2000/01

1.11.00 Arsenal 1 Ipswich 2

1.11.00

Arsenal 1 Ipswich 2

There are few things in life more important than football, beer maybe, the odd wife or husband, a couple of mates, the old spider-man comic collection. So when you see the whole Arsenal team standing heads bowed, hands linked around one half of the centre circle quietly reflecting on the sudden death of one the true Arsenal greats, you know that this is one of those things that transcends the day to day business. George Armstrong, a lightning fast winger from the celebrated early seventies double winning side and latterly the Arsenal reserve coach died yesterday after suffering a brain haemorrhage whilst taking a training session. It was fitting that the Arsenal side playing here tonight was predominantly composed of the young, the honest journeymen, the forgotten and the might have beens. All players that had been part of Geordie Armstrong’s life for the last ten years. The minute’s silence was an impeccable tribute- full marks to the Ipswich supporters.

The game was the usual piece of Worthington surreal: Taylor in goal (dodgy first half- a couple of classic saves in the second.) Vivas as captain (visionary going forward and dangerous as a fridge plummeting from a tower block in his tackling). A stiff looking Matthew Upson being partnered at the back by the debuting Stepanovs (a gangly dimmer version of Andy Linighan) the kids, Cole, Pennant, Weston, Barrett and Volz and Vernazza and surprisingly Wiltord up front. Add a couple of memory inducing substitute appearances by Chris Wreh and Mendez and you have a thoroughly entertaining evening. Still, they didn’t do too bad as how Ipswich had out their entire first team. The problem was that the team looked like eleven individuals.

Ipswich’s very early goal rocked them terribly. After five minutes the massed ranks of Ipswich fans were leaping up and down singing, ‘one nil to the tractor boys.’ It wasn’t until midway through the first half when Wiltord’s belter wobbled the bar that the team came to life. Just before the break an arrowing Arsenal corner was met by a glancing header from the uncoordinated Stapanovs. 1-1.

The second half was much more even. Upson hit the post with an unlucky header and Wiltord looked terrific- a one-man team. Ipswich, however, were professional and dedicated and their winner on 89 minutes had a bit of the inevitable about it. Ipswich just about deserved their win. Good luck to them.

It would have nice to win for Georgie Armstrong, but believe me, they’ll be other days for his kids- many of them.

Man of the Match: Wiltord.