Same Old Story ... Arsenal Blow Big Opportunity (0-0)

Arsenal had a big chance to grab Champions League qualifying by the scruff and take it home. Instead they earned a hard-fought point in a match against Everton they really should have won. The culprit? Giroud has to take the blame yet again, his profligacy in front of goal has just cost us too many points this season. In the 37th minute, Ramsey sent a lovely cross across goal and Giroud thrust forward to beat Howard to the ball, but somehow sent it wide from the middle of goal. A simple touch would have sent the ball in the net, but the Frenchman just doesn't have the touch when we need it first. Given two additional chances in the second half, he muddled them both and Arsenal was forced to accept a draw that cost us two invaluable points. It might have been different if midfielder Gibson was shown the second yellow card in the first that seemed warranted by a cynical block. The exact same play closer to the box warranted a yellow for Pienaar three minutes later and left the Arsenal fans and Wenger wondering what the difference was.

It was the most physical game the Gunners have played this season and Moyes' men will be proud, even if their own UCL aspirations took a big hit. They controlled the game throughout much of the first half and held a stronger display from the Gunners in the second. It was not without moments of key defensive work, particularly from Fellaini, who played deeper than usual and seemed to stop one Arsenal threat after another. Cazorla lined up a shot within three minutes of the second half restart that Howard had to parry away for a corner. Gibbs then worked around two defenders on the left side in the 51st, sending the ball across to Giroud on the edge of the box. His shot bounded high and into the seats. Five minutes later, Walcott bounded down the right on a counter, sending the ball behind Giroud, who could do nothing -- though a better striker might have been able to snag the ball and score. In the 63rd minute, yet another attack was dispatched when Wilshere dribbled into two Everton defenders and lost the ball. It was a pattern throughout the game, with Wilshere dribbling into defenders and losing the ball rather than passing to open teammates when the double and triple teams emerged. Wilshere was not even supposed to play, but it appears Rosicky was not ready (more on this below).

In the 68th minute, Ox came on for Wilshere and Podolski for Walcott, who was largely ineffective himself. From there opportunities started emerging with more frequency and one wondered why either or both of them didn't start in the game. In the 72nd, Giroud had a clear header in front of goal but sent it sideways ending the threat. A minute later Ramsey had two headers, one leading to a corner and the second a rebound that he tried to back heel past Howard. In the 75th, Sagna sent in a perfect cross to Giroud, though Distin arrived just on time to avert it for a corner. Two minutes later, Arsenal again broke on the counter with Cazorla sending Ox into the box with a sumptuous pass he probably should have shot. Instead he crossed to Giroud, who was caught from behind and fumbled away (though a replay showed it could have been a penalty). A minute later Giroud took a lovely pass from Ox in the box, got around his defender and then somehow struck the shot over the bar from six yards. Arsenal then rushed forward in the last twelve minutes of the game, but the best opportunity came as Arteta was set on goal by Cazorla only to dawdle over the ball and not even get a shot off. 

So Arsenal's destiny is again outside their hands, though the Spurs face Man City and Chelsea in the coming weeks. It was an important point in this close battle for the top four but really a missed opportunity. Wilshere, Giroud and Wenger (with his team selection) were all disappointing, but the rest of the team held up well to the incredibly physical play of Everton and showed that they are a lot tougher than last year's squad. Some thoughts, which seem to mirror the problems all year and the comments from last week, though in a winning effort: 

1. Giroud is not good enough: the Frenchman came in with high hopes, being the top scorer in France last year (albeit with 17 league goals). He has played well in streaks, but too often misses relatively easy opportunities. He has individually cost us more points than anyone on the team and does not appear to be the long-term solution to replacing RVP. The other issue I have with Giroud is his holding up of the ball. Sometimes he needs to simply stop the ball and look for outlets. Too often he jumps early or heads the ball forward blindly hoping to find a teammate. In the second half he did better, but his first touch is just not good enough and he seems to be trying too hard to score, failing to recognize that sometimes a tap in is just that -- not a booming shot from five yards out.

2. Selection, Selection, Selection: Wenger has managed the team better since January, but it is hard to understand the lineup for this game. The back made sense, given the injury to Fabianski, though I probably would have gone with Monreal on the left wing. He is steadier defensively and a more measured threat going forward. But Gibbs was dangerous on the offensive end throughout and comported himself adequately on defense, with few crosses coming from his side of the pitch. In fact, it was a strong defensive game all around with few opportunities for Everton. When we get to the midfield, the head scratching begins. Wenger just reported a couple of days ago that he might have rushed Jack back too soon, and then throws him in again, three days after a very average performance. And that is exactly what we got again. I would have rather seen Arteta, Ramsey and Cazorla playing as CAM, rather than out on the left wing, where he has less of an impact. Moving forward, I am still baffled as to why Podolski is not getting any starts and wonder if the rumours are true and he is leaving this summer. To be honest, I would have really liked to see him lead the line, with the Ox and Walcott surrounding him, though Pod, Giroud, Walcott would have been fine. I really think we would have won if Podolski was in there from the start. 

3. Podolski/Wishere:  I'm not sure what Wenger is doing with the German international, but it is extremely troubling, particularly after his arrival Saturday preceded three goals and a lovely comeback win. He needs to be given the chance to start and one hopes that happens against Fulham. Cazorla was still great, but it is clear he is better in the CAM and that Wilshere needs more time to recover and to find the form that he displayed upon his return. We are simply a more fluid, dangerous team when he is not playing. 

Next up is Fulham on the road, a game we should win. The wild reverse fixture was another two points we dropped after we blew an early two goal lead and actually trailed 3-2 late, before the equalizer. Arteta, as many of you remember, had a chance to win it with a last second penalty, only to shoot meekly and blow the game. But we have shored up the defense in the interim and should be able to score multiple goals if we finish our chances. It will be an important win, putting further space between us and Tottenham, who face Man City Sunday. Chelsea can now leapfrog us tomorrow (with a game in hand), by beating Fulham (also on the road), but then face a tough game at Liverpool Sunday. The Champions League is up for grabs with seven games left (only five for us) and we now probably need at least a point against Man United at home to have a real chance at having our destiny in our own hands. The only good news is Chelsea and Tottenham still have to play each other, guaranteeing us either two dropped points for each or three dropped points for one. Thus, if we do win out, we will be in the Champions League place. Beating Fulham, QPR, Wigan and Newcastle is certainly doable, though we will have to be resilient and improve our finishing. This means Man United might be a make or break moment depending on what happens around us -- a rather unenviable position. COYG!