Kevin Whitcher
Three points were absolutely vital in The Gunners’ challenge for the title last night. It was far from a memorable match, entertainment when Stoke are in opposition can be in short supply. Gooner podcast regular David Oudot was sitting next to me during the game and provided me with some material that I can use instead of focusing too much on waxing lyrical about Tony Pulis’ football philosophy. He felt that the visitors were encapsulated by the pronunciation of one of their centre backs – ‘hoof’ – and the fact that their main creative outlet was an Irish javelin champion in his younger years. A wonderful stat he provided me with was that, since their return to the top flight under Pulis, they have never had the majority of possession in a single Premier League match they have contested. And when one thinks that possession time includes that when they have been awarded, but not yet taken, a throw-in, that is saying something. They can’t return quickly enough to the depths of the Championship for me, but sitting in tenth place, that is unlikely this season. Shame.
Against such opposition, it was highly likely Arsenal would lose a player to injury. At least when Cesc Fabregas left the field, it was not due to a bad challenge. Theo Walcott has a history of leaving Stoke games on a stretcher, and he too was a forced change. I haven’t seen any of the match on TV at the time of writing, so I can’t comment on individual challenges. There was a theory that Robin van Persie was not risked for precautionary reasons, and if that were true, you can only say that with three points i the bag, it was just as well.
Walcott would have been a handy weapon against Birmingham in Sunday’s final, but more so in the second leg of the Barcelona tie. It’s unlikely he will be back for the latter and Wembley looks totally out of the question. Still, at least Andrey Arshavin seems to have returned to some kind of form. The standout players against Stoke were the keeper, back four and Jack Wilshere. The others did enough to win the game, but did not enjoy their finest evenings. With Nasri still coming back to full fitness after his absence, the team failed to really click once Fabregas had made his exit. They will need to be better on Sunday, with or without their captain, although the now much improved Wembley surface should help.
Although there was an element of anxiety about the capture of the three points, Arsenal actually need to have more matches like this – that they win – to win the title. Off days when things do not really flow but the points are secured. And there will be more off days. Stoke do not make it easy and will probably have to be beaten again at the Britannia if Arsenal are to prevent United from finishing top. Fortune with injuries will also be a factor. In 2008 and 2010, the pursuit of honours was derailed by too many key absentees at the business end of the season. Arsenal need Fabregas to return desperately and Walcott – even if he had one of his off nights against Stoke prior to his forced removal – can prove a matchwinner on the good days. One encouraging aspect to last night was to see that Sebastien Squillaci can look a good defender when paired with Johan Djourou. The latter is another key man that must stay fit. Alex Song’s form seems to have dropped a little, and he needs to step up. Hearing he refused to give police his ID when stopped in his car doing 50mph in a 30mph zone gives an insight into the mentality of many a modern day Arsenal player. They believe they are so rich (and live in a bubble, created by the manager) they do not have to live by the same laws as you and I. Such arrogance does nothing to build character, but fortunately, the team showed enough against Stoke.
All in all, a decent night’s work, because it really is all about points at this stage. Arsenal can concentrate on winning a trophy and progressing in the FA Cup until Saturday week. Of course, the injuries suffered may or may not prove costly, but it’s a reality that the team are not going to go through the rest of the season without losing players here and there. It’s a question of who is out, for how long, and how the team adapt and react. Interesting times ahead, for sure. Very important win last night though, and credit to the team for digging it out.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale for the matches at home to Orient and Sunderland. For those unable to make any of these games, it can be bought online here.
