Gunners drop first points in 2014

Southampton 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal came away from Saint Mary’s stadium last night with a somewhat disappointing draw, which left their position at the top of the league extremely vulnerable. The Gunners had a perfect opportunity to pile the pressure on both Chelsea and Manchester City, by opening up a four point lead at the top of the table, but blew it with a terrible first half performance in which they struggled to even cross the halfway line.

Gunners march on!

Arsenal 4-0

 

Arsenal comfortably made it through to the next round of the FA Cup on Friday night with victory over League One Coventry.

Having lost his record of never having been knocked out of a cup competition by lower league opposition with defeats in the FA Cup and League Cup to Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City last season, Arsene Wenger showed Coventry utmost respect by fielding a very strong line up. Fabianski started in goal, behind first choice centre backs Koscielny and Mertesacker, who had Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain and £42 million pound man Ozil in front of them, while upfront, Bendtner returned from injury to replace Giroud.

Santi at the double

Arsenal 2-0 Fulham

Arsenal maintained their one point lead at the top of the Premier League table with what turned out to be a routine 2-0 win at home to Fulham on Saturday.

In the build up to the match, Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen declared that he knew the formula to frustrate and defeat the Gunners, as Arsene Wenger’s side would not spring any surprises and continue to play the game as only they know how. During an extremely drab first half, many Arsenal supporters may well have had those words ringing in their ears as the away side sat extremely deep in an attempt to stifle the Gunners. Yet the home crowd’s frustrations were not a result of fine work from Fulham, but rather a lethargic approach from Wenger’s team.

Gunners respond to rivals

Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal went back to the top of the table last night with a victory away to Aston Villa which avenged their infamous opening day defeat to Paul Lambert’s side. When Antonio Luna raced clear in the final minutes of that game and steered the ball past Szczesny to give his side an unassailable lead, few would have predicted that only five months later, Arsenal would be sat at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger has done a fantastic job to turn those boos which rained down on him that fateful day, into cheers. The manager, who had previously appeared slightly demoralised and irritated, has now rediscovered his smile and vigour as the Gunners continue to impress, having so far managed to keep their noses just in front of their rivals.

North London is ours!!

Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham

Arsenal confirmed their superiority over their North London rivals, Tottenham, in spectacular fashion yesterday. The Gunners completely dominated proceedings from start to finish and could and should have won the game by a greater margin than the 2-0 score line.

In the build up to the game, Tim Sherwood suggested that Arsenal supporters and management would have been pleased to see Emmanuel Adebayor leave the field on a stretcher during Tottenham’s win against Manchester United. The Spurs manager then declared that unfortunately for Arsenal, Adebayor was fully fit and raring to go against his old club. However Tottenham never seem to learn. They love to talk before the game or before the season is done and invariably always end up with egg on their face. During yesterday’s game, had it not been for the fact that his every touch was jeered by the home crowd and cheers rang out whenever he lost the ball, no one would have realised that Adebayor was actually on the pitch. The threat from the Togolese man was marginalised by Koscielny and Vermaelen in the first half and in the second half he was absolutely monstered by Mertesacker, who had replaced Vermaelen at halftime.

Super Nick to the rescue!

Arsenal 2-0 Cardiff

 

The Gunners left it late to secure a vital three points against a dogged and determined Cardiff City yesterday. Two goals in the final minutes of the game ensured Arsenal started the new year right where they want to be; at the top of the table.

This was a win which yet again highlighted the great spirit within this squad of players who have so far overcome all the odds to remain firmly in the hunt for the Premier League title. Despite Cardiff’s well documented off field troubles, this was a game in which the Gunners could have all too easily dropped points. With an injury list that ruled out the likes of Ozil, Ramsey and Giroud, Arsene Wenger was virtually down to the bare bones in the attacking department. As a result, the Arsenal midfield had a slightly defensive feel with both Arteta and Flamini deployed in the centre of the park. Unfortunately, Wenger did not really have any alternatives and this played into the away side’s hands as Cardiff were determined to sit extremely deep and hardly launch any attacks, as they came to the Emirates in search of a draw.