Joe Mardon
Another opportunity to put down a marker for the season has passed. This poor league chugs along with challengers each taking their turn at the top, never having the quality to remain there once reached, let alone pull away. Much of our defaults this season (and last, and before that, etc) have fallen at the feet of defensive frailties. Last night, for once, our creativeness was called into question. We created all but zip.
A poor game. A poor advertisement for a league without a great side, and in which an average United are still unbeaten. There was an early desire to stand up to United, and tackles flew in where they'd usually be avoided. The challenges came at a cost, as our incisive attacking game was off. No composure. Nervous. Aware of the occasion. Passes astray.
Subdued. Even Nasri, stuck cold out on the right. One chance to break saw Song lose possession at the edge of their box. If Wilshere was in his position, and Song holding back where Jack was, our side would have more common sense balance to it, and a chance would probably have been created. I'll say as little about Arshavin as the amount he contributed warrants.
United were slightly better. Perhaps. Although they were certainly fortunate in the manner in which their win was secured. Clichy was becoming accustomed to Nani running at him one on one by this stage, and the unprotected full back was unfortunate to see his block deflect into the path of Park. Who only scores against us, and duly obliged.
Coming just before the break, the goal was a huge blow for our brittle confidence. It resulted in a huge lack of belief amongst the players coming out for the second half. As if they knew the two goal haul was already beyond them, even though just a draw would have been welcome.
United sat back and waited for our moves to break down, before trying to kill the game off on the break. Sound familiar? The only surprise is that a second didn't follow, especially with Rooney passing up on his customary goal against The Arsenal. It doesn't matter now, but it might next time around, and it would be nice to travel to Old Trafford without them being gifted a penalty simply because they claim one.
The only chance of note fell to Chamakh, as Van der Saar spilt a Nasri effort across goal. The Moroccan reacted slower than a predator would, and then lacked the composure to take his time once the tap in was destined to be blocked.
Van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott should bring more to a game when coming on. One wasn't match fit, one wasn’t fit fit, and Theo leaned back and smashed a quarter chance on the volley high over the bar. Lacklustre.
A one nil defeat at Old Trafford is no disgrace. On its own, it's not a damming indication of our title ambitions. What's gone before means the questions are louder.
Likewise those doubts slung Clichy's way. I actually thought our left back dealt well with Nani running at him time after time, often winning the tackle. That was until I turned on Twitter which had him held up as culprit number one. He's not been thought of in the same light since that title conceder at St Andrews, and I wonder if the error and consequences of that day have stayed with him, as they have the fans.
Arsene cited the pitch when discussing the loss post match. I'd rather not have heard such comments, even if they were true. It's not why we lost. I understand Arsene not laying into the team in public, but I hope he's not as lenient in private, or else things will never change.
Three Positives.
Wilshere bringing Fletcher to the ground, and later telling him to mind his own as the Scot tried to officiate proceedings, as if to say 'we're only trying to win ugly like you suggest. Ugly.'
Fat Sam being sacked, and the fact he called Fergie to have a little cry about it. May the downward spiral continue.
And a decent debut in a huge game for the future of Arsenal goalkeeping. Szczesny made a vital Schmichel save once more, and his handling was confident throughout. I'd like to see him kick the ball further than the halfway line, but if Fabianksi really was injured, it will be interesting to see who starts against Stoke on Saturday.
Saturday. Another chance to go top of this forgiving league. A win at home to Stoke should see us regain first place ahead of United traveling to Stamford Bridge.
It's what’s so bloody frustrating about our regular lapses this season. The league will not be won by a great side.
It wouldn't take much for that side to be us.
