Now Go And Win The Title

Stoke City 1 – 3 Arsenal

1 – 0 Pugh (8)
1 – 1 Bendtner (32)
1 – 2 Fabregas (90 pen)
1 – 3 vermaelen (90)

A win that closed the gap to Chelsea to three points, overshadowed by the injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey. The tackle from Ryan Shawcross was appalling; indefensible. It was not malicious in the same manner that Taylor’s was on Eduardo but that does not matter; the outcome was the same and that is where the focus should be. Ryan Shawcross adds his name to the list of Dan Smith and Martin Taylor in a hall of shame.

Ramsey had been playing his way up the midfield pecking order with some good displays this season. The next campaign may be virtually over before he can perform on the pitch again. As soon as the tackle happened, the faces of both sets of players betrayed the seriousness of the injury.

Vermaelen exhibited the same emotions his colleagues did two years ago; Cesc was distraught; they all were. Yet they rallied once the medical team attended to Ramsey; Clichy consoled and cajoled as did his captain. The desire to win took hold, to ensure that an opportunity presented by Chelsea’s collapse at lunchtime was not wasted.

Post-match, Arsene queried how much more of the overly physical approach would be permitted by the authorities. The answer is that it will never stop so long as referees fail to punish. Cesc noted that in England, ‘play on‘ is the mantra; had Walton blown for the deliberate handball by a Stoke player immediately prior to Shawcross’ tackle, Ramsey would not be contemplating a long spell of recovery and rehabilitation.

Is there a coincidence in these events? Yes and no. Yes, it is coincidental that they have happened on a seemingly bi-annual basis. No; teams acknowledge that they go in harder on Arsenal, to unsettle and unnerve. The mentality was highlighted by Kevin Davies before the recent encounter at The Reebok, claiming Arsenal ‘scream like girls‘. Did the FA intervene then and demand explanation. No. Will they do so in the future? No. Would they do so if the suffering were from Rooney or Gerrard…

Stoke hoped that Shawcross would not be demonised. He should not be. His manager though left a foul and noxious stench around the club. Wenger did not criticise Shawcross as a person; he criticised the tackle. Pulis felt it necessary to insult his counterpart, telling the world that he ‘wouldn’t give tuppence for Wenger’s opinions about his players as people‘, a vile tirade buried in remorse for the incident.

So to the match itself. Dominating the penalty area against Stoke was the message beforehand; it didn’t sink in. Seven minutes was all that it took for Stoke to take the lead from the expected source, a Delap long throw. In much the same way that Bolton, Wimbledon and other long ball merchants have had success from home fixtures against Arsenal, Stoke produced a quick tempo start, capitalising on lax marking to take an early lead, Pugh from point blank range heading home.

Arsenal stumbled through the next twenty minutes, gradually imposing their strength and passing onto the contest. Fabregas forced Sorensen to scramble to prevent his effort from range entering the net. Moments later, the Spaniard’s corner skewed towards the top corner, the Stoke goalkeeper blocked by Campbell in front, Sagna behind, the ball evading the far corner by inches.

The equaliser came from an unlikely route, a case of ‘Anything you can do, we can do better; Fabregas curled an excellent cross into the area, Bendtner rose and guided his header into the far corner of the goal, past the despairing dive of Sorensen.

Arsenal controlled the second forty-five minutes, having recovered from the early Stoke advantage. Ramsey was felled in the area, unsurprisingly the referee did not award a penalty. Eboue picked the ball up on the edge of area, weaved and jinked, launching a shot that Sorensen fumbled to safety such was the ferocity of the strike.

Inevitably, the match petered for a few minutes following Ramsey’s injury, apparently heading towards it’s conclusion without incident. Then the mental strength that Arsene has been publicly talking of for months took over. The ten men were stretched and strained over the pitch. Possession retained, the full width of the pitch used. Chances came and went until Stoke’s defiance broke with injury time approaching.

Song cleverly lifted the ball over Stoke defence, Eduardo skewed wide. The breakthrough came as Bendtner’s flick found Pugh’s arm moving downwards. A penalty always given to the home side, never the away, was awarded and Fabregas controlled his emotions to calmly despatch the kick against a goalkeeper who had enjoyed a purple patch for stopping them. Emotions erupted in the celebration, the team ethic shining through. The result was put beyond doubt when Vermaelen nudged home from Fabregas’ knockback.

Overall, it was a fighting performance. Almunia had his moments of indecision and slack hands but on the whole, dealt with the expected Delap barrage, making good saves along the way, hopefully convincing a few people of his worth.

The defence contained Fuller and Sidibe far better than in the cup-tie, holding a firm line, containing Stoke’s threat once the initial bombardment was over. Campbell and Vermaelen grew in stature as the game went on, matching their opponents in challenges.

Fabregas, Ramsey and Nasri struggled to impose themselves initially but once they did so, they controlled the game. Nasri had an afternoon where his hard work provided less reward than it merited; a day when things would not fall just right for him. Like Eboue, he will play worse and be more personally rewarded.

The Spaniard and Welshman were vying for Man of the Match, along with Bendtner. For a team which prides itself on physicality and strength, they had few answers to the Dane who followed up his good start against Sunderland with another at The Britannia.

As Wenger said post-match, before that tackle, it was an even contest in terms of the physical side of the game. Arsenal stood up to any attempts to bully them out of the stride. Once they got to grips with that, imposing the passing style ensured victory. It is this attitude which needs to be carried on into future games.

Three points set the coming month for a charge to the top. By the time Chelsea next play in the Premier League, they could be third. In five games time, the top two meet at Old Trafford. Inbetween, United entertain Liverpool amid a set of routine fixtures. Chelsea have the potentially tricky visit of Aston Villa to overcome. Arsenal has an opportunity to take 15 out of 15. The business end of the season is here; Let’s go to work.

’til Tomorrow.

Stoke City Preview: Arsenal Must Rule Britannia

Arsenal return to the scene of the crime this afternoon, DCI Arsene Wenger must use the evidence of the recent FA Cup defeat to provide the answers that will bring about a victory for the first time in the Britannia Stadium. The match may not be as intense, the outcome no less important to the eventual winners as Arsenal will know whether or not it is an opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea, by the time kick-off comes.

Wenger has key players missing but the line-up this afternoon will be stronger than that which took the pitch in January’s encounter. Diaby, Gallas and Arshavin are missing, failing to recover from their injuries, set to return next weekend. Stoke had a tough FA Cup replay in midweek but any fatigue will be compensated by the victory, comfortable as it unfolded. They will hold few surprises for Arsenal, their style of play does not alter, it is up to the visitors to counter this.

A performance which replicates the win at The Reebok ought to do the trick. Battling with their opponents, imposing the passing game on them and retaining possession. Stoke are not one-dimensional, merely capitalising on their strengths. If they changed their style to that of Arsenal, they would be buried before half-time.

The Arsenal back four will be crucial this afternoon. They must cut the width that allows Stoke to put crosses into the box and hold a steady line if it does happen, not get dragged out of position, permitting space for wide players or central strikers. Almunia has to ‘own’ his penalty area, be assertive in coming for crosses or set plays, Vermaelen and Campbell must attack the ball rather than waiting for it, hesitancy which led to Stoke opening the scoring in the FA Cup.

Equally, the midfield must be aware of the challenges for winning the ball if it is not cleared in the first instance. As much as Stoke capitalise on Delap’s throws, their goals come in equal measure from a failure of defenders to clear the ball properly.

For that reason, I think it will be a surprise if Eboue does not start this afternoon ahead of Walcott. Theo’s saving grace for this fixture will be as a pacey outlet to stretch Stoke on the counter-attack although Eboue is capable of providing that. If the Ivorian plays, it allows Cesc more attacking licence; Denilson, Song and Eboue provides a solid cover for the back four but they must concentrate in this aspect, tracking back diligently, a folly of youth on the Brazilian’s part at times.

That side of their game should not overshadow how they contribute to the side in attack, Denilson’s passing is good, like Song happy to play a simple ball to retain possession rather than cheaply ceding it. Perhaps he should score more goals; his shooting from range is better than his goal return suggests, Everton will attest to that. No doubt this will bring forth a spew of complaints that Denilson is not good enough for Arsenal; get over it, he is.

The line-up I suspect will start is:

Almunia; Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy; Eboue, Song, Denilson; Fabregas, Nasri, Bendtner

With a bench of:

Fabianski, Silvestre, Ramsey, Rosicky, Eduardo, Walcott, Traore

The club’s half-year results were released against a backdrop of Portsmouth’s administration and UEFA reporting on debt levels in football. There were some stunningly ill-informed comments about the state of the finances, concepts which were dubious in their rationale and focussing too much on the fact that £100m was in the bank on 30th November, leading to more criticism – some of which was just for the sake of it – over the fact that Wenger did not spend half of that on players in the January transfer window.

Uefa makes no bones about the fact that clubs are going to be heavily scrutinised over their finances and licences refused, meaning participation in the Champions and Europa Leagues will not happen. Arsenal has to ensure the longevity of the club and is following a path that ensures that whilst competing for trophies.

Few questioning the debt pay down are probably even aware that Abramovich recently enhanced Chelsea’s balance sheet by converting some of his debt to equity, a sign that clubs are acutely aware of the intent of Uefa to enforce their rules for once. If they were aware of it and still felt the need to make crass observations, shame on them for their irresponsibility and thank God they have no say in running Arsenal.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

Stone Cold Friday: Gunners Must Be Tenacious and Hold Their Nerve

It’s Friday, he’s Darius.

If ever there was a time that the old adage of ’one game at a time’ rang true, it’s between now and May 9th; we finally get to know what stuff the team and the supporters are made of.

The path to Arsenal’s glory is littered with self doubting spineless customers, condescending and contemptuous hacks and pundits, a rough ride to fight for each of the 33 remaining points, and a small matter of good fortune.

‘Tis the season of miracles. When Arsenal fans ask for miracles – I give you Everton and Villa, with others yet to relieve our title challengers off of a few more points.

My enemy’s enemy is my friend and I will shamelessly continue with my new found closet support for Villa, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs (I’m still shaking my head you know), and any other team in a relegation dog fight willing to throw everything to stay up. Of course I’ll also accept a draw when the 2 protagonists meet each other to help us claw back the points.

It goes without saying though, that fortune does indeed favour the brave. Three weeks on from the customary ”Arsenal don’t have what it takes and they can’t win the title” refrain, the landscape at the top of the table doesn’t look as bad as it could.

Every game is now a cup final for Arsenal. There’s a lot of clichéd talk about the remaining games being winnable on paper, but football unfortunately is played on grass and nothing can be taken for granted. Hopefully there won’t be too many pitches like the DW stadium swamp that was used this past weekend.

The Gunners’ have shown that in recent years, they can sustain a decent run of positive results for over 10 games. I’ve always maintained that this team has the technical capability and the physical endurance to go all the way. What has been missing in this last mile to the first trophy this group will win together is mental fortitude and discipline.

After the filming last week of the first episode in the ’An Audience with….” series on Arsenal TV, Tony Adams, the first guest in the series was asked to list the ingredients of a title winning side.

The Arsenal legend cited good organization, character, defensive discipline, and getting the balance of the teams attacking and defensive functions right; as attributes for title winning teams.

Adams still suggests that this Arsenal team is a bit short when it comes to winning the title this season, though he is quick to point out that his bizarre form of reverse psychology is supposed to motivate the team.

His view is not isolated amongst the ex-Arsenal family and such views are often propped up by the ‘he’s a straight talker and says it as it is cop out.

In my view, such defeatist positions provide ample fuel for the machinations of tabloid hacks and pundits. These cretins live and feed off every negative and controversial edge that they can cook up from any non-story.

What I find bemusing and disheartening in equal measure, is the inability of despondent Arsenal fans and customers to recognize when they need to set aside their grievances with whomever. They don’t seem to understand that there comes a time during the season when unity is required, and the responsibility of ’supporting’ a team through a difficult patch is of more importance here and now.

The standard riposte is that as ardent fans, they have the right to criticize the manager of the team, and that their criticism is a valid part of being a supporter. They accuse those with a sunny disposition and optimism about Arsenal of blindly following the Legend of Arsene Wenger who is leading the team up the garden path.

They remind me of the parent of a pregnant teenager who is going through a precarious final trimester before delivery. Rather than supporting and encouraging the young girl through that challenging period, they still continue to bitch about the fact that she shouldn’t have got pregnant, or she should have slept with Tom or Harry and not Dick because the former two have better quality sperm. They continue to moan and groan about how their child’s pregnancy makes them a laughing stock and batters their street cred.

My point is – there’s a time for everything, and the summer will provide ample opportunity to spit fire and brimstone. Before that, we all have a job to do and show the fighting spirit and tenacity that we demand from our players.

It’s disingenuous to expect the team to show mental fortitude and fight for the remaining games, yet our default position as supporters when the going gets tough is to hide behind the sofa. What point is there pontificating about what should have happened when it’s more important to focus on what we can do.

The team of course have a key role to play in this. Since the most recent defeats, the team has collected 6 points from 2 league games and they have done the minimum required of them.

Even so, some would rather focus on what might have gone wrong. Clearly, this is easier than throwing our collective weight behind the team to see them through the next game, and the next game, and the next game.

I think it’s fair to say that the players want to win the title as much as we want them to. They’re negotiating the last mile and understand the task ahead of them in the last 11 games. Chelsea and United will drop points, and its then up to Arsenal to make hay with this sunshine.

The kamikaze moments of individual madness have to go, and regardless of the personnel employed on the pitch – the team has to fight tooth and nail for every minute in every game. Grind a result; beg, borrow or steal; do it playing Wengerball – it really doesn’t matter.

This title is there for the taking, so let’s all get behind the team.

’til Tomorrow.

Double Talking Dutch and More

Robin van Persie provided a glimpse of brightness in a matchless week with the view of his national team coach that he could be back by early April.

This is tempered of course, by the fact that the KNVB doctors recently opined that the striker could be fit to play in next week’s round of pointless internationals, sorry , important international matches, crucial in the respective nations preparation for the World Cup finals or sitting at home, twiddling their thumbs, regretting that missed open goal or defensive lapses which precluded their involvement in South Africa.

Coming back at that point could prove crucial if he hits the ground running, quickly rediscovering the form van Persie was showing prior to suffering his latest injury. At that point, Arsenal could be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, closing ominously on the Premier League title or sitting wondering what might have been, such is the delicate balance upon which the remainder of the season rests.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Stoke, Eduardo believes he will be fit for the teatime kick-off:

I’ve not got a problem with the leg now but I do suffer muscle injuries because I was out for so long and now I’m working so hard to come back.

But I’m getting stronger physically, I’m stronger mentally, my confidence personally is growing and I believe I’m at a club where we can win titles and trophies because we are one of the top ten teams in the world.

Eduardo provides an excellent outlet in the forward line, being naturally left-footed, something sometimes missing and asking a lot of Clichy to break forward to provide the width. His goal ratio is not where it was before he broke his leg but his predatory instincts will correct that. Getting fully fit though, will be the highest priority.

Absolutely Arsenal are in that top ten although as I trawl this wide world thingy, I sometimes wonder if that is the case, such is the pervasive negativity.

A win at the Britannia might help, especially if Chelsea drop points this weekend although judging by Manchester City’s woeful performance last night, I would not hold out much hope of that happening. Those who desire Arsenal to fall into the clutches of a Sugar Daddy would do well to watch and learn from the travails of City, decent players unable to gel into a team, facing an almighty scramble to even get into European club competition next season.

It is a lesson which vindicates, to some extent, Wenger’s policy of not signing all and sundry. City have been in good positions before – albeit a lifetime ago – with money to spend, bought a good player and blown a league title, although it is harsh to blame Rodney Marsh for that in the same way that Faustino Asprilla should not be held at fault for Newcastle blowing a Premier League title in the final decade of the last century.

As Sol Campbell said in the programme for last weekend’s match, Arsenal has to play to their maximum, perhaps more expansive than the answers provided by Andrey Arshavin in his latest mind-numbing Q&A session. Inside the banality of the questions popped the odd interesting one, Arshavin reticent to provide an answer to the level of injuries – ‘it’s a difficult question‘ – which was surprising since he has an opinion on just about everything else.

’til Tomorrow.

The Importance Of Being Theo

English football is littered with Great White Hopes, talented youngsters who have failed to deliver when push came to shove. Few in the modern game have had a longevity which matched their early promise, injury or poor career choices have blighted them. Following on the heels of Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott was seen as a sign that the misnomer ‘Golden Generation‘ might have been applied too early to the England team of 2002.

In a World Cup year, injuries are the key focus of media speculation when their imperialistic bombast is not slating the South African hosts for their construction skills (wrongly) and Fifa for their greed (rightly). The England team would not be ready for a tournament if a metatarsal was not snapped into pieces. It seems that the bone in the foot of the star of the team is old hat; this time focus is on burnout and wayward back or shoulders.

Walcott’s rise was meteoric and entirely in keeping with the media age we live in. Sparkling performances for Southampton brought the attention of the big clubs. To the delight of various editors, a right royal bunfight for his signature ensued, won eventually by Arsenal, the promise of being developed in a team which promoted youth that could play football being decisive.

The big money paid automatically meant that expectations were raised by journalists; Wenger developed him slowly, bringing him onto the wing where his biggest attribute – pace – was utilised to great effect. Too slight to be the central striker he desires, Walcott showed great promise to the extent that the final act of folly from Sven was to include him in the squad for Germany 2006.

For the player, such experience was invaluable. For the national team, carrying a passenger at the finals was a pointless exercise. No blame should have been attached to Walcott, it was not his choice yet he has been tarred by that brush. His goal in the Carling Cup Final seven months later emphasised the potential. His Arsenal career though stuttered through hereditary problems with his shoulders. The pattern of growth problems suffered by Steven Gerrard seems to be repeating itself with Theo; different injuries but the same stop-start seasons.

Expectations are high. Everyone can see the possibilities that Walcott has. I do not think he will be as prolific as Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler, his ‘killer instinct’ seems not to be as in-bred. When he eventually moves centrally, he is more likely to be in the mould of Henry, creating opportunities through speed; he simply needs to improve his finishing.

Coming back from a long lay-off this season, questions are being asked whether he will be fit for the World Cup. A not unreasonable angle for the media to take since they have a long time to fill in but to be subjected to scathing criticism for his performances thus far is wide of the mark.

Being absent dulls match sharpness; no matter what player, all need time to get back into the ‘groove’ of competitive games to bring themselves back to their best. Walcott is no different. Critics also forget he is young and he has yet to fully harness the mix of pace with final product. Against Sunderland, he outpaced his defender and got space to put a cross into the box; alas Nasri was more than ten yards behind him, reaching the edge of the area as the ball skewed past the far post.

Experience will bring knowledge and confidence to Walcott so that he can know what to do in those situations. It is too soon to expect him to be all-conquering right now yet this is not how he is perceived. Personally, I would like Walcott to be able to play on the left as well as the right. That stage of his development is not coming along as when playing there, he is too easily channelled into a dead end by defenders. He has the skill and the pace to do more.

Walcott is in exactly the same place in his career as Bendtner; they can go on to become Arsenal greats. They appear to have the desire and the talent, it is down to the coaches and manager to harness them. Is it too much to ask that they be given the patience, support and encouragement from supporters to help them along the way?

’til Tomorrow.

Bendtner Rising To The Challenge. So Must Arsenal.

The weekend’s results have consolidated positions at the top of the table, a gap now apparent between 3rd and those chasing the last Champions League place. I suspect that Rafa Benitez’s objection to the idea of a play-off for the 4th spot in next season’s competition would be less vociferous were it in place right now.

Nicklas Bendtner has received praise from his manager,

He had a good game on Saturday in fairness to him and we hope that we will click in the final third. We have Arshavin coming back, Diaby coming back, Bendtner in good shape and Walcott in good shape. It will be very important from game to game now that everybody is available

No mention of Eduardo in his comments which could simply be an oversight but perhaps a touch indicative that there is not complete confidence that the Croat’s injury woes are fully over. His absences may yet prove to be the opportunity that Bendtner needs to get his full run in the side.

Wenger observed that the Dane has the mental strength to succeed at the highest level, although comparisons with Rooney and Drogba were dismissed,

He has common sense, accepts observations and tries to use them in a positive way. He has a good team attitude. He is quite confident, I must say. But that’s not a bad thing for a striker. There’s nothing wrong with it as long as you’re able to prove your confidence on the pitch

Not that it was all effusive,

He can improve a lot but how much he can improve is down to how hard he will work

And that sums Bendtner up; he is very much a work in progress but is shaping to be able to fulfil the promise he showed at the junior level. His finishing is improving and will no doubt bring him a higher scoring return per game than he currently achieves.

Unfortunately, he needs patience, a trait sorely missing from Arsenal supporters these days. It will not be long, I am sure, before we are reminded how ‘useless’ he is and that Arsenal will not win anything with Bendtner leading the line. The trigger will probably be a failure to score at Stoke next weekend.

The focus is on the next match rather than winning the league, an emminently sensible attitude that Fabregas, Ramsey and Wenger have put forward. There is a long way to go and many slips will come from the top three. Consistency from here on in will deliver the title to someone and Arsenal has to be more consistent that the others.

No matter that our fixtures are not, on paper, as difficult as the others. Few teams have nothing to play for, most of our opponents will be wanting to ensure survival, matches that in the past have been the squad’s downfall. This time, that problem has been largely eradicated at the expense of points gained in matches against the top two. The question is where United and Chelsea will drop theirs.

Many weekends will see little or no change at the top as expected wins are achieved. A rollercoaster ride thus far with little sign of the journey becoming any easier.

’til Tomorrow.

Arsenal Win Keeps Title Flame Flickering

Arsenal 2 – 0 Sunderland

1 – 0 Bendtner (27)
2 – 0 Fabregas (90 pen)

Before the weekend’s fixtures commenced, the objective was three points to ensure that capitalising on closing the gap to the top was not wasted. Come the respective final whistles, second place was but a win away, Chelsea provided their expected win so no change there. Provided that wins are achieved in the next two games, March 6th may see that advantage all but wiped out – if Manchester City can take something from their visit to Stamford Bridge next weekend – albeit with a game more played.

A lot of ifs, buts and maybes in a labyrinthian Premier League season. Yesterday’s win was ground out; a far from vintage performance that yielded the right result, the outcome far more important than the sum of its parts. There were several major positives: a clean sheet with a changed defence; Walcott coming back to match sharpness, his pace delivering end product in the first half; Bendtner getting a goal that his hard work in previous weeks deserved.

Emmanuel Eboue came in a right back and provided a sterling performance, a Man of the Match outing, foraging on the right, causing the visitors defence no end of problems. Eboue was crucial in the opening goal, bursting to the bye-line, cutting the ball back across the face of goal for Bendtner to stab home from close range. Sunderland were appealing for offside, culprits hiding their shoddy defensive work behind raised arms having failed to track the Dane’s run from the edge of the area.

The lead was no more than Arsenal deserved. Moments before scoring, Bendtner’s shot had struck McCartney and looped onto the top of crossbar, indicative of the cumulative patchy form of Arsenal in recent weeks. Walcott fired wide having outstripped the visitors defence and all of his supporting colleagues whilst Nasri was denied.

The hour or so gap was mainly Arsenal possession, punctuated by sporadic Sunderland attacks, the most dangerous of which saw the highly overvalued Kenwyne Jones shoot wide following Richardson dispossessing Ramsey in the middle of the pitch. Arsenal had a high number of freekicks, Cana in particular can consider himself lucky not to have been sent off for a two-footed lunge.

Since beating Arsenal in November, Sunderland has yet to record a Premier League win; it was not hard to see why on yesterday’s performance. Their mentality has sunk into ‘if it moves, kick it‘, a sign that slide down the table is gathering momentum, three points their margin of safety. The longer they continue, the more likely it is that they will be ‘the big club‘ which is snared into the fight for survival, a battle which they may well lose.

One player whose value to the side was emphasised yesterday was Alex Song. His calmness in midfield provided a barrier for the back four, sorely missing in Porto during the midweek defeat. Equally, his passing is simple, rarely seeking the defence-splitting ball, preferring to keep possession with a simple lay-off to a colleague.

A fair reflection, of sorts, arose when Campbell tripped Fabregas as full-time beckoned. The penalty, I think Arsenal’s first in any competition since August, might well have been awarded on the cumulative basis so wild were the visitors challenges. It was despatched confidently into the bottom corner by the skipper, a goal which keeps title hopes alive.

The chase for the top is still alive, winning crucial since any dropped points may be severely punished. The top two have tricky weeks ahead, a long winning run may yet prove decisive.

’til Tomorrow.