Santi's Brace Keeps Gunners Top Arsenal 2 - 0 Fulham

Mr. Magic Feet struck again - twice actually - and kept Arsenal at the top of the standings.  It wasn't the full thumping of a bottom table team that I had hoped for, but going into halftime 0-0 and coming back two goals in the second half was yet another sign of mental reisiliance and determinantion.

The first few minutes of the first half were promising.  We stormed the other end right off the bat and within five minutes, Jack Wilshere played Mesut Ozil into the right side of the penalty area, but instead of shooting, it looked as though he tried to pass and ended up scuffing the ball past the keeper.  Hndgeland kicked it out for a corner.  After that attempt, we seemed to have a hard time of it.  Fulham seemed defensivly determined and resolutely kept behind the ball.  To be fair, we seemed to lack some urgency to beat them back on the break.  That changed second half.

We picked up the pace.  Jack seemed to spearhead the thrust forward aided by our full backs.  Santi and Serge exchanged places on the wings at times which I'm sure kept the defense's heads in a permanent swivel.  Finally, Santi found himself at the end of some good team passing between Giroud and Wilshere and smacked it right footed into the net.  A mere five minutes later, Santi again scored after finding himself on the end of a cleared Monreal cross.  Done and dusted.

Szczesny kept us in the game.  What a save he had against Sidwell in the 25th minute. And what daring it took to go for the ball at the feet of Dejagah resulting in a bit of a boot to his face. 

Serge is quite the player already.  He's only 18 years old.  I keep telling myself that so my expectations go through an unrealistic roof.  The other thing I keep telling myself is "he's ours.  He's all ours". 

Podolski has a shot that should scare the shitska out of anyone in his way.  He made quite the impact coming on, his 20 yard shot bouncing off the bar (we all thought it went in at first).  He's having trouble getting a starting position.  I think an explanation is that he is very left-footed and is only effective as a winger on one-side of the pitch whereas his competition can play both.  However, look for Wenger to continue his Poldi-as-a-striker experimient in coming games.  He had this statement to make about the German...and our BHF:

"He can (play up front) as well, because if he is in front of goal and you give him one chance, you score with him. He doesn’t hit it in the stand."

*Ahem*

Anyway, we got our three points whilst keeping a clean sheet.  At least this week didn't end up 2-1 like the Villa game.  So our top four rivals have the pressure to deal with this weekend.  We have the FA Cup this Friday at home against Coventry and Southhampton four days later on the 28th.  By then we could have Rambo and Bendy back...which would be like new signings, unless we have an actual new signing by then. 

That's all for now.  I look forward to watching a ton of footy the rest of the weekend with no worries, cuz ya know, we are Top. Of. The. League.  Yup.

 Have a good one Gooners.