Arsenal Secure Vital Win

Arsenal entered the game against Swansea five points behind Chelsea and seven behind Tottenham for the Champions League places. Given that there is no chance of trophies for the eighth year in a row, our only remaining goal is securing one of those two places. And the team pulled out a hard fought 2-0 victory that moved them closer to that goal. After an entertaining but scoreless first half, in which Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the post twice and Swansea blew a few chances, the game seemed headed toward a 0-0 draw. But after a parry in the box, Cazorla laid off for Nacho Monreal who blasted the ball toward the far corner, beating Vorm. It was the first goal for the Spanish left back and couldn't have come at a better time. Arsenal continued to control the game and Ramsey and Gervinho came on in a double switch. The Gunners continued to absorb the pressure and then sealed the game in the 90th minute as the two subs combined for a Gervinho clever finish past Vorm. It was the second 2-0 road victory of the week and might just inspire the team toward a late run. Some thoughts from the game ...

1. Road Warriors: the Gunners have generally been a better team on the road than at home this season. While there home record is 8-3-3 while there away record is 6-5-4, some of our biggest defeats have come at the Emirates, from the inauspicious bow out in the FA Cup to Bolton to the first leg 3-1 mauling by Bayern. It is hard to understand why, except to consider that the new players feel additional pressure playing at the Emirates, where victory is all but presumed. The freedom of the road just might be easier for those settling into life in North London. Now we have a series of winnable games at home, with the toughest test against Everton, and we will need to continue winning if we are to secure that spot in the top four.

2. The defense is better without Vermaelen: while the argument that the captaincy has hurt the Verminators game is certainly worthy of consideration, it is hard to understand the steep decline in his form this season. He was always apt to last second tackles and sometimes dangerous play, but this season his tactical sense, positioning and forward balls have all been lacking. The Gunners have just pulled clean sheets against Bayern and Swansea, two teams that generally score at home, and must be wondering if Vermaelen should be seen again this season. I'm sure he will be, but we should be careful in disrupting what has been much more solid play in the back.

3. Walcott: Theo has not scored since he signed his new contract and some of the old tendencies that had some of us wondering if we should let him go have returned. All players go through dry spells, but one of the most upsetting things watching Walcott play at times is his casual attitude on the field, jogging back on counters, holding up when he loses the ball and generally showing a lack of concern for the team. Every time he lines up a free kick, I wonder why we are allowing him to take it. And while his speed continues to terrorize defenders, his return to some technical troubles and poor passing must give Arsene pause. After Ox's stirring first half, I wonder if he should spend a little time on the bench to motivate him anew. We need more production from the winger. 

4. Jenkinson/Monreal: while it would have been madness to make this argument a year and a half ago after the Man U slaughter, it appears Jenkinson is a more solid right back at present and that Sagna's days are numbered. Jenkinson brings an energy and love for the squad and game that is refreshing and seems to spur on his teammates. His speed has been instrumental whenever he is on the field and his play down the right wing improving with each game. He has to work on his crossing and maybe taking cutting in to take a shot every once in while, like Alves for Barcelona, but there is little doubt he is a more solid choice on the right at the moment. Given that the EPL is our only remaining competition for the year, I think he should start from here on in.

5. Time to Cut Losses on Diaby: I have always been a fan of the Frenchman and the way he started this year, it looked like he was finally going to come good for the team. But since returning from yet another injury, he seems too timid. His forward runs are much rarer, he passes up clear shots too often and he seems less likely to go in for tackles than he was in the past. It seems his injury woes will never fully end and it would be better for the Gunners to add him to the list of those who should be shown the exit this Summer. As I've been saying all year, we need a DM this summer and then we will have Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla, Ox and Wilshere to rotate in front of him.

The loss by Tottenham today means the Gunners are only four points behind them, with a game in hand. The Spurs now go into a series of tough games while the Gunners have a much more manageable run in. It could be another year where we nick the Champions League spot from them, even as we probably don't deserve it. It was good to see Monreal score, for Gervinho to finally find the back of the net again and for the defense to hold up. Let's hope we can keep the momentum going until the end of the season.