[Photo: Phil Cole/Getty Images through Guardian]
After what appeared to be another endless, yet interesting, international break the Gunners took some kind of revenge in the form a win against the Blues. The confident win was earned by another scintillating, yet awkward display by Wenger's man. Arsenal's schedule seems to reach another one trademark congested records when the Londoners visit Alkmaar and West Ham following Liverpool in the Carling Cup context to finally receive in home soil Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby.
If a swift succession of wins are to be assured by Wenger's men, the response against rivals and alike would be of a nominal threat since many pundits (and 'pundits') wrote off Arsenal well before any football would roll. The precision of this machinery need to be adjusted to perform alike in every match if they were enough for contending for a title. Perseverance and talent is the key, in this long season that lies ahead.
[Photo: The Sun]
Despite Arsenal's solid start, the panorama was not bright enough as Walcott limped after a fair, but aggressive challenge by Ridgwell. The Gunners created at least five clear chances, just before the seventeenth minute when they doubled their lead, firstly taken through Robin van Persie. The Dutchman deftly controlled the ball to dribble past Carr and finish far post. In a matter of two minutes the passing went from dominance to sharp-shooting as Diaby found a lone cross from Rosicky. The expected result was coming rather rapid for the home side.
Without having the time nor the opportunity to recover, Andrey Arshavin replaced Theo Walcott reaching the 33th minute mark. The worst-case scenario appeared handy for the visitors as Lee Bowyer took advantage of the poor defending of Arsenal, and especially, Mannone's rookieness. Twenty minutes before, this picture would have not been dreamt by the far more adventurous of Birmingham's supporters. After the gap was closed the Gunners assured themselves of seeking another goal that could extend the advantage.
[Photo: News of the World]
If the second half started divided enough, Arshavin had a chance wasted wide left to the bar, as well as Cesc, who nearly scored due to a mistake by Hart. Fabregas appeared to return into his masterful ways in which all the game seemed to surround him. In this streak of chances Seb Larsson returned the ball to the U-21 keeper and the Blues took the punishment with an indirect freekick; a violent deliver by van Persie hit the bar afterwards.
Whilst some great runs by Eboue provided van Persie with several one-to-one chances, there was no added value to the scoresheet. With fifteen minutes to end the Gunners weaved more attempts through their midfield Spanish star. Where the Londoners had at least three clear chances, the visitors provided likewise, making a good show for neutrals.
In one of those corners, Cesc hurried his pace to deliver Arshavin in a three-versus-three situation, which the Russian finished without a flaw. With five minutes on, there was not much to do by the visitors: Jack Wilshere came in to play some valuable four minutes of injury time.
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