Wigan v. Arsenal 0-0 (9/Mar/08)

A stressful match visiting Wigan at Saturday saw the Gunners fall from grace after the wonderful clash against the Lombardians. The goalless match was one of the most loosest and reluctant of appearances the London side has made, since the early and only defeat at Middlesbrough. Title hopes dilute when Arsenal concedes points, one here and one there have made six points total. Six points that now are crucial. Six points that separate European aspirations from teams, six points that make a club sank in the relegation. Certainly if United wins points the struggle will get to the final ending: April clash in Manchester. I hope the title is decided before it, certainly in our possession.
Regarding the game there were some performances that nearly reached the embarrassment,a deserved First or Second Division gameplay. I will continue with this later in the review. The line-up was considerably modified: this due to a "hangover" effect on Tuesday's match. The game started as usual, even creating a clear chance which Adebayor could not finish, in 1'. The so-called release of Cesc, a major issue which I have mentioned in several occasions, was right from the beginning. Theoretically the pressure in midfield was supposed to be the job of Gilberto while Flamini could help with the cover of positions such as Sagna's or Clichy's. Cesc worked as a 'conservative link', not like the typical South American link such as Matías Fernández, Kaká, Riquelme and even Giovanni in his good old U-17 days. This is a facet of his leadership, which this season has bloomed. This three man midfield left the team without a striking capability in side, thus not getting the tandem efficiency of the common team. The defense was completely doubtful throughout the first and part of the second period of the game. By 22' it was clear that Arsenal lacked leadership, depth and finishing. Clichy was overrun by Luis Antonio Valencia. The Ecuatorian drive him made all the game, putting the worst of the defender in the match. This position led the Arsenal completely unbalanced, whereas the introduction of Gilberto Silva or the bad form of Alex Hleb it was certain that the home side was not doing well in any way. Gilberto Silva has had the worst season since his arrival in London. Quoted by Juan Manuel Pons it is clearly that Arsene has found the balance in midfield with Mathieu Flamini. Gilberto has always been to passive. He has physically strength but lacks the leadership of "Flatusso", he also lost his mind when things are not doing well. His contribution towards the functioning of the team were nearly none. This supposed contribution in control of the midfield, as quoted earlier, was bad.
Starting the second half two chances were created in the first five minutes. Chris Kirkland was a strong factor, decisive in my opinion. The sides were a constant problem, specially the left, with a troubled Clichy and an anxious Sagna. Flamini became more than angry to see the childish booking of Gilberto. The Frenchman bore the weight of the whole team when Cesc was lost in his 'new' position. Almunia did a couple of saves reaching the 63'. The substitutions did pumped the team the stamina needed but for a slight period of time. Touré played in the right midfield, contributing in a sense more push than Eboué in that position. Gallas injury was a stroke on moral, although it was a simple bruise it appeared to be more than that. Reaching the final minutes of the match the team searched the lead desperately, like the previous season. Cesc chance at 89' and the final 93' corner were two options dismissed.
The way the team played was horrible and outnumbered in many ways by infantile flaws of both defense and offense.
The FA Cup match saw the timid and discrete Barnsley against the Chelsea FC. The Home side made what it seemed impossible; defeating a EPL team against a Championship team . The "Tykes" concreted the dream of any team in a division that is not the first. It was a very impressive match, which saw the Yorkshire club completely in their box while Chelsea superstars were punching every time they had the ball. Certainly luck was on their side, because many of the chances of the Londoners were little from crossing the goal-line. After defeating Liverpool it could not seem so good than winning the title. It would be a very positive thing towards the spectacle, and a lesson for football and life; everything can be done.
I am totally thrilled by the early draw of UCL quarterfinals earlier today. It was obvious that an English v. English match will take place. But Liverpool was totally unexpected, and then is London rivals Chelsea or Fenerbache, and in the final (if we reach, totally confident we will) is Man Utd or AS Roma, Barca or Schalke. A dream came true to face northerns and a disaster if we face Barca in the final. A very awful thing with the 'Unamable' with first protagonist. But bring 'em on. This is the list of games:

Quarter-Finals:
Arsenal v Liverpool
Roma v Manchester United
Schalke v Barcelona
Fenerbahce v Chelsea

Semi-Finals:
Arsenal or Liverpool v Fenerbahce or Chelsea
Schalke or Barcelona v Roma or Manchester United