So here we are. Four games to go, and everything still up in the air. Our noisy neighbors languish in fourth, while we sit nervously in third, and Chelsea have somehow pulled off a win against Barcelona. I have never quite been part of such a close season, never mind the roller coaster ride that has brought us to this point.
When last season was reaching its conclusion, there was huge disappointment, but also relief that it was finally coming to an end. Summer would bring about changes. It did. Obviously, not very good ones. However, the way the team has grown together is something that has been pleasant to watch, and in the last two months or so, we went on a run that saw us convert a 10 point deficit into a 5 point lead over Spurs. We seemed unbeatable, and even showed the Oil Sheikhs that money, indeed, cannot buy you class. However, a direct consequence of reaching such dizzy heights is that the success often gets to your head. That is exactly what happened against Wigan.
The Emirates has become something of a fortress in the second half of the season, and to be outplayed by a team fighting for relegation really isn't something we can dismiss as a "blip". To use a (very) old expression, there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip, and since top four is our trophy, we cannot take any opponent for granted.
We have tough games ahead, starting tomorrow - Chelsea at home, followed by Stoke away. These are obviously key games in the scramble for third/fourth. Win these two, and I think we're home. Lose, and this could be exactly like the end of last season, merely condensed into four weeks.
The Chelsea game, as I see it, is a must win. And there should be no reason why we can't. Chelsea fought like their lives depended on it when Barcelona came to visit on Wednesday. Credit to them, they came away with a win. The good thing for us is that they were knackered, chasing Catalonian shadows for much of the game. Roberto Di Matteo has said that he will rest a few players on Saturday. On top of that, David Luiz is injured and Ivanovic is suspended.
Chelsea now believe that they can protect their first leg lead at the Camp Nou, and so maybe, just maybe, they won't attach as much importance to the game as we do. We need our key players to perform, and I hope to God that van Persie overcomes his minor goal-drought. One goal in five games is definitely poor, especially when you consider that that one goal was a penalty. Of course, this is not to criticize Robin, for he is quite clearly the player of the season, and I can wax lyrical about his importance for hours. My point is, he needs to step up.
Theo Walcott is another big game player who needs to produce on Saturday. He is someone who relishes big occasions, and is at his best when he has something to prove. His battle against Cashley Cole will be key not only to our attacks, but also in keeping Juan Mata quiet (if he starts).
A player who will be missed more than anyone else, though, is Mikel Arteta. He has come to define consistency for us this season, and has been exceptional. He adds a certain composure to the midfield that was missing last season. Well, as the footballing Gods would have it, he's out for the rest of the season. He's been the ideal partner for Song in the double pivot in midfield. He allowed Song his forays forward and covered brilliantly. If that was not enough, he produces the occasional screamer, like the winner against City. Much like his hair, his possession stats are as close to perfect as you can possibly get. He's attempted over 2000 passes this season, with a success rate of over 90%!
His absence, then, certainly leaves us with a bit of a crisis in midfield. Personally I doubt that the boss likes Benayoun to play in the center. Song and Rosicky are certain to start, but what of the missing third player? Ramsey has come under immense criticism for his lackluster performances in the last couple of months. He has been abused both on the pitch and off it, and obviously that cannot be good for his confidence. However, I feel he has a lot of talent, and that will never go away. He's only 21, and has gone through a lot in the last year or so. If coming back from a horrific leg break wasn't enough, he lost his national team coach and has had to deal with the pressures of captaining his country. Not very easy, all that. And even then, he never shirks responsibility in a match, always asking for the ball when he thinks he can contribute. Perhaps he's trying too hard. He needs to relax on the pitch, and let the game flow naturally. I expect him to start on Saturday.
The other question mark is on the left wing. Who starts? Gervinho, Chambo, or Yossi? This is a tough one. Gervinho, for some reason (maybe fitness? confidence?) hasn't started for a while now. The Ox hasn't started in a while too, for whatever reason. The only player who has started with some regularity is Yossi Benayoun. He has developed a good understanding with Rosicky, and they offer a dynamism in attack that we don't have with Gervinho. Gervinho is a direct player - an out and out winger. Yossi constantly cuts inside and switches positions with Rosicky, giving variation to our play down the middle. However, he is ineligible to play against his parent club. So, given how cautious Arsene is being with AOC, Gervinho seems to be the one who'll start on the left wing.
At the back, we certainly welcome back Laurent Koscielny from a two match suspension, and how we need him! He adds so much to our defense, and has been one of the stand out players for us. One of the best defenders in the Premier League this season, maybe even Europe, we need him to keep Torres quiet.
Whatever the team, we will have to come out all guns blazing. We cannot afford a weak start, and certainly not an early goal (an early Chelsea goal, that is). If there's one thing Chelsea can do, it is to defend. This will definitely not be an open game like the one at Stamford Bridge was. Chelsea were a different creature under Villas-Boas, but have reverted to their old, boring, defensive, effective selves under Di Matteo.
The crowd has a major part to play, and it seems the Emirates has finally found a voice this season. Adversity brings out the best in us, doesn't it! It's been a crazy season, and as it heads into its final stage, we need to be behind the team one hundred percent.
No matter what, it'll certainly be an interesting match, but a lot depends on which Arsenal side decides to grace the Emirates pitch - the complacent, defensively frail one that lost to Wigan and QPR, or the determined, resolute, creative one that won against City?
Here's hoping that it is the latter, and here's to three points!
When last season was reaching its conclusion, there was huge disappointment, but also relief that it was finally coming to an end. Summer would bring about changes. It did. Obviously, not very good ones. However, the way the team has grown together is something that has been pleasant to watch, and in the last two months or so, we went on a run that saw us convert a 10 point deficit into a 5 point lead over Spurs. We seemed unbeatable, and even showed the Oil Sheikhs that money, indeed, cannot buy you class. However, a direct consequence of reaching such dizzy heights is that the success often gets to your head. That is exactly what happened against Wigan.
The Emirates has become something of a fortress in the second half of the season, and to be outplayed by a team fighting for relegation really isn't something we can dismiss as a "blip". To use a (very) old expression, there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip, and since top four is our trophy, we cannot take any opponent for granted.
We have tough games ahead, starting tomorrow - Chelsea at home, followed by Stoke away. These are obviously key games in the scramble for third/fourth. Win these two, and I think we're home. Lose, and this could be exactly like the end of last season, merely condensed into four weeks.
The Chelsea game, as I see it, is a must win. And there should be no reason why we can't. Chelsea fought like their lives depended on it when Barcelona came to visit on Wednesday. Credit to them, they came away with a win. The good thing for us is that they were knackered, chasing Catalonian shadows for much of the game. Roberto Di Matteo has said that he will rest a few players on Saturday. On top of that, David Luiz is injured and Ivanovic is suspended.
Chelsea now believe that they can protect their first leg lead at the Camp Nou, and so maybe, just maybe, they won't attach as much importance to the game as we do. We need our key players to perform, and I hope to God that van Persie overcomes his minor goal-drought. One goal in five games is definitely poor, especially when you consider that that one goal was a penalty. Of course, this is not to criticize Robin, for he is quite clearly the player of the season, and I can wax lyrical about his importance for hours. My point is, he needs to step up.
Theo Walcott is another big game player who needs to produce on Saturday. He is someone who relishes big occasions, and is at his best when he has something to prove. His battle against Cashley Cole will be key not only to our attacks, but also in keeping Juan Mata quiet (if he starts).
A player who will be missed more than anyone else, though, is Mikel Arteta. He has come to define consistency for us this season, and has been exceptional. He adds a certain composure to the midfield that was missing last season. Well, as the footballing Gods would have it, he's out for the rest of the season. He's been the ideal partner for Song in the double pivot in midfield. He allowed Song his forays forward and covered brilliantly. If that was not enough, he produces the occasional screamer, like the winner against City. Much like his hair, his possession stats are as close to perfect as you can possibly get. He's attempted over 2000 passes this season, with a success rate of over 90%!
His absence, then, certainly leaves us with a bit of a crisis in midfield. Personally I doubt that the boss likes Benayoun to play in the center. Song and Rosicky are certain to start, but what of the missing third player? Ramsey has come under immense criticism for his lackluster performances in the last couple of months. He has been abused both on the pitch and off it, and obviously that cannot be good for his confidence. However, I feel he has a lot of talent, and that will never go away. He's only 21, and has gone through a lot in the last year or so. If coming back from a horrific leg break wasn't enough, he lost his national team coach and has had to deal with the pressures of captaining his country. Not very easy, all that. And even then, he never shirks responsibility in a match, always asking for the ball when he thinks he can contribute. Perhaps he's trying too hard. He needs to relax on the pitch, and let the game flow naturally. I expect him to start on Saturday.
The other question mark is on the left wing. Who starts? Gervinho, Chambo, or Yossi? This is a tough one. Gervinho, for some reason (maybe fitness? confidence?) hasn't started for a while now. The Ox hasn't started in a while too, for whatever reason. The only player who has started with some regularity is Yossi Benayoun. He has developed a good understanding with Rosicky, and they offer a dynamism in attack that we don't have with Gervinho. Gervinho is a direct player - an out and out winger. Yossi constantly cuts inside and switches positions with Rosicky, giving variation to our play down the middle. However, he is ineligible to play against his parent club. So, given how cautious Arsene is being with AOC, Gervinho seems to be the one who'll start on the left wing.
At the back, we certainly welcome back Laurent Koscielny from a two match suspension, and how we need him! He adds so much to our defense, and has been one of the stand out players for us. One of the best defenders in the Premier League this season, maybe even Europe, we need him to keep Torres quiet.
Whatever the team, we will have to come out all guns blazing. We cannot afford a weak start, and certainly not an early goal (an early Chelsea goal, that is). If there's one thing Chelsea can do, it is to defend. This will definitely not be an open game like the one at Stamford Bridge was. Chelsea were a different creature under Villas-Boas, but have reverted to their old, boring, defensive, effective selves under Di Matteo.
The crowd has a major part to play, and it seems the Emirates has finally found a voice this season. Adversity brings out the best in us, doesn't it! It's been a crazy season, and as it heads into its final stage, we need to be behind the team one hundred percent.
No matter what, it'll certainly be an interesting match, but a lot depends on which Arsenal side decides to grace the Emirates pitch - the complacent, defensively frail one that lost to Wigan and QPR, or the determined, resolute, creative one that won against City?
Here's hoping that it is the latter, and here's to three points!
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