Kings of 2013

Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal

 

 

Arsenal maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard fought victory away to Newcastle which saw the Gunners end 2013 in impressive fashion. In fact this calendar year has seen Arsene Wenger’s side take more points than any other team in the league. Anyone who doubts Arsenal’s title credentials need only look at that that statistic to be proved wrong.

The Gunners may not have performed at their very best yesterday, but showcased the grit and determination required of all title winners, to seal victory in difficult conditions.

Back on top

West Ham 1-3 Arsenal

Arsenal moved back to the top of the table with a much needed comeback victory away to West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The Gunners came into this game on the back of a poor recent run of form having failed to win any of their previous four games and with serious doubts hanging over their title credentials. On the other hand, West Ham were teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, yet the Hammers began the game brightly, but struggled to exert any significant pressure on the Arsenal goal, as the Gunners defence held firm. Once Arsene Wenger’s side settled into the game, they soon began to dominate possession and create chances almost at will.

Drab draw at the Emirates

Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea

 

Arsenal and Chelsea played out a painfully dour goalless draw last night. As the wind and rain lashed down on the Emirates stadium, the entertainment on the pitch suffered considerably with chances few and far between.

Jose Mourinho had clearly arrived with one intention in mind, to stifle the game and escape back to Stamford Bridge with a draw and maybe steal a win. This was a somewhat surprising approach from the man who once derided Tottenham for “parking the bus” following a home game against Arsenal’s North London rivals.

Gunners fail big test

Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal

Serious questions were raised yet again about Arsenal’s title credentials on Saturday, following a truly humbling experience for the Gunners away to Manchester City.

Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing, but at the final whistle Wenger must surely have wished he could go back in time and set his team up differently. With Manchester City in such imperious form at home this season and having had the luxury of resting players in midweek, it was foolish of Wenger to decide to go toe to toe with Manuel Pellegrini’s side. This decision left Arsenal horribly exposed time and time again as City looked capable of scoring any time they pleased.

Gunners go through...........just!!

Napoli 2-0 Arsenal

Arsenal came close to throwing away all their previous hard work in the Champions League group of death, with a second half display against Napoli, they will want to quickly forget.

The Gunners came into the game knowing that any result other than a three goal defeat would guarantee their place in the last 16 of the competition. This appeared to be a fairly straightforward task especially when taking into account Arsenal’s excellent performances in the Champions League this season. However those who have supported North London’s finest for a number of years, know all too well that with the Gunners, nothing is ever straight forward.

Five points clear!

Arsenal 1-1 Everton

Arsenal were only nine minutes away from going an incredible seven points clear at the top of the table yesterday, but were unfortunately pegged back by a spirited Everton side, meaning the Gunners lead at the top of the Premier League table now stands at five points.

In truth, Arsene Wenger’s side didn’t really deserve to win the game yesterday, as Everton, full of confidence from their moral boosting win away to Manchester United, frustrated Arsenal with a high pressing game which, particularly in the first half, prevented the home side from gaining any rhythm in the match. The Gunners midfield unit, which has performed extremely well all season, just could not get a grip on the game. Far too often, in the opening 25 minutes, Arsenal’s midfield gave the ball away far too cheaply, through sloppy passing and as a result Everton comfortably enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Big Dane back on the score sheet

Arsenal 2-0 Hull

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s excellent 3-0 victory away to Cardiff, Arsene Wenger declared his intention to rotate his first team selection over the coming weeks, due to an incredibly heavy schedule up ahead. However, the manager’s decision to replace Olivier Giroud with the infamous Niklas Bendtner for last night’s match at home to Hull, resulted in a series of groans from the Arsenal faithful as they entered the Emirates Stadium. These were wholly justified of course, given the Dane’s lacklustre performance in his last starting berth against Chelsea, but the groans soon turned to cheers as Arsenal got off to yet another excellent start thanks to that man Bendtner.

Ramsey dominates on return

Cardiff 0-3 Arsenal

 

Arsenal produced an excellent display against Cardiff on Saturday, to once again emerge victorious from a tricky away game and pile the pressure on their title rivals.

Ever since the Gunners began their fine run of form, which has seen them achieve 31 points from a possible 39, the pundits have been circling like vultures, waiting for Arsene Wenger’s side to slip up and provide them with the ammunition to discard Arsenal’s title credentials. Saturday’s trip to Cardiff was a stern test. The Bluebirds had previously defeated Manchester City and achieved a draw against Manchester United, so a trip to the Cardiff City stadium could not be seen as an easy afternoon’s work. However, once the Gunners had secured an impressive 3-0 victory, the football pundits practically dismissed the performance and highlighted once again that the Gunners are yet to face the top sides of Chelsea and Manchester City.