I have had belief since the first day of the season

Thus spake Arsene following the win at Molineux at the weekend. Nothing unusual in his words, a manager that does not believe in his players is in deep trouble.

Wenger though has more reason than any other, with the possible exception of Carlo Ancelotti, to be satisfied with the opening quarter of this campaign. His squad has defied critics from within and without, to produce the most consistent attacking formula on display.

Defeating Wolves is in itself nothing out of the ordinary. If a team is to win the Premier League, losing fixtures at places like Molineux is unthinkable. Mentally that was a hurdle which needed to be overcome, which to date has successfully been negotiated. It ought to have brought about less nervousness when these fixtures appear – a regular occurrence since most of the teams are below us in the league – yet there is still some trepidation. A bit more confidence ought to show through, balancing against arrogance.

The climb to second has been largely under the media radar, preoccupation with Liverpool, United and Chelsea to Arsenal’s advantage. We now witness the unctuous manoueverings of hacks is now taking place, the mantra of ‘we never wrote them off‘ becoming more prevalent. A certain delight can be taken from that on the part of supporters but now the pressure will be cranked up on the players, particularly with the upcoming visit to Stamford Bridge.

Cesc offered a suitable note of caution about the attack:

We do worry about the goals coming to an end. We talk about what will happen if they stop. It is great when we are scoring so many goals and we have a threat all over the team, but we know that we have to keep that right the way through.

There is no point scoring goals like we are until December and then it ends. That will not win the title. So the fear that the run will come to an end is keeping us focused because we want to win the title and we know we have to carry on.

Whatever it takes to keep the players focussed is key. Fear of failure is not a problem unless it becomes restrictive. However, the confidence that is being bred in their play shows no sign of that happening. Arsene will earn his corn in this respect and knows it:

I hope to keep convincing the players they could have a interesting part to play in the championship. The most important thing is to play for each other and keep your belief. In this job there is never enough belief.

Absolutely, key to it will be getting the players to concentrate on the match at Sunderland once they return from internationals. Wenger though is convinced that they are ready for any adversity which might be around the corner:

I believe something that is very important is that we have built the team together for a few years. I feel we have learned a lot. Many of the players who played two years ago are in the squad today. That’s why I am really happy when we play as a real team.

Which is why the media underestimated the players from the start of the season. Paul Hayward offered the opinion that this is the last season when the players can be considered young. I don’t think he is wrong entirely in that assertion, if he intended the word ‘young’ as a euphemism for inexperienced. Even then, it is pushing the point a little since most of the squad are already beyond 100 appearances. Adversity in those matches is worth more than a dozen easy victories.

’til Tomorrow.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 4 Arsenal

0 – 1 Zubar (28 o.g.)
0 – 2 Craddock (35 o.g.)
0 – 3 Fabregas (45)
0 – 4 Arshavin (65)
1 – 4 Craddock (88)

Until teatime today, the Premier League table reflects the how much progress has been made this season, games in hand eliminated from the equation. Yesterday’s win was another indication of what has been put right by growing maturity of younger players, combined with a settled team and stronger central defence.

Wolves started brightly, Arsenal weathering an early storm to pass a tally of 100 goals in a Premier League year. That the century was achieved with two own goals is neither here nor there but indicative of a change in fortunes from November 2008 and the short burst of last season leading up to it.

The hosts could have taken the lead before their own ham-fisted intervention. Gibbs cleared a Doyle effort off the line whilst Berra should have beaten Almunia with a flicked header having been left unmarked in the Arsenal area, instead making solid contact for the perfect defensive header.

Needlessly fouling Eduardo on the left, Zubar let Arsenal create pressure leading to a corner. The resultant set-piece found its way into the Wolves net via his leg, Eduardo failing to make contact with the ball.

Within ten minutes, Wolves two-goal hero from last week, Jody Craddock had turned the ball into his own net, inadvertantly deflecting Eduardo’s chip over Hennessey even further out of the ‘keeper’s reach. Ramsey had been the lynchpin of the attack, retaining a composure to free the Croat to extract maximum damage, a composure that belied his youth. Arsenal were in cruise control without applying too much effort. Having promised his team would not rollover and let Arsenal tickle their bellies, Mick McCarthy’s team resembled a guard dog willing to take burglars to the safe, give them the combination and then help load the swag into bags for a clean getaway.

Chasing the game left many gaps in the Wolves defence. Against a team so effective on the break, it was tantamount to suicide football. The punishment came with half-time beckoning. Fabregas picked the ball up inside his own half, finding Sagna. The full back linked with van Persie who returned the ball to Fabregas, gliding across the pitch effortlessly, finding a calm and collected finish to end the contest.

With a three goal lead at half-time, inevitably the second half was lower key. Arsenal controlled, Wolves chased but to little or no effect. Arshavin hit a fourth halfway through with a snapshot from the edge of the area, emphasising the goal difference gap between Arsenal and United. There could have been more than four but no dount Wenger will look to strengthen his forward line in January as they are obviously not capable of scoring enough goals.

Wenger observed after the game:

We have a style where everyone goes forward. You cannot have everything in football, but I believe we have a good balance between offense and defence, and as long as we score as many goals as we do, we can accept that

The failure to keep a clean sheet will no doubt irritate him but not cause too many sleepless nights, Vermaelen was lost perhaps too easily at the corner by Craddock who jumped relatively unhindered to score at the death.

The pivotal moment in the game no doubt came with the introduction of Alex Song. Whilst the midfield was not overrun with Diaby playing the defensive role, not his natural game. Song’s influence in that position cannot be understated. His presence is similar to that of Gilberto Silva, emphasised when he is absent. A sign of the tremendous strides taken by the Cameroonian in his career, winning over the doubters with every game.

Aaron Ramsey made a solid contribution to the side. He has much to learn but his composure in setting Eduardo free for the second was in marked contrast to the rush of blood he suffered against Tottenham. It is a good sign for the player that he learns that quickly from mistakes. His overall passing was good and he worked hard to cover the pitch in defensive duties, such as they were.

In particular, his inclusion is a signal to other youngsters in the squad. Called in to rotate the first choice midfield, his performance vindicated the manager’s belief that he has a good set of players and his confidence in them. This season is a stepping stone for him in his pursuit of a first team spot in coming campaigns and a template for Merida and Wilshere to follow.

A very good win and one that leads the club into the international break in good shape. ’til Tomorrow.

The Black Country beckons on a bright Autumnal day with Wolverhampton looking to quaff the Banks whilst Arsene cooes, “Cootchy-coo” on their bellies. At least that was the rather disturbing image that Mick McCarthy conjured yesterday. Nobody expects Wolves to roll over and play dead whilst the Arsenal midfield and attack decimate them but nonetheless the fixture offers a good opportunity for pressure to be applied with everyone’s favourites meeting tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.

November is a notoriously fickle month for Arsenal during Wenger’s reign, more often than not a patch of inconsistency struck that has a minor or major derailing effect upon the season. Arsene set about defining success on his own terms:

Success is measured by consistency and quality. I don’t deny that it is measured by trophies, it is a part of it, what I deny sometimes is the comparison of the trophies. For example, when people say, ‘is winning the Carling Cup more difficult than to go to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League?’ I say no. But to win the championship or Champions League, that is of course a trophy that you measure the success of a team by.

Nobody can doubt the quality of the squad assembled for this season but consistency, that is the key. It is not about playing well in every game but getting results when performances drop is crucial. It is something that Alex Ferguson has ingrained into his squad’s over the years and has achieved a suitably large haul of trophies in the process. The signs are that this year’s Arsenal can hit the same consistency of result. Winning today emphasises that the demons of seasons past are consigned to the wastepaper bin.

Injuries play a big part in this though, the pressure on those coming in to perform to the same level as those already well attuned with their season. Kieran Gibbs has doubters but is a capable deputy for Gael Clichy. Other than that it seems that the injury fears Arsene had are working in reverse with Samir Nasri looking as if he is back and ready, Tomas Rosicky returning to the bench and Theo Walcott ready to join in training once the international break is over. Of the short-term absentees, that leaves just Bendtner out with Denilson apparently set to return in December.

One man garnering a lot of headlines in Fran Merida, despite not establishing himself in the first team yet. Arsene indicated that contrary to the player’s Mr20%’s assertions that Merida has an ‘illness’ for Atletico, a contract is going to be signed. Whether that is soothing words to counter such claims is entirely open to conjecture on our part but rarely has he been robust in his words and proven wrong about contract renewals. The Spaniard will have to content himself with a spell on the bench to continue his development.

Key to winning is mental application. As Wenger observed, concentration and focus are core to beating teams that on paper ought to provide three points as soon as kick-off occurs. Arsenal are an anomaly in the top four, losing only on their travels to highly-placed clubs. Cesc touched on this:

It is noticeable that the ‘big four’ teams have lost a number of matches so far between them. In my opinion, that is better for the league because it means other teams are improving. Everyone is striving to be better and that is making it difficult for the top teams

It is more indicative of the complacency at United and Chelsea, players believing their own and media hype regarding how much of a procession this season will be for them. Arsenal has a point to prove. Written off by all and sundry beforehand, it is still a majority belief outside of the club that they will fall away in the Winter. Having the desire to want to prove naysayers wrong is a strong motivator in a public arena.

For this afternoon, I do not see Wenger making many changes from the team that trounced Alkmaar. Defensively, Sagna will no doubt return for Eboue at right back but the question of whether Eboue drops out of the side altogether is less clear. The question mark will possibly be about Nasri’s fitness. Eduardo has come through around 90 minutes in the last two games and seems to be ready for the starting line-up.

Nasri has put in 180 minutes over the past three, crowning his return with a superb finish in midweek. Of the three, I would prefer Nasri to take one of the wide positions, his duality in attack and defending a bonus. The other two have strengths in one or other areas but not both to the same degree as the Frenchman.

However, it would be no surprise if this weekend Eboue started since Wenger has a habit of preferring a little more protection for his defence in away fixtures. The line-up will probably be:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermalaen, Gibbs; Eboue, Song, Fabregas; Arshavin, van Persie, Diaby

A bench that includes Nasri, Rosicky and Eduardo has plenty of attacking options for later in the match whilst Merida could add a midfield prompt or two if required.

A win is key to maintaining momentum as we head for an inconvenient international break. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

The good thing about a Wednesday game is that the weekend is very soon upon us. The visit to Molineux, combined with Chelsea and Manchester United meeting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday is the opportunity to make ground on the top two, provided that Arsenal win, of course.

The players are rightly confident and taking more than a little pleasure in the thought that several hacks are squirming uncomfortably in the press box when the final whistle blows on another Arsenal victory in the Premier League. Thomas Vermaelen appeared to sum up the squad’s mood:

Maybe we were a little bit underestimated at the start of the season. A lot of people were talking about Arsenal not being good enough to be at the top, but we have done well so far in the Premier League and Champions League. We have some big games coming up including Chelsea [at home on 29 November]. If we have a good result against them, then it will be very big for us.

Far be it for me to disagree with the Belgian but the only big game to be concentrating on is Saturday. Get into the international break with wins and then start worrying about Chelsea, which if my somewhat vague memory is correct is preceded by a visit to Sunderland or a trip to the local swimming baths might save on travelling time since they were less waterlogged than the Stadium of Light last season.

Vermaelen believed it was easy to join Arsenal, little persuasion needed to get him to up sticks from Ajax. Hardly surprising that he thinks such thoughts as his move has gone extraordinarily well for him, 5 goals in 10 or so games is better than he or anyone expected. Such has been the confidence with which he and Gallas have been playing, Wenger is looking to keep the pairing intact for as long as possible, forgoing the rotation which has disrupted other sides this season:

I do not like to rotate too much in central defence because we are in a position where they have a good understanding and every point is vital so it’s not worth to take a gamble if I’m not forced to do it.

The key to rotation though is surely that the manager has confidence is those coming through to replace the rested player? Injuries are not rotating your squad but the management of a player’s condition is. The manager can only implement such a policy if he believes that the ‘reserve’ player is not going to have an adverse impact on the team for the match(es) in question.

Is Wenger’s stance influenced by that? For all of the positive comments he makes about Silvestre and Senderos – he is hardly likely to make negative ones in public at least – he cannot share the belief that either of them will ensure that no strength is lost from the middle of the defence. Equally, Gallas is playing as well, if not better, than he has ever done in an Arsenal shirt, certainly the most consistently, which is a big factor to consider.

When the time comes for one of Gallas or Vermaelen to be replaced, is Alex Song a more likely deputy or is Wenger hoping that the duo will remain fit through to the point when Johan Djourou is once more able to don the Arsenal shirt?

Awy from the pitch, Stan Kroenke has bought another 200 shares which has prompted Arsene to observe that a takeover is not inevitable. Given Stanley would have to buy 71 more to be forced to make a bid for shares. Equally, he would be obliged to offer £10.5k per share as this was the highest he paid for any purchases in the past two years. Whilst he may believe that is not a problem, it is £2k more than he paid to PHW for some shares.

It does explain why the chairman was so relaxed about Kroenke buying shares recently. Perhaps he knew that the incoming windfall would settle the drinks tab at the club.

’til Tomorrow.

UEFA Champions League Group Phase, Matchday 4
Arsenal 4 – 1 AZ67 Alkmaar

1 – 0 Cesc (26)
2 – 0 Nasri (43)
3 – 0 Cesc (52)
4 – 0 Diaby (72)
4 – 1 Lens (82)

When the draw was made for the Group phase, the group was deemed to be very much a straightforward exercise in qualification. It is being made thus. Bar for a late slip in Alkmaar, that objective would have been sealed last night. As it is, we wait until the visit of Standard Liege in three weeks time for that aim to be achieved.

It was a win where class shone through, as Ronald Koeman admitted afterwards, even if he did fall into the trap of believing that experience was still lacking from a team of internationals. Yet it was the tenth straight home win this season and if that is not a club record, then it must surely be very close to it. Never will the wins have been delivered with such style.

Such was the comfort with which victory was achieved, Arsene was able to substitute his trio of jewels in the crown with time to spare, no doubt much to the chagrin of Mick McCarthy. Fabregas and Arshavin were the undoubted headliners, two goals and three assists respectively are not to be argued with.

Arsenal set about the Dutch side from the kick-off. The midfield spiders spun their web before feeding van Persie on the edge of the area, his angled shot appeared to be saved but no corner was given, barely four minutes on the clock. Before the quarter hour mark, the Dutchman would have his chance when Romero handled a backpass. Refereeing decisions often attract the opprobrium of the masses and not forcing the wall onto the goal-line is one such way of doing so, van Persie striking the barrier.

Alkmaar’s problems were sitting too far off Arsenal; failing to tackle when a team with the technique and comfort on the ball is inviting trouble. Had no-one told Koeman and his charges that Arsenal are not typically English in their outlook? A bigger liability emerged in the shape of their goalkeeping hero last time around. Romero may have produced some astonishing saves in Holland but to allow Fabregas’ opener to crawl into the corner of the net was almost as shameful as the space that was afforded William Gallas.

His paseo covered the length and breadth of the pitch before finding the mercurial Spaniard in space. Twenty five yards out and he concentrated on keeping the ball down and getting it on target. Whilst the new design makes the flight difficult to judge, Romero cannot offer such an excuse for failing to stop Fabregas’ shot. The net barely rippled as the ball came to rest.

Chances were arriving on a regular basis for the hosts. AZ67 had a couple of shots which failed to trouble Almunia, principally because they were either straight at him or wildy wide. As the interval twinkled fluttered its seductive eyelids, Gibbs was freed on the left, his centre met by Fabregas but alas no increase to the lead. That came through the returning Samir Nasri. Arshavin slipped the ball to the Frenchman who swayed his hips in a manner that caused Jessica Rabbit to turn green with envy, Moreno left gawping as Nasri strode into the area and slotted home. Breathing space with barely two minutes remaining in the opening half.

If the first half was one-sided, the second showed no tendency to diverge from that path. Whilst neither side entirely dominated the opening exchanges, the visitors offered little resistance. Eight minutes in and the fatal blow was handed to Alkmaar although there is merit in the argument that prefers the kick-off to be that serious to the Dutch side. Eight minutes in and Fabregas added his second for the evening.

Diaby snaffled possession, releasing the ball to Arshavin. Artfully dodgy trouble is a trademark of the Russian, his mind alive to the opportunities whilst defenders seek to recover position. This time Fabregas was the benefactor, free in space on the left before racing into the error and sending the ball into the near side of the goal whilst furtively glancing to the far post.

Alkmaar almost responded in kind. Pelle found himself free on the edge of the six yard box, Almunia had his ‘Banks’ moment, turning the ball onto the bar. If Green and Foster could do it to Arsenal, Almunia proved we can do it to others.

If Fabregas showed finesse in finishing, his goal was outdone by Diaby. The Frenchman has garnered a lot of interest and media coverage this past week, deciding to prove his manager correct in his assertion that the midfielder’s instincts are to attack. Eduardo had just joined the party and provided a neat little piece, an outrageous backheel that sent Arshavin into space. The Russian squared to Diaby, albeit apparently too firmly. Diaby produced a Gadget-esque extension of his leg, controlled the ball and finished with some aplomb.

Rout complete, now we waited for the game to be closed out or a soft late goal to be conceded. It was the latter and soft does not even begin to describe how it looked. If Almunia produced a Banks moment earlier, this was pure Robinson. Lens, the club, proved a barrier in the past for Arsenal in Europe but last night the player was an irritant. Irratingly for Almunia, he shifted his weight too much in guessing where the shot was going and guessed wrong, watching as forlornly as a commuter seeing his train pull out of the station, the ball sliding past the Spaniard into the other corner.

The opposition was so poor that criticising player performances is an exercise in futility. Arshavin and Fabregas were outstanding, Nasri excellent on his return to proper first team action although Liverpool were a sterner test than Alkmaar. Gibbs and Eboue were fine as full backs, revelling in the space and time afforded them going forward. Little surprise that there is a growing feeling that Gibbs may yet go to South Africa to work next summer as his recovery speed and tackling is excellent.

Forward to Wolverhampton on Saturday, momentum gathering just as the international break approaches. Keeping it going once that break is over will go a long way to deciding how successful this season will be. ’til Tomorrow.

Champions League action tonight and a chance to seal qualification. An Olympiacos defeat would almost ensure top spot. That said, previous seasons have shown that having the home leg first is no disadvantage in the second round.

Arsene believes that November is the month where most injuries occur and as if by magic another one appears. Gael Clichy is the latest to succumb, a stress fracture of the back likely to keep him out for more than a month. Kieran Gibbs is going to take advantage of this and with a World Cup around the corner, it is not a bad thing for the youngster to get some serious playing time. Perform well and Arsenal will have another England left back on their books. Presumably Arsene will hope that Traore recovers to take on Carling Cup.

Tomas Rosicky returns to the bench tonight which is good news, certainly to have someone who is so influential available from the bench if Alkmaar proves to be as stubborn to break down as in the match in Holland. Equally, Samir Nasri ought to be at the very least in similar position. Perhaps it is too soon for him to start but his inclusion from the start would allow Alex Song or Diaby to have a rest before the visit to Molineux this weekend.

Diaby made an interesting observation about his reception from supporters. Certainly this season is the first time we have been able to see him on a regular basis. Yet he still has his critics, the latest in a long line of players to fall foul of Championship Managers. The player said:

I am trying to be focused on what I am doing now and in the future as well.  Definitely mentally I am stronger because I had a lot of problems in the past. Even in the games I am getting more confidence as well.  I don’t know [what the fans think of my commitment]. I try to give my best in every game. That is it. The most important thing is to give our best and the team win.

Arsene went a step further suggesting that Diaby’s natural instinct is to attack rather than defend, the spark that ignited his fury at the weekend. Diaby is on the path to becoming an excellent all-round midfielder but needs to be consistent over several seasons before he gets elevated to that status. The first step is to be injury-free which hopefully this season will be the start of.

There is a belief that the team can do well this season in all competitions and the next month or so will go some way to deciding that with the next international break being the last interruption until late winter in 2010. Currently, Arsenal are the form team of the Premier League, a momentum being carried across all competitions. A win tonight would keep that going rather nicely.

Stan Kroenke’s purchase of more shares has created a bit of a stir but things may not be as they seem with the American. Whilst he cannot apparently stump up the cash immediately on some deals, a takeover of the club appears to be on the cards with cash rather than borrowings.

Owning 40% of the St Louis Rams, the other owners are apparently putting that franchise up for sale which may be used to fund a full blown bid for Arsenal. At least that is the speculation. Which may or may not be true but if that is the case, it would be hard to see how the Board would be able to not recommend accepting any bid, irrespective of the security felt through plurality of ownership.

Personally though, I am unconvinced that Kroenke is looking to takeover. Not having settled the bill for buying part of Fiszman’s shareholding leads me to believe that more than anything Stan has put himself up as a ‘blocker’ to any bid from Usmanov. If that is the case then millions of column inches have been wasted in speculation, which I doubt anyone would be unhappy about.

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

Michel Platini is once more offering a charm offensive, seeking to make himself Monsieur Popular in his native country and with other bleeding hearts on the continent. Not so much charm directed at Arsenal, definitely offensive. According a Daily Telegraph, the erstwhile chief of UEFA has once more hit out at Arsene Wenger’s ignorance of passports when stockpiling talented youngsters in the Academy.

Problematically for Platini, he keeps rattling on about Cesc:

“You have talent in England – it’s up to you not to buy always the best 13-14 young players in Europe,” said Platini, nodding at mention of Arsène Wenger’s recruitment of Cesc Fàbregas from Barcelona’s academy.

Is it not time he took his head out of the sand and looked at the behaviour of suitors at all levels of the game? Barcelona’s manipulation of the media is open for all to see, frequently from the upper echelons of the Camp Nou, spreading downwards like a viral infection throughout the club.

There is an element of truth in what Platini says, protection and help needed by the youngsters preventing their exploitation yet in choosing Arsenal he misses the point somewhat. The Academy is bringing through significant numbers of English players at the same time, a distinctly different proposition to the public perception created by his ill-informed nonsense:

I am not in favour of the Arsenal system. The more English youth players you have in your team, the better it is for your football and popularity of your game. Perhaps, in the future with Fifa rules on the transfer of minors, you have to work with English youth. Why can’t the English play for Arsenal? They have to come to France to play.

Sorry who goes to France to play? The English? If he is aware of the numerous English players at French clubs, he had better be on the case of those in La Ligue whipping the cream of English talent. Unfortunately for Platini, the youngsters at Arsenal are very well paid. Extraordinarily so by comparison to those at other Premier League clubs. Exploitation? It appears to happen only when agents get their claws into players and their contracts, taking 20% for doing a job that a solicitor or accountant would do for a fraction of the cost.

Erroneously, Platini does not note the progress of Gibbs, Wilshere and others through the junior international ranks, citing only those brought into the club. The question he rightly raises though is whether or not English clubs have an obligation to nuture English talent. They do in some respects but they have a greater responsibility to themselves.

There is a balance to be struck. If football loses popularity, it is not going to be because of England. The clubs are doing a fine job of pricing themselves out of the leisure market through the cost of tickets. Exorbitant wages have to be paid for somehow and whilst broadcast revenues contribute, the supporter pays through the pocket. UEFA and FIFA would do better to direct their energies into making a global salary cap work and having the balls to punish the clubs which breach those rules harshly, no matter their status in the game. Too often privilege is bought though reputation.

Platini believes that bringing through English talent will make the game more popular here. He can start the process by ordering the FA to remove their protectionist policy on geography. As Wenger says, he can sign someone from Africa but not from Salford. Ludicrous and exposing the amateur nature of administration in a professional sport. Little wonder that club owners and executives rail constantly against the governing bodies and their collective ineptitude.

The suitability of the myriad of governing bodies controlling the amateur and professional games is exposed time and again. Surely the time has come for administrators to split the two bodies, allowing each to flourish within their own environments. Decisions taken at the highest levels, such as extra officials, have little relevance to those on Hackney Marshes; they have enough trouble getting officials as it is, let alone an extra couple each week.

The best service Platini, Blatter, Scudamore and co can do is to remain silent on subjects about which they have clearly not thought through. Unfortunately, their ego’s prevent them from doing so. In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

’til Tomorrow.

Having fun at Tottenham’s expense is pretty much a national pastime but they, and their former charges, just cannot help giving us the ammunition…

Anyway, flavour of the month at the moment is Robin van Persie despite the risible attempt yesterday by someone in the comments section to argue that he was essentially crap last season. This season is no different from last, just that his purple patch has started three months earlier.

The Dutchman is keen to take out his revenge on Emmanuel Adebayor, sorry Manchester City, and wants to play in the Carling Cup Quarter Final at Eastlands:

It will be a good game because Man City have a good side. If we can find the right mix – like we did in the last round against Liverpool – we’ve a big chance of winning

Arsenal 3 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur

1 – 0 van Persie (43)
2 – 0 Fabregas (43)
3 – 0 van Persie (60)

It was three but should have been double that. Nitpicking is a favourite pastime of Arsenal supporters. Just joshing. Or was I? The empty rhetoric of Tottenham was exposed for exactly what it was; there is no way that the two squads are comparable. A lack of heart, fire and guts. The hollowness of the calls for Arsenal to sign some English players to get the spirit so hyped of those players shone through.

Tottenham showed the guts of a Wildebeest which had been devoured and scavanged in the savannah for weeks on end. Predictably, Robbie Keane’s bragadoccio ended with his ignominous departure midway through the second half, succumbing to injury having produced nothing of note to back up his claims of parity in the playing staff.

A derby win that for an hour pushed Arsenal to second, one below where they would have been had two late goals not been conceded at Upton Park the week before. If the midweek win over Liverpool partially erased that memory, consigning the potential pattern of conceding late goals to the dustbin was carried out emphatically. The opening forty minutes could be described as even in that van Persie dragged a shot wide following good work by Fabregas whilst Corluka deflected an effort by Arshavin to safety. Even in that Fabregas brought a good save from Gomes whilst Arshavin struck a shot wide from the right side of the effort. Even in that the visitors best effort came when Song tackled Keane in the area and the ball rebounded off the Irishman’s leg for a goal kick. It was only even in effort because Tottenham were doing a lot of chasing and harrying of the ball.

The match turned as the interval loomed on the horizon. Sagna took advantage of lackadiasical marking, crossing from the right for van Persie to show true predatory instinct to get in front of King to direct his shot to the goal. Gomes had little chance as the Dutchman’s technique kept the ball low.

Straight from the kick-off, Fabregas found space and statuesque opponents, still enough to have tourists in Trafalgar square gasping with awe at the lifelike nature of the art. Tottenham were simply appalling. Tackles were half-hearted, the description coming through my magnanomous disposition this fine day. According to the official website, 11 seconds elapsed from the restart to Cesc burying the goal past the hopelessly exposed Gomes.

In that time, van Persie managed what could barely be described as a challenge, allowing the Spaniard to dance exquisitly past several Tottenham players to score, winning this weeks Strictly Come Dancing in the process such was the twinkling of his toes. Two goal leads are rarely dropped in consecutive weeks by any side and Arsenal were not in the mood to do so in this match.

The second half saw chances to increase the lead squandered from the unlikeliest of sources. Either side of van Persie’s goal, Eduardo had one on one’s with Gomes; both times the ‘keeper prevailed as the Croat first effort was well-saved whilst the second saw him in two minds as to lob or slide the ball past the advancing custodian. A shame that the second was wide of the post.

If the second Arsenal goal was comedy defending, the third was pure Keystone Cops. Eduardo was fouled on the right, the linesman flagged and everybody stopped not seeing Clattenburg’s outstretched arms playing the advantage. Sagna realised and advanced to play the ball into the centre. Inexplicably neither Gomes or King cut out what was essentially a poor pass; it turned into a fine cross when van Persie nudged the ball over the line.

Almunia returned to goal and was for large parts a spectator. When Spurs did get shots on target, the Spaniard invariably had a comfortable save to make. Part of that was the defence and midfield starving Crouch of service. Spurs had a game plan to make his height count but when the ball did reach him, the Arsenal players learned the lessons of the past, backed off and won the knockdown. Equally the fullbacks both pressed hard to contain any wide threat. Bentley was rendered a passenger, proving that his ego is bigger than his talent. Clichy may not have grabbed headlines with assists but had his most solid game for a while, adept at going forward, the defensive cobwebs shaken clear.

Arsene lost control in the second half as Diaby and Song pushed forward but they got the message soon enough about reigning in any hopes of a fightback. There may be some bemusement in the media about the incident but little doubt it was something that was worked on in training. Both of them held their positions well and used the ball effectively. Diaby could perhaps have done better with his chance in the second half but like Song, is showing with a run in the team, why Arsene retained faith in the players when others did not.

With Chelsea meeting United next weekend, a win was crucial to maintain pressure on the media’s Big Two. Signs this morning that the top of the table is getting crowded with current form being noted and a realisation in their eyes that Arsene may not have been so mad with the odd suggestion that, whisper it, this team can challenge for silverware.

’til Tomorrow.

Tottenham arrive at The Emirates amidst the usual bluster and blunder from White Hart Lane about how good they are, how we’ve been caught up by them, as if being in the top four for a few weeks is proof of such. They remind me of the little kid next door, the one who believes he has the best toys, the best of everything when in reality everything is a cheap knock-off; he knows it, you know it, everyone knows it.

Arsene put it succinctly:

How do you measure the dimension of a club? Success. If you look at success historically they have a lot of work to do. We have been 12 consecutive years in the Champions League so they have done that they can say that are similar.

That measure is not necessarily the yardstick to use but the underlying performances that have provided that run in the competition are. Many Tottenham supporters were not even born when they last seriously challenged for a title, even fewer when they last won one. Even finishing in the top four has not happened in some lifetimes.

Add into that sporadic cup wins in derby matches and it is not hard to see why the chip on their shoulders has grown into a full blown potato farm. Arsenal have not lost a league match against Tottenham in a decade, a run that is impressive and highly unusual in derby matches, particularly as we have lost against other London teams in that time. On occasion, especially at White Hart Lane, you wonder how such a run has been maintained, some performances devoid of ambition and cohesion. At home, it has been a different story; I cannot remember the last time I left the ground after a derby match wondering how the hell Arsenal came through unscathed, not even in 2006.

The focus of attention at Arsenal is on the goalkeepers. Arsene refused to confirm who it would be but gave an indication that Manuel Almunia is considered his first choice:

I’m always tempted to start with Manuel Almunia. But he was sick for a long time and it takes some time to come back. A player who is on the bench wants to play. The job of a professional footballer is to perform well when he plays and when he doesn’t play do everything to play the next game.

In all honesty, I would be surprised if Almunia does not start at lunchtime. Mannone has done well, despite last week’s mistake but he is not yet ready for a regular berth. Arsene knows that the Italians performances have put pressure on the injured Fabianski and Almunia which is no bad thing. There has been little pressure on the Spaniard brought about by competition for places in recent seasons, a situation that now ought to spur him onto a higher level of performance.

Crucial though is going to be the reaction to dropping a two-goal lead. Defoe is missing this afternoon for the visitors which would seem to mean a starting spot for Peter Crouch. Gallas and vermaelen will win little in the air against him so it is important that they and the midfield are alive to the knockdowns, tracking their opposition properly, something that has been their undoing in the past.

Arsene may believe that late goals being conceded is not an issue but I am not sure that anyone else agrees with him. Alkmaar and West Ham both profited from games in which they should have not gained anything from; a repeat today would be a pattern that needs addressing. Blaming the officials for the Upton Park result is masking a deficiency in concentration.

Going forward though is not a problem. The passing and movement last week was good in patches, the performances at home have been on the whole excellent in attack this season. Profligacy in front of goal is nowhere near as bad as it has been over the past two or three seasons and there is no suggestion that this will return this afternoon.

No-one is returning from injury but I would expect Arsene to make a change from last weekend, bringing in Bendtner for more potency in attack, especially since he scored in midweek and will be full of confidence. Well, even when he is playing badly the Dane does not lack belief in his abilities as shown in an interview in this morning’s Guardian:

Within five years I want to be the top scorer in the Premier League and I want to be known as a world-class striker. And it will happen. Trust me, it will happen. I look around at other players, I see my own ability and I can’t see anything that tells me it won’t happen.

I’m sure people will think ‘What is he talking about?’ But as I have done before, and as I will do again, I will sit at the other end and laugh at those people when it is all done.

I would expect the line-up to be:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy; Song, Fabregas, Diaby; Bendtner, van Persie, Arshavin

A win puts pressure on the rest of the teams around us to emulate that result. With the way that this season has gone so far, nothing is guaranteed but a run of form is going to come from someone very soon. Why not start it this afternoon, lads?

’til Tomorrow