Arsenal Fails To Defend League Challenge

Dramatic claim perhaps, but whilst the five goal thrashing of a poor Porto side yesterday provided some confidence to the team, it also provided at least another two matches. Two matches that this already understrength Arsenal team could better do without.

Arsenal are once again (at time of writing) top of the league, where they've been most of the season.

Which league?

The league table of most players missing from the squad. Site (physioroom.com) changes regularly as injury news and bans are announced. On a number of occasions this season, as Man Utd have been hailed for overcoming their injuries, and Liverpool have been complaining about theirs, Arsenal have been sitting, somewhat less than proudly, atop that league. All the while having their level of injuries ignored by the media.

Currently, Arsenal are equal top with a number of other teams, but for most of the season have had more, and more important to the team, players out than any other team.

At one point this season, Arsenal had 14 players out for one reason or another.

Currently they have seven out, including their most important Striker, Defender, and Midfield player (and Captain). The once famed strength in depth in midfield has evaporated with the injury to Aaron Ramsey and the current Hamstring injury to Fabregas.

Can this Arsenal team survive playing the extra games? That very real question needs a real answer. One can only speculate here, but a large number of Arsenal fans at the game last night would not have been disappointed to recreate what Fiorentina did against Bayern Munich. That is, to win the match, but go out of the competition.

Two extra games may not sound like much, but for a team stretched to breaking point already, they may bring that point so much closer. And if they progress through the next round (which many people currently predict they won't), they will have two more games in the semi-finals.

Result

Last nights result was of course, magnificent for the Gunners. Having failed to completely convince against an underperforming Burnley side on Saturday, many expected Arsenal to start cautiously, as has been their modus operandi of late.

However there seemed a verve about the side that spoke well about their desire to progress in the competition. That desire was thankfully matched by a good performance from Bendtner, who converted his chances this time.

Bendtner scoring was the signal for an outpouring of emotion it seemed from the crowd and the team, and the charge was on. A second goal heralded a landslide and the crowd were licking their lips in anticipation.

The landslide failed to materialise however, as Arsenals focus seemed to slip.

Porto were a poor side, and without their home support showed very little attacking strength. In the second half, however, Porto took heart from not being further down, and realising perhaps, that one goal would bring it back level started to push forward.

Whilst only troubling the Arsenal goal on two or three occasions, their attack once again exposed a frail side to the Arsenal defense.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Arsenal seemed to wake up to realise that the tie was not completely over, and their job needed completing. Nasri scored a superb solo goal, dribbling through the Porto defense before scoring from a very tight angle.

Shortly after, whilst Porto tried to adjust and come forward again, Arshavin made a break forward, supported by a sprinting Eboue. The pass through for Eboue to run onto was precise and Eboue's finishing was sublime. Not only was the tie clearly over at 4-0, but Eboue was once again being feted by a crowd that only a year ago booed him off the pitch. His hard work and application since that day having redeemed himself.

Disappointingly, but perhaps predictably, the Emirates crowd began to drift away early. Possibly understandable for a late midweek game and with the win secured. Anyone who left missed the last late penalty by Bendtner (after a foul on Eboue), taking him to his first senior hat-trick.

Unpredictable

The refereeing was inconsistent at best, unpredictable at worst. In a match where there were no nasty tackles or mean spiritedness, there were five bookings. A possible offside leading to the first Arsenal goal was missed too—though it could be said that evens out the 'luck' of the Porto quick free kick in the first leg, taken before the referee signalled.

That this referee is being touted for the final at the 2010 World Cup is a surprise, given his performance last night.

Next

Wenger clearly enjoyed a masterful display, especially given the key players he is still missing. He also enjoyed seeing his faith in Bendtner repaid in the best way.

Asked who he would like to face in the next round Wenger was evasive, claiming to be willing to take anyone on, including an English team, but adding that he would want to avoid them if possible.

The League

So Arsenal's next league game is against Hull away. Hull are fighting for their lives in the division, sitting third from bottom with the worst goal difference in the league. Phil Brown's self-avowed playing style is "tough," and Arsenal will face an altogether gritter performance than the one they faced last night.

Will progression in the Champions League affect Arsenal negatively? It could already be argued that dropping out of the League Cup and FA Cup has given them an added edge over those teams who progressed in those competitions.

Arsenal next three league games are Hull, West Ham, and Birmingham, two teams battling to avoid relegation, and a third team, mid-table perhaps, but certainly no pushovers this season.

If Arsenal do not pick up any more injuries then they can continue to fight on two fronts. If Fabregas' injury lasts longer, or if they pick up any more (and the odds are against them this season), then they may fail on both fronts.

In addition to their many other injuries, Arsenal now face Hull without Song (still suspended in the league) who was very strong in defensive midfield last night. Fabregas may be fit again, but that's not definite, and Nasri went off nursing an injury last night (though nothing on that has been announced).

Give up?

It could be argued that a team cannot deliberately lose (though that has been proved inaccurate many times past). Wenger could have played a weaker team to keep his more important players fit a little longer.

Arsenal could have played at a lower tempo, perhaps more defensively. Any of those things may have retained some fitness in the team whilst letting those extra games go away by not qualifying.

Many people feel Arsenal have much less chance of winning the Champions League this year and will face tougher matches as they progress. So while they succeeded to qualify for the next round of the Champions League, they may failed to defend their league challenge, or at least put it in jeopardy.