Arsenal’s Title Hunt Dead – Now the Battle for Fourth Begins

After the results over the past month and a half, Arsenal can be proud of their gritty 1-1 draw with Man City today. But it was still more dropped points in a derailed season that once looked so promising. Sure injuries have played a big role, but it is hard to absolve Wenger completely of his complicity in this turmoil, as the overseer of the team that has more injury minutes per season over the past three years than any other team in the league. In fact, three years ago, when Man City won the title, Arsenal had over three times as much player time off as the champions.

Arsenal started the game on the back foot, but started to settle around the 10^th minute and actually had a chance to take the early lead, but for some missed opportunities and below average play in the final 3rd. In the 18^th minute, Podolski was dispossessed dawdling on the ball and a quick City counter ensued. Dzeko got the ball free to the left and sent a scorching shot that Szczesny parried into the post, only for the rebound to fall to David Silva, who pushed it past Vermaelen and home. It was bad luck for Arsenal, as Sz’s save was excellent and the rebound just happened to land perfectly for Silva, but they were once again down to a rival.

Rather than collapsing as they have too often against their major rivals, though on the road in each case, Arsenal settled and looked to have equalized in the 35^th on a great cross from Podolski finished cleverly by Flamini. But he was clearly offsides and the half finished with City ahead 1-0. Wenger had started the game open again, but only paid for the lost Pod possession, before Arsenal settled into a slightly more defensive, possession-style approach. The duo of Arteta and Flamini actually played decently side by side, as one would attack as the other stayed back on several occasions. However, as Arsenal pushed forward, there were never enough bodies in the box and Giroud’s lack of speed continued to hurt the team, as the best runs of the game came from our deeply-sitting midfielder Flamini.

Early in the second half (52’), that attacking impetus paid off, as Giroud held the ball up well on the right side before sending it across to Arteta on the edge of the box. He passed it on to Rosicky who pushed it to Gibbs who one touched it through to Podolski on the left side. He sent in a great cross that Flamini settled and pounded hard into the ground and the near corner. Suddenly Arsenal were level and had the momentum on their side with the home crowd behind them. Sagna sent in a dangerous cross a minute later that Giroud should have attacked ,but let get through. Podolski then was in on goal in the 59^th, but shot at the near post and was well-saved by Joe Hart. In the 71^st, Cazorla sent in a free kick that Giroud had a free header on, though he had to reach up and sent it wide. 7 minutes later, after Ox came on for Podolski, a great turn from Giroud saw him free on goal at the edge of the box, but he completely flubbed his shot and it went wide-

A few more chances emerged for each team, but the game ended 1-1 – putting City two games in hand away from first place and giving Liverpool a real chance at the title, if they can beat both Chelsea and City at Anfield. Chelsea was the big loser of the day, after a John Terry own goal saw them lose to Crystal Palace. Mourinho claimed their title challenge was now dead, but that seems a little silly since they still sit in first, at least until the games in hand are played, and still play Liverpool. But Man City has reemerged as the title favorite – if they can keep their nerve and win out.

For Arsenal, it is another late season collapse (3 wins in the last 10) and the real possibility that Everton could nip them to fourth place. The game next week thus become essential, as the Gunners will probably need at least a draw to keep their destiny in their own hands. So while many will claim it is a good point, it is yet another draw at home against a team in the top seven (to match the ones against Everton, United and Chelsea). And for the third year running, our record against our direct competitors is paltry at best (3-5-3 with one to go). After an entire year, 2013, of exceptional defending, Arsenal are returning to the defensive errors of the past, with most of their goals in the past three months coming as the result of errors (today from Podolski). And their injury record continues to be a serious concern. Lastly, Giroud again cost Arsenal points, blowing three decent opportunities to score. While he has improved dramatically this year, his misses are one of the major reasons the race is over for the team. Wenger’s future is up in the air, but I reiterate my point of last week and think it is time for him to go … hopefully with an FA Cup to punctuate a mixed 18 years in charge.