Football’s Back!

By: Tom | August 27th, 2009

As the season picks up again, so I come storming back into the world of Football Manager. It has been an age since my last post, which you’ll have to forgive – I’ve been busy moving house and moving country at the same time. I’m back in a time zone where I can watch football at a reasonable hour once more. Hallelujah!

Immediately after my last update, I played quite a few more matches with the Arsenal, but never got around to writing about them. A fair amount of time has passed since then, so I once more ask for your understanding if this missive comes off as rather lacking on details and a wee bit rushed. I want to get through them as soon as possible so I can get back to playing. I’ve got the urge back.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Birmingham vs. Arsenal – Premier League
5th December 2009
English starters: 6 – Foster, Lescott, Jagielka, Walcott, Young, Gabby

Goals – Adebayor (14, 26), Veloso (19)

I stuck with the 4-2-2-2 again and got another good clean sheet and a great result away from home. The job was done early on, and the league run continues.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Arsenal vs. Panathinaikos – Champions League, Group Stage
9th December 2009
English starters: 9 – Foster, Gibbs, Hoyte, Lescott, Jagielka, Cattermole, Walcott, Gabby

Goals – Adebayor (35, 71, 74, 85)

With qualification to the knockout stages long since assured, this was another chance to have fun with the more attacking formation, and bring in a couple of fringe players. A dominant performance, with Adebayor really stealing the show, as he knocked home four.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Fulham vs. Arsenal – Premier League
12th December 2009
English starters: 6 – Foster, Lescott, Jagielka, Walcott, Young, Wilshere

Goals – Young (17), Veloso (26), Adebayor (pen 45)

After the little 4-2-2-2 jaunt of recent weeks I decided to switch back to my more tried and tested 4-2-3-1 for this game.

The eventual outcome was much the same however, with our attacking players proving too strong for Fulham, and wrapping up another away win before half time.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Arsenal vs. Everton – Premier League
20th December 2009
English starters: 6 – Foster, Lescott, Jagielka, Walcott, Young, Gabby

Goals – Adebayor (39), Clichy (47)

Another comfortable win. Adebayor rose well to score a header in the first half – his 25th of the season. It was man of the match Clichy who stole the show though, darting in at the back post early in the second half to prod home a rare goal for the French fullback.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Arsenal vs. Everton – Premier League
23rd December 2009
English starters: 6 – Foster, Jagielka, Taylor, Wilshere, Gabby, Sturridge

Goals – Sturridge (7), Veloso (48), Galletti (61)

Injuries to Young and Walcott meant a shift in my attacking line, with Sturridge making a rare start up front with Adebayor as I reverted back to 4-2-2-2. The young Englishman didn’t take long to open the scoring either, as he linked up well with his strike partner.

Veloso added a second with a deflected shot from outside the area, before the visitors pulled one back and made for a nervy last half an hour. We held on in the end for another three points, but it was the tightest game for a while.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Anyway, that’s brought you up to speed. Sorry for the brevity again, but next up are trips to Old Trafford and White Hart Lane, so I’ll be sure to give a more in-depth update on those.