It's Just Enough - Post Match Analysis

Arsenal just did enough to overcome Fulham in the Craven Cottage by Per Mertesacker's single goal in the first half. Fulham who played with ten men from the early of first half came close few times to equalize in the second half, and they even had one goal correctly disallowed. However, Arsenal was able to hang on until the final whistle. This win bring them up to the third place ahead of Chelsea who will play against Liverpool tomorrow in Anfield.

It was another ugly win for Arsenal. Arsenal played against 10-men since Steve Sidwell sent off in early of the first half, and this match should be a walk-in-the-park, if they could take advantage of it. Score a quick goal, force them to go out attack, and counter attack them. Could be another 7-3 scoreline. But they didn't. They didn't show too much attacking flair and beautiful through pass. Yes, they were dominating the game until one hour, but they didn't do much with the ball. What they do is just to pass the ball around, and they were lacking of penetration

In the second half, it was worse. No slight intention to built up play and try some through pass. After they reached two third of the pitch they gave it back to the defender. That's it. What kind of football is this? I was really disappointed for Wenger because of this. 

The scoreline 1-0 is one of the most dangerous scoreline. It's a lead, but not safe, and if the opposition could gain momentum, they could score one, two, or even three. Because Arsenal gave chance for Fulham to recover and regain their confidence, Fulham came out and pushed forward. Arsenal could've easily punished, had Fulham could equalize and this would cost them another two points dropped. Luckily, Fulham wasn't that clinical in this match, and Arsenal still go home with three points in the bag.

Tomas Rosicky was a standout performer today. He sent numerous of incisive passes which unfortunately wasn't capitalized by Giroud or Walcott. Looking by current form, now Rosicky is more important than Cazorla. It's seen that since the time Rosicky withdrawn, Fulham started to gain control of the game, and came close in the dying minutes to equalize. Wilshere is still yet to be in his form before he was injured, and Rosicky should start again next week against Manchester United. Jacky could come off the bench to give a difference.

Credit must also be given to Arsenal's central back duet, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. Koscielny was a bit shaky in early minutes but recovered well and solid afterwards. Per Mertesacker showed a great composure in the backline, and given a hard task to mark Berbatov, Per did well in this match. He even scored the winning goal in this match, receiving Laurent Koscielny's header from Theo Walcott's freekick. As Fulham threw everything forward in the final minutes, both Koscielny and Mertesacker handled the attack well, and kept another clean sheet. Well, this might be another bad sign for benched captain, Thomas Vermaelen, who seems will sit in the bench again next match.

Mertesacker scored the decisive winning goal

(pictures from Arsenal.com)

On the other hand, Giroud failed to find the net again, and he even was sent off after ferocious tackle on the second half. He was anonymous throughout the second half despite being close to score in the first half, hitting the right post of Fulham's goal. A red card means he will be suspended for next match. Wenger have three option for this : Gervinho, Podolski, and Walcott. Podolski might be given his chance as Wenger hinted earlier, Podolski could play in the middle. This might be a blessing in disguise, as Giroud was off-the-pace for last two match. Podolski might perform better than the Frenchman now.

Arsenal's next match is no easy, welcoming the Manchester side who currently on top of the table. Arsenal have potential to beat them, but not with the kind of this Fulham game. Wenger's side must improve if they want to grab another three points to secure the Champions League spot this season.

Post Norwich-match analysis

Arsenal scrapped a 3-1 victory after a hard-fought battle with Norwich in a fine afternoon in Emirates Stadium. Norwich was the one first scoring the goal, with Michael Turner headed away a goal, before Mikel Arteta equalized 5 minutes before the normal time ends. Olivier Giroud scored Arsenal's second, after a nice run from subsitute Chamberlain. Lukas Podolski scored third goal to seal third point

Arsenal player celebrates the goal.

(photos from Arsenal.com)

POSITIVE NOTES

Winning is good for morale, but coming from behind is a morale boost. I didn't remember when last time Arsenal winning after conceded first. It shows Arsenal's never say die mentality. It's never easy to score two goals in 10 minutes, but Arsenal managed to score, not two, but three. I admitted that the penalty is a bit of luck because Arsenal was in deadlock against sturdy Norwich defence. That penalty is also debatable, but in my point of view, it's a legit penalty. Shirt pulling is not a good decision in defending, so the ref had done his job well. After that goal, Norwich lost their focus and Arsenal managed to grab more goals, via Olivier Giroud and finally Lukas Podolski.

 In the other hand, this victory also gave Chelsea and Tottenham a massive pressure to keep the pace. Chelsea is one point off Arsenal with less one game played, while Tottenham is also one point off, but with the same game played. It would be a huge advantage for Wenger's boy, especially because Chelsea and Tottenham need to kill each other in the league, which means definitely one of them will drop the point. Now, it's just how Arsenal keep their winning habit till the end of season.

Right back Bacary Sagna played well in the left side and few times he sent dangerous ball into the box. None of them resulting to goal though, only Giroud hit the crossbar from his cross in the first half, but nevertheless it was nice to see old Bac is back to his usual self. He has been disappointing this season, but not in this match. He made dangerous runs before being subbed out by Chamberlain, and linked up well with Santi Cazorla. I hope Wenger would still offer him another extension contract. He would be a good mentor for Carl Jenkinson.


Olivier Giroud was nearly become the villain of this match, being unable to score goals in 85 minutes and wasn't sharp upfront, and dispossessed few times upfront, and delayed Arsenal's play, but he was the one winning that penalty, and scored the second goal for the Gunners. The third goal was also part of his contribution. He challenged Fabianski's long ball to gave to Walcott, who assisted to Podolski's third goal.

Ramsey showed much improvement, again. He might be not providing creativity in this match, but he is a dependable passer. I feel like his role is a bit similar with Arteta, but Ramsey's defence is yet as good as Arteta. Ramsey is a willing runner, and closing the ball here and then. A candidate for the most improving player this season. He could partner Wilshere in the future in Arsenal midfield trio, if he continue to improve in the coming seasons.

Wenger is also deserved a credit in this match. His substitution played integral role in this match. Walcott came off the bench, and made couple of dangerous runs, Chamberlain assisted for Giroud's goal, while Podolski was the third goal scorer with his great finishing from outside the box. I was surprised Wenger kept Giroud for 90 minutes, and instead bringing off Sagna who played well for Chamberlain. But, Arsene knows, Giroud was on the spotlight today, winning penalty and scored the second. Had Wenger substituted Giroud, Arsenal might have been dropping three points. 

Lastly, the Lady Luck finally smiled to Arsenal. We've been used to see Arsenal creating chances without maximizing it, but today it's a different story. It was almost a win for Norwich before a 'luck' came in form of penalty from the assistant referee. The rest is all known, Arsenal won 3-1

NEGATIVE NOTES

Gervinho? He is way too inconsistent. Brilliant for few games then faded. Arsenal could've taken lead in first half had he made a better decision. I'm pretty sure he will back to bench after this game, especially after Podolski and Chamberlain's great game. It's unfair to criticize player on one game, but I just can hope he can rediscover his Reading match performance, if he came off the bench.

The next thing is Arsenal need a new defender. Not because Vermaelen and Koscielny is a poor defender, it's just we need a tall-strong tower who can stand against another towering target man. They are a good ball playing defender, but not the one who can be very dominant in air. Vermaelen and Koscielny was struggling against Holt, and it was from Holt Norwich goal came in. Vermaelen was also in fault for letting Turner headed the ball in, but he was quite solid in ground. Mertesacker is aerially stronger, but his speed is nowhere suitable for Arsenal's high defence line.

Lastly, Arsenal lacked of sharpness, in 80 minutes, Arsenal barely got clear cut chances. Only Giroud's heading which hit the bar, and Podolski smashed the woodwork. Norwich defended very well, but if you wanna be a champion you need to be able to break defense-minded team like this, or otherwise you can only finish fourth. I didn't see any creativity after Wilshere subbed out and before the penalty. Norwich was sturdy at the backline, but collapsed after Arteta's spot kick.

CONCLUSION

Yes, it was an ugly win, Arsenal struggled throughout the match and could've played better and sharper, but ultimately it was three points, and that what counts. Arsenal jumped to third place with 59 points above rival Chelsea and Tottenham. Next match would be a home game against Everton on midweek.