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Ugly win gives hope for next season

An ugly but satisfying win for The Arsenal on Sunday as we move one point closer to Liverpool and await Chelsea on Sunday.

Neither has any real implications as we all know, but it's nice to see things click for our battered team finally—at least it's things we can carry over into next season I suppose, even if it was just against Fulham. I've personally always had somewhat of a soft spot for Fulham—don't know why, perhaps it's because they're from London and aren't particularly offensive in any way like the other local clubs, save for their lack of style. That, and Jimmy Bullard is hilarious. But I liked Coleman, yet I also thought bringing in Sanchez was a canny move—a panic move, yes, but I thought it would work out better than it has for some reason.

Yet I digress. We looked strong early, taking it to them as we absolutely should against a team as hapless as theirs. The Beast put in a nice header Niemi didn't even try for, and I think everyone assumed his confidence would increase. But it only took a couple of subsequent awful misses to set everyone straight again. Adebayor had one of his better games, the type to remind us of what kind of player he could become. He worked his ass off in a team that has understandably (but not inexcusably) become lazy. Cesc as well, as if you didn't know. The point is, we looked great for most of the first half, controlling possession and, seriously folks, putting a lot of shots on goal. Granted this is what anyone should do at home against Fulham, but this hasn't been the most typical of seasons.

The second half was predictably awful, and fans have every right to blast Lehmann for his knuckleheaded attempt at a ball on the 18-yard line. Just our luck, the shot on goal was perfect, and we found ourselves on our back heels as Fulham gained momentum. But a Cesc pass and cool finish by Ade, making amends for his previous cock-up, put us back up, and an equally cool penalty taken by our surrogate captain put the match to bed.

Hleb did well to earn a penalty, but he never should have put himself in that position to begin with. As always, he was of two minds upon receiving the ball at the edge of the box. His ball controll can be quite good at times but the man has zero instincts near goal, as I've said a million times, and this was no different. I'd love for him to be shown the exit door this summer assuming we can bring in a true wide player. For me, Hleb's natural style of play has embodied our game this season: good at retaining possession without ever seeming dangerous. He doesn't penetrate, he gets sucked in and he's the last man you want with the ball when we need that final, killer touch.

However, I have to say that I feel Gallas is being slagged unfairly. I think he's doing much more than he's given credit for, and for all the talk of his ineffective partnership with Toure, let's not forget just how little they've played together, along with the fact that Toure has had an indifferent season no matter who's playing alongside him. As for Gallas airing his dirty laundry in public, I can do without that, but if it brings attention to our obvious defensive shortcomings then perhaps some good can come of it. If he is indeed a cancer to the club as some tabloids would suggest, that is a different story entirely. But I'll stick with the facts for now.

So it's Chelsea this weekend. I've been in the mood to write lately, so I'll be back with more soon.

Two in a row

In a lost-cause of a season, Arsenal seem to be finishing strong as of late and hopefully taking some positives into next season. Last night's win at home to the mighty Man City continues our streak – with two wins on the bounce now!

Rosicky scored on a carbon copy of his goal against Bolton on Saturday, thanks again to some lazy defending. It seems he's finally bringing in those little bits of hustle and skill that Pires so importantly gave us in his ability to nick goals. The rest of his time on the pitch was superb as well.

And again Cesc gave us a goal, his second in two games as well. A lovely, curling ball to beat Issacson. He's finally finding his aim, as all season he seemed to have been firing shots straight at the keeper. Let's chalk it up to confidence. Glad as well to see him brandishing his Arsenal crest on his shirt after scoring. He always plays with his heart on his sleeve – I wouldn't have it any other way – and his goal celebration said it all.

But it wouldn't be an Arsenal match this season without some catastrophic defending at times. Jens and Kolo's sloppy defense allowed Beasley to score toward the end of the first half, and there was a nervy moment or two throughout the match as City nearly caught us out several times. Of the entire back line, only Gallas did well for himself I thought.

And look who scored the third: Baptista, assisted by Hleb. For once Hleb had good instincts near goal, where his ball control is a huge asset to us when he does the right thing. He fed it to Julio, who weakly put it in the back of the net. Overall he didn't have a shocking game by his standards, but I distinctly heard a lot of boos when he replaced Diaby early on due to injury.

On that note, the commentators made a lot of noise about the lack of noise inside New Highbury, and rightly so in my opinion. At 1-0 up, you could probably hear a car alarm outside the stadium. I realize this has been a season of low points for us, but come on, taking the first goal at home? That's worth cheering and singing about! So is a 3-1 win – against anyone. Not to sound like an American jumbotron, but make some noise, Gooners.

I'll get to our showdown with the scum later - a match I won't get to see since it's on the wrong channel and it starts so damn early that the local theme pub won't even be open.

POSTSCRIPT:
I wrote this entry long before I got the chance to post it, thanks to the extensive firewalls at my new job. Regardless, I didn't mention the departure of Double D, Dangerous Dave because of it. I'm waiting to hear the reactions of the media and others before I have a go at the situation, since Arsenal's backroom politics were never my forte.

Up four it...finally

At last, a solid, hard-won victory to give The Arsenal a bit of breathing room for fourth place.

Finally Cesc grabbed a goal, his first of the season - a statistic I wouldn't believe if I didn't follow the team so closely. His celebration said it all: what a release it must have been from the laborious season he and the squad had endured, especially considering his disinterested-looking body language and play for the last month or so.

It's always nice to beat Bolton, and as East Lower said so well recently, "Bolton! It's come to this" - or something along those lines. Yes, beating Bolton at home became an important game for us, saying a lot more about our form than Bolton's. (As an aside, I distinctly heard Mr. Wenger describe Bolton as "a good team" in the postmatch comments. My how things have changed.) But a streak has been stopped, and hopefully we're back to our winning ways as we again play host - this time to Man City - on Tuesday. Though with the season we've had, nothing should be taken for granted.

Downward spiral

I couldn't wake up early enough for this one - thus I have nothing to say about the match, but what is there to say really? What a way to finish the season. Bolton is now breathing down our necks. I can only imagine how shot our confidence and enthusiasm is at this point. Is this the club's way of scaring off Stan Kroenke? Sorry, that's the only positive I can take from this match.

Foiled again and harmless up front

Disappointment again for our side as Arsenal conceded late at Goodison against a determined Everton.

Painfully obvious to every Gooner are our limitations up top. Wenger really has no choice at this point, but Baptista and Aliadiere went largely missing in all their time on the pitch. We have no presence on the front line as these two not only can't position themselves well, make runs or find space at all, but also waste the few opportunities they create for themselves.

Aliadiere's only upside is that his time on the pitch gives David Pleat plenty of chances to continually butcher his name. Likewise, Baptista, despite his teddy bear looks, his admirable determination to learn English and adapt to London, the English game and the Arsenal side, continues to have the first touch of a wrecking ball. His unwillingness to challenge for 50-50 balls is alarming as well.

Credit to Everton for coming to play today. They hustled, challenged every ball and put Arsenal under some pressure for many moments in the game. They hit the post twice (though unlike what Alan Parry may say, hitting the post NEVER equates to 'deserving' a lead, a goal, etc. I hate that kind of talk.)

As for our side: I thought Toure had an excellent game - playing on the right, no less. And Hoyte did well for himself defending on the left, not his preferred position as we all know. His contributions going forward are always going to be limited when he's playing on the left, but he exceeded my modest expectations of him today. He kept calm when the Toffees put the pressure on him. Likewise, Lehmann had a decent game as well. Johnson can be a pesky little fucker for goalkeepers (just ask Pepe Reina) but Jens dealt with it well all afternoon, making a superb save early on to deny the penalty-sniffing Johnson. Credit too to Toure for keeping the madman under control after a late challenge from Vaughan certainly worthy of a card.

Freddie's still slow and his crosses were shit today. Diaby looked good but was uncharacteristically dispossessed a few too many times. Hleb, who I was never a fan of until the Old Trafford match in September and the subsequent CL game at home to Porto, has regressed and lately has demonstrated all the qualities that earned him my dislike to begin with. While Wenger did not play he and Rosicky at the same time this match, our ineffectiveness in midfield is still due in part to the fact that, while even Alan Parry calls both of them 'wide players,' in reality they are anything but. Fabregas again controlled the midfield well, and certainly should have given us a goal or two today by himself, but when looking to pass, he has no one up front to pass the ball to. A determined back line can easily render Ali and Julio completely useless.

Wenger's decision to insert Walcott late was just puzzling. With all the recent talk of his shoulder problems, why put him in there and suscept him to more pain and agony? Indeed, on his only meaningful touch (when he should not have cut back toward the middle), a challenge saw him fall on that shoulder, and thus limit his contribution today to a minute or so.

At least Liverpool drew to Villa today, allowing us to retain our third-place position - for whatever that's worth. Maybe a few extra quid for the war chest and a bit more pride when the season's over, really. Back then to Merseyside next Saturday to face the Scouse for the fourth time this season.

Back on track

So, The Arsenal got back to our winning ways in Birmingham tonight as our reserve squad held on for a one-nil victory. 'Reserve' squad is a bit of a misnomer, however, asArsene wasn't left with much choice, seeing as how practically our whole first team is either injured or suspended. I see the Cesc got some action, as did Gallas and Freddie, but beyond that the team sheet had a bit of a Carling Cup feel to it.

Of course I say all this without having watched a minute of the match (was wrapping up my last day at my old job, thanks) but it appears I didn't miss much besides Diaby's accidental goal. The fact that Rosicky and Flamini came on is good news alone, but also that they apparently revitalized the side after coming on is even better news. And, well, without actually watching the match, what else can I say? A win's a win, putting us two points above LiverpoolUSA with a game in hand. It's far-fetched, but with the pressure off, maybe Cesc is right: second place just might be attainable. You gotta set goals, right? And we have yet to play Chelsea at home anyway.

What a strange season: Henry's gone (glad we've now found out the cause of his form and demeanor this season), we do the double over the Mancs, beat Liverpool three times so far and have already drawn with Chelsea. Yet we sit a distant third and have nothing to show for ourselves.

Everton awaits. I'll be watching this one.