EPL Match Day 22: Arsenal v Manchester City
Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
-George Patton
So begins the next great challenge in this wild and wooly Arsenal season. Today – Wednesday 5 January 2011, two teams with title credentials will meet as our Gunners take on the light blue side of Manchester.
So far this season it’s chock full of ups, downs and everything in between. A win today and all the ups will likely come to one great explosion of joy. Lose and well the normal doom and gloom discussions can resume. For the Gunners the fixture list looks a little more comfortable after this challenging tie and that is only one reason why getting maximum points today is so important. Gaining all the points today with some easier fixtures in the offing means we can work on applying some pressure on to Fergie’s men in red (and his red nose).
For all Gooners a win today would mean, “it seems like old times” before money interlopers intruded on their two way race to hold aloft the title. For City, they would say the title is definitely coming to Manchester one way or the other. All that aside this match has all the landmakrs of a collossal – wait for it – DUD. That’s right I said dud. Why you ask? Well, first everyone expects this match to be the meat of the midweek fixtures. Some have called it to be the match of the season. Two very talented teams going at each – no doubt about that. With both teams having enough talented fire power to crush each other. But let’s harken back to this fixture last season when we last met at the Emirates and the tie was one of the most boring of the season.
Frankly I place the blame at the feet of Roberto Mancini. His application of the Italian way of doing things, doesn’t apply itself well to winning the big matches. In Italy managers who face teams that are direct competition (ie – threat) play formations that lend themselves to dragging out draws – as exhibits for the defence, I give you this season’s City matches against, Spurs, United and until John Terry decided to take the rest of the match off, Chelsea. In each of those matches City were not playing to win. Hell, they only won against Chelsea because as I mentioned Terry had a senior moment and let Carlos Tevez play past him in the 72nd minute.
Mancini does not want to threaten his position in the table. A loss to Arsenal (with Arsenal having a game in hand) is almost putting themselves 6 points off Arsenal and 9 off of United. A draw is more apt to maintaining the current table status quo. Now, I might think different about City’s style of play if David Silva were in the lineup. But a knee injury is going to keep him and Mario Balotelli out of the game. Which means City turn to James Milner to be their creative mid-field spark. Quaking in your boots? Me too.
Sure they bost a side with Carlos Tevez and whenever he has the ball he is always a threat. His biggest flaw however is trying to do it all himself and not rely on his team. If you can shut him down (Alex Song you reading this) their primary attack is gone. That would leave Adam Johnson as their only real threat and I think Wilshere and the defence can handle him. The problem that would remain for Arsenal is an age-old one – defending on set pieces. City do boast some rather tall and strong players and they could take advantage of that.
For Arsenal to me the plan is simple, play a pressing game exactly like you did against Chelsea. Don’t let Tevez get comfortable with the ball and go on one of his long runs. What Arsenal do off the ball is going to be as important in this match as what they do on it. Without the creativity of Silva, City are already going to be lacking a real flair to their play. The more we can shut down any movement the better it is for our offensive weapons to take control of the match.
The thing our boys need to be wary of (when they have the ball) is errant passes. City will be happy to play defencively and look for the opportunity to exploit any bad passing. Without Silva this is their most effective way to get the points they want. Get the ball to Tevez on the counter and we could have issues. So the passing around has to be sharp, decisive and on point.
I fully expect the lineup to be the lineup that featured against Birmingham and Chelsea. With the FA Cup and Carling Cup coming up there are opportunities to rest players. This is an important match and our first team has shown that they can rise to the occassion.
I expect City will look to shut down our own passing lanes and force Arsenal to try and unlock them. I believe the advantage there lies with Fabregas who is showing more and more glimpses that he is coming back as his maestro self. With outlets like Nasri, Walcott and Van Persie the availability of attacking options to unlock City are numerous. It just remains to be seen if Fabregas can exploit them in tight quarters. But the tastiest battles will happen in the midfield between Nasri/Fabregas and De Jong/Barry. If Nasri and Fabregas continue to do their best Xavi and Iniesta imitation it could make life a bother for the City tandem. Barry has not fared well against Nasri on a few occassions, (see his getting nutmegged by the Frenchman in the international friendly at Wembley for reference). And Fabregas has enough experience dealing with the Dutch midfielder.
The other area of exploitation for Arsenal will be to use Theo’s speed against City’s much slower defence. Kolarov and Boateng are not in the same league in terms of speed as even Ashley Cole. Theo starting will keep them honest or as he comes into the game (ala Chelsea) he will have his way working the defence. City can ill afford to have him left open.
This is going to be a hard match. It is going to require a full team effort. From the back “5” to the front 6 – each part of this team is going to need to show everything they have. City are not a light weight team any more and 35 years of beating them on home soil means nothing with the talent they have assembled. One wrong misstep or blunder and City have the talent and desire to exploit it themselves. A win today and the world is right and we are on target to push United for the title (which could be why Fergie is giving Wenger a little more verbal attention these days.)
How the Match Should Play Out:
This is so bloody hard to call. I said it could be a dud and I think it will be. I think the two teams are going to play to not make mistakes. Which means a slow, deliberate style designed to bore us all. The thing is, Arsenal are a patient team. They’ve scored the most goals in the waning minutes of a match than any other team this season. So the tempo doesn’t bother me. but overall, I really don’t see Mancini deviating from his normal mode of doing business. They will fight for the draw only taking advantage of clear chances on the counter. While Arsenal could get frustrated trying to get through a clogged final third of the pitch.
Players To Watch:
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas. He is coming into his own again. Against Chelsea and again against Birmingham, he has shown that his control of game can dictate the outcome of it. He is when in form the best creative midfielder in Europe and his budding partnership with Nasri could portend good things for Arsenal (Should Cesc stay)
Manchester City: Carlos Tevez. If Tevez played for us, I’d love him (until he pulled his homesick bullshit that is) but since he plays for City, I hate him. He is a tenacious player with an exceptional work rate. But frankly he has seemed off to me ever since coming back into the fold after his whiole transfer request saga.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (thigh) Almunia (ankle) Frimpong (knee), Vermaelen (Achilles)
Manchester City: Silva (knee) Balotelli (knee)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri13 (9 league) Chamakh 10 (7 league) Walcott 9 (6 league)
Manchester City 12 (12 league); Balotelli 8 (5 league)
Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 3
Manchester City: 0
Last 5:
Arsenal: WLWDW
Manchester City: WLWWW
Goals For:
Arsenal: 2.4 (home)
Manchester City: 1.9 (away)
Goals Against:
Arsenal: 1.2 (home)
Manchester City: 0.9 (away)
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 20
Manchester City: 17
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant Referees: Darren Cann & Stephen Child
Fourth Official: Stuart Attwell
Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN2 ESPN3 (online) 1445 EST
UK: SkySports 2 1945 GMT
Feeds:
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www.iraqgoals.net
www.jason.tv
www.myp2p.com
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Manchester City: 1
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Ramsey has been cleared to be available (on the bench) for the Leeds match tomorrow. More positives for Arsenal.
I was watching the replay of the Portsmouth-Arsenal match last night, where Aaron scored his 1st PL goal. Intercepting the ball outside their PA, then cutting inside (to the left) and blasting a left footed shot past the keeper…..plus he assisted Nasri on the 2nd goal.
20 yrs old ?
Crossing my fingers his form returns as he’s a game changer in the works.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6640037,00.html
Says in this article Man City have successfully appealed Zabaleta’s red card from wednesday, meaning he will now miss no matches. It continues: “Both players saw red, with Arsenal ruling out an appeal against Sagna’s dismissal after admitting the player had been overly aggressive. ”
What the fuck? They aren’t even going to TRY for an appeal? Why the hell not? Both reds were equally ridiculous, both players did pretty much the same thing, one club appeals and wins, and so the other club concludes that appealing is not worth it? I really don’t see the logic. Whatever, he might as well get the rest.
@ChicagoGooner, Regardless of his being a target of poor tackles and stomps over the past few matches OR whatever Zabaleta said to him……he was the aggressor and lost his poise.
Appealing the red card would only open up the option of frivolous appeal and an added 1 match ban (making it 4 matches) – which none of us want to take the chance.
Roy Keane is gone from Ipswich. Well…good thing or bad? Will find out shortly. Although it is not entirely surprizing as I had expected it a few months ago but still figured he might be left for the meetings with Arsenal. He was after all at the Emirates on wed to watch Arsenal. But I guess the board wanted to ensure a decent showing against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Has the New Year really brought on some changes?
Seems like the tone in posting has mellowed.
Doesn’t someone want to throw out some red meat?
@Arsession, Maybe the Patton quote was too intimidating…….but DAG’s write up for the City match is longer than the sum of all the 33 responses.
I’m thinking Arsenal can save some significant money, during this January window.
Hodgson, Hughes, Ancelloti, Houllier, Grant, McCarthy, McLeish, Houghton, Benitez, all have seen their market value drop over the past 4 months and ‘all’ should be available sooner rather than later.
Now would be a good time to replace Arsene (from the list above) and use the savings to invest in another pre-puberty player. Specifically from a market where the Arsenal brand needs a boost – like Qatar.
(It is a shame Phil is not eligible. Now there could have been a great manager – captain relationship at Arsenal.)
NOW, you are really looking to start some trouble here as the AKB’s will come out of hibernation to slam your a$$
:shock: :shock:
@CaribKid, We need some fresh controversy, to bring in the New Year. Just go to the blog sites for Pool and Chelsea. Wow, these fans have sunk to depths of despair you wouldn’t believe.
Endless great reading!!!!!
Well the Jackass Phil Brown has finally got another manager position… at Preston North End. He’s replacing the recently-sacked Darren Ferguson (i.e. Purple Nose Jr.).
A belated Happy New Year to Mike and everyone!!
I have been viewing regularly without posting due to the festive season and travel etc.
Lot’s of good comments.
Well, I reckon 8 out of 12 points is not too bad in a season when everyone is dropping points regularly and when 2 of the 4 games were against serious competition. The 2-2 draw was probably the most frustrating after coming back from 1-0 down and looking ok at 2-1. Alas, we aren’t water-tight when sitting on a 1 (or 2) goal lead isn’t a sure thing.
It is pretty unusual that we are still well ‘in it’ despite the amount of points we’ve dropped. No team has put the foot down and really stretched the pack. That is unusual. Normally at least 2 teams break from the pack and sort out just who are the genuine challengers – not this season – yet.
Our ability to sustain a challenge will be partly determined by who stays fit and who doesn’t. Camakh, Nasri and Arshavin carried the season August-December. RvP, Walcott, Bendtner and Fabregas have returned from injury over the last few weeks and are starting to find their match fitness (to varying degrees). This has a dual effect. First it provides additional options to Wenger and allows the core to get some rest, but as others have pointed out the downside is it also blunts the attack somewhat as guys like RvP and a rusty Walcott and Bendtner look for form and fitness.
If, and that is a huge IF, if some of these guys can stay (get) fit and shoulder some of the burden then perhaps we stand a chance in this whacky season when almost every team looks a little underwhleming. It’s asking a lot of stars to align, cause Wenger has his hands full trying to carefully integrate so many perma-crocks into the team in a softly softly way. So many of this squad aren’t able to play consecutive games. Rosicky, RvP, Walcott, Diaby, Djourou – it makes developing continuity rather tricky.
Anyways, a good little stanza.
RVP and Arshavin would both be more effective playing in the hole than at CF and Winger, respectively. Arsene loves players who are best attacking mids or withdrawn strikers. Unfortunately (and no different from any other position) there’s only enough room for 1 or 2 such players to start there on an 11-man team. The result is that a large majority of our forwards and mids are better suited to a central attacking role than they are to the positions in which they are actually deployed in. This has been discussed numerous times here before.
@arsession,
“RvP was consistently around the ball and part of all the linking play. Its a shame he is not match fit”
That’s exactly the problem. RVP is a Bergkamp type and not a striker. He does not attack the ball or the goal but prefers to receive the ball at the edge and work 1-2’s. Nothing against him, but Chamakh is our only instinctive striker who will attack the goal.
RVP is not suited in a 4-3-3 but would be more effective in the classical 4-4-2 where he could play behind the striker. We will never score from a close in header or tap in with him as the striker. Look how many good balls and crosses went to waste because no one was attacking the goal mouth. In truth, Fab attacks the goal more.
@Caribkid, No arguments from me…….my starting line up preferred Chamakh (instead of vP).
@Caribkid, I think you are all being too harsh on RVP. He hit the post, and brought the best save from Hart. And he links with the midfield better than Bendtner, Chamakh or anyone else could. RVP is different class.
Can’t be too disappointed about the performance, the tippy tappy resulted in plenty of shots on goal and the woodwork denied what might have been an outstanding victory. An early goal would have changed the game.
Man City might be a bus, but what a magnificent bus they are. Vincent Kompany is awesome, and their whole back four played very well. Sometimes you just need to appreciate the bus. Admittedly, support for Tevez was pretty poor, with Milner and Jo on the wings it was always going to be that way.
@Rocka,
Want to make it clear that I’m not complaining about RVP and he certainly is not to blame for us not getting the win. I absolutely love a fit RVP.
What I am saying is that he is not being played in his natural position and therefore his best talents are not being utilized effectively. He is not alone in that boat as Wenger has quite a few of our players in positions which do not suit their strengths.
You guys now see why I completely disregard Mancini as a proper manager. The most ridiculously defensive coach since the Cattenacio era.
Man U and Chelsea play defensive against us and look to hit us on the counter. They play to win. Mancini completely forgoes the countering or winning part.
Ah well, thats their problem.
We needed to score early or it would have been a scoreless draw. If one of those near chances had gone in, we might have been able to beat them 3-0 again.
——————————————————————–
Overall, I think our play was good enough. Just not lucky enough.
Arshavin on the right (?!) and Bendtner on the left (!!!) is just plain ridiculous tactics.
If you are going to do something like that why bother bringing on Bendtner??? Why not Rosicky or whoever.
Is it now heresy for RvP to play on the wings???
The sight of Bendtner putting in a cross with only RvP at the edge of the box is utterly ridiculous. If we were desperate for a goal why not go with TWO forwards in a standard 4-4-2.
RvPs presence is beginning to annoy me … we are using these games to get him up to speed, playing others out of position so he can play down the center …. BUT when he finally gets in the grove in about early February he will then get injured by end of February.
And his vastly over-hyped legend will continue.
@Fred, I certainly don’t intend to bash vP……3 seasons ago he caught my eye, but with all of the injuries spanning this period, my expectations are lower.
I agree with your perspective about playing vP at the teams expense. How many of his strikes in the 2nd half were considerably off target – a sign of fatigue. I’m puzzled why his fitness is still an issue.
WE NEED MORE PLAYERS THAT AREN’T AFRAID TO GO FORWARD AND TAKE ON OPPONENTS AND FOR PLAY IN THE FINAL 1/3. This is why Song has the green light.
As I’ve stated b4, your tactics are ineffective if your players can’t execute. Cesc had an unusual # of wayward passes, vP was not fit, our line up needed more experience than ‘hoping Jack and Theo would surprise, and then to bring on a player out of form for 3 months.
Not a bad performance for these liabilities.
Football life with Arsene.
If I was a City fan I swear I’d only be able to watch one out of every 4-5 matches- the team is that boring. Parking the bus can be a legitimate strategy for the best of teams and the worst of teams if the conditions in a given match are right for it. But for Mancini it is an overarching strategy that defines Man City in every single big match they play. For a team that has aspirations to be the top dog in England and indeed the entire world (and this is what their owners’ desire) that cannot be your go-to strategy. You can use it in parts of matches, even for entire matches when the situation calls for it (ex, you win by 4-0 in the first leg of a CL knockout tie), but it can’t be your primary strategy.
Didn’t agree with the starting lineup, but that’s just my feelings about some of our youngsters in big games. Absolutely didn’t agree with the substitutions. Scoreless draw was a safe result for both clubs. Sorry for Sagna. The 3 match ban will give him some needed rest.
vP was consistently around the ball and part of all the linking play. Its a shame he is not match fit. He is every bit the skillful passer as Bergkamp. His shooting touch seems to be returning. By my count, only 2 poor free kicks.
I don’t remember Fabianski having to make a save? maybe others, can confirm. This speaks volumes for the back 4 and midfield pressure.
No criticism is warranted at our CB’s – they were outstanding – as well as CLICHY and Sagna.
MOTM – Song. He should be captain.
1st 10 minutes we placed them under duress – but could not convert the chances. no sense in pointing fingers…..it is what it is in the sport.
Its a shame Theo has been injured so much over the past 2-3 seasons. The playing time could have been “invaluable” in his development.
Some cretin has invaded the body of our little Russian. His game is suffering and if he tries one more back heel pass *^%$*^*#@.
As for City – Ya Ya looked like he was ill. The same cretin that has invaded Arshavin has claimed Tevez. (more of an observation from City’s last match – some ill effects lingering over tonight)
There is too much ‘parity’ in the league this season. I know my use of that word parity is upsetting to some.
None of the top 5 teams are dominating and as we’ve witnessed all season – position in the league means nothing. The bottom feeders continue to add to the league standings drama.
Of course its possible that ManU could go undefeated —— just like its possible for Pool to qualify for CL play this season.
With FA Cup competition and CL play – along with PL demands, ManU’s luck will end sooner than later. Just remember how everyone was praising the play of Chelsea early on, with so many in the media making them a shoe in for the PL title. So much for those predictions.
All this talk of going undefeated is only adding more pressure on the ManU players.
The best learning experience for this Arsenal team is for the team to learn to ‘dig down deep’ and come through under pressure. That is what builds character. They need a tight race and a down to the wire result.
Cesc is looking like his old self.
Mixed feelings after that.
Played well for the most part, good movement ; players looked on the same wavelength with Wilshere and Song breaking off and making little runs into space effectively, however it’s concerning that we once again ran out of puff late on and seemed to completely run out of ideas and belief. A re-occuring theme.
Don’t like Nasri on the left, and he’s starting to frustrate me a bit despite his goal scoring exploits away from home.
Wenger’s subs were predictably laughable, and why Arshavin was put on the right I’ll never know. Both him and Nasri are more effective on the opposite flanks. Bendtner’s deployment on the left took the biscuit though.
Overall we look in good shape but I think we can kiss goodbye to any title hopes now.
Mancini is to football what Satan is to Christianity :reallypissed:
@Caribkid, clearly he is Wenger’s least fav manager in the league right now. Not only does he want his team to play anti-football, he has all the money in the world to spend.
But Wenger must not lose focus. Fergie is still enemy #1 for Arsenal, regardless of 5-6 other non hand shakers.
On the other hand, this was an awesome night for Utd, as everyone chasing them dropped points: draw for Arsenal/City, losses for Chelsea and Tottenham.
I agree mac, very frustrating, but I am not upset.
City’s strategy was to park the bus, play for the draw- and they executed that strategy quite well. There was little we could have done differently. And to be fair to City, any other strategy and we would have lit them up.
We are still in the title race, but we almost always are at this point in the year. We need to play a little more consistently and hope ManUre drop a few more points than we do. But it is definitely a 2-horse race here on out.
We only have 2 games left against the top 5 teams in the league table: Man U at home, Spurs away. Compare that to Man U who have 5 left against those teams: Arsenal and Spurs away, City home, Chelsea both. Hopefully someone can take points from them, and hopefully Arsenal will be in a position to benefit.
2 horse race? What about City?
@Caribkid,
Eh. I guess I have no real reason to discount them, other than my personal opinion that they don’t have what it takes.
Frustrating but not entirely unexpected. City fulfilled the Dud role as mentioned by DAG and Arsenal hit the woodwork. Inches. And 2 points dropped.
I am biased but all 3 titles that Arsenal won under Wenger were hard fought. 1998 required a long winning run, 2002 unbeaten away run and that famous 2004 unbeaten season. Arsenal could never afford to slip up where many Man Utd titles under Fergie were won more easily. So now the weakest Man Utd team in memory is seeking to match what the strongest Arsenal team did. If Man Utd accomplish their target, it would truly be the final insult. They have humiliated Arsenal on the field and can now draw their way to history. Plus they were unbeaten for 5 games last season so they could even end that 49 game record.
I don’t want Arsenal to wait till April to end that possibility but Arsenal have to win the title this year. They have to but hey my wishes account for nothing :)
@sachin,
You know that has to be in the back of Fergie’s mind. (Not to mention Giggs, Scholes and Neville). None would dare mention it, but you know they’ve thought about it at times. If they are unbeaten come the April 30 clash at Emirates, the pressure on the Arsenal players to protect the club’s record will be immense… are these the type of players to care about that kind of tradition, and to respond to the call?
@ChicagoGooner, That’s the problem. I don’t trust these bunch of players to safe guard Arsenal’s history.
By the way, the camera crew and editing room were having fun. First they zoomed in on PV and immediately cut to the banner with the 2005 FA Cup. Ofcourse we got to see Adams and Henry as well, more painful reminders of former glory. No Arsenal fan probably thought PV’s final kick for the club meant so much but here we are. And ofcourse we got to see Keane as well, in the way of Arsenal’s current trophy quest.
As I have said before on this forum, I have never ever seen a player who hits the woodwork more often than RVP. He needs to recalibrate the magnets in his boots.
@Caribkid, or shoot high and wide, immediately followed by the commentator saying RVP is still finding his form after a lengthy lay off. I have mentioned previously but RVP is critic proof as he is always recovering. When he finally finds his form, he will go play for Holland and get injured.
But today Arsenal showed unity. Cesc and Walcott also hit rhe woodwork as they didn’t want VP to feel bad.
0-0. Lots of hits on the woodwork, and a couple of fine saves from Hart.
We just couldn’t unlock the most expensive park-the-bus team in history.
Our substitutions didn’t work because a) Theo is faster than Arshavin and more dynamic right now and b) the only reason to bring on Bendtner is so we can launch a fusillade of hail mary long balls into the box.
Frustrating, but not devastating because everyone else around us in the league lost.
Not devastating if automatic CL qualification is the goal.
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Starting XI v City (confirmed via Arsenal Dot Com)
Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Wilshere, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Van Persie
City Starting XI:
Hart, Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, Milner, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Barry, Jo, Tevez
I’m going for 2-1.
Citey are without Ade and Silva, but their away form is impressive.
Here’s hoping for an on-the-break gem from Theo and something with a backheel from Van P. :star:
Good in depth remarks DAG.
Big match with potential ‘momentum builder’ for the team that can take 3 points. A draw, at mid-season, would be ok for both teams.
Your line up is probably accurate.
The chemistry of Nasri – Cesc is developing into a combination that will outclass Xavi/Iniesta – just look at their ages.
Considering how important it is to control midfield and keep them on their heels…….I’m inclined to start Denilson for Wilshere plus utilize the movement and passing skills of Rosicky for Theo. Just my preference.
Also, I don’t have a problem for Chamakh starting for vP. Fresh legs and more physical presence upfront and defending on set pieces.
If we can play with the same energy and productivity as against Chelsea and Birmingham, I believe our chances are good.
Lets hope we finish the match with no injuries and a positive feeling for our performance.
More importantly that the referee does not influence the outcome of the match for either team.
@Arsession,
Keep them on their heels, and you want the ‘Stroller’ Denilson to do this, at the expense of Wilshere? The player that was closing down the Chelsea midfielders manically all night long when we beat them?
Wow.
We should be playing all our best technical, ambitious, ballsy players in order to synergistically create our best passing and movement levels ; which will be needed to disturb City and get them rocking.
Bringing in the walking sedative Denilson into our team will ensure midfield lock-down and a messy game, and pay right into City’s hands.
@Mazza,
Wilshere is an 18 yr old experiment in process. He maybe be aggressive and run like a lawn mower, but his decision making with the ball (& without) is and has been suspect in every match. Too many times he’s standing (frozen) like a deer in head lights overwhelmed in the moment.
Denilson provides a better maturity for our passing game and midfield stability. imo
@Mazza,
Looks like Wenger sees it your way, Maz.
Only 5 years too late.