Kevin Whitcher
For the first period of last night’s encounter with Wigan, it looked like Arsenal might be in for a comfortable evening. A fairly early goal to settle the nerves, and a few chances. Then, for some reason, the team transformed and until half time could not seem to be able to string two passes together. It was a worrying sign. The home side looked like they were on the ropes against a team staring relegation in the face. I’ve not seen any of the match on TV, but the free kick given by Mike Dean was apparently a soft one. However, given the balance of play over the duration of the first half, I would have to say that Wigan probably deserved to go in level. As for Mike Dean, I have an idea the Gunners’ record when he officiates is pretty poor. I never like to see him given charge of Arsenal matches.
Now granted, Wigan were tired. But even so, given Sunderland’s far superior goal difference, a draw was not good enough. However, their early second half timewasting tactics mystified me. Better surely to go for it and if successful in taking a lead, then eat the clock. But maybe fatigue had got to them already, who knows? Even so, a key Szczesny save from Kone early in the second half made life less stressful than it might have been. As the game wore on, the visitors had trouble living with Arsenal and especially Walcott, who had an excellent game apart from a couple of offsides. The Gunners’ second goal was a thing of beauty in its creation. One positive about last night’s performance was that there did seem to be more drive and use of the flanks. This is how Arsenal should play. More attack and less Arteta. Once a move goes through the Spanish number 8, the metaphorical handbrake is on. Having said that, his defensive contribution might well be missed if he does not recover by Sunday. I think he will play.
When Podolski’s expertly finished second goal went in, the writing was on the wall. Wigan had nothing left to give. Roberto Martinez stood getting soaked on the edge of the touchline for the duration of the match and fair play to him. However, the previous 36 matches have been what put them in this position. Wigan have done well on their resources to remain in the top flight for so long, but one wonders if they will be back anytime soon.
Aaron Ramsey had spent large parts of the second half giving the ball away, but he salavaged his evening with the fourth and final goal. The 4-1 scoreline, according to the radio, means that, were Arsenal to win and Chelsea draw on Sunday, there might be a play-off for third spot, depending on the goals scored. One imagines it would be a one-off game at a neutral venue. Still, just winning is all that we should worry about for now. I am fairly certain that both Chelsea and Spurs will gain three points on Sunday, so it is all in Arsenal’s hands. Giroud is back, and he was missed against Man United and QPR, although less so last night. For me, it’s an impossible one to predict. Sure, Newcastle are on the beach, but Alan Pardew and Arsenal have plenty of history, so the Toon manager will be pumping up his players to deny the visitors any points.
It was job done against Wigan, as I expected it to be, even if for a time Arsenal made hard work of it. On Sunday, they need to be disciplined, demonstrate their experience and play to the levels they are capable of and which we have not seen very often this season. It won’t be a triumph to finish so far behind the champions, but Champions League qualification (even if an August qualifier is required) would mean there is no reason the club cannot spend large on genuine quality in the summer, as is desperately needed.
This season’s final issue of The Gooner can be bought outside the stadium before the away match against Newcastle this weekend. It is a £3, 64 page end of season bumper special which can also be bought online here.
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