Arsenal Fall To City Sucker Punch

Arsenal 0 – 1 Manchester City

0 – 1 Aguero (83)

Beforehand Arsène’s assertion that despite not being able to compete with Manchester City financially, his squad could on the pitch was met with some ridicule. For the best part of ninety minutes last night, his squad players set about proving him right. They were undone by money though; the swiftness of the winning counter-attack and technique displayed is what City paid their inflated transfer fees and salaries for. Even allowing an England international to be involved in the move did not scupper the attack.

Post-match, Arsène was unhappy with the manner of defeat,

I felt we were a bit naive because it was a corner for us and a goal for them. I knew that we were in trouble and I feel we didn’t take enough time to take the corner because Djourou was just going up front and he had to stay at the back on the corner. We didn’t leave him enough time to come back and that’s where we were caught.

He is protecting his players, particularly Coquelin who whether through fatigue or inexperience – or both – failed to track back as vigourously as he should. City have showed exceptional quality on counter-attacks this season, something the players were aware of. They were punished when their diligence was undone.

It was a night though where some of the older heads showed maturity in guiding the younger peers through and where youthful promise blossomed. As much as the attention is focussed on the midfield trio, Koscielny and Squillaci put in solid performances which led by example. For all the criticism of the older Frenchman, nights such as this are where his value in the squad lies.

City had the earliest chance when Johnson highlighted Miquel’s inexperience, cut inside and shot. Arsenal responded and gradually assumed control of the midfield. Chamakh and Coquelin combined to send over a cross for Park. Pantilimon made the save, just as it seemed the ball had beaten him.

From that bright opening, the game became more settled. Arsenal enjoyed possession; City enjoyed frustrating them. Both sides were able to make significant inroads on their right flanks.

For Arsenal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain lived up to the building hype. Being able, to some extent, to develop out of the spotlight seems to be suiting him and his performance suggests that he might be more used as a substitute in the second half of the season. Certainly his rifled shot that drew a good save from City’s ‘keeper indicated a goalscoring potential that might be useful at the top level.

As it was the interval came and went without further goalmouth incident. That changed early in the second when Dzeko spurned two presentable chances whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain’s duel with Pantilimon was becoming personal as the Romanian punched away another of the youngster’s efforts.

As with Saturday, the introduction of Gervinho sparked renewed life into the Arsenal attack. Chamakh fired wide following his introduction whilst the Ivorian was denied by Toure. 

As the final whistle approached, City struck. The defence was caught out of shape and exploited ruthlessly as the visitors swept up the pitch for Aguero to score. There were mistakes in the speed of taking the corner as Wenger highlighted whilst I thought Coquelin might have done better in pursuit. It is not a finger-pointing exercise though; it was a collective failure rather than singular, perhaps caused by a desire to win inside 90 minutes.

After that, Chamakh had an opportunity which might have been better left to Squillaci. Defeat was harsh on Arsenal but there were enough encouraging signs to be taken rather being a debilitating affair. Frimpong and Coquelin were impressive, as was Benayoun, particularly when he moved centrally. The Ghanian it seems had strong words with Nasri as they left the pitch which suggests that resentments run high still. According to the club’s no punches were thrown although Nasri might have hurt his back when he gestured “Look at my wad!“

There are concerns though. Chamakh worked hard all evening and his linkage / hold-up play is excellent but he is not scoring. It is a tough decision for the manager with goals required particularly if van Persie hits a barren spell or is unable to play as often. Can Wenger take the chance on Chamakh. By the same token, if Chamakh doesn’t play, how can he recover his scoring form?

This is part of a wider issue. Goals should not just come from the central striker, everyone needs to chip in with their quota. We have been in this situation before with shot-shy midfielders and attackers. It is part of the group responsibility of the squad system to rectify this. You suspect that their is no issue on the training ground, it is on the pitch that solutions need to be found. If that is by new signings in January, so be it but do not rely on that.

As it is, Wigan offers some immediate redemption to last night’s result. Time to take the lessons forward to there and Greece next week.

’til Tomorrow.

 

Mancini To Devalue Competition By Playing Kids…

Manchester City arrive at The Emirates for the Carling Cup quarter-finals. It is, if you believe the hype, already decided. The petrodollars have created the squad that will end all squads in the English game. Rarely does football live up to the hype.

If they progress, City will be the first team since Middlesbrough in January 2004 to win a League Cup tie at Arsenal. Indeed it has been nine years since Arsenal lost a League Cup tie in November. In view of the teams that Wenger has sometimes fielded, that is a testament to a strength in depth that is all too often dismissed as being non-existent. No, it is not in the same league as City’s – metaphorically speaking before some pedant points out that we are in their league – since we have neither the financial capacity for the fees or wages; neither do they but the Arsenal squad is nowhere near as bad as is often stated. The apparent benchmark for this seems to be what happens when the whole of your strongest first XI is out and meets the best club in the land, who by happy coincidence, happen to be fielding their strongest XI.

And tonight, there must be a winner. It is the eighth meeting between the two teams in this competition. The first a goalless draw at Maine Road was followed by six Arsenal victories, a run interrupted in December 2009 by City’s 3-0 win. Two survivors from that night would expect to play, whilst Alex Song is unlikely to make an appearance. Lukasz Fabianski and Tomas Rosicky have both been the subject of transfer speculation with the Pole wanting first team football and Wolfsburg want to bring the Czech back to the Bundesliga. Both have understandable reasons for wanting to go but then again, the fickle hand of fate could make them regret such a move in January. Arsenal’s injury record suggests either or both may yet get their chance this season.

Like Arsenal, City will make changes. Speculation is rife that Nasri, Clichy and Toure will return to The Emirates. Respect for them is being urged; perhaps abuse is inspirational to them but what of apathy? I don’t care about any of that trio aside from their actions in this or any other 90 minutes against Arsenal for whatever club they play for. Whether they reflect in time that they should not have left the club is irrelevant. They did, they have gone and a collective “Meh” when their names are read out is all that is deserved.

Mancini has been complaining that he may play ‘kids’ this evening as City only played on Sunday; I thought that was the point of the squad system? Gone are the manic days where players were expected to turn out 65 times a season or clubs were expected to play 7 games in 19 days including two cup finals within the space of 4 days. Come back when you really have something to complain about. As it is, with a squad that has cost somewhere close to £500m to buy, do not complain or whinge. If, at the end of this season, you can afford to offload 20 players without blinking an eye, does that not tell you that you have enough players to cope with this situation?

For Arsenal, I would be surprised if more than a couple of players who started against Fulham, do so tonight. Arshavin is promising to play himself back into form which is a problem that Marouane Chamakh might be able to relate to. Both are significantly better than their contributions this season and are in somewhat of a chicken and egg situation; they want to play themselves back into form but cannot get into the team because they are out of form. Matches such as tonight’s in that sense offer the opportunity of redemption; defeat might be for the longer term benefit were those two to recover their ‘mojo’.

Others, such as Benayoun, have the opportunity to show why they were signed. A squad player at Chelsea and Liverpool, he must have signed knowing a similar outcome was likely at Arsenal. That does not mean he is a bad player or waste of space; no club functions without strong back-up. At the other end of the scale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is learning his trade with opportunities such as this – and probably Olimipiacos – allowing him to do so at what might be a natural pace.

I would expect the line-up to be something like,

Fabianski; Djourou, Squillaci, Koscielny, Yennaris; Coquelin, Frimpong, Benayoun; Chamberlain, Chamakh, Park

The training photos on the official site indicate Gervinho will be in the squad but it seems to me that like Arshavin, he would come from the bench if needed. Bearing in mind that extra time is playable, some may get more than the regulation 65 minutes this evening.

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

Arsène Changes Philosophy As Injuries Don’t Take Their Toll. Yet.

The death of Gary Speed this weekend has put matters into perspective, there has been a genuine affection in the words of those who knew him which speaks volumes for the character of the man. My thoughts are with his family. Is it a forlorn hope that the media will respect their wishes at this time?

This morning’s Arsenal talk is of tanks being empty, the weakness of the squad exposed by Fulham being able to take a point on Saturday. There have been defeats which have been greeted with less sensationalism. There has been a smidgen of an over-reaction to this as journalists scrabble around for a new crisis to engulf a club, a manager. Chelsea’s win over Wolves denied them the joy of hauling Villas-Boas over the coals and we have long known that any criticism of Alex Ferguson will not be brokered. By the media. I mean, they cannot even get Steve Bruce or Kean sacked. That’s how bad it has got.

So Arsenal are engulfed in crisis.

And this with the visit of Manchester City to The Emirates this weekend. Arguably, City’s draw at Anfield was the better 1-1 of the two clubs’ results this weekend. The resultant reportage hints at the goodwill being stored up for the bad spell(s) which will follow.

Not for the first time this season – nor the last you suspect – The Gunners are being cast as underdog. Reports at the weekend suggest that City will be looking to offload 20 professionals next Summer to cut their horrendously high wages bill. Presumably that will include the likes of Adebayor. Wenger had a point about the loan costs of top flight clubs should not be subsidised although there is an element of hypocrisy as I’m sure that Stevenage are not paying for all of the wage costs of Freeman and Aneke.

For Wenger, fitness is the issue. Having fielded relatively strong sides last and this season, can he afford not to do the same this week. Does he have any alternative? He is not too sure,

I will change my philosophy a little bit. We have red alerts on a few players but I will pick as strong as possible a team as I can. What is important is to keep our run going because every win makes us stronger. We come from a position so deep that every two points dropped is not good mathematically for us. But I must say the spirit in the squad is so good that I’m confident we will improve even more.

The lessons of Jack Wilshere’s injury have, it seems, been learned. Wenger admits to playing the youngster when “red alerts” were making him wonder if there was a glitch in the software. By the time he realised that the usual IT fix of rebooting the PC was not going to solve anything, Wilshere was being rebooted following surgery.

The new medical centre is beginning to pick up trade once more with Theo tweaking a hamstring. Robin van Persie is reaching the limit of his games per season whilst Abou Diaby, it seems, has suffered a ‘muscular discomfort‘ which, well, I cannot even bothered to joke about.

The depth of the squad though is not as bad as you are led to believe, simply that Arsenal do not have a state-sponsored benefactor who can afford to write off several hundred million pounds every year. The board and Kroenke may be pinning their hopes on FPP bailing them out in terms of competitiveness but it is not going to happen. There are so many holes in the rules that the only certainty is no smaller clubs will breakthrough and no clubs with the financial clout of City will fail to meet them.

Wenger did retain his sense of humour though,

It’s always more important to support our team than to be negative with the players from Man City.

No, Arsène, that sentence ended at the word “negative“…

’til Tomorrow.

Arsenal Get The Point In The End

Arsenal 1 – 1 Fulham

0 – 1 Vermaelen o.g.(65)
1 – 1 Vermaelen (82)

Thomas Vermaelen provided a solution to the conundrum of who scores if Robin doesn’t, a shame one of his brace was in the wrong net. It was scant reward for Arsenal in many senses but Fulham came to stifle and succeeded in doing so for long periods of the game. Had Arshavin not been flagged offside – rightly – in the opening minutes, things might have been different.

As it was, the episode signalled the start of a siege on the Fulham half. Zamora and Dempsey provided sporadic relief but in the same way that the Marseille was ‘the morning after the night before‘ following Chelsea, this was the comedown following Dortmund. Arsenal were lethargic of thought. Their bodies may have been willing but the minds could not find the guile to create many clear chances. Walcott’s early effort was all his own work; sprinting down the right before testing Schwarzer with a rifled low shot.

As half-time approached, the visitors had their moment to take an undeserved lead but Szczesny was equal to the challenge whilst Hangeland headed the resulting corner over the bar. Philippe Senderos will have remembered such quiet afternoons from his time in the Arsenal squad; he would not have expected such on his return to the club. As it was, Arsenal nearly snatched an interval lead when the much-maligned Per Mertesacker headed wide.

The second half was more of the same. Arsenal pressed but struggled to create. Dempsey failed to meet Murphy’s cross with the goal at his mercy whilst van Persie outwitted Schwarzer but Baird cleared from the goalline. Arshavin and Santos briefly threatened before their chances evaporated.

The goal that was coming duly arrived with an Arsenal name on the scoresheet. Murphy persisted with his run into the Arsenal area, Riise knocked the ball down and the Belgian’s attempted clearance saw the ball trundle into the corner of the net. Someone, somewhere is working out how to blame Mertesacker for that one.

Wenger decided to liven things up with Gervinho and Diaby entering the fray at the expense of Mertesacker and Ramsey. Arshavin would last another ten minutes before the Paris-bound Chamakh became the final throw of the dice. The Ivorian livened up proceedings, occupying the minds of the Fulham defence as the pressure grew for an equaliser. Djourou’s header was well saved by Schwarzer whilst Diaby shot high, shot wide, sometimes both at the same time.

van Persie then blazed high and wide, proving himself to be as technically inept as he is lethal. The goal machine is human after all. Minutes later the scores were level as Vermaelen angled his run, meeting Walcott’s cross to nod home from close range. Desperation ensued but not from the visitors, the hosts desire for a winner manifested in a lacklustre penalty appeal. It was entirely in keeping with the match.

This was a rerun of many opening games at The Emirates. Visitors stealing a lead, Arsenal equalising late in the game. A point gained is how it felt post-match; it still is and as such many who questioned the mental capabilities of Arsenal had their answer. A deficit was retrieved not surrendered meekly. Yet it is two points dropped against a struggling team. There will be more of those for teams around us; this is not the end of world despite what you may be told.

’til Tomorrow.

Fulham Preview: All Round Improvement Targetted

Fulham arrive at The Emirates today, facing an Arsenal side bouyed by their European adventures. Not that you would realise it with the negativity in the broadcast media, punditry apparently reaching its nadir. Which is why nobody should listen to stations such as Talksh*te who thrive and exist purely to create attention for themselves. Despite knowing this, you still do but hey ho. From what I have read about the comments, they have been making their print colleagues appear lucid and information. How low can you go?

It is the 83rd meeting between the two teams across all competitions, major and minor. Fulham have three victories at Arsenal, all in WW1 matches. Not a good record. Indeed they do not seem to like this part of North London at all; of the 25 senior matches, they have 3 draws with 22 defeats. Even in Arsenal’s dark days of the early to mid-60s, Fulham couldn’t win at Highbury. It is that sort of feelgood record that makes this match seem a straightforward occasion. One ripe for over-confidence. That, to me, is Arsène’s biggest test this evening.

Not that there is a hint of that from Andre Santos. In a Daily Express interview this morning, he speaks of the half-time at Stamford Bridge,

I sat down in the corner of the dressing room at half-time against Chelsea and thought about that. I focused on the fact I must be better. I thought about it and decided, ‘I have to go back and play much better’. Things have definitely got better for me since then and I am still trying to improve.

It is that sort of attitude we could have done with senior pros showing last season. It didn’t happen and it is a relief almost, to read an Arsenal player showing self-awareness without it seeming to be a soundbite. Wenger emphasised that this is the squad attitude,

I believe what turned the season around is the excellent attitude and mentality of the players. The players who came in have all shown excellent desire to do well and the right focus. That was the real turning point. I was always optimistic because every day the players wanted to improve. When you have that in the dressing room you have a chance.

He has never been slow to praise the mental attitude of previous squads but this time there seems to be more substance to it. The love-in since Dortmund has been fine and goodness knows that the squad is entitled to feel bouyant having turned the season around relatively quickly.

Santos’ comments identify a key aspect of that turnaround; desire. It is burning into their souls how quickly the club was written off as Arsenal hovered above the relegation zone after few games were played. Nobody, it seemed, believed that the squad was good enough to turn things around. Defeat this weekend for Chelsea and/or Manchester City will see them cement their positions as the Premier League’s crisis clubs. Already the heat is on Villas-Boas, especially with Abramovich’s public backing. The difference between the Chelsea manager’s Press Conferences and those of Wenger highlight the reality of both club’s philosophies. The media tried to get Arsène to put his own head on the block; Villas-Boas is being dragged there, kicking and screaming.

To end the day in the top four would require some outlandish luck but in a season of freakish results, Arsenal need to ensure that they win their matches to take full advantage. They have the personnel to do so, with more luck the small positive goal difference achieved might be larger. That is something of a concern; who scores if van Persie doesn’t? Gervinho is being targetted as that man and whilst there is an element of bad finishing, there is also bad luck. Perhaps he is trying too hard?

The equaliser at Carrow Road might have been his, an air flick of the heels allowed the ball to come through to van Persie. Ruddy saved well having been beaten whilst a late Hummels tackle denied him against Dortmund. He is not shy of shooting, perhaps not shooting early enough is the problem? Whatever the case, the manager rates his contribution,

At the moment Gervinho is a fantastic provider and he creates space for the other players because he always goes behind [the defence].  The problem with Gervinho is he is in the opposite position of Robin van Persie. He is desperate for a goal and once you are in that situation… well, you could see the other night he had the chance to score but he started to think.

That’s the answer: don’t think. Which if he is the archetypal footballer, shouldn’t be too hard and marks him out well for a broadcasting career when he retires.

So to this evening’s team. Options in defence are limited with Djourou and Squillaci the real options for change. Those two however, may be the experience saved for the visit of Manchester City in the Carling Cup. Perhaps the former for Koscielny at right back if Wenger decides he wants a strong central partnership in midweek. Ramsey in midfield might make way for Benayoun or Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arshavin must be chomping at the bit to take a place in the starting line-up. All of the Gervinho talk makes me wonder if he is being primed for a rest. Park and Chamakh may have to wait; the temptation might be there to make changes but Wenger is likely to make no more than two or three. I expect the line-up to be:

Szczesny; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos; Arteta, Song, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin

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

Herr We Go! No Thursday Kick-Offs For Arsenal…

Champions League, Group F
Arsenal 2 – 1 Borussia Dortmund

1 – 0 van Persie (49)
2 – 0 van Persie (86)
2 – 1 Kagawa (90)

English football’s crisis club became a beacon of light in a season where The Great and The Good are setting themselves up to meet pre-tournament favourites in the first knockout phase. Should any of the Mancunian clubs and Chelsea qualify for the next round, they will pray for a trip to Cyprus, Lisbon or St Petersburg. Any more than one of that three going through and they will be able to content themselves with trips to Milan, Munich, Madrid or Barcelona. That is the test that awaits them. That is if they are good enough to join Arsenal beyond the group phase. Chelsea and United have their destinies in their own hands and will probably make it through but City? I don’t think even the petrodollars can buy the Football Gods to save them.

A brace from Robin van Persie early and late in the second half rendered the upcoming trip to Greece as pointless from the Arsenal perspective. Yet much rides on the outcome with Olimpiacos and Marseille able to qualify. The Greeks must consider themselves to be slight favourites, Dortmund still fighting for the right to join any one or more of the Mancunian clubs and Chelsea.

As tempting as it is to laugh at their struggles, we should never forget the united front that all English football supporters have when it comes to the nation’s club sides and their European foes. We should encourage them in their endeavours to recreate the Premier League in midweek. We should but we won’t because seeing any of those three drop into the Europa League with Spurs will go a long way to making this season get better and better.

Dortmund came to retain their interest in this competition and were quickly on the attack. They would enjoy considerable possession throughout. It is unfair to say that Szczesny was not tested but equally untrue to say that he fought a rearguard action. His saves were made to look routine which says more about his positional sense than anything else. The first was an intervention, calmly collecting a through pass before Lewandowski. The same player would go close with a curling shot that ended up the right side of the post from an Arsenal perspective. Inbetween times, the lively Kagawa shot straight into Szczesny’s arms.

At the other end, Theo Walcott was proving Arsenal’s most promising outlet. Beaten to the ball Weidenfeller earlier, Walcott span off his defender to find space on the right following Ramsey’s perfectly weighted pass. The early cross arced into the Dortmund area, evaded the attentions of two defenders before the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm denied it’s path to the onrushing Robin van Persie.

Dortmund started the second half where they spent a considerable amount of time in the first; on the attack. Mertesacker dealt with a dangerous cross before Kagawa tested Szczesny once more. For all of their possession, the visitors had not scored and succumbed in that situation as Arsenal have done in the past.

Ramsey retained possession well on the edge of the Dortmund area, forced backwards into midfield he found Song. The Cameroonean surveyed his options and ran past two defenders in a graceful gallop before dancing through two more defenders into the area. His curling cross was given the finish by Robin van Persie that the run deserved. Mesmerising the visitors with his movement, Song had put Arsenal into the driving seat.

Ten minutes later, Gervinho almost sealed qualification when, having rounded Weidenfeller he was robbed of a shooting chance by a last ditch Hummel challenge. The crucial goal came when there was no time for the Germans to respond, Vermaelen’s Bould header was met by van Persie standing alone in the six yard box. He soon found the company of his team-mates as Arsenal erased the ghosts of previous seasons to top the group.

Kagawa capitalised on Song’s dalliance at the wrong end of the pitch to snatch a very late consolation goal, the only blemish on an exemplary night in the Arsenal midfield. His performance reflected the growing maturity of his displays this season, stepping seamlessly into the experience void as a senior squad member. He is also proof to any player that overcoming detractors is as much a matter of hard work over time as self-belief. Who would have thought after that desperate night at Craven Cottage that he would be seen as pivotal member of the squad by his abusers.

A good evening for him, van Persie and all of Arsenal. Time to relax over Europe, tuck it away in the memory box with snug blankets until February and instead concentrate on domestic matters.

’til Tomorrow.

Dortmund Preview: Arsenal Must Show English Clubs How It Is Done

English clubs floundered in last night’s European clashes, Manchester City’s air of invincibility shattered by their failure to win in Napoli last night. They are the more likely of the two Mancunian clubs to join Spurs in the Europa League although should United lose in Basel, that competition will receive an unexpected English boost.

Borussia Dortmund arrive at The Emirates for a pivotal clash in this group phase. Defeat combined with a Marseille win would send them out of the competition and no doubt give more impetus to the rumours of an impending £30m bid from Arsenal for Mario Goetze. Despite declarations this past Summer that he was staying in Germany, the English media have suddenly realised that the big names are no longer heading toward the Premier League, their desire for stories in the transfer window weakens their hand for the rest of the season.

Avoiding defeat is key for Arsenal this evening. Do that and qualification is assured if Marseille do not lose. Winning with Marseille failing to do so, seals top spot. Looking at the rest of the groups, that is imperative. Potential opponents in the first knockout phase are significantly weaker than the group winners. Whilst the bravado may say fear no-one, the path of least resistance to silverware is no less satisfying than one where seemingly insurmountable hurdles are overcome.

Arsenal go into this match in far better shape than the first meeting, physically and mentally. The club was still getting to grips with the anguish of the defeat at Old Trafford and new players arriving. This time, the side has a settled look about it with an undefeated run entrenched. Arguably, the draw in Dortmund was as crucial as the win over Swansea in stopping the rot. It does not matter that Dortmund were the better side on that occasion; you expect that when visiting the reigning Bundesliga champions. Does that meeting have any bearing on tonight? None at all other than to know that the visitors possess attacking strengths and defensive weaknesses, a mirror of Arsenal.

The team news is highly encouraging. Only Tomas Rosicky is missing from the weekend’s squad. I am not sure that the return of Abou Diaby is anything to shout about just yet. In Arsène’s own words, Diaby has not played one minute since surgery in June. This is too high profile a match for him to participate, even under extreme circumstances. It is a hope for the future because he is a talented individual; whether that future ever comes on a consistent basis remains to be seen. Even his detractors must be sympathetic to that on a humane level. Surely?

Disruption to the team should be minimal and I doubt that there will be changes to the defence or midfield. Wenger’s choices are limited for the former with injuries to Sagna and Jenkinson needing makeshift right backs in the form of Djourou and Koscielny. The latter could move to the centre if Mertesacker is deemed to need a rest but to me that would be an over-reaction to Saturday. I suppose that would be entirely in keeping with the aftermath of Norwich’s goal at Carrow Road but entirely unnecessary.

The manager was entirely unsurprising in his assertion that Robin van Persie will start. Will both Gervinho and Walcott do so? Gervinho had one of those days on Saturday whilst Walcott sparkled. Was the former suffering a touch of travel sickness? It would be no surprise to see Andrey Arshavin start this evening but changes overall, will be few and far between.

I would expect the line-up for tonight to be:

Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin

Twelve months ago, a weakened Arsenal team lost in Braga. Wenger will not want a repeat of that so Lukasz Fabianski will remain on the bench. Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, Bob Wilson believes that Wojciech Szczesny is as key to the side as Robin van Persie. Both Wilson and Arsène praised the Pole’s maturity and calm nature. It is usual for striker’s to gain the headlines – or lion’s share of them – an indicator that things at the back are working well. Crucially for a young goalkeeper, Szczesny has experienced heads in front of him. Whilst the callowness of youth manifests few and far between, the defenders this season appear less likely to offer an ‘after you‘ to the ball on as regular a basis as before. That helps Szczesny who is still learning. The talent is exceptional though and not underappreciated.

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