Arsenal Leave the Best for Last in 2-0 Victory over Cardiff

These guys are the best - supporting Schumacher and looking good.







Arsenal took back the coveted number one spot on the league table from Manchester City today after beating Cardiff City 2-0 at the Emirates.  The game was played in horrendous conditions:  torrential rain and strong wind.  It was the kind of weather that hardier and less technical sides cope with better than the free-flowing styles of teams like Arsenal.  Yet, after 28 shots, with only a woeful 6 of them on target, and 68% possession, the Gunners got on the scoreboard in the 88th minute with a rebound shot put in by Nicklas Bendter.  Even more delightful is that Theo followed and put the nail in the coffin with the second goal in the 90th.

The pitch was sloppy and sluggish looking. 
And so we were we.  Arsene was forced to make many changes to his squad and although there were fresh legs on the pitch, there were tired and rusty ones there as well.  The team really didn't get clicking until close to the end of the first half.  Podolski has been out for four months and it showed.  With more games though, he'll become more dangerous.  I never really liked him at the central striker position, I like him playing on the left and off of someone else.  But, he did the job that was asked of him.  With Bendtner out for "weeks", he may be asked to continue in that role.

Bendnter out injured is a shame.
He's playing for a manager that has a lot of patience and belief in young players and human beings in general, and that seems to have paid off in attitude as well.  According to Wenger, Nik now wants to stay at Arsenal.  He seemed to be worked his way back into the squad and has scored two goals in the eight premier league appearances made.  He would have been useful against Spurs Saturday too.  Now, he'll have to rehab the ankle and work for a spot all over again.  By then, maybe there will be another striker he will have to compete with if Arsene dips into the transfer window.  That's a big IF though...

This team does not give up.
Arsenal squads over the past several seasons would have gotten discouraged with hitting the post, and sending open headers and shots wide of the goal.  Frustration would have been shown with stupid fouls given away in dangerous places, and heads dropping.  I really like this group of players right now.  At no point did I see spirits dampen.  We didn't panic.  We increased pressure higher up the pitch and began creating more chances.  The subs that Arsene made in the 65th minute gave a spark.  Nik gave a focal point, and TR7 did his thing and ran his socks off weaving in and out and was crucial setting up the assist from Jack to Theo.  Like I said in the write-up after our Newcastle victory, these guys are fighters.

Speaking of Theo...
He still has some rust and so scuffed some chances, but he's grown into an accomplished striker who you know will make something happen at some point.  And he did.  That was not an easy shot.  One could argue we already had the game won (gulp) but Theo's goal put everyone one chewing their nails at ease, and that's an extra goal in our GD column.  We are now only 13 goals behind City (groan), and two behind Liverpool.  With as tight as the title race is this season, every goal is going be incredibly important.  He's got five goals in the five starts he's gotten since returning from injury.  Even if he's missing some shots now, he's making a huge difference.  If he stays healthy, he'll be key to keeping us in the title race this season.  Protect those shoulders, Theo.

Jack is looking better too.
Poor Jack has gotten lots of flack this season.  His injuries have resulted in a start again/stop again pattern which damages the rate at which he develops.  Like Rambo, Jack is playing for a manager that recognizes the best way to see progress from young injured players is to give them a run of games and while tempering that with rest.  For me today, Jack seemed to have a form of break-through.  He helped push the game forward and looked to create chances.  He earned a penalty in the first half (not called of course), and got an assist in the second.  If he stays healthy (a big "if"), I have the confidence his performances will go nowhere but up.

Overall - what a great result.
Gooners everywhere delved deep to keep the faith and were not disappointed.

That's about it,  I hope you and yours enjoyed your Eve safely and your New Year's Day like me.  In my jammies watching footy all day long.  I'll be back with a pre-match report on our FA Cup game against the Spudheads.  Have a good one Gooners.