Huge Win for Arsenal (And Man U)

Arsenal left it until late after missing several opportunities, but Mikel Arteta again showed his value as a late signing by sending a scorcher past an outstretched Joe Hart to win it in the 87th minute 1-0. It was a huge win on a number of levels, vaulting us past Tottenham once again, by two points, restoring the five point lead over a resurgent Chelsea (and a Newcastle team that has won four on the bounce) and essentially putting a final nail in the title hopes of a Man City team that truly looks lost. It might also have been the swan song for Mario Balotelli, whom Manicini said will not play again this year, and for Manicini himself -- who one has to assume will be let go when this disappointing season ends. Thus we have another title for Manchester United to sit through in the near future but, with the way City is playing, it is statistically plausible for Arsenal to get all the way to second (though I'm the first to mention it that I've read).

As to the game, I'm not going to do individual grades today, but will comment on a few performances. Van Persie easily could have had two goals but just missed a header that hit the post in the 62nd minute and was robbed early, when his header was goal bound before Vermaelen got in the way. He also had a penalty appeal ignored. But this is four games without a goal and one wonders if he's hit a little lull, though luckily the rest of the team has stepped up to fill in the void. Walcott had a very average game (though he was robbed halfway through the second half by a fine Hart save, before Vermaelen muddled what was essentially an open net) and again didn't really show up when it counts, though to be fair Clichy played him well on the wing. Arteta was strong and Rosicky had a lot of the ball and was lively, though was missing the final pass into danger. Song was important on the defensive end and in controlling the middle and our back four played well enough to only give City two half chances. Koscielny was strong, though a poor challenge led to his tenth yellow and he will thus miss the next two games. Ramsey and Chamberlain came on late (and Santos earlier) and Ramsey continued to disappoint, missing a great opportunity after settling well moments before the final whistle. Santos looked lively and had an important clearance, though he committed a sloppy foul against Balotelli and got an early yellow. Finally, Benayoun was not that great until a few minutes before he was replaced, when he started distributing well and interweaving a number of one-twos that were menacing. Chamberlain came on very late and didn't really contribute much at all.

As to Man City, it was an uninspired, angry performance by a team that has completely collapsed under the pressure of the title race. Balotteli is probably on his way out, as is Manicini, but no one on the squad besides Kompany and Clichy had a great game. They do not seem to be enjoying their football at all and one assumes news of the Man United win affected their play -- but that doesn't excuse the sudden dearth of goals. As went David Silva, so went Man City and his drop in form is hard to explain (he was out today). It is true that many teams rely too heavily on one player, as Arsenal did earlier in the season, but it is hard to  believe a team that spent as much as City does as well. I do think their loss of the title and lack of silverware this year is good news for the sport -- reminding people that you can't simply buy greatness. The Martin O'Neill led resurgence of Sunderland, in fact, shows that chemistry and good management of players and strategy can be equally (or more) important. Of course, Sir Alex has been showing us what can happen with money and great managing for two decades.  

It is important to note this weekend the rather pathetic performance of the referees once again. In huge games with implications for titles, champions league spots and potential relegation, the refs too often intervened in negative ways. The most obvious example has to be the Man United game where a whisper of a touch and a dive led to an early penalty and red card. The problem was, even if there was a foul, Ashley Young was offsides -- thus mooting the penalty and dismissal. In a game that could decide the title and maybe the fate of QPR, such an early call is really unforgivable. The second was just as important for both teams, as Chelsea's late winner by Mata should have been an equalizer at best -- given one of the most obvious offsides goals I've ever seen -- with Ivanovic far in front of the defensive line of Wigan. And in the game today, the always questionable Martin Atkinson (at least when refereeing one of our games) missed a clear penalty and a red card against Balotelli, who should have been sent off for clearly showing his cleats to Song. 

So with six games left on the schedule, Arsenal looks in a strong position to finish in the top four, though nothing is guaranteed. Next up is a road game against a lost Wolves team that we just have to manage well and should win. Next we return home to face a Wigan team that has been playing much better and who will be fighting for their EPL lives; though we should be able to win that as well. Then we have Chelsea at the Emirates and if we can beat what will probably be a slightly weary team (eight fixtures in the next few weeks), we will have all but guaranteed another year of Champions League football -- which might be enough along with some top signings to keep RVP at Arsenal. The last three games are not walkovers though -- as we will have a tough one at Stoke, come home to face a Norwich team that just toughed out a 2-2 draw with Everton and finally close on the road against West Brom. The key will be keeping our focus, as many years it is games we should win that we drop late to lose titles, Carling Cups and the like. Go Gunners!

P.S. A huge off day for the Gunners today (Monday), as Chelsea could only manage a draw away at Craven Cottage and Tottenham lost to Norwich City at home.  If we win at Wolves on Wednesday, we will hold a five point advantage over Tottenham and Newcastle (who won again 2-0 today) and a seven point lead over Chelsea -- all with only five games left. And unfortunately, today again brought controversy, as Norwich apparently should have had a penalty or two and Chelsea received a penalty in the first half on a very questionable call. One would think after the horrific weekend that refs would be a little careful with penalty calls, but Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham appear to keep getting calls all year (while Arsenal continues to get very few -- though this year it hasn't affected our season as much, so far -- except, most obviously, in the Tottenham game where both of their goals probably should have been disallowed). I just hope we can get through the last six without any of that complacency that sometimes sets in on this squad.