One topic that we discussed at the Football Factory on Sunday, with regards to the quality of the respective performances by the Arsenal and Manchester City, was the question of which team looked more like title contenders. We were having difficulty getting the ball in the net, hitting the post 3 times, missing open goals, and even clearing our own goal bound shots from the line. But our commitment and superiority were obvious and without bias there appeared to be only one deserved winner on the pitch. City, on the other hand put in the same kind of performance that ended with scoreless draws on their last two visits to the Grove, showing a complacency that belied their position in the title race.
The display from Wenger's charges matched the requirements of the occasion. There is no question City have quality in abundance but in contrast to recent April's the team found wanting wasn't wearing red and white. I was disappointed to see Chamberlain on the bench at the start but understood the need for a late spark and given Gervinho's absence it seemed just about the right decision. And even if Benayoun wasn't great on the day, with him on the pitch we had all of the required threat and the chances necessary to beat them. That we eventually did so speaks about our character and our desire to put the QPR result right and to return to winning ways. Some may even say that we did just that.
But that would be incorrect. You can't say you've learned a lesson about complacency by putting in a shift against one of the top sides in the league. With Spurs and Chelsea both dropping points yesterday, as well as Newcastle surging, we have, in the Wolves match, a true opportunity to address that QPR result. Wenger spoke about avoiding a crisis with the result on Sunday but in reality it was the minimum expectation. Top teams bounce back. Too often we have stacked up losses this season instead of registering an instant response.
After the match Mancini said that the run-in is when a team’s experience really counts. Ironically, they have stocked their team with players from an Arsenal side that went 6 years without winning anything. So that experience is counting for something, eh Roberto? It sure counted for us on Sunday. We scorched Clichy’s flank all day, Nasri didn’t start, and despite coming off the bench as a substitute, still didn’t finish. Toure didn’t even feature, and Adebayor isn’t even in their squad, plying his trade for another team currently on the slide.
On the Arsenal side of that discussion, we have in Rosicky a player returning to form with a competitive desire that has fueled that resurgence. Witness Vermaelen’s assertive displays. Arteta has been simply massive all season. The way he tucked in behind our fullbacks when they advanced and the lung-busting runs he made to close down opponents just moments before and after his goal spoke volumes about how to get the job done. Van Persie, even when shackled by one of the best defenses in the league, was dangerous throughout. Sagna has been a rock ever since he returned from injury. And Theo, while still young is showing signs that the consistency his game has lacked in previous years is beginning to emerge.
Tin Lid Ian remarked during a game this season that we were having the classic Arsenal performance in which we looked like we were running out of runway. And sadly that could be said of our season. We started very poorly, which meant we couldn’t afford the run of losses we had in January. But when you look at our form and results since October we have been one of the best sides in the league. Of course I would still admit that United have been better even over that period, but the margin is finer that we could have possibly dreamed given our start and the injuries to our fullbacks through the winter period.
With six games left we hold our destiny in our hands with respect to guaranteed Champions League next year. And while I appreciate Szczesny's sentiment, and even echoed it myself on Sunday, second place should not be in anyone’s mind right now. Beat Wolves. That's it. Consolidate this position we're in. Protect our place in the table. Get three points off the next opponent, whoever it is. Finish strong. It’s something we haven’t done for a few seasons, but if we have truly learned from our mistakes this season, particularly the recent setback at QPR, it’s something that we have both the experience and the character to correct.
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