Everyone Calm Down

Well, Arsenal failed to get it done yet again. When matched up against the Premier League's other top clubs, the Gunners almost always fall short. This seems to be the sentiment among both Arsenal supporters and football media outlets alike. But, is this a fair assessment of a team which, until their most recent defeat against Manchester United, held the top position in the EPL table? 

Arsenal are a top-four club. Few would argue otherwise. However, much of the reasoning behind this accolade stems from their history as a winning club. Thus, in media induced conversation, they are almost always lumped in with the league's top clubs, i.e. Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool, without regard to the current quality of its players (the same could certainly be said of Liverpool). Because of the club's winning history Arsenal are simply expected to win. 

There has been a lot of talk this season about Arsenal's lack of silverware in recent years. But, why? I didn't hear a peep about this absence of recent trophies a year ago. It's almost trendy to mention this. It's a hot-topic. But are Arsenal really ready to win anything this year? Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it. Why this sudden interest in Arsenal winning a trophy? It seems as though members of the media have precipitously decided that this IS the year Arsenal must win. We are no longer allowing them to grow. Last year, they were a young promising team in a growth stage. Why has this changed so dramatically in just one season? They've really only acquired a couple new players. All of the others that remain from last year's squad are only one year older. This sudden pressure to win a cup is mind-boggling. They aren't suddenly better than those top two aforementioned squads just because they are a year older. 

  Simply put, they are overachieving. Without Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, Arsene Wenger has been leaning on the likes of young Jack Wilshere and [relatively new to the superstar moniker] Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri. Even though Nasri and Arshavin have been playing fantastic football, this really is a breakout season for them. Although their talent is no secret, no one could have guessed just how exceedingly well they would be playing this season. So, again, why is everyone expecting a trophy?

 

The Gunners, although they were just knocked off the top of the table, perhaps shouldn't have held the position in the first place. They were there because Chelsea and Man U have been underachieving, not because they are the top club in one of the world's most prestigious leagues. Not yet, anyway. For that they will need a healthy Cesc Fabregas and a top player to be named after dumping the monetary wasteland that is Robin Van Persie. Chamakh has proven that the Dutchmaster is simply not needed in North London. Sack him and pick up a quality player of similar monetary value; one much less injury prone. 

  In closing; give Arsenal a break. If they win anything this year, it will be a bonus and a testament to a young club that worked really hard to get there. The Gunners are expected to play and succeed without the Drogbas and the Rooneys. If they do succeed, we will celebrate. Until then, Let's stop expecting it. The club will not implode if they go another year without a trophy. They are given out  every Spring. 

Walcott, Arsenal Handle Blackpool

After barely receiving a point with a lucky draw against Liverpool, Arsenal returned to their winning ways in grand style Saturday, with an emphatic win against recently promoted Blackpool. The Gunners looked fast and organized against a club that surprised some folks in their opening match. Heading into the match, Blackpool were actually ahead of Arsenal in the standings, something we all knew wouldn't really last. From the kick-off, Blackpool were merely attempting only to "hold off" a team that is often considered one of England's best. Their attempt didn't last long, as Theo Walcott opened the floodgates early when finishing off a lovely pass from teammate Andrey Arshavin. From that point on, it was all Arsenal. 

The Gunners, knowing this would likely be a walk in the park, so to speak, didn't even start their two most prominent players. Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie were absent from the starting lineup, and didn't appear at all until midway through the second half. Although they were likely on the field only for the purpose of a little conditioning, the two world-classers who competed against each other in this year's World Cup Final seemed pleased to share the field with a team that didn't really need them on this particular afternoon. 

Walcott put two more into the back of the net before it was all done. Abu Diaby also sent a brilliantly timed burner past the poor Blackpool keeper, who will likely be more than willing to forget such a dreadful performance. A penalty kick from Arshavin and a late header from Marouane Chamakh added to Arsenal's tally boosting them to a 6 nill victory over the now lowly Blackpool. 

Can Arsenal keep up this terrific play when they face Blackburn this Saturday?

And, does Blackpool have any chance of remaining in the Premiership through 2012?

Liverpool Roll Through West Ham, But Who Cares?

Did Liverpool look like a top-four team, or did West Ham look like a team facing relegation? It's hard to determine which of these options more realistically describes yesterday's match at Anfield. Even the Liverpool supporters seemed unimpressed with yesterday's meaningless win, as the stadium was exceptionally quiet during Liverpool's commanding victory; a clear example that the season is unofficially over.

It happens every year, in every league, in every country. If your team is not at the top of the table by mid-April, you might as well start looking forward to September. The strange thing about this case is that the supporters who regularly fill the seats of Anfield aren't used to giving up this early. For a team usually in top-seed contention, Liverpool have certainly been a group of underachievers in the 2009-10 season. Maybe one can attribute their lack of success to an aging lineup. Or, maybe the club's ownership woes have contributed to Liverpool's mediocre performance this season. Whatever the combination of factors, Liverpool fans may soon have a lot more to cheer about. With a prospective new ownership, new stadium on the way, and the potential acquisition of some fresh young talent, Liverpool supporters may once again find reason to celebrate. But for now, if you are a Liverpool fan, enjoy the summer months.

Danny Who?

Until yesterday, many Tottenham fans didn't even know who Danny Rose was. That changed rather quickly when, in the first half of the north London derby, the 19 year-old took full advantage of Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia's fisted clearance. Rose struck Almunia's feeble punch right off the volley from 35 yards out. The ball soon hit the back of the net to the surprise of both the Arsenal side and the now wildly elated occupants of Whit Hart Lane. Even Rose himself must have been a bit surprised that his left-footed volley had hit the target with such accuracy, from such a tremendous distance. His memorable strike proved to be the catalyst Tottenham needed to complete their task of ruining the title hopes of their London rival, Arsenal. As good as young Danny Rose's strike had been, the real match hero had to be Tottenham goal keeper, Heurelho Gomes. 

With Arsenal down and in need of a win, manager Arsene Wenger decided to play the recently healthy Robin Van Persie, who certainly made his presence known on the pitch during his come-back. However, Van Persie was denied a number of chances by the Spurs keeper. Gomes made three terrific saves keeping the Gunners from acquiring the points they so desperately needed to move within three points of league leaders, Chelsea. Now, six points behind, Arsenal's title hopes have disappeared. 

Fabregas Sidelined

 Cesc Fabregas broke his right fibula yesterday, in an audacious attempt to put his team level with Barcelona during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Fabregas and his teammates were down 2-1, when he was fouled in the box by Carles Puyol. He went on to score from the penalty marker after Puyol was sent off, tying the game at two a piece. The two sides would remain level until the final whistle. Fabregas is said to be out six weeks.

Andrey Arshavin will likely be forced to spend time off the pitch as well. He's expected to miss the next three weeks due to a calf injury. With their two juggernauts out of the lineup, the Gunners will have to count on the likes of Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott to boost spirits in North London. Arsenal will certainly have their work cut out for them when they travel to Barcelona next Tuesday, April 6th.

 What do you make of Puyol's tackle?