By Andy Strouthous
October 26 2004

The air is full of tales that Arsenal are looking vulnerable, players are at each others throats, but most laughable is that Curbs has got the evil eye on the Arse. Why because in 2001 Charlton were one of the very few teams in last 5 years to beat the Arsenal at Highbury. This makes them the all time specialists in beating the unbeaten record holders. They have no other important credentials such as Curbs Grandmother was there when Nottingham Forest were finally defeated. No, but they have won 1 out of the last 10 games they played at Highbury. That qualifies them more for victory than the average 3 goals a game they are letting in away at the moment.

Now according to Moanrhino teams are stepping aside overawed by Arsenal and more or less letting the team win. I suspect that Charlton, not having read Moanrhino's theory will put 7 across midfield and try and stifle us, something they forgot to do in their other games.

Finally what of the historic victory in November 2001 Well it was the strangest game I have ever seen.
It was surreal, Arsenal had 70% of possession and 5 times as many shots on goal as Charlton. How the bloody hell did the team lose? Easy just have a crap goalkeeper and don't bother to defend set pieces. Of course we consider that beneath us anyway,
Its the Corinthian spirit that abounds at Highbury. Give away a free kick or corner- its only fair to give the opposition a good go. But added to that was the strange goalkeeping of Richard Wright, he managed an own goal and flapped at least 2 more as they sailed in. Anyone who wants to slag off Lehmann would do well to watch a video of the game (its next to the Chainsaw Massacre in the Video nasty section, not for anyone under 18) and see what poor goalkeeping really looks like.

Its probably unfair to blame Wright entirely, as the team started showboating at 1-0 up. Anyway it still seems unbelievable that we dominated so much and lost so heavily. It goes to prove Football is an art not a science, its why I never bet on it.