Did I say Porto?

Damn American. Can't tell the furr-eneers apart. Of course, I meant Roma. But, I do know they're from different countries!

Aston Villa in a Lucky Win

Villa preemptively kept Arsenal at bay with a 1-0 win at Upton Park. This was an enjoyable game to watch, with great running around on both sides, though little to show in the goalbox. Even the game winner, was an unlikely and unlucky (for West Ham) matter of physics, as James Milner's desperation cross bounced off Lucas Neill and rainbowed over Keeper Robert Green and just under the far upper corner of the West Ham goal.

Really harsh stuff on the Hammers, I thought, as they had outplayed A.V. and looked the more likely to score. But fortune favors the fortunate, doesn't it?

Hopefully, the power stays on over night and I'm watching Arsenal beat Liverpool in the morning, regardless of the impact this game has on the table.

Arsenal Slated to Meet Porto

The final round of 16 (you'd say Sweet 16, if you were a Yank) is set and Arsenal have drawn FC Porto

And Gunner E-Boo-boy Emmanuel Eboue is dedicating himself to getting back on the pitch and winning over the Arsenal fans, including the knuckleheaded dipsticks that booed him off the field in what was admittedly one of the worst performances by an Arsenal player the Woolrich Arsenal factory was open.

sayeth the lad:

He told Arsenal TV Online ahead of Sunday's home game against
Liverpool: "I do not know why the fans did not back me, but that is
football and you cannot do anything about it.

"They pay money to watch Arsenal to win. Then when we do not
play well, not give our best performances on the pitch, they are very
angry.

"I do not blame them, and I hope they will all come out to
support us on Sunday, when we will try to do our best and try to win
the game for them.

It's hard not to like his spirit!

The Long Nightmare Is Over!

Fat Sam is back! Fat Sam is back!

Ferdinand: Gunners Out

ManUre hairstyle fashion victim and sometime centerback, Rio Ferdinand, today called the Arsenal EPL quest over. Shortly after, he noted that the EPL has 20 teams, of which, he expects about 3 to be relegated to a lower league. Seemingly emboldened with each prognostication, the lanky, languid, sometimes conscious defender predicted that football would continue to use a round-shaped ball the coming season, David Beckham still had hairstyles to discover, and ManUre Manager Alex Ferguson might have a bottle of wine before the end of the season...

Rosicky Perma-Crocked!

Cue the transfer window. We need a midfielder (actually 2).

Yank to Arsenal BooBirds: Show More Class!

Yeah, Emanuel Eboue was crap today. But the Arsenal fans at the Emirates who gave him stick at the end of the game and loudly applauded his substitution should go trade their tickets for seats at White Hart Lane. That lack of class doesn't belong on the Arsenal side. Even from my side of the ocean, watching the match on cable, I was embarrassed. Y'all sounded like a bunch of Americans. Really. Pathetic stuff.

I'm not Eboue's biggest fan, and if I'd been at the game, I'd have been muttering to myself about his disastrous play - and yes, I think Wenger was right to sub him off as he was liable to cost us 2 points - but still, he's a Gunner. Show him support not derision. Give him a reason to come back in the next game and kick some ass. Otherwise, as I said before, go cheer for the Tots. Wankers.

Rant off.

There was also a game today, which Arsenal won 1-0, grabbing a desperately needed 3 points. It wasn't a bad game at all, but the Gunners continued to have difficulty scoring. Ade's goal was equal parts blind fortune and graft and we hit the freakin' woodwork twice! Wigan played a very good game, particularly that pesky, hardworking Lee Cattermole. Arsenal had little time to settle and posess in the first half. The game opened up for both sides in the 2nd half and the final ten minutes were nervy, nervy moments for Arsenal fans as Wigan pressed and Arsenal was rocking on their heels.

Over at SoccerNet, the assessment of Arsenal continues to be severe. I can't say I like it. Can't say I disagree, either:

ARSENAL VERDICT: Soccernet's Insider may not be popular with
Arsenal fans again as this was the sort of display that confirms all
the doubts stated in my previous article are justified. Nervous under
set-plays, ready to crack as they clung onto a lead late on and guilty
of missing chances galore, Wenger must know he has major problems on
his hands.

Nonetheless, all's well that end's well. Next up is Port in the CL. Go Gunners!