First thing’s first, it is a vital, vital 3 points for Arsenal. The build up to the match centred on Arsenal’s poor form over the last 2 months that has seen them go from league leaders to once again scrambling for the final Champions League spot. It is a feeling that Arsenal fans have become all too familiar with and you could feel it in the stadium.
Two months ago Arsenal were humiliated at Anfield. The whole club was full of confidence and swagger coming into the match as they sat at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool was trying to compete for a top 4 spot. Fast-forward to last Sunday and Anfield was a stadium absolutely rocking with a spine tingling noise.
Every Liverpool fan in that stadium believed they would win a crucial game and make a giant step forward towards a historic Premier League title.
At The Emirates Stadium, the fans were nervous, anxious and full of tension. Two months is a long, long time in football.
Arsenal fans will feel they have let a great opportunity slide past them once again as they pursue their first Premier League title since The Invincibles graced the English game. Instead, they made steady improvements and go ahead of Everton and take 4th position having played an extra game.
Is Podolski the answer to Arsenal’s striker problem?
Before the match, Wenger challenged his players to get the job done and finish the campaign with nothing but victories. And taking into consideration Everton’s form, every game is a must win now for Arsenal if they aspire to play Champions League football for the 17th straight season.
The victory over Wigan was tougher than it should have been, but results matter and it was important to get a result against West Ham. Pretty football does not matter. Winning is everything.
The result was an almost exact repeat of the opposite fixture as West Ham took a 1-0 lead, only to surrender the lead to an inspired Podolski. Podolski showed that he is Arsenal’s best finisher and many fans believe he should be given more opportunities to play in a central role.
If Wenger (or whoever will be the manager in the summer) does not successfully purchase a world-class striker in the next transfer window then he needs to buy another attacking midfielder because it is time Arsenal play Podolski and Walcott as strikers.
Giroud scored a very nice goal, but again showed his inconsistencies that has epitomised his season. I believe he should stay at the club, despite many fans losing faith in his abilities; however, competition for the place on the team sheet is priority as Yaya Sanogo is nowhere near ready.
Champagne Charlie owes Cazorla an apology
Prior to The FA Cup semi-final versus Wigan, former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas blasted Santi Cazorla and stated that he was simply not good enough for Arsenal. Cazorla was Player of the Year last season for The Gunners and is amongst the fans’ favourites.
He has been off form lately, but then again, who hasn’t? It has been a tough period for everybody associated with the club.
It was glorious to see Cazorla put in a Man of the Match performance that saw him receive a standing ovation for his efforts and influence. It is joy seeing Cazorla glide across The Emirates pitch, switching from right foot to left foot so painlessly. However, I do feel his effect on the game is lost when he is pushed out wide.
Cazorla certainly has the talent to play anywhere across the midfield, but it is obvious what position he enjoys most and that is in the number 10 role.
Wenger should continue, but only if he still enjoys football
So, the result was a positive step forward to achieving the minimum the club sets out before the start of the season. Wenger has never failed to finish outside the top 4 in a Premier League season and he obviously wants to keep it that way.
There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding Wenger’s future, despite Gazidis and Wenger stating that the manager will continue past his current contract.
However, is he the right man? Can Wenger bring success back to the club? If not, then who? These are the questions being posed in the Arsenal community. Is Wenger even enjoying himself anymore? Earlier, I thought I caught a slight smirk from the boss when Giroud’s shot found the net, but then again, I’m not sure if imagined it or not.
If Wenger feels like he can carry on for a few more years then he should. He has brought the club through a tough period where he had to compete against the unexpected arrival of foreign billionaires.
The club is now in a strong financial position and I believe Wenger should be given the opportunity to buy world-class talent and restore pride in the club. Teams use to shudder at the thought of playing against Arsenal.
4th or FA Cup? I’ll take both
It was a good result, but when looking at the fixture list this was always a game that everybody thought will be a guaranteed win. Arsenal thought back from going behind to winning for only the second time this Premier League season, the first being the fixture at Upton Park.
I firmly believe Arsenal will finish the season in 4th place and will lift The FA Cup and for any club that is a successful season. Funny thing is, there won’t be many calling for Wenger’s head if that does become reality.
The club will have to hope Everton slip up in their remaining fixtures and I believe they have a tougher fixture list than Arsenal. With some key players coming back to fitness I believe Arsenal will once again successfully compete in the Champions League next season.
Trophies are important, but so is Champions League football. Which would I prefer? I’ll take both.
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