An Opening for Arsenal

Arsenal's match tomorrow at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers provides an opportunity for the Gunners to reclaim fourth place, after both Chelsea and Liverpool stumbled to draws today in matches against, respectively, Fulham and Blackburn. The Gunners currently sit one point ahead of Liverpool and two behind Chelsea with tomorrow's game in hand.

Between now and May, as the two teams from Manchester fight it out for the League championship, the real action will be the four-team fight for the last two Champion's League positions between Tottenham (currently in third), Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool (I don't fancy Newcastle's chances of staying in the hunt). 

Manchester City 1 - Arsenal 0

This was always going to be a tough one for the Gunners. Man City's all-star team (with a stratospheric budget to match) are top of the league and virtually invincible at home, where they have lost none and drawn just two matches all year. That the Gunners did not win is disappointing, but they played hard and with poise, giving as good as they got for most of the game. Neither a victory nor a moral victory, but a tough loss from which the Gunners can take some solace about the quality of their side at the half-way point of the season.

Arsenal appeared nervous at the start (perhaps remembering their most recent trip to the City of Manchester, when they received an 8-2 drubbing from United). City, by contrast, started strong, with sharp, incisive passing that looked likely to cut open the Arsenal defense at will. Fortunately, the Gunners withstood the first ten minutes and gradually began to play themselves into the match. Both sides created decent scoring chances in the first 45, but City had more of them. Solid team defending by Arsenal and a couple of fine saves from Szczesny preserved the scoreless tie to halftime - not at all a bad outcome from the Gunners' perspective.

The Gunners play improved in the second half, creating as many or more chances than Man City; the only difference was that Man City converted one of their chances, when Silva scored from close range after Szczesny parried a hard shot by Balotelli. After the goal, Arsenal did not collapse but continued to attack, pressuring Man City's goal on many occasions. Robin van Persie missed one particularly good opportunity, and Vermaelen nearly scored twice toward the close. But no luck. Like every other Premier League team this season, Arsenal came away from the Etihad Stadium with no points.

Alex Song played exceptionally well for the Gunners, as did Szczesny, without whom game would have been lopsided. Indeed, the entire Gunners defense kept a good shape and played strong for most of the game (Koscielny's poor passing aside). Unfortunately, in midfield Arteta failed to make any impression on the game until midway into the second half; before that, he was virtually invisible. Likewise, Theo Walcott, who did nothing much with the ball on the few occasions when he had it in his possession. Walcott was replaced midway through the second half by Andrei Arshavin, who was even worse, wasting passes, possession, and one good scoring opportunity.

It is not a bad result for the Gunners, especially compared to their last trip to Manchester. The current Arsenal team is so much better than that Arsenal squad of August; it's like two completely different teams. The fact that some commentators are now writing Arsenal out of the title hunt is itself a significant indication of Arsenal's improvement. Only two months ago, they were sitting near the bottom of the table. Who would have imagined then that today's game would be considered, by some, to be a "must win" game for the league title?

Arsenal 1 - Everton 0

Before the game, Arsenal celebrated their 125th anniversary as a club, and many great players from the past were in attendance. The current Gunners team chose to emulate not the goal-happy sides of recent memory, but the George Graham Gunners, when the motto was "1-nil to the Arsenal."  Unlike those teams, however, they didn't do it so much through strong defending as by spurning a number of gilt-edged scoring chances (especially in the first half).

In the first half, the Gunners surgically cut Everton's defense to pieces on several occasions but failed to put the ball in the back of the neck (perhaps because none of the really good chances fell to van Persie). They really should have been up at least 3-0 by the break. It was frustrating, but instead of concern that Everton were still in the game and might steal a goal, my sense was that plenty more chances would come for the Gunners after the intermission, and that Everton's luck wouldn't last. I was wrong - not that Everton wouldn't steal a goal (they threatened occasionally but never really tested Szczesny), but that Arsenal would create plenty more gilt-edged chances. Everton's defense tightened in the second 45, and the Gunners found the chances fewer and farther between.

After a choppy start to the second half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute by a moment of brilliance from the Gunners, notably Song, who made a beautiful cross-field pass, and van Persie who put it in the back of the net with a perfectly hit, first-time volley. Everton goalie Tim Howard could only watch RvP's strike fly across him and crash in off the far post. Such an exquisite goal made up for all the missed chances of the first half, and effectively sealed the victory, as Everton could not manage to put a shot on goal.

The victory puts Arsenal up into fourth place (the last qualifying place for the Champion's League) in the Premiership, pending the outcome of Chelsea's big home match Monday against Man City.

Man U and Man City Fail to Make Knock-Out Stage of Champion's League

Arsenal fans are too high-minded to take much pleasure in the failings of the Gunners' Mancunian rivals. And if you believe that, could I interest you in purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge?

In any ordinary season, the early Champion's League exits of Man City and Man U arguably would be bad news for Arsenal because they would be playing fewer games, while focusing exclusively on success in the two other competitions that really matter: the Premiership and the FA Cup. This season, since Arsenal are unlikely to challenge for the Premiership crown, the early exit of the Manchester clubs matters less at least as far as that competition is concerned.

Olympiakos 3 - Arsenal 1

Arsenal had already won the group, qualifying for the knock-out stage of the Champions' League; so they had little to play for today in Greece. Wenger started a side full of back-ups, with the exception of Vermaelen and, perhaps, Santos (who had to leave the game injured in the second half). Aside from a very fine volley from the classy Benayoun, Arsenal always looked second-best in this match. On to more important work this Saturday at home to Everton in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta should be looking forward to facing his old mates.

Wigan 0 - Arsenal 4

Wigan really put up little resistance in this match, hardly ever threatening Szczesny's goal, while giving Arsenal's offense too much room to operate. The Gunners dominated possession, and their passing was more fluid than it has been perhaps all season. The most surprising aspect of this match is that van Persie only scored the fourth and final Arsenal goal (finishing off a fine play by Theo Walcott), preceded by the excellent Arteta (on a long-range shot that the goalie probably should have stopped but appeared not to see clearly), Vermaelen (heading in at the back post from a corner kick), and Gervinho (following up a parried shot from van Persie). From the point of view of an Arsenal fan, it was one of the few games this season that was a sheer pleasure to watch, without any nervous sense that the Arsenal defense might contrive to spoil it. Speaking of the defense, it's great to have Vermaelen back seemingly in top form, alongside Mertesacker, who had a better game today. Koscielny, who has really improved throughout this season, is proving to be something of a revelation on the left side of defense, where he's been forced to play because of injury. He's really getting up field to support the offense, passing the ball effectively, and covering defensively down his wing. Overall, things really are looking up for the Gunners, despite their loss in midweek to Man City in the Carling Cup quarterfinals.

Arsenal 1 - Fulham 1

Having expected three points from this game at home to Fulham, Arsenal were disappointed to get just one. Looking tired following their Champions' League match against Borrusia Dortmund in midweek, the Gunners played a lackluster game at the Emirates, lacking pace and ideas. For all of their possession during the first half, they lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Fulham, playing mostly on the counterattack, had as many decent scoring chances as the Gunners.

The second half started just like the first, with Arsenal dominating possession and Fulham looking for opportunities on the counter. A few minutes after a van Persie shot was cleared off the line by a Fulham defender, Fulham turned an innocuous-seeming bit of possession at the other end into an own goal by Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen. Fulham would have been up 2-0 a couple  moments later but for the linesman's offside flag. With 20 minutes left, Arsenal were trailing a team that had never before beaten them at home.

Looking to light a fire under his team, Wenger brought on Gervinho and Abu Diaby (just back from a long injury layoff), replacing Aaron Ramsey and central defender Per Mertesacker. Diaby made an immediate impression, forcing a great save from Fulham goalie Mark Schwarzer on a header from a corner kick. Schwarzer could not, however, prevent the inevitable game-tying goal after the 80-minute mark. Thomas Vermaelen - making up for his earlier own-goal - authoritatively headed home an excellent cross by Theo Walcott.

From that point on, it was pretty much all Arsenal. Schwarzer saved a hard shot by Gervinho at the near post, and then a tamer effort by Walcott. But Arsenal could not create the game winner. If the Gunners had played the entire match as they did the last 15 minutes, they easily would have won this match. A disappointing result for the Gunners and their fans.

Van Persie did not score today, but his work rate and the intelligence of his movement without the ball were truly impressive. It's no wonder he generates so many scoring chances for others as well as himself; and of course his ability to finish is unparalleled in the Premiership. 38 goals in 42 games during 2011 says it all.

Arsenal 2 - Borussia Dortmund 1 (Champions' League)

Arsenal booked a place in the knock-out round of the Champion's League this afternoon (with one group-stage match left to play) by defeating Borrusia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium in London. Robin van Persie scored both of Arsenal's goals (bringing his 2011 tally to an amazing 38 goals in 41 total games). The first was created after a brilliant run by Alex Song, who beat at least three or four defenders before crossing the ball for RVP to head home. The second came off a corner kick, when Vermaelen received the ball at the near post, glanced a header to the back post, finding RVP free for the simplest of tap-ins.

With this victory, Arsenal became the first English team to qualify for the final 16 of the Champions' League. They have now qualified for knock-out stage for 12 years running, an unmatched mark of consistency. A season born in doom and gloom is now shaping up into an exciting season for Gunners fans. Unlikely to overtake the top two (Man City and Man U) in the Premiership, they are still in the run for a top-four finish (for qualification for next year's Champions' League) and chasing hardware this season in three other competitions.

Norwich City 1 - Arsenal 2

The scoreline really should have been 1-4 or better, as Arsenal, especially Gervinho, missed several gilt-edged chances. Norwich rarely threatened. Their first-half goal was mostly due to weak marking and a slip by Mertesacker, who has not yet rounded into form in a Gunners jersey. Van Persie (who else?) scored both Arsenal goals, the first a tap-in from a fine cross by Theo Walcott, who had an excellent all-around game, and the second, a cool finish after a pass from Alex Song put him in on goal.

Arsenal 3- West Brom 0

It was a good result, but Arsenal did not play great. The scoreline is more a testament to West Brom's ineptitude than to the Gunners' offensive and defensive prowess. On offensive, they were potent but never really fluent. For long periods of time, Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the accelerator, as if they knew the game was no contest. On defense, they seemed to be hanging on at various points. Hopefully, this is not a sign of a new complacency stemming from their recent rediscovery of better form and  results. Given their position in the table (7th), they cannot afford to become complacent.

Arteta scored the best goal of the game, and played well throughout quarterbacking the offense. Other standouts for the Gunners were Ramsey (who set up the first goal with a beautiful pass that sliced open the West Brom defense), Song, Vermaelen (great to have him back in the center of defense) and his partner Koscielny (who has been something of a revelation lately); and of course Van Persie was leading from the front.

Chelsea 3 - Arsenal 5

I didn't get to see the match, as I'm in the midst of a conference. I certainly hope that it will be replayed on TV so that I can watch it when I get home; it appears to have been a fabulous match, and not only because the Gunners prevailed. Of course, the victory is the most important so far this season for the Gunners. It should give them great confidence going forward. Van Persie scored three goals, giving him 28 in 27 matches in 2011. Arsenal need to get him tied down with a new long-term contract.

UPDATE: I did get to see a replay of the game on ESPN3. After a defensively shaky first half, Arsenal shored up the back line in the second, and pretty much everyone played very well. Having slammed Theo Walcott after his performance last week, I have to give credit where it is due, and acknowledge that he had an excellent game, particularly in the first half, where his crosses were sharp and accurate (two of them should have, but weren't, converted into goals); and he scored a beautiful goal of his own on a great individual effort in the second half. Aaron Ramsey was also excellent, and Mikel Arteta continues to grow into his role, game by game. Gervinho is consistently dangerous on the wing. As I said earlier, this win is very big for the Arsenal.

Arsenal 3 - Stoke City 1

This was predictably a hard fought match. Stoke always defend deep and in numbers, making it very hard for the Gunners to break them down. Arsenal had the lion's share of possession, and deserved the victory, but once again they conceded a goal on a set piece, which has been their greatest (but certainly not their only) defensive weakness over the past couple of seasons.

Gervinho, who scored the first goal and set up the other two for Van Persie, was the man of the match, always looking dangerous on the wing. Mikel Arteta finally looks like he's growing into the quarterback role, managing the offense. Alex Song played his usual strong game, shoring up the midfield. On the other hand, Theo Walcott, who announced this week that he wants a new contract, just seemed to be taking up space. The few times he did get involved in the play, it was to no useful purpose. His game, and his career, seemingly have plateaued; on the evidence of his play this season, he does not deserve a new Arsenal contract.

The victory moves Arsenal up to 7th in the League table, just six points out of a Champion's League qualification spot.

Arsenal 2 - Sunderland 1

Arsenal should have won this game in a walk, but once again the fragility of their defense and overall lack of team confidence saw them just holding on to a 2-1 victory at the Emirates. In the first fifteen minutes of the match, it looked like Arsenal were going to run away and hide. Van Persie scored just 20 seconds in the game, and squandered two more gilt-edged chances seemingly before Sunderland ever had possession of the ball. Sunderland eventually settled into the match and tied it, unexpectedly, on a beautiful free kick by former Arsenal-man Sebastian Larsson. Once again, the Gunners proved susceptible to a set piece. That goal visibly deflated the Arsenal team's confidence, and only a fine save by Wojciech Szczesny kept them level at 1-1 as they limped into halftime.

In the second half, Arsenal dominated possession almost as much as in the early going of the first half, but Sunderland looked more dangerous throughout on the counterattack. Finally, Van Persie gave Arsenal the victory with a beautifully taken free-kick from just outside the box, after he was fouled. The Dutchman, who outperformed every other player on the pitch, is looking more and more like Dennis Bergkamp (which is about the greatest compliment I could bestow on any player). But going forward this season, he's going to  need more help. The young Gervinho looked good in the first half; and second-half sub Andrei Arshavin looked like he's finally beginning to round into some decent form. Alex Song provided strong presence in the middle of the field, although his passing was a bit off today. I'm still waiting for Mikel Arteta to show a bit more offensive aggression as he settles into his job as midfield quarterback for the Gunners. But I've long since given up waiting for Theo Walcott's game to mature. They say you can't coach speed. In Walcott's case, apparently, you can't coach passing or shooting either. I think it's time for Wenger to give the younger and more promising Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a chance on the wing.

Arsenal are still in search of a comprehensive victory to boost team confidence and their prospects for a Champions' League place for next season. Their home game next Sunday at Stoke should provide a decent opportunity.

Tottenham 2 - Arsenal 1

After a less-than-convincing mid-week win at home in the Champion's League, Arsenal still cannot get a proper foothold in the Premiership. Yesterday, they lost away in the North London Derby 2-1. Trailing 1-0 at half time, after another lapse in the center of defense, featuring the unusual pairing of Per Mertesacker and Alex Song, Arsenal scored early in the second half and controlled possession for the much of the half, with Tottenham only threatening on the counterattack. But a fine long-range shot by the unsung Kyle Walker, and an uncharacteristic miscue by goalie Wojciech Szczesny, undid all the good work.

To add injury to the insult, Bacary Sagna left the game in the second half with what turns out to be a broken leg. He will be out of action at least through the end of this calendar year, and will be sorely missed. Arsenal's  already shaky defense is on the brink of toppling over. 

If not for his contribution to the defensive lapse that led to Tottenham's first goal, Alex Song may have been Arsenal's man of the match. He seemed to be all over the field (which admittedly might not be wanted from a  central defender), and he played with all the energy and aggression that others, such as Mikel Arteta, seemed to lack. Once again, Theo Walcott showed that he lacks a fast footballing mind to accompany has fast footballing body. The forward combination of Gervinho and Van Persie is not yet clicking on all cylinders, but continues to show promise. That promise will need to pay off sooner rather than later, however.  Arsenal currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League table, taking just 7 points from the first 7 games. They are two points above the relegation zone. Just so we're clear about this: the manager is not to blame. 

Blackburn 4 - Arsenal 3

I'm attending the Midwest Law & Economics Association conference this weekend in Bloomington, so I had to leave home at halftime, with Arsenal leading 2-1. Apparently, while I was actually making my presentation at the conference (on the social cost of carbon), Arsenal contrived to give up three second-half goals and lose 4-3. A very disappointing result, especially coming off a decent 1-1 draw at Dortmund in the Champion's League in mid-week. I probably wont' be far off the mark in guessing that Arsenal missed the presence of the again-injured Thomas Vermaelen in the center of defense. In the part of the game I actually saw, I must say that I thought Mikel Arteta looked a bit slow and indecisive on the ball (despite scoring Arsenal's second goal). On the other hand Gervinho and Alex Song were particularly impressive in the first half.

Arsenal 1 - Swansea 0

It was almost like the start of a new season, with a brand new team, at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, as Arsenal hosted newly promoted side Swansea. Off an 8-2 drubbing at Man United, five new signings on the last day before the transfer window closed, and an international break, the Gunners needed a solid performance today to reassure themselves and their fretting fans. In a "normal" season, this was the kind of game in which Arsenal would destroy a lesser opponent. This year, Arsenal fans would be mollified, if not quite satisfied, by the 1-0 final scoreline, even if the only goal came from a fluky mental mistake by Swansea goalie Michel Worm.

To be fair, Swansea play some good football. Unlike many sides that, when they play at the Emirates, just sit back and try to soak up the pressure. And Swansea's defense is pretty solid. That said, the Gunners didn't look all that much better than the Swans. They had more possession and created a few more chances, but they only rarely threatened the Swansea goal (Robin van Persie's magnificent strike off the post a notable exception). Theo Walcott proved, once again, that he couldn't hit the side of a barn door with a cross. He also wasted a couple of half-chances in front of goal. Wojciech Szczesny was, once again, very strong in front of the Arsenal net.

As for Arsenal's new boys, they settled in well enough. Per Mertesaker in particular had a strong game in the center of defense; only once was he caught out of position. Mikel Arteta played the role of quarterback and made some good passes. However, Arsenal fans might hope for a bit more offensive aggressiveness from him in future matches; and he did disappear a bit from the game in the second half. Yossi Benayoun came on as a second half substitute. He showed some good pace, but also some rust. Needless to say, it's going to take more than a few practices and one or two games for everyone to gain a level of comfort playing with one another.
 
Arsenal fans will breath a sigh of relief that Arsenal were able to finally a win a game this season in the Premier League (on the fourth try). But it was hardly the kind of convincing victory we would normally expect at home over a side like Swansea. With critical players like Wilshire and Vermaelen out for another two months (or longer), we can only hope that the new additions settle quickly. The imminent return of Gervinho after serving his three-match ban for a red card should help to Gunners regain their cutting edge on offense.

After Late Signings, Arsenal's Injury Woes Continue

A big sigh of relief were heard from Gunner fans, as Arsenal signed five new players just before the transfer window closed. But no sooner had Arsenal plugged some gaping holes in the squad, when new holes appeared  or grew larger. First, it was announced that young Jack Wilshire, who has yet to play this season because of an ankle injury, will not be returning to his midfield position for another two to three months. Then, just this morning, Arsenal announced that its best defender, Thomas Vermaelen, would be out two months with an Achilles injury. Vermaelen picked up an early season injury last year, which Arsenal (as is their tendency) initially downplayed; it knocked him out for the entire season.

Wilshire's injury underscores the wisdom of signing Benayoun on loan from Chelsea as insurance. He will not replace Jack Wilshire, but he will plug the hole better than any of the players already on the Arsenal roster. In defense, I suppose Koscielny will partner new signing Per Mertesacker in the center of defense.

If the Gunners are to mount a real challenge for a top four finish in the League (challenging Liverpool for a Champion's League spot), Wilshire and Vermaelen, arguably Arsenal's two best players, simply must be in the line-up by mid-season. Even then, it could be too late.

Arsenal Busy on Transfer Deadline Day

Already two new defenders, Santos and Mertesacker, in the squad, as expected. Looks like the Gunners will be adding two midfielders this evening, Mikel Arteta from Everton and Youssi Benayoun from Chelsea. No, they cannot replace Fabregas and Nasri in midfield, but they are two good players who will help temporarily to fix Arsenal's immediate problem. Now, if they could just prise Eden Hazard from Lille...

UPDATE: The transfer deadline has passed. No late surprises (unless Arsenal have another Arshavin surprise to announce the day after the transfer deadline). All in all, a good day's work I think. At least, the new signings should help the Gunners remain competitive for a Champion's League spot next season. I rate Arteta more highly than other Gunners' fans I've heard from; he certainly knows how to run an offense, and he's a terrific passer. Surrounded by better talent than he had at Everton, he will shine at the Emirates. Likewise, some Gooners seem less than thrilled by the signing of Mertesacker. True, he's not a conventional Wenger signing - he's big and not the fastest guy around. But neither were Tony Adams or Martin Keown, and how many Arsenal fans wouldn't want to see them back on the pitch. I'll stand by what I said earlier: assuming Mertesacker and Vermaelen both stay healthy, they will be one of the best defensive tandems, if not the best, in the league.

Arsenal's Last-Minute Transfer Targets

The Gunners are in talks to bring Werder Bremen's German international defender Per Mertesacker to the Emirates. He would bring much needed height, experience, strength, and leadership to the back line. He and Vermaelen together, if both could stay healthy, would probably create the strongest defensive tandem in England.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have virtually completed the signing from Monaco of Korean international striker Park Chu-Young (who reportedly has an IQ of 150 to go along with his goal-scoring prowess).

Another likely signing is Fenerbahce left-back and Brazilian international Andres Santos. His insertion into the squad would allow Bacary Sagna to move back to his more accustomed and comfortable location on the right side of defense.

I expect all three of those players to be at the Emirates by tomorrow night. But Arsenal could still use some depth in midfield. They have reportedly targeted 19-year-old Borrusia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze. But Gotze's agent insists the player will be staying in Germany, at least for the time being.


UPDATE ON SOME ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION: Woeful defender Armand Traore, who reportedly was joking around after the 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford, is on his way out of Arsenal to Queen's Park Rangers.

Hopeless: Man U - Arsenal

I can't even bare to watch. This game was effectively over when Arsenal took the field without Thomas Vermaelen in the center of defense. Once again, Arsenal's defense looks like the kind of make-shift unit Wenger used to employ in nearly meaningless Carling Cup ties. But this is a Premier League match against the Champions. Meanwhile, Arsenal would be lucky to have any player on Man U's bench starting today. As for Arsenal's bench, sides in lower league divisions have players with more quality and experience.

Through injury and attrition, this is by far the weakest Arsenal side since long before Wenger took the helm. He can bemoan the injuries, the long foreseeable losses of Fabregas and Nasri, and the inflated prices that other teams are paying for top quality players on the transfer market. The present situation may be a worst-case scenario, but it's one that could have been avoided with more pro-active management.

I hasten to add, this is not an argument to get rid of Wenger. He is a great coach and team manager. But it is past time for him to give up his quixotic quest to compete against better manned teams based on an obsolete conception that football should be subject to some kind of moral economy. Arsenal can either pay the prevailing wages and be competitive or become a permanent fixture in the middle of the table, alongside clubs like Bolton and Everton.

UPDATE: Final Score: Man U 8 - Arsenal 2. My understanding is that the final score flattered the Gunners. Hopefully, this beat down will finally lift the scales from some eyes at the Emirates Stadium.