Arsenal v. Fulham 4-0 9/May/10

Van Persie and Man Utd's newest signing, Smalling.
[Photo: Alex Morton/Action Images via Guardian]


In an evening full of diluted emotions the Gunners assured the third place after a practical walk in the park, hammering four goals past Schwarzer's goal. Even when there were particular and special moments throughout the match, the players and particularly the crowd left with the feeling of dissatisfaction. After the terrible run of results there was a clear hunch from the supporters as the qualification for the CL spot was in danger of being overtaken by Spurs.

The atmosphere was overshadowed by the anxiety and fear from the supporters. The best thing for the current squad is either have a long break in some tropical paradise or to get ready for the maximum tournament in a month's time. We couldn't expect much from Fulham since their sights were ser in the Europa League finale.



Carlos Vela, seals another victory.
[Photo: Alan Walter via Daily Mail]


Fabianski has made himself the legend of a comical keeper: he ratified his recent dodgy form in another set piece as Riise crossed looking for Dempsey. It was a miracle that the ball was not in the back of the net. In the following minutes Schwarzer was busy keeping Van Persie, Arshavin and Nasri at bay. The home team opened the score in the 21st minute: atrocious ball control allowed Arshavin to steal the ball from the Australian keeper to later poke it. Van Persie was alone expecting the ball in an unusual greedy act from the Russian.

The second goal came as the Fulham defence dozed off when Walctot crossed for Van Persie, who shot and hit the crossbar; in the following strike the Gunners had their second. This was a walk in the park for the Gunners: thirty seven minutes and Baird made a "clumsy clearance" that was in the back of the net. With few minutes in the clock, some nice footwork from an accuarte, well-oiled team attack made some fine impressions such as Walcott's run in the 40th Van Persie's shot deflected in the 43rd.

This was already poised to be a tranquil game since Fulham's mind was elsewhere in Hamburg. There was a feeling among suporters of something of a preseason day, with really nothing further to add rather than an effort on the final day and the cheer of the fans before the World Cup.



The captain and the Welsh, in the final lap.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


In the first seconds of the following half, news came from Old Trafford as Chelsea were 2-0 up. A draw would suffice for the Gunners but the three points and the standing ovation was more likely to happen. Again we saw Arsenal's vice-captain Van Persie score in the last day of the campaign, as with Stoke's final game last year. Robin Van Persie missed a sitter in the 50th minute as Schwarzer double-saved. There were some worries for Fulham's European match as one of their defenders went out injured.

Johan Djourou finally ended his season-long spell and played his first game of the season -how odd does that sound! Silvestre finished his last shining unforgettable historic brilliant performance as an Arsenal player. After some clumsy defending from Campbell, who challenged Demspey, the American was substituted by Stoor in the 66th minute. After some penalty allegations, Eboué had another one as he blatantly dived again.

Again Fabianski made some strange things as he handed out a ball outside his box. More problems looked ahead in the near future for the North Londoners. With fifteen minutes to go, it was a real disgrace to see the Emirates with a lot of empty spaces; some fans left the building earlier the expected. Within seven minutes Carlos Vela did one of his famous lobs and in a day of "firsts," scored his first of the season -Nasri's pass broke the defence in two. Arsenal's season ended on a high note after four minutes added.

Blackburn v. Arsenal 2-1 3/May/10

It seems that the Polish will be heading home with another team in mind.
[Photo: Carl Recine/Action Images via Guardian]


In the previous edition of this clash, the Gunners enjoyed certain type of superiority but this match was a sole exception. In the visit to Ewood park the Londoners pulled out another clown performance in part of our dear and good Polish keeper as they collected another consecutive defeat and their chance for European elite football, at some time secure, hangs on a thin thread that could be cut in the last day of the season by Hodgson's boys.

The match was obliged to end with all three points. Indeed as Goal.com says the match was pivotal after some horrid handful of results: "Consecutive away defeats by Tottenham Hotspur and, inexplicably, Wigan Athletic, followed by an anaemic goalless draw at home to Manchester City finally ended their hopes of catching either Chelsea or Manchester United."



Samba's header, inside the net.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


Three minutes passed when the Gunners found themselves with an unforgiving chance in front of goal, as Vela squandered a cross from Theo. What followed was a decent response from the home team in the manner of a freekick taken by Pedersen in the seventh minute. Not much followed as the visitors grabbed an early lead through captain Van Persie who scored yet another goal against the Rovers. A great header from a Nasri corner exposed the home team's terrible defending; all this in the first fifteen minutes.

The match progressed as both teams made little if no progress towards one another's goal. Arsenal's most dangerous approach was Van Persie's freekick in the 30th as well as another one by Perdersen three minutes later. Whether the attempts made by both teams were industrious, the match remained calm. A couple of Rovers supporters dozed off in the sunny warm evening and that was the image of the match: two teams with nothing to contend. Although the game was quite dull in itself David Dunn managed to poke one two minutes from time in in another deceptive performance by Arsenal's centre-halves.



Robin's tally against Rovers served little today.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


Again the visitors relied in their perused style to move the balance of the game into their benefit. Arsenal's dominance was reflected in possession but instead of converting this difference into the scoreboard, Blackburn worried much more their opposition with the passing of minutes as Fabianski was beginning to turn into a decisive factor. With thirty minutes to go Van Persie made some quick movements in the box; apparently he should have been awarded with a penalty.

In the 68th, Arshavin substituted Carlos Vela who played no part in the game. Immediately after the home team went up in the score, again Fabianski was a determinant factor for the loss; nearly three men were left unmarked. Nasri's weak shot could have had another take if he had put on his shooting boots correctly. As the minutes went by, the home team seemed reluctant to add more attack, and as Allardyce's teams, begun to use those dreadful tactics -harsh tackles, time wasting etc. With twelve minutes to go Wenger brought Eduardo in an effort to add strength to the physical part. Wenger's men relied on the secret late show but this time as in the previous matches there weren't rewards for the taking.

Arsenal v. Man City 0-0 24/Apr/10

Hero and villain, hailing and booing.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


After one of the most dreadful capitulation of the last seasons, the Gunners returned to the Grove to face the Citizens in a highly anticipated match. Previous events do not need to be recounted, particularly by the Togolese in pre, in and post-match actions.

After all the hype, the match unfortunately was a dull draw which had its best moments on an injury and some occasions by the Gunners in the later minutes. This match just mathematically confirmed that the Gunners were out of the title contention way long before, probably before the Spurs game. Toure's comments on Gallas were interesting to say the least.



Shay Given out injured for the season.
[Photo: Getty Images via Guardian]


The first minutes of the match were tough for the home team, since they were unable to compete in the same physical battle as the Citizens; the Gunners overcame this disadvantage with the passing of time and by the fifteenth minute van Persie proved luck on target. The midfield, composed by Diaby and Song, was extremely opposite; were the Cameroonian was adamant in recovering every single ball, the French made a host load of mistakes, usually giving away the ball.

Mancini substituted Bridge in the 27th, who seemed to have an knock. Onwards, the panorama did not appear brighter for both sides, since the following twenty minutes were a mere exchange in possession: Nasri and van Persie generated several chances that went wide or were saved by the Irishman Given. Astonishing was the zero amount of shots on target that the Mancunian team had. Not a single shot was made by Tévez, or the attacking part of the visitors.



Theo Walcott and Pablo Zabaleta battle.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


If the first forty five minutes did not produce a wide range of opportunities for both teams it was in the final instants of the second half, as well as the somewhat emotive reception of Adebayor. Before that, in the 50th, Arsenal's Dutchman headed wide from a Nasri cross. Patrick Vieira was substituted by the famous Togolese in the subsequent minutes. As it was expected, the reception was not a homecoming statement, it was rather a declaration of hatred and also war. From the first touch of the striker a tremendous amount of booing from the entire 60,000 seater was heard well within.

Nasri's ambition for the win was recognised with a fierce shot ten minutes after Adebayor's entrance; Rosicky tried luck too. Even when the Citizens' attack seemed dead and buried, the afore-mentioned African striker brought a completely different dimension for his team. With two substitutions made from Wenger in the 68th the Londoners were all in for the win. Diaby tried luck also when a fierce shot was palmed away by Given; the Irishman injured himself from that intervention and was substituted.

The Gunners did not took any advantage of this premature exits they kept moving the ball sideways. Eventually by the final minutes the desperation was such, that even with eight minutes added there was no positive outcome for the Londoners. Robin van Persie nearly scored from a couple of yards outside the box, in a great freekick that went wide inches away. The match ended as the Citizens felt grateful enough for the shared point.

Wigan v. Arsenal 3-2 17/Apr/10

Theo Walcott opens the score.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


Today, at the JJB Stadium, the young deflated north London team encountered heavy resistance from Martínez's men; the Gunners lost a two-goal lead advantage with three goals in about ten minutes. A dose of their own medicine was administered quick as any chance of title vanished within N'Zogbia's celebration. Almunia, apparently suffered from a wrist injury and Fabianski was in charge of Arsenal's goal; bad call. In any case, the Gunners must maintain their ground in order not to give more points to retain that precious third place, which will automatically qualify them for European football next season.

Also, next week's clash could be something special when Emmanuel Adebayor returns to his former club after that horrid cameo. Reception will be hostile, and he should expect nothing less, after all he said and did. Were the couple weeks have been devastating, losing to Barça, and probably most important, to Tottenham pride wasn't restored with this deflating scoreline.



Emmanuel Eboué in dismay; the story of the season so far.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


The beautiful turf at the JJB was in perfect condition for the match. The home team took advantage of this situation and attacked thoroughly at least in the first fifteen minutes. The Gunners retaliated only when they acquired some confidence in the twentieth minute or so through the sole game of Samir Nasri. Captain Campbell headed a "decent chance" set by Denilson far from Kirkland's post. Slowly, the visitors imposed certain attitude and by the 30th minute, things settled at least in terms of possession.

With ten minutes to go, the Gunners created at least four ambitious chances. One thing to note was the slow response from the Arsenal players to start producing some football; even when certain pundits and would attribute this to the "visiting" factor, it took nearly thirty-odd minutes for them to accommodate in the pitch.

"Always cheating" chants were beginning to drool the stadium as the Gunners won nearly every last ball in the final minutes. Just as the half was fading the young speeder Walcott picked a through ball from Bendtner and he finished with a defender trailing; another shot off target gave him the "confidence needed" to secure another start.



N'Zogbia shoots to edge the Gunners.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet Photo Gallery]


Apparently Nasri pulled Watson but the ref made the call to ignore it. In the next three minutes the Gunners took advantage of some poor marking and Sylvestre headed to put the ball in the back of the net. Just imagine how dreadful the defensive work may have been to let old Mikaël score! Even when the efforts by the home team were not copious, yet there seemed that with the current horrid run of games offered -defensively speaking- conceding was around the corner.

The game moved on and it turned out to be a quite comfortable deadlock for the Londoners. The dedication of the home supporters -singing and bantering the whole ninety minutes- was outstanding. But the lucky streak of opportunities passed out as the Latics translated that force from their supporters into the field; ten minutes to go Watson smashed a cross form the left. Suddenly the two-goal lead was at risk.

The introduction of Fran Mérida brought absolutely no change nor renovation to the depleted London squad; unlike his Spanish team mate Eboué imprinted certain speed. Arsenal's unfocused presentation appeared unlikely that the home team managed to pull such a feat of making two goals in the remaining three minutes; somehow they made it as another deceit from Fabianski blew out Arsenal's "title challenge".

The way the Pole tried to secure the ball was immensely disappointing worth of an amateur keeper. Again Arsenal paid their mistakes with such poor keeping. The Polish nightmare was completed when N'Zogbia stroke a barbaric shot in the post to rebound in the net.

Tottenham v. Arsenal 2-1 14/Apr/10

Vermaelen in the grass.


The manner in which the Gunners lost their title hopes was quite of a show for the home supporters at the Lane today: a bummer from Almunia and the entrance of Robin Van Persie showed two faces. Losing a ten year record should be the least important thing as the Gunners were completely ousted until the entrance of the Dutch striker. Probably Spurs' hopes for Champions League next season will be hampered at some point but that does not take away the sweet taste of victory.

Aside from the Spurs game, the previous week was full of transfer rumours and the sort-Cesc Warning as well as some shocking news in pre-match such as Lady Nina+'s stakes. The commented European crash was paired with Spurs' FA Cup exit at the hands of Pompey.

Regarding the reactions there were some which were voiced and truthfully gave the deserved beating. Zonal Marking offered some advice to why Arsenal defence are so crap at times. We all know that if it wasn't for the dexterity of some of Gomes' interventions the game could have easily ended with two goals shared in equal parts; Van Persie himself admitted it.



Even Gareth Bale scored.
[Photo: Empics via Soccernet]


The ecstatic atmosphere was kept at bay when Campbell shot at point-blank; Assou-Ekotto saved in the line. The hostile response to Arsenal's centre-back was paired with a thunderous beginning of the Spurs. The visitors held the erratic game for at least ten minutes. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Danny Rose entered Tottenham's annals after scoring a stunner in the tenth minute; with that goal probably one could say that the match was over. It was one of those goals in which, locals and visitors, take pride on remembering. To say that Almunia had the fault could be quite erratic.

Just as if things were not bad enough, Arsenal's star defender Vermaelen apparently strained his right calf and Mikaël Sylvestre substituted him: the combined age of Arsenal's centre-back was of 345 years. The match entered into a deadlock and as it was suggested in ESPN broadcast the game needed "a wonder-goal to make the difference". As two players got booked, each team with one, the match first half began to fade. Kaboul managed to get free after some contact with Rosicky; the set piece summarised Arsenal's half, wide and unlucky.



Nicklas Bendtner bags the late hope.
[Photo: Daily Mirror]


Strangely the untalented ex-Gunner David Bentley replaced the star of the game due to some problems with knee ligaments. But as the first seconds of the match ticked, the nightmare began. If there was some way of putting the Gunners' faith into doubt it was through a "dressing room goal". Garreth Bale found an impressive pass from Defoe and finished to the near post. The outstanding assistance from the England international player was the difference. The prospect of seeing Robin van Persie on the pitch in the nearest future was not only necessary but mandatory.

Theo Walcott came, substituting Sagna, but nothing really changed since the Spurs kept their attacking waves coming. With moral as high as the freaking Himalaya, the whites managed to handle the pressure according to what was established at the beginning of the match. There was no way in which the Gunners could have even approached the faint hope of scoring; all efforts from Nasri were utter hopeless. The visitors were expecting that the sole genius of Robin Van Persie -after five months in the sidelines- could save them from an astonishing historical defeat.

When he was introduced in the game -in the 68th minute- this faint of hope was foreseeable; his first touch was pure delight as he showed us what we have been missing for the last months. This momentum by the Gunners was followed by three chances created by the Dutchman himself. The advances by the Gunners left all the rear-guard defenceless and the scenario for counterattacks was suitable. Diaby lobbed as Van Persie chest-controlled and shot, just to be saved by Gomes.

The final ten minutes brought the best the Gunners had against the Spurs as another siege put the home team to the wall. In the 83th minute the Spurs relied on the prowess of under-fire Gomes as he saved a brilliant Van Persie free-kick and a Campbell header to the post. All the luck of the world couldn't prevent the Gunners from scoring as Van Persie released Walcott and Bendtner pushed. With five minutes to go the cardiac moments were not yet to come; the scoreline remained with one-goal deficit for the red Londoners.

Arsenal v. Wolves 1-0 3/Mar/10

Rosicky battles with Henry.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images via Guardian]


As with so many matches this season -as the Barcelona one- the Gunners left it late to kill a brave visiting team. Nicklas Bendtner scored the one and only goal in in the very last minute of the contest to extend the Gunner's lifelike in the pursuit of the league title. With Chelsea grabbing all three points at Old Trafford the Gunners needed the win to keep the hope alive in the verge of a historical visit to Camp Nou. Certainly the first team selection was nearly of second-string players as all sights were in Barcelona. Ahead of the clash at Catalonia Seaman's words hit the point as well as the shocking declarations by Aaron Ramsey.



The boss on the sidelines.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


If there was a familiar feeling in any viewer it was that of a typical Arsenal late-show match: the players able to scrap a well load of chances before putting in to some trouble the opposition. While there were nearly no interesting and attractive bursts of football, the first half was largely quiet in its final third. In the first fifteen minutes the Gunners produced at least four clear chances; the most obvious taken by Eduardo as he kicked the ball with this right foot wide off the mark.

As the minutes passed and Walcott, with Rosicky, tried all the possible to grab the lead, the aspect of a long and tiresome season was beginning to show. As the Londoners enjoyed nearly all possession, their attack slowly diminished and by the 30th minute, the game was on a more regular state rather than an actual competition. Hahnemann spared the visitors at least in seven occasions. What appeared to be more dramatical was not the fact McCarthy's men never tried to approach Almunia's goal, but that the Arsenal players were completely complacent, leaving to the next half what could have been resolved in the first.



Bendtner, cathartic.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Arsene Wenger looked annoyed by the previous half. As the Gunners looked for the desperate lead some attempts came in the form of crosses from Rosicky and Sylvestre. For at least fifteen minutes the amount of possession paired with the efforts made at the oppositions goal were immensely miscued. Eduardo missed a acrobatic strike after a deflection in Hahnemann's box, in the 54th. In the other side of the pitch Doyle's heroics were neutralised by the imperious Campbell; in that end, there was no worry for the home team. The first real threat to the American keeper's goal was given by Rosicky in the 59th minute.

As the Londoners dropped their pace, McCarthy's men pushed deeper and managed to grab some deflected corners as well as a dangerous freekick. It was time for substitutions: Eboué for Bendtner. But in the 65th minute, the despicable attitude of Henry tainted the match: another dangerous tackle was committed. As Rosicky rolled in the ground the entire stadium watched Henry going off as yet another career-threatening injury appeared in hand. Later repetitions showed the unscrupulous attempt of the midfielder; fortunately the Czech suffered superficial injuries.

With Nasri's introduction, the last twenty minutes were hellish for the home team. Bendtner tried luck with Hahnemann as well as Campbell and Rosicky. As Carlos Vela entered for the erratic Eduardo, there was not even a single clear chance created, as the match was fading away. Even Rosicky prevented a goal as he came in the wrong post defending Hahnemann's. Additions by Walcott and Nasri made the suffering longer. It was time for the special late delivery which was on part of the Danish striker: in the 94th minute a strong header from the striker buried all hopes of the visitors.

Birmingham v. Arsenal 1-1 27/Mar/10

Sol Campbell rambles as the Gunners concede.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Arsenal's last trip to St. Andrews was fatality personified. One needs not to remember the events that were produced that evening and the posterior developments in the Gunners' season. The point dropped may not be relevant since nearly all sights were in the next match at the Emirates. Barcelona beat Tenerife as Iniesta was ruled out for the vital clash.



Theo battling in the air
[Photo: Mirror Football]


Within two minutes Rosicky penetrated Hart's defence to cross; evidently the early domininance executed by Wenger's men led to some approaches although the vast majority of them were blanks. McFadden and Jerome managed to alter the London defence as they created space in the tight pitch. By the 16th minute Song was booked after a light tackle cheaply bought by Webb. Even when the Londoners made certain progress with the ball the Blues made ferocious efforts to retain possession in the opposite half.

Arsenal's Spanish keeper held Jerome as he shot in the 31st minute. The match was quickly drawn from a slow stand-off to a dynamic end-to-end crash. In the last ten minutes Arsenal's influence diluted as Cesc struggled with an ankle problem. An alleged regular position by McFadden was discussed by McLeish as if it was a decisive World Cup penalty. The first half ended with a handful of defensive misjudgements that allowed each team certain free movements.



The other side of the coin; Phillips enjoys the late equaliser.
[Photo: Telegraph via Getty Images]


Immediately in the opening, Rosicky shot without much luck since Hart was in an accurate position. As the visitors became more and more involved in their offensive side of the game the Blues regrouped and attacked. One example of this was some sloppy keeping from Almunia which nearly permitted Dann to score. Arsenal's retaliation was in the form of a wide deviated Rosicky shot.

If there was a reason for the match turning into a harsh battle of equals, it was mainly due to the pressure that both teams had to produce the maximum of points. It was time for Rosicky and Walcott to come off: Arshavin and Nasri substituted them respectively. With twenty minutes to go, the Gunners needed an accurate cross or a fierce shot to beat Hart; that only arrived in the 73th when the fresh substitutions combined forces and the Frenchman shot. Again Hart's positioning save the home side.

The final fifteen minutes were crucial: two goals -and particularly the second- appeared both in sudden fashion.
Nasri pulled a cracker as he shot crossed to the opposite post; the only way Hart's goal could be pierced. Even when the Frenchman's influence made an immediate impact in the Gunners' game, the score fell apart when Birmingham equalised in such a deceptive manner. In the dying moments of the game, specifically in the 92nd, the Blues got a step ahead as Manuel Almunia again proved to be worth a penny when he let Kevin Phillips put the ball in the back of the net for 250th time in his career. The previous three chances that Fábregas, Nasri and Arshavin scrapped had were greatly missed.

Arsenal v. West Ham 2-0 20/Mar/10

At Nyon, the final result of the draw.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Of all possible teams in Europe's elite competitions Arsenal drew today FC Barcelona. Again, the media will make one of those storms with Cesc return, Cesc and DNA, Cesc and robots, Cesc and Hitler, Cesc and Facebook and who know not. It is also the return of one of Arsenal's favourites, Thierry Henry.

What it appears more attractive, at least on paper is the clash of styles which are dubbed as "similar". I think, on a more personal basis that whoever gets through will have nearly one half trophy. Again, I must extend my hate for FCB. I want blood for what happened in Paris four years ago.



Denilson gives the early lead to the Gunners.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


Reactions were varied to say the least. Arsene comments bordered between anxiety and reality. It was also a trip down to memory lane for the gaffer as he kept wining about the tie being 50-50, of Cesc and Messi and who knows what else.

Following the draw an immediate impressive amount of reactions came from all non-Arsenal quarters throughout Europe.
From Txiki Begiristain to Vicente del Bosque. Gerard Piqué, Barcelona's centre-back, made some statements too.

The mailbox from F365 had also some words from fans. Anyway, I just want to reiterate that I fucking hate Barcelona.



Vermaelen, astounded by the referee's decision.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


After the Champions league draw the Gunners made a another comeback at the top of the Premier League table, as they beat the Hammers. In any case, the first half produced some wonderful football, mainly occurring on the West Ham end. It took the visitors only five minutes to break the Irons, and it was through Denilson who laid a low shot after some tough job. This early goal created expectation from the crowd; strangely, this dreamy stage appeared to give the home team that extra punch that in so many matches they have lacked.

The game of Zola's men was resumed to heavy challenges and a set of opportunities that managed to scare more than one spectator at the Grove. Again the Gunners relied on their lofty touch to weave different kinds of plays -some which, in the case of being scored would have paid the ticket for the local supporters- mainly by Arshavin and Bendtner. Reaching the thirtieth minute, the north Londoners were pushing so far to the edge their rivals that their defence, led by ex-Gunner Upson came to the rescue in no more than three times.

Near the end of the first period, Vermaelen made one of those doubtful tackles and obviously, my fellow countryman Franco went down. This was the actual turning point of the match, where the Gunners were with ten men expecting to Diamanti to score and take things to another level but the fact that Almunia saved halted the match and gave a tremendous psychological advantage to the home team, despite being with eleven men.



Another clean sheet from the Spaniard, here saving the spot kick.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet's Photo Gallery]


With ten men infield, Wenger adjusted some things, including Song as the centre-half partnering Campbell. It took not really much for the Frenchman's eleven to see the product of Vermaelen's sent-off: the full power (if it can be called that) of the Hammers attack proved the Gunners defence. Nevertheless they withstanded it with resilience until the entrance of Diaby, in the 58th. His presence was required to balance the loss of control in the midfield section.

The imminent threat the Hammers posed was assured by the woodwork that Cole hit in the 78th minute. The home team made the Gunners suffer for at least the 80th until another penalty kick was awarded, this time after Upson handed in the edge of the box a lob from Cesc. The captain converted the penalty to give supporters a smile, and the travelling fans a rough travel to the other end.

Hull v. Arsenal 1-2 13/Mar/10

Nicklas Bendtner on the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Arsene's cosy post-match comments added nothing to what we already know: Arsenal have a strong appetite for leaving it late as another one of those tricks were pulled by Bendtner today at the KC Stadium. The immediate result of the evening, aside from the fact that the visitors renewed their title credentials once more, is the sacking of Phil Brown.

In any case that should matter to a minimum, since the London's team attentions are faced in the upper end of the table. This win comes to no surprise, despite the mistake made by Mayhall: eight matches to go in the quest for the Premier League with all of them 'winable'. Next Saturday, the troubled Hammers will see the other end, as they travel to the Emirates to face their London counterparts in what promises to be a difficult spell, following their defeat at Stamford Bridge. Again, if the Gunners prove to be worth and fortune favours them, we could see another setback of Ferguson's men, as the Super Sunday arrives.



Sol Campbell and Venegoor.
[Photo: Craig Brough/Action Images via Guardian]


In spite of the early success that Brown's men had (68% of possession by the 12th minute), the Gunners managed to overcome the physical challenges and ended up ahead in the scoreline with a goal from the Russian magician. After some build-up from the right side, Bendtner fed Arshavin who, with enough luck, overcame two defenders and stroke with the tip of the boot to give his team the lead. The superiority of the visitors could be felt in all aspects, when at least two chances were provided.

Unfortunately, the referee made a bad choice when Campbell, stomped Venegoor. The penalty kick was cheaply bought and Bullard levelled things. In all fairness, Venegoor searched it, and watching the inevitable contact with the Englishman, let his body in the way and the rest is history. Whether many Arsenal supporters have deemed nearly every Premier League team of being overtly violent, Hull gave a class on how to be physical without being violent at all.

In the following twenty minutes after the goal, both teams looked for the lead. Arsenal gave possession too quickly and looked complacent. That changed in the 37th minute, when a revitalised London team came in pursue of the win. Arshavin's luck again showed that he has not passed his struggle with Russia, after failing to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.



Mayhill could not purge his mistake
[Photo: Mirror Football]


If the first forty five minutes showed a will for Hull to shares the point, there was no particular play that could have got them in a winning position. Instead Wenger's men made some approaches, all wasted. Emmanuel Eboue's, who for some reason was substituted despite his good performance, gave his place for Theo Walcott, when the clock was in the 66th. The pull of Bullard gave Hull a slight hope but again, Arsenal's defensive apparatus came to the rescue.

Andrey Arshavin scrapped at least in two occasions in front of the goal, as Bendtner and Theo set him. With six minutes added by Mariner -mainly by the injury of the Hull player- the Londoners seeked the vital chances that could give them the three pints. In the 93rd minute, those prayers were answered, as Denilson took a long shot, which was palmed by Mayhill straight in the position where Bendtner prowled. The Dane, without further ado, put the ball in the back of the net to kill all hopes from the locals. Remaining minutes were a mere distraction to see Phill Brown sacked.

Arsenal v. Burnley 3-1 6/Mar/10

Arsenal players with support shirts.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images via Guardian]


Within the narrow span of ninety minutes positions changed three times at the top of the table: first the Gunners went up following their suffered victory over Burnley but were later ousted by the Mancunians as they overcame Mick McCarthy's Wolves by the minimum difference. Indeed Ferguson's men sit uncomfortably at the top of the table with the title race still on pursue. Arsenal sored to first and then dropped into second, and finally returned to their original position after mathematics were done.
Cesc Fábregas, again the catalyser of the match, had to come off near the 40th minute due to an injury scare. After a magnificent definition all thoughts are on the fitness of the harmstring of the Spaniard for the crucial match on Tuesday against Porto. Aside from the football perspective the moving banners displayed at the Emirates reminded the support that this team has for Ramsey. It appears that Theo is countering the strong criticism in his week's display for England. Although the fact that he remains in that tempo is highly unlikely we shall see his determination for the World Cup rather than for the team.



After his goal, the captain went into the treatment room.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


During the first fifteen minutes, the Gunners enjoyed wondrous precious amount of possession which developed into a handful of opportunities against Jensen's goal. The main artificer of this was Theo Walcott, whose havoc emphasised the deplorable state in which the Clarets were to be found. During a good part of the following minutes, the Londoners had the excessive number of 67% of possession.
Obviously Burnleys' stand would not last any longer when a precious lob from an on-fire Nasri saw Cesc face Jensen, and the former nutmegged the latter to give the Gunners the lead in the 34th minute. Nicklas Bendtner, the purveyor of the miss, began his uncanny tally of sitters of the evening, as Eboué set him twice, and that same number went wide.
The match ended amid the frowns of many supporters when Cesc Fábregas came out injured, replaced by Diaby. Whether the current state of the game demanded little of the brilliance from the Spaniard, the crucial shock against Porto in midweek remained doubt.



Theo Walcott responding to criticism.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


As Bendtner scraped a beautiful cross from Theo, the match advanced in quite a negative fashion for the Gunners. Contrary to what they were producing so far. Exactly before the equaliser, the big Dane left out yet another one to show that his powder was completely and utterly wet. Incredibly enough, he had scored in the previous three matches, including the International friendly.
The Burnley goal was another reminder of the strong dissatisfaction that the Arsenal defence incurs week in week put. As Nuggent broke the offside a strange header from a friendly set him to beat Almunia and Sylvestre who were by miles slow. Suddenly what appeared to be one of those matches that could have easily ended with the shocking score of five or six, turned into a niggling pain in the ass.
Reaching the 60th minutes, the Londoners were all over their opposition and the incredible, laughable amount of misses that Bendtner led him to being substituted in the 74th; he took it rather philosophical with a sardonic smile as the crowd cheered him. Strangely, in opposition to the striker, Theo was still on fire as he taunted each time Foz in the right hand side. In one of those escapades the England international managed to beat two defenders and finished to Jensen's far post.
The crowd could breath, as one of those games of restless attempts was spared in a matter of minutes. Not much came from the visiting side and Andrey Arshavin, after a series of misses, produced the third, late in the 94th minute. His emotional celebration came handy; many of these misses could be argued as the jetlag of the international week.

Stoke City v. Arsenal 1-3 27/Feb/10

Everybody in shock.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]


To define today's match as "bitter-sweet" would be something of a gross understatement. Instead the Gunners' performance was set by the shadow and light as the Londoners came back from a one-goal deficit at the Britannia Stadium. If there is some hope and cheer after Chelsea's defeat against Man City at home it vanished into the darkest of nightmares as some horrid memories from Eduardo's nightmares came to light, when something of the sort happened to the young Welsh international Aaron Ramsey.
As the live images for supporters and neutrals arose after a violent shock between the Welshman and Shawcross, the awful fact that his right leg was broken sparked the most furious responses from players infield. Cesc Fábregas, main witness of the previous fatality on Eduardo moaned as another terrible image came to live again. Immediately after Bendtner and others requested immediate assistance.
As Shawcross left in tears the pitch, some players were gutted, but at the same time the away win meant much more than the three points at this stage -loosing one contending and promising youngster. Any prognosis made on the subject would be to early to tell since this kind of injuries tend to end careers.
In the context of the Carling Cup final, the Gunners confronted the Potters to earn another win in their solid contention for May glory. In a rather suffered fashion the Gunners took advantage of several mistakes and even when they faced a tough proof due to the fact that many of the injury-hit players were in the treatment table. The words of John Toshack, Wales gaffer, really sum up particularly well the situation of Shawcross: "The tackle by Ryan Shawcross was at best mistimed, at worst reckless and desperate."



Horror, fear, anger.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


The fact that this has happened "in five years I've seem three of them" as Cesc claims, really proves nothing. What it seems more close to an argument on that train of thought is the game developed by Arsenal is antithetical against the likes of Stoke, to say the least.
In the internet atmosphere many made dangerous assertions; probably the best were, naturally by David Young and Phillipe Auclaire in an special appearance in the Arsecast.
One thing to mention was the display that Cesc Fábregas gave to the match. He captained the Gunners' sinking boat, from the abyss to the final end with composure worth of world class player. That he remains as an Arsenal player must be vital for the development of the club in years to come.



Stoke players showing some respect.
[Photo: Lindsey Parnaby/Epa via Guardian]


Just as in the previous matches, the obvious psychological burden of Rory Delap's throw in took another victim. This time the dismal defending by the Gunners costed them the lead as early as the 8th minute. Puigh found himself completely unmarked as he headed past Almunia. The horrific scenery was enhanced by a dominion of Stoke throughout the following twenty minutes: if the Londoners slowly recovered their breath, the Potters were ready enough to challenge back.
The lack of product from the visitors was mere rubbish; that changed in the 31st minute when Cesc lobed to Bendtner, who, with ease and calm, headed to Sorensen's far post. Reaching the final third of the first part, the Gunners seemed to have a complete control of the situation at Britannia: 68% of possession reaching the end, was a real encouraging prospect for the Londoners to face the next minutes.



Clichy's dismay and Bendtner's reaction.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


The incessant work of the visitors came thoroughly in the second half. Four minutes on the clock and Aaron Ramsey went down after an alleged penalty. The attempts and the poor performance by the home team was meant for the Gunners for the taking, but in the 66th minute, the previously commented event on Aaron occurred after a strong challenge with Shawcross. After several minutes, the Welshman was taken to the nearest hospital for an emergency procedure.
Rosicky substituted the injured, and the Gunners' momentum came to an end. Afterwards the main question was how the Gunners could overcame such a burden. What happened two years ago in St. Andrews was a remainder of the powerful shock that such an injury made. Instead, and after two substitutions, the Londoners completed their journey to justify and give Aaron the deserve, when Bendtner found Puigh's hand in the way of a pass.
Already in injury time, the Gunners got the precious kick from the spot. The demoralised team went on for the charge and Cesc beat Sorensen. The end of the hideous match was finished when Vermaelen just pushed the ball from point blank after Cesc shot. After crossing some words with Pulis, the Spaniard Gunner lead the way as a true captain to win a game to put the visitors a step closer on Chelsea, but mainly, for Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal v. Sunderland 2-0 20/Feb/10

Nicklas Bendtner scores after a magnificent pass from Eboue.
[Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images via Guardian]


In yet another rollercoaster ride for the title, the Gunners are again back for the thirtieth time on the title race as they beat the Black cats by a two goal difference. After the troublesome defeat at Porto and the slip of Man Utd at the hands of Everton, the path to title seems scratchy but more amicable. After the epic amount of games lost by Bruce's men, again the southern team did not disappoint with its current mediocre form at the Grove earlier this Saturday.
When the storm is yet to calm over the two unpredictable and childish errors of the Polish international, the match came handy for the Londoners. Games against Stoke, Burnley and Tottenham, pile up in the near future and the prospect of getting the maximum point from them is rather important.



Emmanuel Eboue, man of the match.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


The manager included Aaron Ramsey, Mikaël Silvestre, Emmanuel Eboué and Theo Walcott from the beginning. Aside from the speculation that this could bring, the Gunners did not show anything interesting during the following twenty minutes. Shots from Cesc, Nasri and Ramsey opened an early possibility for the Gunners. With Nasri creating havoc down the left side, there was no real intention for the visitors to pursue anything but a draw, if lucky.
This was emphasised when at the 27th minute, the big Dane broke the deadlock after an astonishing run down the right parcel by the Ivorian Eboué. From then on the Londoners enjoyed little but no resistance to find Gordon's goal. The Welshman provided that balance the team lacked in the absence of the striker; some stability and control to Song and Cesc, leaving the Spaniard free to charge forward when needed.
The match went on with plenty much to offer to the home team, as the Black Cats ventured to resume their attacking spree with two attempts on Almunia's goal. This unnecessary defensive frailties were kept down thanks to the lack of a real striking talent in the Sunderland ranks.



Cesc scores the second from the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


While the Gunners had a rather astounding dominance on both flanks -Walcott and Nasri's- there were plenty of chances for earning another goal. One of them was a free kick delivered by Thomas Vermaelen which went directly to the Carson's hands. The fierce menace that the home team posed was reassured as Walcott, Cesc and Nasri made strikes.
Reaching an hour of game-time the Gunners were complacent enough to award some possession. This lead to an increasing effort of delivery which ended in Bent's blunder. Sunderland were poor in their finish since twice they had the time to equalise. Before the substitutions of Nasri and Walcott, the Londoners created several chances on target.
Although the power of the Arsenal attack was greatly diminished when the substitutions were made, charges by Emmanuel Eboué (now in a suitable right winger role) were the main threat throughout the rest of the evening, and particularly in the final minutes. In that span, Cesc found himself at the edge of the box and Campbell stumbled in an effort to regain the ball. Even when the tackle was not really harsh the referee awarded the Spaniard a penalty, who converted from the spot to finalise the contest.

Arsenal v. Liverpool 1-0 10/Feb/09

Diaby heads in the lonesome? goal of the evening.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


In a swift movement of luck the gods of football made a strange gesture to Wenger and his team as the magical combination of Chelsea losing and Man Utd drawing brought the gap to 6 points adrift. In a match that seemed pointless at certain periods, Abou Diaby headed one in to put the Gunners in advance with the minimum difference. Whether Cesc's "clear hand-ball" after the Gerrard freekick was original, is to be discussed since the ball goes to the hand exactly when the Spaniard's arm reached its highest point.
Almunia made one of his torrid performances which, in another day such as last week's match, could have ruined the day. Strangely enough, the Gunners are yet not to be out of the title race as immediate rivals took no advantage of their previous failures. With three long months to battle for the first place, the Londoners need to get the maximum of points if they are to battle well through the last day of the season. In other fronts, the Portuguese champions are the nearest stop the following Wednesday at Stadio do Dragao. We have seen the Londoners suffer too much in these kind of games in which a single mistake could throw everything over the board.



Cesc at the wall, in an unusual freekick
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Despite the Arsenal large imposed dominion, there was no actual threat on target until 24th. Both teams were naïve and without any interest in charging the lead. The jinxed Gunners were a little too precautious as the clock reached the 30th minute. again, Wenger's furious comments form the bench reanimated a bit the team but the atmosphere outside the playing pitch was more akin to the game that what the players in it actually played. The standoff seemed to break with Nasri's first incursion on the right; the Liverpudlians managed to build some ineffective counterattacks.
Bendtner hit wide in the 26th in the first open chance. After that attempt, the flow of the match began to occur for the Londoners as the clock reached half and hour played. Maxi had a close range deflected shot, but no penalty was awarded. The match began to move as both teams found several flaws regarding marking. Samir Nasri left off the pitch injured, while the Czech replaced him with ten minutes to go. Even when the Gunner's attempts were fair to put the Liverpudlians to the sword nothing was really conclusive as two minutes were added to the injury time.



The home team, ecstatic by the Frenchamn's header.
[Photo: Empics via Soccernet]


The first attempt from the Gunners, where they already had some dominion came from the Russian midget, who shot wide the side-netting within two minutes of the second period. Two sitters came from both teams in the 53rd minute, both from late decisions: the first, N'Gog failed to shoot as Gallas saved; the other Rosicky's touch betrayed him on an open chance against Reina. As the game was growing in emotion, the home team augmented their chances, reaching the 64th minute when Bendtner got booked after some blatant diving. As the minutes passed both the manager and the crowd were getting a little more than anxious over the stalemate. Rosicky's shot went just over the bar seconds after. The Russian playmaker was replaced by Theo Walcott, as the manager showed a more aggressive attitude.
And it was in the 72nd minute when substitute Rosicky "provided" a magnificent cross for Diaby to head one in. Immediately the Gunners went on for the second but found a resilient effort from Insúa above all. As the Liverpool defence advanced their lines, the whole team left wide gaps that Walcott and Rosicky exploited, nonetheless there was no effective attempt to go past Reina. Minutes from the end, there was some controversy regarding the alleged hand-ball by captain Fábregas: to me, it was a clear penalty as he raised his hand in a clear attempt to block the kick. The problem is not the hand, but the fuss that it created as Media waged a kind of mini-war on the Spaniard's attitude.

Chelsea v. Arsenal 2-0 6/Feb/09

Again, again and again, Drogba, the tormentor.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


Didier Drogba repeated his already usual dose of backfire with a brace in only twenty four minutes to ensure Wenger who are the best team in England so far. With the competition nearly over, John Terry asserted back on track after a week of impulsive and tremendous watch by media. Scrutiny was not posed just in England's ex-captain but on what could Arsenal deliver. Whether there is a tendency that enquires on the fact that Wenger's cheapness indulged arsenal chances the truth is that with current crop of players, nearly one or two new options should be brought in each line, particularly in the front and the goal.
With nearly all odds of Arsenal's title contention out, the Gunners cold focus in the least probable to win competition: the Champions League. Strangely enough a third place could be a balancing act direct rivals Liverpool next Wednesday. Another mistake at the Emirates and what appeared to be a strong position could turn into other four spot race.



Nasri struggles to shake off Wayne Bridge's best friend.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


The match began with a particular close-up on John Terry's armband. The midweek allegations of the drama between him and former team mate Wayne Bridge were kept aside, as Martin Tyler said in SKY Sports broadcast, "to concentrate on football". The hectic start was paired with a series of mistakes made by both teams, probably due to the atmosphere and nervousness. Among the first attempts were one deflected Nasri shot and on the other hand, Drogba's goal.
Within the short span of eight minutes the Blues were one-up when Arsenal's tormentor appeared alone in the far side of the box to finish a header by Terry. Yet, the early lead proved the Ivorian's efficiency and the terrible marking by the visitors.
The game moved on and the Gunners seemed to produce many chances, one by Arshavin denied by Cech. With the clock reaching the twenty-minute mark, the proposal was that of an open game. Despite the visitors' luck, the only
offensive threat was the little Russian playmaker -obviously he couldn't match neither of the centre-halves. Three minutes later Drogba, again, finished the game in a blistering counter-attack led by Lampard. The Ivorian easily shook off two defenders and shot past Almunia.
With fifteen minutes to go the North Londoners threw all their depleted power towards Cech's goal. The Blues did not attempt any more sizzling counters, as the siege began to wear down the twenty two players. Even when the visitors enjoyed a fair amount of possession, there was no absolutely offensive threat. The diminutive Russian battled with two centre-backs that ousted him in the physical department. Fábregas and Nasri, tried to impress a rather godsmacked and defensively brilliant Chelsea team.



Diaby, Lampard and Song in the battle.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


There was no pivotal change in Arsenal's display in the following half: a couple of arrivals to Cech's goal were enough to get Chelsea in their own pitch and settling for what could be another horror Drogba show. Where Arshavin and Nasri tried to make that killer pass, a wall that encompassed between five and six Chelsea players was ready to repel every effort. Utter idiot mistakes by Almunia earned the ironic cheers from the home and visitors. With half an hour to play the dismal and futile attempts from Cesc and Nasri to find Arshavin were nullified as their London counterparts were completely in control at every moment of the match.
In that same minute -60th- Nasri had one golden chance to put the Gunners right in the match: the Frenchman hesitated to shoot past Cech. After the miss, Wenger's men tried to weave, with enough success to make Terry's defence tremble. Nicklas Bendtner came back form his spell at the sidelines within minutes from the critical miss. The massive siege that Chelsea withstanded was at its most productive stage until the end of the match; the reds battered with all their might, but apparently, it was not enough.
With a couple of runs, the Ivorian right back managed to impress the crowd at the Bridge. The main problem, again, was the icing on the top. Despite the desperate attempts from the north Londoners to bring at least one goal to the game, the Russians (oops!) managed to keep each and every attempt at bay. Slowly the title was fading in the midst of the rainy London scenario. Drogba hit the crossbar as Manuel Almunia watched comfortably from Row 1. The night was over with the passing of the last minutes. The Arsenal were again comprehensively beaten by Drogba and an advanced defensive system.

Arsenal v. Man Utd 1-3 31/Jan/09

Almunia, apparently a Man Utd fan.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


When a vengeful, full of hatred response from Wenger's team was expected today at the Emirates, the matter ended again in a sort of cameo of the last three matches sustained against the Red Devils: a powerful demonstration of which team is better equipped to challenge the title. According to the French manager some "massive individual errors" were made throughout the ninety minutes. If we think of responsibles it would be easy to pick a few (Almunia, Clichy and Denilson) but the problem extends to the point of a whole team.
Almunia's mistake prevented the upperhand in what was already a pretty fair and tough contest. The fact that no real attacking threat was shown highlights the importance of a top class striker and also, a top class goalkeeper. Even if Wenger keeps showing endless faith in the sloppy hands of the Spaniard, behind him are two young keepers that are far from being the best candidates to replace him.
Next match for the Londoners is another test of character against rivals and leaders Chelsea. As of today, the mistake seems an unsurmountable task, and another crash at Stamford Bridge should end each and every chance of local silverware next May. With one competition left - the least likely to win - the Gunners' focus should remain in strengthening the squad after the World Cup. Next season remains a coherent date for setting sights in a tournament of any kind. Again speculating, the title chance is still on and with some points dropped by the two leaders the interesting part of the tournament could approach faster than we expect.



Opposite angle, same misery.
[Photo: Tom Jenkins via Guardian]


The beginning of the match was tense: in fifteen minutes the Russian international made two approaches for the Gunners; Song saved from the line one effort by Rooney. Even when the Gunners staged both Vermaelen and Song, the actual feeling that the team would concur into the same defensive quarrels was showing with each minute passing. The Mancunian team made several mistakes of simple passing due to the tense and tough atmosphere. Cesc marshaled several counterattacks which all lead to nothing due to the marvelous intervention of the visitors centre-back.
Just when the Devils were at their worst, another defensive misjudgement arrived; Nani provided a magnificent run to escape from Nasri and Clichy in the right wing, to later cross. What followed is really in the realm of non-sense when Almunia palmed in the Portuguese's effort into its own goal. Minutes later another goal came, when Rooney finished a Ronaldo-esque job in front of Almunia. The similarity with the Ronaldo goal in last May was scary, although scarier is the defending and most probably, the way in which the Gunners failed again to provide some cover.



The South Korean scores in front of the Gunners again.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


If there was thin ray of hope in the supporters and players in the pitch, a quick assertive reaction should come as lighting. The Arsenal illusions for contention were fading away with the passing of the minutes, as the home team could not reach solid possession. The offensive-less Arsenal went on with the game posed by the Mancunians to find themselves in another trap as Park Ji Sung scored with an accurate finish. With ten minutes already into the present half, the matters were not as bright as wished.
The prospect of a comeback was hard to follow but the audience at the Grove were keen on their team to battle through. Cesc provided several chances, particularly from long range, and Song from close. The spirit of the Spaniard to go for the equalisers was unbequeathed; the skill to break the deadlock was not strong enough against a team that challenged far too beyond their lines.
After the risky substitutions, there was the feeling that with ten minutes remaining the Londoners could nail a swift move in order to put the Red Devils against the wall. Vermaelen did it, when the pressure was piling against van der Saar's goal, with a low volley that encountered Evans' leg. With this eventual outcome, the Gunners went on with all their little strength although there was pure intention and no real threat.

Aston Villa v. Arsenal 0-0 27/Jan/09

Campbell makes his Premier League "re-debut" as Vermaelen limps.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


After last weekend's early exit of the FA Cup, the Gunners sights into the two titles in which they can rely to, at least, compete. The exit of both Cameroon and Ivory Coast of the ACN meant that the African duo composed of Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboué could join and watch only from the stands as they will wait for a chance in Saturday's derby. Eventually this match, alongside with the following three, will determine Arsenal's title credentials when the fixture congestion of late March and April arrives.
If the chance of a positive outcome is produced by the young guns in these weeks, then a real possibility of lifting any of the two competitions left -most probably the Premier League- will be in the horizon, just ahead the date in South Africa. In the favour of the Londoners the list of injuries has reduced to a single figure, only containing long term absentees. In the other end, transfers have gone quite calm with some players extending contracts and loans.



Arsenal midfielders battling through.
[Photo: ACTION IMAGES via Telegraph]


It was not the most heartening welcome for the London side (at least in football matters) mainly because O'Neill's team managed to put the visitors against the wall in a number of occasions, starting with Gabriel Agbonlahor's shot in the 4th minute. The Gunners retaliated with a Eduardo shot at 9th. From then on, there were one or two options for them as the home team took advantage of a weak Arsenal team. Vermaelen got booked and gave away a freekick, that luckily for the Londoners was wide off the post.
Reaching the 23th minute, the Villains seemed to get a decent control of the match creating some outstanding football. Arsenal's poor passing along with the fact that the forwards were not connecting with their midfielders was one of the many concerns for Arsene's halftime talk. Apparently Vermaelen injured himself and was substituted ten minutes before the end. Again Ashley Young terrorised Arsenal's fullbacks; Clichy was exposed as the English winger left behind him with demonic speed.
Aside from a poor freekick by Cesc, the visitors showed some proper work on the ball as they approached Friedel's goal. In the final minute the Spaniard shot after dribbling past two, but the ball hit the woodwork and in the following rebound, Ramsey got in Rosicky's way and wasted a terrific chance to grab the lead.



Aaron Ramsey concedes possession to Milner.
[Photo: Matthew Childs/Action Images via Guardian]


The Gunners' halftime talk was not reinvigorating in neither sense; they still suffered from the attacks of Young. The home side grasped every opportunity in the set-pieces, particularly on corners. Some scrappy defending led the Londoners to some moments of frantic nervousness. In the 61th minute after a great run by Arshavin, Cesc couldn't quite control the ball and somehow Rosicky found it as he shot a howler at point blank. The ball punched the crossbar and another chance was wasted.
With Arshavin spending more time in the box, it looked that the lead could be soon coming nevertheless, Villa's intelligent defending was the cornerstone of the game. The match suddenly turned open as both teams struggled for the late goal. The final minutes were a mixture of imposure by O'Neill's men: the fact that both teams played fairly good led to the conclusion that the points dropped were actually more painful that what appeared.