It takes a lot dedication to be an Arsenal supporter, especially when spring rolls around. By the time spring rolls around the squad is ravished with injuries, drained mentally and physically, and completely debilitated heading into the most important part of the season, and as much as I fooled myself into thinking that this spring would be different, its not, its the exact same scenario, Arsenal bravely fighting for fourth place. Last nights match was a tough pill to swallow, but it's in the past, and all the teams focus and energy should now be getting 3rd place. Arsenal can't win the league now, but 3rd place is not out of reach. With Liverpool's upcoming fixtures( Spuds(haha),Man City, and Chelsea), if Arsenal take care of their business, then maybe, just maybe they could sneak in there for 3rd place, and avoid champions league qualifiers, which would be a massive necessity and achievement with the World Cup looming. #COYG #AFC
The Good - The enigma that is known as Lukas Podolski. Its been a while since Arsenal were in a situation to bring in a substitute who would drastically change the match. I cant remember, but when was the last time Arsenal were down a goal and brought on a 2nd half sub who changed the game? That is exactly what happen in the 2nd half against Swansea City. Podolski came on and in true Enigma like fashion, he was eager, involved, and changed the course of the game with a well taken goal and quality cross to assist Giroud for the go ahead goal. Its games like this that leave Arsenal supporters perplexed about why there is so much inconsistency in Podolski's game. In some games he barely gets a kick of the ball, and some games he scores and assist brilliant goals, and in last nights match against Swansea it was the latter. In a match where Arsenal huffed and puffed, but could not get that breakthrough goal, Podolski was just the spark Arsenal needed to get going and finally take the lead.
The Bad - The amount of time Neil Taylor had to swing in that cross to Bony was irresponsible. One of the things that frustrates me most about the way Arsenal defend, is the complete lack of urgency, and the lack of awareness early on in matches. Go back and watch the replay of Swansea's first goal. You should noticed the amount TIME and SPACE Taylor had to pick out Bony for the opening goal. The pundits lament on and on about how Swansea only had two shots on goal, well thats all it takes when you give players at the highest level time and space to pick out teammates in the box. How about for the rest of the season, Arsenal employ the tactics, that worked so well during last year's run in. Last year Arsenal's mental approach, no matter who the team was playing, was absorb pressure, keep it tight, desperately defend as a unit, and counter attack.
The Ugly - The last 10 min of the game. If you didn't know the score and watched the last 10 minutes of that game, you would've thought Arsenal desperately needed a goal to get a result. Players were frantically pushing up field in attack, rushing passes in an attempt to create scoring chances. Players were out of position, and showed no composure when it came to controlling and retaining the ball. It was an absolute horror show, that culminated into an bumbling own goal that cost Arsenal all three crucial points. When is the last time you can remember, the Emirates singing "Ole Ole" during the closing stages of a match, as Arsenal pass the ball around? It's been a while since I've heard the "ole's", but I do hear the rumbling groans of "Oh shit Oh shit" every time an Arsenal player looses the ball, and makes a bad decision late in a game.
Peace Out,
Blanco
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