Arsenal Secures Needed Victory

Arsenal finally looked like themselves at the Emirates again and picked up three needed points on Chelsea, who slacked off to defeat at Southampton. Missing Wilshere, Diaby (for another long stretch that will probably end his career with us), and Walcott, the Gunners still dominated the game against relegation threatened (and probably bound if they keep this level of performance up) Reading. The scoring started early from an unlikely source, as Gervinho tapped in a great cross from Cazorla in the 11th minute. But the Gunners failed to put in another before the break and the game still hung in the balance.

That soon changed, as Santi Cazorla sent a lovely pass into the corner of the net off of a nice Gervinho lay off in the 48th minute. From there the Gunners looked relatively confident, and the passing combinations and ball control left Reading chasing the game. A third came in the 67th minute, as Giroud sent a thundering left footed blast past Taylor, ending his rather lengthy dry spell in the league. Gervinho again assisted on the goal after taking a pass from Sagna and bursting down the right hand side. It was a great game from the Ivorian and though the Gunners conceded a sloppy goal in the 68th, they added a fourth from the spot in the 77th (the penalty converted by Arteta). 

It was an impressive win and beside poor defending at the far post from Monreal, it would have been a third consecutive clean sheet. Ramsey had an excellent game, pushing the ball forward and sending some slick passes into the box. Cazorla was his usual impressive self and is now leading the team in EPL goals (unfortunately, an indictment of Giroud as far as I'm concerned). Gervinho, in what may his last chance to impress Wenger, played his second above-par game in a row. Giroud got off the snide and maybe gained some confidence as we head into the final eight games. And the defense played strong again without the captain on the pitch (one wonders if we will see him next year). Sagna replaced Jenkinson and looked bright, though I still think his days with the Gunners are coming to a close; and based on his performance since the two injuries, we can probably do better with Jenkinson and another quality right back. 

One baffling question is why Wenger is not using Podolski more after a fine first season and whether this is the reason we are starting to hear rumors of a potential transfer. While Gervinho has performed well two games running, though he still gives the ball away unnecessarily and often makes poor decisions in the box, Podolski seems to make this team more dangerous and I hope to see him starting against West Brom next weekend, even though his sub performance was not great. I think he seems to be much better starting and getting into games than coming off the bench. 

In any case, we are certainly in a position to get third or fourth place but cannot afford another stumble this season. The two toughest games remaining are against Everton at the Emirates -- a game we can and should win, and hosting Man United, who may be already basking in having won the trophy, which is now just a formality. But our last three games are with QPR, Wigan and Newcastle, three teams that will probably be fighting relegation and it will be important for us to play strong defense throughout the games and put the ball in the back of the net. Finishing in the top four is essential this season, as it looks like Wenger is finally willing to spend money this summer and get rid of the excess fat and dead wood polluting the North London bench at the moment. Go Gunners!