Need A Miracle Now…

In a game we couldn’t afford to lose, we came up short leaving us six points behind the leaders with only four games left to play. If Arsenal are to win the league this year, a major miracle is needed, firstly we need chelsea to lose two games and secondly we need to win our remaining games. Sounds a bit cliché now but we cannot afford to lose or draw any more games, we simply are running out of games.

We started well keeping the lions share of possession until they scored that freak goal. Derby games always provide surprises and Danny Rose’s goal although well taken and spectacular, can be chalked off us one of those freakish things that happen in derby games. The second goal was just silly, we switched off in defense allowing gareth bale to beat the offside trap and slot the ball past almunia.

We created and probed but again were lacking in the final third until the introduction of Robin Van Persie who began asking questions of Gomes. Had it not been for Gomes, it would have ended 2-2 but credit to the spuds, they played well and you’d hope they would show the up for the game against chelsea. We now need our rivals to do us a favor on saturday.

Abou Diaby & Rosicky:
If there ever is any blame to be apportioned, it should go to these two, who for me seemed to let the manager down with their play. Rosicky was poor in midfield giving passes away cheaply and lacking any imagination. He seemed lost out there, a shell of the player he once was. Abou Diaby for me should be benched for the next four games, he seemed disinterested and was content arguing with his teammates than concentrating on playing. Makes you wonder if he’s checked out for the season and thinking of summer.

Robin Van Persie:
It was nice to see him back and playing after 5 months out with an ankle injury. We were a lot more purposeful in front of goal once he was introduced. It’s a shame he didn’t score but that was more to the goalkeeper’s heroics than Robin’s ability. How many points would we have if he had been fit all season, but now is not the time to cry over spilt milk, Wigan is up next and a win is required.

Changes are definitely needed and new players would be welcome, but that business should be left until after the season. Vermaelen is now facing 3 weeks on the sidelines after a calf strain, leaving us with Silvestre and Campbell as the only healthy centre-backs available to play at the moment.

Time to pick ourselves up and move on, it won’t be easy to lift the spirits of the players but we need to keep fighting till the end and you never know. Even if we don’t win the league (which is unlikely now), we have to finish ahead of United and guarantee us an automatic place in the champions league.

COYG.