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25 02 2006 Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
It was billed as men against boys. It's not often that I agree with the media, but they were correct. In the end, Arsenal's
youngsters lost the plot and handed the game to Chelsea following a disgraceful punch-up initiated by one of their
supposed bright young examples to the modern footballing generation.
The day started early and with a good omen. Pulling in to fill up with petrol there stood an England team coach. What it
was doing there, I will never know. The plan was to arrive in Newport at around 11am and catch a quick 15 minute train
to Cardiff. We were deluded: there had been signal problems and instead of arriving by 11.30am we ended up in Cardiff
at 1pm. A Chelsea fan I knew only arrived at half time owing to the tardiness of the trains. We are always pushed so
much to use public transport but as any football fan will tell you we have surely the worst transport system in Europe.
Rail operators are shocked when it snows in winter and when it is warmer than usual in summer. I love Cardiff. I love the
pubs and the people. The one thing that spoilt it was the journey. Can't wait for Wembley to be built and let's
hope we can make 'istoree by being the first club to the FA Cup there after being the last club to win it in the old stadium.
So onto the game. Arsenal were superb in the first half and after they scored it felt like it would be a question of how
many. However, Drogba scored magnificently and after that they seemed to have the stuffing knocked out of them.
The second half began with promise. Robben was finally brought on and finally Chelsea had an attacking threat. But still
Arsenal pressed. Then came Terry's sickening injury. Only he would be brave enough to jump in for such a header. I
was in shock at the time and thought the injury to be very serious. How typical of JT to come back from hospital after the
game. A true Chelsea legend and a deserving England captain.
From then on Chelsea took control of the game. Arsenal tried to attack but flattered to deceive. When Drogba scored
there was utter pandemonium. I cannot describe the emotion but it felt better for me than when we won the league. One
of my demons (namely losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup Final) had been exorcised.
In the dying minutes the youngsters that the media like to praise so much lost the plot and began an ugly brawl. As
many have pointed out, when things are not going their way Arsenal's youth throw their toys out of the pram. A case in
point was Fabregas remonstrating with Mark Hughes after the FA Cup 0-0 draw with Blackburn. And what exactly have
you won, Cesc?
This Arsenal team is bound to improve but until it has the solidity and maturity that those above them have then they will
struggle to win major trophies. You couldn't call the game boring though!
Queuing for a train after the game it was amusing to see the Arsenal fans sneering in the face of a Chelsea fan and
saying, "you'll never be a big club". That may be the case, but why can't your big club beat our small club then? Before
the game, Arsenal's picnic basket carrying toffs said they backed playing the youngsters in the Final. The reason why
was obvious: then, even if Arsenal lost, they could say that it was a moral victory for their side.
On the way back we faced a torrid journey. The 12 mile train journey from Cardiff to Newport lasted a shocking two
hours and yet we still managed to make it home by 11pm. Victory over our bitter enemy eased the journey: I am a very
happy man. All those years of torment and snide chants against us and at the moment they have no response!
youngsters lost the plot and handed the game to Chelsea following a disgraceful punch-up initiated by one of their
supposed bright young examples to the modern footballing generation.
The day started early and with a good omen. Pulling in to fill up with petrol there stood an England team coach. What it
was doing there, I will never know. The plan was to arrive in Newport at around 11am and catch a quick 15 minute train
to Cardiff. We were deluded: there had been signal problems and instead of arriving by 11.30am we ended up in Cardiff
at 1pm. A Chelsea fan I knew only arrived at half time owing to the tardiness of the trains. We are always pushed so
much to use public transport but as any football fan will tell you we have surely the worst transport system in Europe.
Rail operators are shocked when it snows in winter and when it is warmer than usual in summer. I love Cardiff. I love the
pubs and the people. The one thing that spoilt it was the journey. Can't wait for Wembley to be built and let's
hope we can make 'istoree by being the first club to the FA Cup there after being the last club to win it in the old stadium.
So onto the game. Arsenal were superb in the first half and after they scored it felt like it would be a question of how
many. However, Drogba scored magnificently and after that they seemed to have the stuffing knocked out of them.
The second half began with promise. Robben was finally brought on and finally Chelsea had an attacking threat. But still
Arsenal pressed. Then came Terry's sickening injury. Only he would be brave enough to jump in for such a header. I
was in shock at the time and thought the injury to be very serious. How typical of JT to come back from hospital after the
game. A true Chelsea legend and a deserving England captain.
From then on Chelsea took control of the game. Arsenal tried to attack but flattered to deceive. When Drogba scored
there was utter pandemonium. I cannot describe the emotion but it felt better for me than when we won the league. One
of my demons (namely losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup Final) had been exorcised.
In the dying minutes the youngsters that the media like to praise so much lost the plot and began an ugly brawl. As
many have pointed out, when things are not going their way Arsenal's youth throw their toys out of the pram. A case in
point was Fabregas remonstrating with Mark Hughes after the FA Cup 0-0 draw with Blackburn. And what exactly have
you won, Cesc?
This Arsenal team is bound to improve but until it has the solidity and maturity that those above them have then they will
struggle to win major trophies. You couldn't call the game boring though!
Queuing for a train after the game it was amusing to see the Arsenal fans sneering in the face of a Chelsea fan and
saying, "you'll never be a big club". That may be the case, but why can't your big club beat our small club then? Before
the game, Arsenal's picnic basket carrying toffs said they backed playing the youngsters in the Final. The reason why
was obvious: then, even if Arsenal lost, they could say that it was a moral victory for their side.
On the way back we faced a torrid journey. The 12 mile train journey from Cardiff to Newport lasted a shocking two
hours and yet we still managed to make it home by 11pm. Victory over our bitter enemy eased the journey: I am a very
happy man. All those years of torment and snide chants against us and at the moment they have no response!
