After
some scintillating football in the past few weeks, Arsenal were a whistle’s
blow away from a frustrating 0-0 draw at Burnley. But with the very last kick
of the day, Walcott came up hero again, towering high to head the ball across
goal to the charging Chamberlain and Koscielny. Chamberlain flailed at the
ball, sending it toward goal, though maybe above the bar. In the way was Koscielny
arm, which inadvertently bundled the ball into the net. Arsenal had won 1-0 and
picked up two valuable points on Manchester City, to narrow the gap at the top
to a mere two points.
The
handball call against Kos would have been tough to give, as he clearly didn’t
have time to react to Ox’s volley but two other factors could have cancelled
out the last gasp winner. The first was the time. Two minutes had lapsed when
Arsenal sent their last corner of the day short, before the cross that
ultimately won the game. The second issue, maybe more pertinent, was that
Koscielny appeared to be offsides when the ball hit him. Arsene Wenger did
commiserate with Burnley after the game, but it was with a sly smile, knowing
the Gunners had stolen two points at the death.
It was a
lackluster performance from Arsenal, aided by a stout and well-organized
Burnley side that have already taken points from Liverpool, but the kind of victory
a side needs if they are to sustain a title charge, particularly against any
Guardiola side. Three quick thoughts on the game:
1. Arsenal Defense
Does its Job Again: Arsenal are on a run of defensive
solidity that we have not seen for some time. This is their fourth straight
clean sheet and fifth of the season, and they have conceded a single goal in the
four games that preceded this run. The combination of Koscielny and Mustafi is
starting to really click and the new signing appears to have been worth every
penny. At the moment, he is playing like Vidic in his prime and, if he can keep
it up, Arsenal certainly have a chance to finally get back to the winner’s
circle they should have inhabited last season. Burnley will feel hard pressed
by this loss, after another stout defensive display, but if they keep up this
level, should find themselves safe at the end of the season.
2. Walcott’s Run Continues: After four goals in his last three appearances, Walcott
was kept off the scoring sheet today, but he still found a way to contribute to
the three points. It was actually an odd moment for the winger, not known for
his heading ability, but the perfectly steered pass to the far post set up the
winning goal. Walcott was starting to look like another failed project at the
Emirates over the past couple of seasons, but appears to have found his game
again at the perfect time, contributing to Arsenal’s undefeated streak hitting
an impressive nine games. One wonders where Ramsey will fit in if he ever gets
fit again.
3. A Good Weekend
for the Gunners: points were dropped by many of
their rivals this weekend, with Everton having to settle for a 1-1 draw Friday
night, United dominating a game they too only left with a point this morning
(1-1 with Stoke at Old Trafford) and City ending their undefeated start to the
season in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham. As with Barcelona, who have been buckling
under the high press in recent matches, so too is the case with City, who have
had a somewhat fortuitous draw at Celtic and a loss at Tottenham in their past
two fixtures. Tottenham looks set to again be in the title conversation
alongside Arsenal and City, with United still needing to work out some kinks
and Everton expected to drop off the pace as the season continues. Chelsea
probably still have an outside shot, but not if they keep defending as they
have in recent weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment