The next game was a more difficult one, at home with 13th placed Sunderland. The first half was fairly even but Sunderland had a couple of great chances on counter attacks. Lucas Biglia stepped up again in the second half, he played a perfect little ball for Guilherme and the striker passed it into the back of the net. Our defense was quite leaky again, we allowed Sunderland to create way too many chances but Sergio Romero saved us again, he was fantastic. We were still unbeaten but I was afraid that if we would have played like this in the next game the great run had a good chance of coming to an end…
… and that is because the next game, and the last of the month, was away at Emirates Stadium, 7th placed Arsenal were eager to give us a good beating. I hoped that the players would realize that it was a very important game. The first half was quite even, none of the teams looked like prevailing. There were only two big chances until the break, one for each side. Our chance was missed by Marcelo Moreno (in for injured Guilherme) and Arsenal‘s chance was created by Uruguayan left winger Juan Angel Albin but Romero took care of it with a fine save. We looked much better in the second half though, we were outplaying Arsenal! Marcelo Moreno created some space for himself and launched a shot from the edge of the area… but it hit the crossbar! A few minutes later the same player, Bolivian Marcelo Moreno, took advantage of some poor defending from Clichy and banged the ball home with a powerful header! We kept control of the game until the 75th minute when I chose to switch the strategy to counter, I was afraid of crumbling under pressure. A counter attack move doubled our lead though: Sobis played a fine assist for Sneijder, the shot was parried but the ball jumped to Sobis again. The Brazilian took the shot, the keeper touched it again but it went in off the post! The crowd was extremely silent after that moment and so was Arsenal. My boys were unleashed and young Italian Nicola Bonetti found the strength to shoot from inside the box after dribbling past two defenders… It went in, straight into the top corner! I was dancing in front of the dugout, that was a massive result!
Manchester United didn’t drop any points in November though, their lead was now up to three points. I guess I can say that we have a good chance of getting one of the top four spots at the end of the season.
Roberto Mancini, Arsenal’s manager, made a nice statement after the game. That might be just psychological warfare though, we shouldn’t get carried away.
Take a look at all the games that we have to play in December, it will be a massacre! The good thing is that I’ll be able to rest some players in the Europa League matches but still, it will be an extremely tough challenge.
That’s how it was folks, we managed to stay unbeaten for another month. If I’ll be able to say that at the end of December then we can evaluate our chances for the title. Until then, I can say that we are in for a Champions League spot. I’m looking forward to reading other opinions though :)
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Laxeyman
6 февраля, 2010 at 20:59
Well done Johnny, you really are a miracle worker with Notts Co! A great result against Arsenal there, it looks like the title race will be really close and you’ll be right in the mix! December looks like a really difficult month, there are so many games! Mind you, there always is, so it’s something that can be planned for. Good Luck I’m sure you’ll do well!
TheZiggy
6 февраля, 2010 at 21:49
Well done Johnny, a superb month. The result against Arsenal at the Emirates was great. You seem to be seeing what I’ve seen with your team just about holding on in some matches, and then putting in a superb performance like you did against the Gooners.
I get the impression you’re starting to see the first signs of some over confidence going into some matches. Good luck in December, as it looks a tough month.
Johnny Karp
6 февраля, 2010 at 21:55
@TheZiggy
Thanks mate. I think that you are right about the over confidence, we seem to struggle against lower reputation teams but always find a way to turn on the style against the big guns.
@Laxeyman
Thanks but I don’t think that I’m making miracles, I have a good set of players now. December could be tricky because we don’t have enough depth on the wings but with a bit of luck (no injuries) we could survive.
Kevin
6 февраля, 2010 at 22:36
Hi Johnny
I wonder if you were dancing around in front of yor computer after beating Arsenal LOL! Great win though and it was an exciting read too!
Congratualtins on qualifying for the next round of the Europa League and your sat nicely in the Premier League as well. Decenber looks like a massive month but if you can remain unbeaten a Champions League spot can be a reality for you if not the title itself.
Johnny Karp
6 февраля, 2010 at 22:43
@Kevin
Thanks for the comment mate. I wasn’t quite dancing but not far of it either :)
Martin
6 февраля, 2010 at 22:57
Well Done Johnny, You Are Really Looking Like A Force To Be Reckoned With In The English Game!
Maybe You Should Wear A Suit While Playing To Make You Feel More Like A Real Manager! LOL
Btw, I’m Doing Alright In My Notts Co Game, I’m Only In December 2009 But I’m Top Of The League And I Signed Nacer Barazite From Arsenal For £1.2M And I’m Quite Proud Of That For Some Reason!
Kevin Mayo
6 февраля, 2010 at 23:00
Martin
I’m proud of you too! :)
Calum
7 февраля, 2010 at 10:31
Well done Johnny on another brilliant month. Your team looks very tough to beat but that unbeaten run will be challenged in the next month. Well done :D
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 11:46
Thanks Calum and Martin for your support. And well done with Notts Co Martin, Barazite could be a good signing for the next few seasons.
Lye
7 февраля, 2010 at 14:00
Well done mate, great results against Arsenal. Champions league definitely no problem for you. In fact you will be fighting for the title. Next month will be critical for your team, if you can achieve good results against Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea, i have confidence you will win the title this season. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 14:11
Thnaks Lye, I hope we won’t have any injury problems in December, we’ll need all the players fit and ready to fight.
Jaffa
7 февраля, 2010 at 19:24
wat tactics r u using? is it still the one on the site? I love ure blog tho
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 19:36
@Jaffa
Thanks for the comment. The tactic is the same but with a few tweaks to it, you can download the latest version from here.
Jaffa
7 февраля, 2010 at 20:47
how come u manage so many goals with (no offence) such a defensive tactic?
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 21:09
I don’t think it’s a defensive tactic at all, why do you think it’s defensive?
Jaffa
7 февраля, 2010 at 21:27
well 6 players have a defend duty-thats all. i dont mean it in a bad way-its obviously gd if ure 2nd
Jaffa
7 февраля, 2010 at 21:33
and a defensive forward and defensive wingers
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 21:39
@Jaffa
Oh, I see. Well, just try it and you’ll see that it’s far more attacking than it looks.
Jaffa
7 февраля, 2010 at 21:45
yes im using it with Cardiff. top of the league 5 games in top scored 14 goals conced 3
Johnny Karp
7 февраля, 2010 at 22:03
The reason I don’t see it as a defensive tactic is because the team always pushes up, pressing the opponent and trying to get the ball back as soon as possible. Once we have the ball things get beautiful sometimes, the short passing interchanges often produce chances to score. I’m happy to see that it’s working for your team.