was relieved to find out, after the match, there was an explanation for it.  Unfortunately there is no explanation for Arshavin, except in his post match interview he said derby is derby. Well that makes everything clear.

At the halftime briefing, reinforced by Jim, who has now moved upstairs, the consensus was that it was dire, but could only get better. I cheerfully reminded them that we had said that about the West Brom game, which had got worse.

Green might have let his country down, as some Gooners cruelly sang, but in the second half he certainly didn’t let the Hammers down, he was keeping everything out. The crowd demanded Theo, and got him. Within seconds he was bearing down on goal, we all stood up to cheer his shot, the “brainless one” had beaten the keeper. The cheers died in our throats as the ball came back out off the inside of the far post.

The past began to bear down on us, was it going to be one of those days where nothing would go in? The West Ham fans were jubilant, celebrating as if they had won. It was too much for the Arsenal faithful, now they got behind the team. Very few walked out as the crowd sensed it could be done. On 88 minutes Song headed in from a cross by Clichy, of all people, who says he can’t cross? Well the idiot behind me did, and I confess I silently agreed.

Mind you Song had to stoop to conquer.

 
Cue mad celebration, and One Song song, plus you are Going Down With the Scousers. Then the board went up, 5 minutes to go, the crowd was divided, those who wanted another goal, and the gray beards, wisely in my grey beard opinion, who kept yelling CORNER PIN! CORNER PIN! The team also divided down the middle on the issue with Nik still trying to score whilst the rest tried to just keep possession.

It might have been a wearisome match to watch, but with 10 shots on target, and seven off, the points had gone to the more positive team. The last time Arsenal had lost to a team in the bottom six it was West Ham. Arsenal had dominated, and Zamora chipped a clown in goal for victory. Perhaps there is progress.