Notorious November is gone...exorcised by a 2-1 home win today against Fulham, and December was ushered in by a superb goal scoring display by Nasri. It was another imperfect performance by this team with the result making it very easy to forgive flaws but leaving one with a slight sense of trepidation for next Monday.
Fulham arrived at the Emirates with having only won two games...but drawn nine. They also had never won against us at home. But, frankly I was nervous. I knew Fulham was good enough to hold us scoreless or equalize if we scored. I was especially anxious about set pieces because of their 6'4" center back Hangeland (who I have just discovered was born in the States but represents Norway - I love learning new stuff!). When I saw that it was Koscielny's turn in the rotation, I tried to picture the narrow-headed Frenchman out jumping Brede for a ball - and it just wasn't happening.
When the game got underway though, the apprehension fell away. We were running the show. Great runs, terrific energy, excellent passing and we created chances. The first 25 minutes, in fact, were all Arsenal.
Arshavin was entirely unbridled, running like a Russian whose country just won the bid for the 2018 World Cup, He shot on goal after a free kick from Jack only to have it saved by Schwarzer. He then sent Nasri through on goal but that shot Samir sent wide. But in the 14th minute, Arshavin tried some more magic and sent another pass Nasri's way. This time, Mr. Swivel Hips deked around two defenders and shot it home. It was a great goal.
And then the inevitable happened. Koz, who was having a very solid game up until the 33rd minute, collided heads with Squillaci - both trying to clear a ball. Squillaci kept moving and so did Koz...sort of. He stood upright instead of falling down and clutched his face at one point. Dempsey took advantage of Koz being dazed and confused, chipped the ball over to an onside (for once) Kamara who sent the ball past Fabiasnki. The talking point of course was that the ref should have blown the whistle immediately after the collision to check on the players. Others say (including Arsene) that the ref thought Koz was going to play on because he didn't drop to the ground. Either way, the goal counted and Koz was involved in allowing that to happen in, albeit, an indirect way. I've never collided heads/faces the way I saw those two do it. I assume one has clangers going off, stars whizzing by making it very difficult to make a decision. "Do I fall down or do I play on...there's no place like home...no place like home". It just had to be Koz, didn't it?
So Koz went off on a stretcher looking as if he might be unconscious and Djourou came on. And all the air went out of our tires. We looked sluggish and imprecise for the rest of the half. Fulham definitely had the momentum going their way I don't know if it was just the goal that shook us or the way it happened. Were the guys worried about their teammate or scared that their losing ways at home were going to resurface? We went into halftime 1-1 with one substitution already used up.
The second half started with Arsenal taking some chances on goal again. Rosicky fired wide, Arshavin weaved in and out of the Fulham defense ala Nasri but had his shot saved by the Aussie. Song fought Pantsil for the ball, won it, was wide open, and sent it over the bar. Van Persie had come on for Tomas and Theo for Jack. Arsene was going all out offensively. The changes paid off.
Arshavin once again was involved in Samir's goal as he fed Van Persie who looked like he was going to square up to shoot but instead linked up to Nasri who shaked and baked his way past a defender, and the goalie but found himself in a tough angle on the line. He turned inside and made a spectacular goal on a tight angle. The photos on the official website show his goals frame by frame and will explain in pictures his dexterity that I cannot put amply into words. Check them out here. We hung on for another 19 minutes and game won!
Things I noticed:
!) Djourou stepped up as a sub and won almost every header he attacked. He was consistent and calm. Wenger states that he's been rotating DJ so he does not incur those tedious niggly injuries that vex players returning from such a long lay-off. But since Koz is out with a concussion now, DJ will be playing alongside Sqillaci for the next few weeks. Let's hope those nigglies do not surface, otherwise we'll be down to just one starting center half.
2) Arshavin gave another great energetic display. He couldn't find the back of the net, but he had one assist for Nasri's first goal, and started the movement that led to his second. He was involved on both ends of the pitch and on both sides. He seemed everywhere. Question. Are there any other two players in the Premier League who control the ball so tightly at their feet so well as our Arshavin and Nasri?
3) Our full backs had great games. Clichy had another six interceptions without one single brain fart that I could see. His great cross from far on the left which was wasted by one of our players ( I can't remember who) and all around energy and pace were tremendous. Sagna was solid as well and produced a run and cross that was perfect for Chamakh to head in. Too bad it ended up right at Schwarzer.
4) Even though Robin didn't score, his assist to Nasri for the second goal was sublime. He has moxy too which was seen when he took an elbow to the face and gave the offender heck for it while being seen to by medics. Maybe his fire is what has been missing as well as his link-up play. Either way, it's great to have him back. I also loved his celebration with Nasri after the second goal.
5) Song had bad game. I don't know how else to put it. He looked sluggish and missed a great open opportunity in front of the net after battling so hard to win the ball. He also had a bad passing day misplacing 13 out of 37 passes and only was successful clearing the ball one time out of six. He may have just been having a bad day like players do at times. He was going forward a lot in this game again. I -like many of you - would prefer he just sit in front of our wobbly -at- times- back four and protect them. Our two center backs could use some assistance.
6) Nasri looked injured at end of game. He was hobbling around and looked to be calling for a sub but we had none left. I haven't heard anything about an injury and probably won't until Arsene's pre-Belgrade interview. Let's hope it's not serious. With Cesc out, the combination of Rosicky and Nasri is vital in my eyes. I don't know if we can do without both at the same time. On a brighter note, Cesc is saying he's looking to be back in time for the Manchester United game.
All in all, we seem to still be doing things the hard way, but the win put us top of the league thanks to Chelsea drawing with Everton and Mancheter United having to reschedule their game. The view from the top is nice, but feels a bit insecure. Perhaps after opening the month of December with a win at the Emirates, our guys can build on their foundation so we don't crumble like a house of cards because I kinda like it up here - don't you?
Arsenal v Fulham
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