Massive Premiership Weekend
At the beginning of the day, Arsenal were fresh from an absolute thrashing of the "in form" Spurs side at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger, a man much criticised this season, claimed the manager of the month award for February and the team sheet for the game today was exactly the same as the last. Something that couldn't be said much, if not at all, this season with injuries and suspensions blighting the progress of the gunners. One thing was standing in the way. A liverpool side who had just won the League Cup after a nail biting 120 minutes and penalties at Wembley against a burly Cardiff team. The fact it was at Anfield didn't help the situation for the North Londoners today. Although historically they have had the odd triumphant night in the past, Liverpool were going into the game unbeaten there all season.
The game against Tottenham showed that the team have great spirit and desire to win. In my opinion much more so than the Arsenal of the last couple of years. The obvious problems defensively were easy to see last weekend, especially in the first goal. Adebayor had shed loads of space to slot Saha through on goal with players at sixes and sevens. That thing called "desire" though is something Arsenal seem to have harnessed just at the right time.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
The match started with Liverpool absolutely dominating. Wenger'd side couldn't even string two passes together. The final ball and first touch of some of the players, who only seven days before had performed with pure class, was non-existent. After a while the domination payed off and the controversial Luiz Suarez was brought down in the box by the faintest of touches by Szcezney, with the Uruguayan flying through the air and holding his shin like he'd been shot. Yes, it seemed to be a penalty but was there any need to react like that? I'm not so sure.
Charlie Adam wanted to take the spot kick but Dirk Kuyt, who scored in the shoot-out in the cup final wasn't having any of it in such a crutial game. Unfortunately for him, the big Polish keeper made an absolutely outstanding double save, flying across the goal like a dolphin at Sea World! All afternoon he pulled off save after save, the best being from an outstanding Suarez run and shot which would have been a contender for goal of the season if it had gone in.
In the middle of the first half though, all the pole's good work was undone. A cross in from the right was cruelly sliced into his own net by Laurent Koscielny. The Londoners were now on the back foot and playing like a bunch of amateurs. It didn't look good. Fortunately the have a Dutchman by the name of Robin Van Persie in their ranks. A man who gives David Blaine a run for his money when it comes to magic moments. An absolutely sublime ball by right back, Bacary Sagna, was headed in by RVP with ease, getting inbetween the two Liverpool defenders. Totally against the run of play, they were back in it. This was so important. I think, if they'd gone in 1-0 down at half time there was a danger of the flood gates opening. Luckily for Wenger and his men, Liverpool really cannot finish to save their lives at the moment. Suarez, who was the linchpin for the scousers, hit the post and chance after chance was foiled by Szcezney and the goofy striker needs to imprtove on that goal return if he is to get Liverpool back to their glory days.
The second half Arsenal seemed to have solidified in defence but Liverpool still had so much of the ball it only looked a matter of time before they got a second. This was not to be. After a clash between Mikel Arteta and Jordan "how the hell am I worth £20million?"Henderson off the ball, the ex Everton man was left Unconcious on the floor and had to be supplied with oxygen and a back brace when leaving the match. It was a complete accident, but it was a horrific end for a player who has been very solid in the heart of that midfield this season. The time that was taken to sort Arteta out meant that there were 8 minutes of injury time. A similar situation between the two sides happened last season at the Emirates, where Dirk Kuyt converted a penalty in the 96th minute. I presumed, much like everyone else that this may happen again, and it did, but not for Liverpool.
That man, Robin Van Persie was put through by a lovely chipped through ball by the outstanding Alex Song which the number ten finished on the volley, side footing past Pepe Reina who will be very disappointed at being beaten at his near post. Arsenal hung on for the win, meaning they are now only 4 points behing Tottenham in 3rd place, who have to go to Manchester United tomorrow. Liverpool, 10 points behind, are seemily out of the race. The result also meant that Arsenal went 3 points ahead of Chelsea, who played West Brom at 3pm.
The End For Villas Boas?
I haven't seen the game yet, but Andre Villas Boas is surely destined for the chop after Chelsea went down to an 81st minute goal by defender Gareth McAuley. Torres, yet again, not on the scoresheet and a difficult period for Abramovich, who has sacked managers doing alot better than the Portuguese in the hot seat. He surely must have run out of patience by now, and the rumours that Rafa Benitez could take the reigns have got stronger over the last couple of days. I really feel for AVB. A young manager, given a big job, and I really did want him to succeed. He did very well at Porto. Yes, it's the Portuguese League, but still, you don't lose that talent over night. The pressure of a pushy owner, and fans who now have the taste for success after years of no trophies means that a more experienced head looks to be called for. Someone who can handle superstars, knows the Champions League inside out, and his own man who won't be swayed by the powers that be above him. Chelsea are still to play 6 out of the top 7 clubs, so it could still change but the way they are going it could be too much for them to get a Europa League spot.
With Man City easily dispatching Bolton today, United will be pumped up for the Spurs game, and it looks to be an absolute cracker tomorrow. That gap between the two North London clubs could be closing. Whatever happens, we are due for a very exciting end to the season!!!
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