(0) 0 - 1 (0) ArsenalThe Valley, Monday 28th December 1998FA Carling PremiershipPreview
(0) 0 - 1 (0) ArsenalThe Valley, Monday 28th December 1998FA Carling Premiership
scorer: Overmars (pen)
Arsenal:
Manninger
Dixon Keown Bould Winterburn (Vivas 28)
Parlour Vieira Petit Overmars
Bergkamp (Wreh 1st half) Boa Morte
Marc Overmars wrapped up a highly succesful Xmas for Arsenal with
our second 1-0 in 3 days, and with 10 men for most of the second half.
Things started in thrilling fashion. First Boa Morte hit the bar with a rasping shot after Petit had played him in with a lovely pass. Then Koen brought Steve Jones down (just outside the area) and Redfern was unlucky to see his free-kick come off the angle of bar and post. Manninger looked very edgy in the melee that followed, but he had just thrown himself hard against the post in trying to tget to the free-kick. He definitely hasn't looked as confident in this spell as he did while deputising for Seaman around this time last year. But things settled down a bit after this opening and got a bit stale. Ilic had to make a save from Bergkamp after the Dutchman did a nifty turn inside the box to create space. He hit it hard and straight, but straight at the goalie. Dennis had another shot which forced the keeper into a fantastic save, but only after a deflection. The chance was created by some great target-man play from Boa Morte, pulling down Petit's pinpoint (yawn) pass with his back to goal and laying it off in a way Smudger would have been proud of. But Bergkamp was felled from behind by a late Youds challenge, and went off to be replaced by Wreh before the half ended. Early in the second half, Vieira was sent off for striking at Redfern. The Charlton player had been kicking and pulling at Vieira from behind as the Frenchman ran with the ball, and we would surely have simply been given the free-kick (and Redfern booked) if Viera hadn't struck out with his elbow. Replays showed Redfern going down clutching his face, and that the blow had landed, if at all, on his shoulder. But there'd always a good chance of a card if you raise your hands like that so Paddy can't really complain (although he may do!). Bergkamp had been booked for dissent before going off injured. It's hard to say whether these incidents are detrimental. Certainly they're foolish, but maybe these players wouldn't be so effective without the characters that cause the incidents. Last season's successes have to cast some doubt on the theory that we'd do a lot better if the players behaved themselves more! Hmmm. Anyway, shortly after the sending off, Overmars broke and attacked the Charlton goal, outside the area he passed across to Parlour in a central position, who was brought down just inside the box as he tried to burst through 2 (3?) defenders. Ilic just got a finger to Overmars's penalty, but the power was too much for him. We had to defend after that, Keown and Bould were imperious as ever and when Manninger dropped a high diagonal cross in the 6-yard box Petit was there to hoof it clear. Petit is already being talked of as a candidate for player of the year. I should bloody think so. This takes us third in the table, but Leeds Chelsea and Man Utd all play tomorrow. Other reports-->
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