Arsenal Wait Until Late ... Win Again

Arsenal fans at the Emirates, in front of TVs at home or in pubs across the world must have been feeling that sinking feeling that has plagued all of us for years -- "Not Again!" The Gunners looked on the verge of blowing a winnable game at home against Norwich and thus put a serious dent in their chance to secure a Champions League place. And then something funny happened on the way to despondency and depression ... a penalty was called for a tug on Giroud in the 84th minute. Arteta, after a long delay, boomed it past Bunn, even as he got a hand on it and the game was on. There were cries during and after the game that it was not a penalty, mainly because "people pull shirts all the time," but that is absurd and it was a clear penalty according to the rules. Juve is famous for their cheating in the box and it is time for football to start enforcing the rules. In any case, it was now 1-1 with enough time to grab those other two vital points. And the Gunners did just that, with Ox using his speed and guile to navigate around at least three Norwich defenders before slotting the ball in for Giroud, who was given the goal even as it looked to go off a Norwich defender. 2-1 in the 88th minute. And then as Norwich desperately sought to grab back their point, Arsenal pushed on the break, Walcott (from an offsides position, to be fair), laid the ball off for Podolski, who finished beautifully for a 3-1 comeback win.

It was the first game Arsenal have come back to win in some time and a welcome way to prepare for a key matchup with Everton at the Emirates Tuesday. If the Gunners can win that game, they truly move into the driver's seat for third or fourth place -- particularly as Chelsea's season continues to sputter out, with a tough 2-1 loss to Man City in the FA Cup semis this morning, and the Spurs appear like they could collapse again under the pressure as well -- together with the fact the two play each other (meaning either one team loses 3 points or both lose 2). It was thus a critical win and one that reinforced a number of themes from the season, while raising new questions as we head toward the final few games of the season:

1. Are we better with or without Wilshere? I know it sounds like a crazy question, but it was after Wilshere went out injured that Arsenal started this current streak -- beating Bayern 2-0 in the second leg of the UCL and winning our last four in the league. Don't get me wrong, since the 2-1 loss to Chelsea on January 20, the Gunners have been playing much better football -- outside of the FA Cup and UCL first leg at home. But the flow of the games was suspect at times and while Wilshere adds the dimension of his bursts forward, they generally end up going nowhere, with many leading to counterattacks by the opponents. His last start was the 2-1 loss to Tottenham and he was completely inept in this game. Certainly he would be expected to be rusty after the long layoff, but there was more to it than that. He was sloppy with the ball, the weight of his passes was too slow or too fast and he was slumping his each mistake. Wilshere is a key component of the future of Arsenal, but right now I think we should be careful about overplaying him, as it was after he left and Cazorla was moved back to a central role that the Gunners started to play their best football of the afternoon.

2. Gervinho must go: Gervinho occasionally flatters to deceive fans into believing he is a great player waiting to burst out of his bumbling form and finally find the finishing touch and good decision-making around the 30 yard box that will make him a star. I really don't believe it will happen for the Ivorian at Arsenal. The fans are too quick to start rousing him from the first mistake and he appears extremely sensitive to their jeers. Gervinho took a pass in the first half and rounded the goalie with a clear opportunity to score; but that touch was too strong and he then blew the chance to wait for Giroud to get in the box and finish a cross. It is typical for Gervinho and that goal could have made the game a coast, rather than necessitating late game heroics. Gervinho has talent, without doubt, but there are only so many clear scoring opportunities in a game and his conversion rate of one in six of seven (maybe a little harsh) is just not up to snuff for anyone playing in the forward three. We should sell him this summer and find a more adequate replacement. 

3. While we're at it -- Podolski: it is hard to understand why Podolski has gotten so little time on the pitch during this run, unless Wenger was weary to mess with the forming chemistry or wanted to see if Gervinho was worth keeping, but he again showed how invaluable he is, pushing us toward the equalizer and winner and then converting the shot that put the game away in the 92nd minute. Right from the moment he and Walcott entered the game, the attack improved and Norwich were suddenly on their back foot. And but for a great finger tip save, Podolski could have leveled it within a few minutes of his arrival in the 60th minute. There are rumours circulating that Pod could be on his way out, but that seems insane to me and I hope they are false. I fully expect him to start against Everton Tuesday and show why he is the best finisher on the team. 

4. Still Serious Questions about Verminator: Vermaelen didn't have a bad game in defense, and it is unclear if it was his failure to mark that led to the Turner goal in the 56th minute, but even though Mertesacker's lack of pace almost cost us last weekend, I still think he is preferred to our current captain. Vermaelen has lost his confidence this season and not only is his defending suspect, but he too often tries (and fails) to loft the ball over the defense rather than allow the midfielders to do their job; while Mert always chooses the short pass (and while conservative, that means keeping possession). It is possible that the summer off will help the Belgian rediscover his form, but I wouldn't be terribly upset if we let him go this summer -- as long as the price is right and we find an adequate replacement (maybe Samba who is about to be relegated along with QPR). 

5. The Ref: for years, Arsenal fans have felt rightfully begrudged by all the decisions that have gone against us, from the extra three minutes against Liverpool that led to a 116th minute penalty, to the absurd red against Van Persie to all the penalties not called over the past few years and the questionable sendings off (though not the one that cost us the UCL final in 2006 -- that was on the goalie). This year, Arsenal have had some games where the minor calls went against them (free kicks, yellow cards, etc.) and refs have certainly failed to call a number of clear penalties, but, on balance, this has been a good year for Arsenal. I believe, as I stated above, that the penalty call was right, as Giroud was taken down Tae Kwon Do style with a clear opportunity to clip the ball in from five yards out. But Arsenal rarely get those kind of calls and it was thus a welcome correct call that turned the game. If the Gunners don't make the Champions League this year, they will have only themsleves to blame.

A final few points: the reemergence of Aaron Ramsey has been impressive to see for me. I was screaming in this blog for him to spend more time on the bench, but he has cleaned up his game, regained his confidence and is now a positive player on the pitch, with a work rate that few in anyone on the club compares to. He needs to work on his finishing and try penetrating passes a little more during the game, but it's great to see the Welshman reclaim his form. And if the cameo from Ox is any indicator of his return to form, I'd like to see him on the pitch more. It has been a disappointing second year for the young Englishman, but he has looked more lively and dangerous on the pitch in recent games, and deserves more minutes. The problem is where to put him -- as Podolski should start on the left to me, Walcott is back on the right and Cazorla and Arteta are all but guaranteed spots. He could play in the hole, but that seems to be Cazorla's role. So no easy answers to the question, but he should certainly be a super-sub getting time in most games. And, last but not least, Koscielny deserves credit for once again emerging as our best defender, after some horrific spells this year, including the disastrous two goals he gave up against Chelsea last year. COYG!