Top of the Table for New Year

It was another ugly win but ultimately this win brings Arsenal to the top of the table. Both Newcastle and Arsenal were not bright in the first half, failed to threaten other goals except for the last moment for Newcastle when they hit the bar from the corner. Arsenal was the more effective side, scoring goal from their first clear cut chance. Theo Walcott chipped the freekick and Giroud found the room between Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini and headed it. It was his first goal for the last few games, and surely it would gave him boost of confidence to find the net. Newcastle was pushing hard for equalizer in the closing stage of the game, but Arsenal defended well and ensured 3 points, as well the top spot of Premier League till New Year, regardless of Chelsea vs Liverpool result.

It was a really tough test for Arsenal. We came to top six team's home without two of our best player, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil, and our captain who are usually ready on the bench was out because of illness. Newcastle was unbeaten for the last 6 matches and they had beaten Manchester United in Old Trafford, where we lost 0-1. In addition, Olivier Giroud wasn't particularly sharp in front of goal lately, and Gooner has been wanting him to be dropped from the team, but Wenger didn't do so, a decision that later gave Arsenal three points as Giroud scored the winning goal. From the brighter side, Koscielny was back from injury and partnered Mertesacker in the defence.

Giroud celebrates his goal.
Photos from Arsenal facebook page by Stuart MacFarlane of Arsenal FC

The first half was one of our worst attacking performance, but our defence was solid as usual, the passes were not linked well, and most of our chance are from long, weak shot. Walcott nearly find a good space on one occasion but the pass from Rosicky was too far from him. But generally it was a boring first half. Newcastle on the other hand was not bright either but did came close to scoring twice at the injury time of the first half. Second half was almost the same and Arsenal were not sharp in the final third of the Newcastle penalty area, but Walcott was able to send a simple - yet terrific - freekick to find Giroud and the Frenchman made a touch to beat Tim Krul.

Giroud found goal, finally, and this goal hopefully will boost his confidence and silence some critics. He did look a bit short of confidence after miskicked an easy chance after the goal. The backfour is once again solid, particularly Sagna and Mertesacker who are faultless today. Mertesacker did few crucial interception and clearances as we registered a clean sheet (finally). Koscielny might have given away a ball away led to dangerous chance for Newcastle, but otherwise he was solid. Gibbs was uncomfortable down the right as most of Newcastle attack was from that side, but still delivered a decent performance. Szczesny funny moment almost cost us 3 points when he kicked the ball straight to Loic Remy but luckily the ball out of the play from deflection. It's not the first time he did that (remember that kick to Sturridge in our 2-0 victory against Liverpool).  He must be more careful next matches not to do the same, next mistake might lead to a goal (well like Schalke's goalkeeper against Chelsea).

Another ugly win, and we have faced all of the Premier League teams and stayed on top. Next few games are a winnable games if our feet can be kept on the ground and play our normal game. Can we say that we can challenge for title? Yes we have half of the season again till the finish line, but as Wenger said, "If you don't believe yourself, you can't go anywhere". I think Arsenal have potential to win something at the end of the season, if we can maintain the winning habit. One or two purchase at January might help us to keep the top spot. 

Well, at least, all Gooners celebrating New Year while their team on the top. COYG!

Arsenal vs Dortmund Post Match Thought.

It was one of those famous away win for Arsenal as they won against last year finalist Borussia Dortmund 1-0. Last year we won against Bayern and everyone saying it was a fluke because they are complacent with two goals advantage with three goals. But this time, we beat Dortmund, who are still in need of 3 points, knowing that Napoli were likely to win against Marseille. Dortmund is no joke and they are arguably one of the top 4 teams in Champions League, but we became the first team stopping them from scoring in their home for the first time since 61 games, back then in January 2011. Lightning does not struck twice, does it?

Ramsey celebrated the goal with Ozil as Arsenal win against Dortmund

Credit to Dortmund who played well, except that they were not clinical in front of goal. They were having some amount of possession - and chances, before Arsenal took the lead on 62' minutes. After that, Arsenal became more dangerous and Dortmund slowly losing their teeth on the game. No clear cut chances was created by Dortmund after that goal.  It was exactly the reverse of the previous game where Arsenal dominated the game on 1-1 scoreline before conceding a late goal by Lewandowski. In big games like this, it's not the matter of who has more possession, but it's the matter of  who takes the chances well. It was true what Wenger said, "This game is determined by small details". A lapse of concentration cost a goal for Neven Subotic, who failed to mark Aaron Ramsey during the goal.

Well, Arsenal performed very well in every department, but especially defending. Yes, we were a bit exposed early of the second half, but we were otherwise very solid. The defending was getting better and more confident especially after scoring that goal. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker were bossing at the backline, making numerous vital interceptions and winning most of the aerial battle. Robert Lewandowski was kept quiet most of the time by this pair, and he failed to score goal today. Another good game showing Koscielny and Mertesacker understand and complement each other. Koscielny played the stopper role, as he is a more aggresive defender, and quicker of the pair; while Mertesacker usally sits deeper and rely on his excellent, unflappable game reading and composure. Looking at their form, it would be hard for Vermaelen to reclaim the spot in near time, even though rotation is required, especially on December festive period. You can't win anything with just two fit, recognized centre back.

A credit must also given to Mikel Arteta who shielded the backfour well. Gooners was worried of lack of protection to back four when Flamini is injured, but Arteta stepped up well on this occasion. He was brilliant in keeping possession, as he did against Liverpool, as well as being the first man closing down Dortmund players when Arsenal was being counter-attacked. I was worried when he was booked early on, but he kept his temper and was able to finish 90 minutes without sent off. This victory highlighted the importance of the deep midfielder. This Arsenal team would need someone to sit back protecting the backfour and link defender to midfielder, to allow Ozil and co to have freedom in attacking. It's either Arteta or Flamini (or maybe both, remember the 2-0 victory against Napoli). If they both not playing,  Arsenal will suffer, like when they lost against Chelsea in the Carling Cup.

Another impressive player tonight is no other than our current hottest player, Aaron Ramsey. He scored the only goal tonight, with a cool header after receiving Olivier Giroud's flick. Today He was not as lively as usual standard recently, as Dortmund's players were closing down quickly, but nevertheless he made a decisive run into the box and ensure Arsenal grabbed three points from Signal Iduna Park. His workrate is unquestionable, as usual. Ozil was mostly anonymous earlier but he made that beautiful chip to Giroud that lead to the goal. That what a genius player can do, one moment of magic even when you're not at your best form.

Rosicky played well too. He tirelessly pressed the oppostion, as well as made few great tackles. It's amazing remembering he is 33 this year.  Szczesny also made two smart save from Reus and Kuba to keep the scoreless game before Ramsey scored.

Actually everyone in the team today deserved a worthy mention, but I just want to emphasize the excellent team defending tonight. Few years back, Arsenal defence was one of the worst among Champions League participant and top four in Premier League, but this year it look difference. We defend as a unit, and generally look solid under enormous amount of pressure from the opposition. There are no silly individual mistakes done again like in previous years. We are able to keep clean sheet in a game when a goal is hard to come by and we start to be able to win ugly, keeping 1 goal lead till death. It's one of the quality the Arsenal must have if they want to win something this year. 

This away win against Dortmund definitely brings confidence and momentum ahead of United game, away again, this weekend. Keep the feet on the ground, keep aware, but play our usual ame and we can win this one. COYG! VCC!

1-0 = Champions League - Post Match Analysis

Another 1-0 win, and it's another Champions League for us. We finished 1 point ahead Tottenham. I'd be lying to say this is a beautiful win, but ultimately, it was a very crucial three points via ugly win - I lost count how many times we did that this season.

Arsenal was poor in the first half, as they rarely create chances, and Newcastle was the better team in the first 45 minutes, although the scoreline was 0-0. Second half, Arsenal started brightly and Laurent Koscielny scored his goal - like last season - to ensure another Champions League in 16th consecutive season for Wenger. It's never easy to hang on to a slender 1-0 win and the team deserves the credit, especially the defence.

Koscielny deserved credit in this match. Undoubtedly he was man of the match for today. One acrobatic clearance, one steal in the penalty area, 90 minutes of superb defending, plus the winning - and acrobatic - goal. His partner, Per Mertesacker also deserved praise for being solid alongside Laurent. He made one crucial block inside the 6 yard box to keep the clean sheet.

Aaron Ramsey looks solid replacing Arteta in deeper role in three midfield but Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain were surprisingly playing well through the middle. I was surprised to see him playing down the middle when he came in to replace Arteta, as I expected Cazorla to play in the AMC and Chamberlain playing down the left. But he was playing quite well, and next season we might see Ramsey - Chambo - Jack in the central of the park, a very offensive midfield trio, but I would love to see Arsenal with British core next season.

Walcott was dangerous but he still lacking final product - only hitting the post today. He might have been provided the freekick causing the goal, but in open play, he still has room to improve, and I'm still hoping for more improvement from him next season, especially in the decision making.

For the negative side, I think Cazorla was not at his best today, might be because he is a bit overplayed. He was played more than any other player this season, and Wenger need to be more careful playing him next season in my opinion. Podolski, once again, was anonymous, but in the other hand, the midfield didn't supply him with good passes.

4th place means another Champions League football, and this means Arsenal would have more power to attract player - compared to non-UCL club (like Sp*rs). Arsene needs to spend this summer. I can't see this team challenging for trophy. There should be more booster this summer, and I'd expect one or two marquee signings this transfer windows.


Well, we haven't been qualified directly to the Group Stage, but we are seeded for the play-off for Champions League. We're just 180 minutes away from the Group Stage. And as we are seeded, we won't face the likes AC Milan / Olympique Lyon, should they qualify to the Champions League. Thus, Arsenal has a fairly decent chance to go to Group Stage! Or great chance if they sign one or two world class players.

PS : Happy St. Totteringham's Day!

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.