We Have a Team of Fighters: 1-Nil to The Arsenal at Newcastle

 



A hard-fought, nerve-racking, and not very impressive win saw Arsenal go back to the top of the table for the end of 2013.  Last year at this time, we were basically out of the title race being 16 points behind the leaders.  So as lackluster a performance as this was, the most important thing is that we got another three points during the helter skelter of the holiday schedule.  That's seven points out of a possible nine so far.  We made our way last spring to fourth place by grinding out results while playing some not very pretty football.  From that, a cohesive and strong mentality was forged.  That mentality is currently carrying us through fatigue, injuries, and players being a bit out of form.  Arsene gave his thought on the mental strengff of this team compared to those of past years:

"There is something in the team that is special on the mental front where we have many times been questioned. But we have shown that at West Ham when we were 1-0 down, we have shown that again today when we were a bit backs to the wall in the last 15 minutes. There's a great solidarity and a great spirit in the side. "

"For years we were younger [and less able] to resist this kind of pressure but we have always been up there at the top. If you analyse well our results we have always been up there. "

Today, the squad stood up to a good 14 minutes of that pressure.  I actually cannot recall the last time Wenger went to five defenders in the back to absorb an opponent's attacks.  It initially was a move where I was yelling "What are you doing - we need another goal?!" at my television.  But Jenks came on, Theo went off, and we played with our backs to the wall and behind the midfield line. In those last ten minutes, we repelled a free kick, two throw-ins deep in our own half, and two corners, for which both Krul came out of goal to participate.  These were hang-wringing, hiding- my- eyes- behind- my -scarf moments.

But we did it.  We held on. Even with Szczesny clanger, we won.  We ground it our when there was grinding to be done.  And we ground it to dust.  And stomped on it.  And served it as coffee.  Well, that's stretching it a bit.

Anyway.

There are still concerns going into our New Year's Day match.  We've lost Gibbs to (probably) a hamstring while Nacho is reportedly ill.  Flamini played at left-back in his stead ala his 2006 season at Arsenal. He could fill in again, but that means Arteta would again miss out on getting fully rested.  Vermalean, too, is ill.  Cardiff would be a good game to rest our favorite BFG, but if Vermie isn't well, I do not see that happening.

Then there is the conundrum of Giroud who happily ended his goal drought with this winner in the 65th minute (nice free kick, Theo).  In his post-match interview, Arsene was asked about resting Olivier.  His response is worrying:

"I don't know. Every time I think I give him a rest but we have a team that is a bit short, lightweight and more focused on mobility and technical movement so he is the one guy who has that strength and structure for us. That fighting up front is very important for us."

I knew there was an issue when he started Ollie against West Ham.  He is scared to drop points in the short term and doesn't trust the squad to make for his "strength and structure".  He's going to have to think long-term, however, to avoid a long-term injury.  I say start Bendy and support him with Podolski and Theo.  But more of those thoughts in my pre-match report on the 31st.

That's it for now folks.  Enjoy what is left of your weekend.  It's back to work for me tomorrow after having a nice six days off.  Take care you Gooners.