Arsenal Draw; Barca Lose Again

Today's nil-nil tie with Chelsea could have been worse, but the reality is we should have won the game. The Blues made eight changes from the squad that just beat Barca 1-0 on Wednesday, and though they were still tough in the back we had a few big chances. One has to admit at this point something I pointed out last week -- which is that Robin Van Persie is in a bit of a scoring slump at the moment. It seems to me it has followed the missed opportunity in front of goal against AC Milan that would have tied the tie. Since then he has been scuffing chances and missing that cutting edge he had been showing for over a year. He had three clear cut opportunities today and really should have clipped the first in for sure. That came on a free kick from Walcott in the 8th minute, finding RVP on the far post. Rather than nudge it into the net from a yard out, he someone pushed it passed the goal. In the 43rd minute a great pass from Song went wanting as RVP kicked it right to Cech. He wasted a free kick in the 63rd, after his fourth offsides of the day, and then in the 67th has a chance to score his third spectacular volley of the year, but mishits it well wide of the mark. Then he had opps in the 82nd and 86th minute, with the latter looking quite likely if he took two rather than three touches and sent it across goal with his right. Don't get me wrong, he's having a great campaign, but one has to admit he's cost us some points in the run in -- first against QPR, then Wigan and now Chelsea. 

Other takeaways from the game: Ramsey again gave the ball away on several occasions, with two leading to good chances for Chelsea, who was relatively ineffective in the final third. But he looked lively at times and did show some creativity. Walcott went off around the 60th minute, but probably should have been replaced earlier, and is now apparently going to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring problem. This is good news for the Ox, but we shall see how he does in the final three games. As to the defense, they were decent but did give Chelsea some chances, which thank God they didn't take. One takeaway is that Koscielny has been invaluable this season, really improving from last year. A couple of key tackles probably saved the game including one in the box that might have saved the game late. It was also good to see Diaby on the pitch after all his injury problems, but he was definitely rusty and the weight of many of his passes a touch off. Another important note from the game is that we still have not won without Arteta all year. That last day of the summer signing pick up has been invaluable and one hopes we can manage to break that inauspicious record in the last three.

As to the other games today, one can't help but mention El Classico, and Morinho's brilliant strategy, clogging the middle and cutting  off Barca's passing lanes. Barca still could have won the game if Tello had played better and I do have to wonder why he wasn't replace in the second half after wasting chance after chance. But Real played great defense, were strong on the counter and Ronaldo actually showed up in a big game with a lovely goal. I must also say, as I have to fellow Barca fans in the past, that Valdez is a really average goalkeeper who too often comes out when he should just stay put, getting caught in no man's land. It's hard not to blame him for the first goal, though  it was bad luck that Puyol got caught off balance and had to try to block rather than clear. In the other EPL games, Newcastle moved a lot closer to a Champions League spot with a convincing 3-0 victory and Tottenham continued their nightmare, losing yet again, to QPR. It's hard to explain how far they have fallen from outside League contenders to fifth place, but they need to wake up quickly or the team could be dismantled this summer while looking for a new coach (I assume). The point for Chelsea makes their battle for fourth that much harder, but they obviously have their sights set on winning the competition and getting the automatic bid. I don't see it happening, but if they do get a goal at Barca, the pressure will really be on. That, of course, would make it essential that we win our final three, because Newcastle could pull even on points winning their game in hand. Luckily they have to play Chelsea, who really have shored up their defense. In any case, all is still up in the air -- the title (though Man U could get much closer with a win tomorrow against Everton), the Champions League spots and relegation -- with Wolves the only sure bet to be demoted at this point. Go Gunners!