Riding The Derby Roller Coaster

Well. Well. Well. That was quite an experience, was it not? Mixed emotions during the game, and still plenty of the same the next day. But all that matters at the end of the day is the result. And the three points, of course. 

Tottenham Hotspur 2, Arsenal 3. North London is Red. Happy St Totteringham’s Day to you!

Lots to unpack. Let’s get right into it: Arsenal were unchanged from Tuesday’s romp over Chelsea. Tottenham, by contrast, had had a full two weeks of rest - Arsenal had played no less than 4 times in that period - but, Big Ange, you picked what for me looked like the wrong team, mate. 

Davies was never likely to be able to keep up with Saka for 90 minutes. For all his flaws, I was expecting Emerson Royal at left back. He has pace, at least. Plus what you need against Arsenal is legs in midfield, because Arsenal’s midfielders don’t stop running. So the choice of Hojbjerg baffled me. Bissouma or Sarr, surely? And finally. I’d have started Richarlison; for all that he wasn’t likely to last the game. Surely Ange would have seen the need to try to upset the equilibrium of Arsenal's formidable centre half partnership? Oh well…

The concern for me was that Spurs were fresh, whilst Arsenal were likely to be jaded; both physically and mentally. Relatively, at least. The way the first half went - apart from the scoreline - seemed to illustrate that to me. Spurred on by the rabid masses of orcs in the stands, Spurs came out of the traps pretty hard, and were unlucky not to be ahead by the time Arsenal took the lead from Hojbjerg’s inadvertent flick from Saka’s near post corner. 

It had made for mostly quite uncomfortable viewing up to then, with Arsenal sitting in a deep and narrow block as they had at The Etihad, and continued to do so until Saka’s breakaway goal - selling Davies a massive dummy on the way - from Kai Havertz’s raking crossfield delivery. 

Spurs could perhaps have had a penalty a mere 10 seconds prior, and even before then had had an equalising goal chalked off (rightly, but it was incredibly tight) for offside.

3-0 at half time, as King Kai headed home unchallenged - this time from a corner from the other side; delivered with pinpoint accuracy by Declan Rice. Marking? Non-existent. Arsenal were in dreamland; strutting their stuff - I certainly was from the comfort of my sofa at home - and made all the more enjoyable because it felt so unjust on Spurs. 

And certainly to these three Neanderthals, whose abuse of Rice as he went to take the corner got its just desserts. The guy in the Spurs shirt was seen leaving the ground seconds later.

Look, I’ve got no desire to offer them any sympathy. At that point, they’d failed to take any of three decent chances, and none of their penalty appeals felt quite right.  But whilst they are undoubtedly a decent side going forward, their defending leaves a hell of a lot to be desired. Sheer naivety at set pieces exposed them twice - they appear to have paid no attention whatsoever to Arsenal’s brilliant corner routines - and to leave a keeper already known to be flaky on crosses alone to deal with Ben White was frankly negligent. I especially enjoyed watching White un-velcro one of the keeper’s gloves prior to one corner; he's the absolute King of Sh*thousery. And for all that they can probably get away with asking the unbelievably swift Van Der Ven to sweep up their messes, they simply need to be smarter all round.

At 3-0, I was supremely confident that Arsenal would see the game out professionally and with little difficulty. How wrong could I have been?!? And perhaps it remained too easy as the second half wore on, as what was surely a loss of concentration from David Raya led to Romero - who had a terrific game, by the way; channelling his aggression properly for a change - firing the ball past him to reduce the deficit on 64 minutes. I can really offer no explanation for Raya’s lapse but, however you dress it up, trying to chip the ball over two onrushing attackers into the very centre of midfield with one’s weaker foot was not a bright idea. There was simply no need for it.

And that, of course, gave them hope where there had been none. The momentum shifted. All of a sudden Arsenal’s 4 games in a fortnight looked to be starting to catch up with them, as they dropped back into ultra-defensive mode and relying on breakaways - all snuffed out by VDV of course. Mentally and physically, those fixtures looked to be taking a toll; for all that they stayed resilient. 

The introduction of the lunatic Richarlison had by this time added momentum to the Spurs attack, as he launched himself around the pitch like an enraged bleach-blond bull. Fortunate, indeed, not to see red for one totally reckless and unnecessary challenge on his compatriot Gabriel. But he really stirred things up, and Spurs drove on relentlessly. But, of course, it was all so unnecessary, Senor Raya!

And Spurs got further reward when Rice’s somewhat unintentional kick through Davies on the edge of the box - he didn’t know that he was there; but that’s a foul all day - gave Spurs an 87th minute penalty. Quite how Michael Oliver, standing two yards away, failed to give it in real time is hard to fathom, but it took just one look at the VAR screen for him to award it. Son’s finish was clinical. Kane-like.

Which left three minutes, plus whatever injury time was left (a further 6 minutes, during which my heart rate went over 120bpm!), for Arsenal to hang on in the face of a barrage. Thanks mainly to Raya’s command of his area, they managed to do so. And to give him his due he showed real personality not to shrink into his shell following his error - he really stood up to be counted, and showed great strength of character where others may have melted. He's not the tallest of goalkeepers by any means, but he dealt with cross after cross after cross with aplomb.

And so it was that what had looked like a stroll in the park - a procession, in fact- had turned into something else entirely. And it was more with relief that any other emotion that the players were able to go and salute the fans. I’ve said it before, and I reckon I’ll say it again; results are the only thing that really matter at this stage of the season. And if Tottenham and their fans feel hard done by, that’s merely the delicious icing on the chocolate cake of success. The table does not lie.

A word for a few individuals now: firstly, Kai Havertz who had as good a game in a red shirt as we’ve seen. He led the line superbly, occupying the central defenders, dropping deep to link up with the midfield and making telling run after telling run. Plus yet another goal (Waka Waka) and the assist for Saka. 

This was a player, remember, who we were struggling to understand at the beginning of the season. But his stats are suddenly looking very decent; that’s now 12/6 PL goals/assists this season, of which 8/5 have come since February 17th. A remarkable streak, and he has been transformative.

Secondly, Bukayo Saka. Starboy has frankly been looking a little jaded over the past few weeks - Arteta rarely gives him a break - but there have been signs of life over the past couple of games and here he was back to his best. He tormented Davies all afternoon, worked hard out of possession, and got a goal and assist to boot. 

And finally, Gabriel. Another really strong and influential performance from the big Brazilian. Where Saliba’s performances have perhaps plateaued recently, Big Gabi has really stepped it up. I remember worrying early on in his Arsenal career that he was a little clumsy, and often had a mistake or a crucial piece of poor distribution in him. No longer; indeed not for a long time now. He’s an absolute colossus, and had another superb game.

Another three points, then, but with City also winning it’s ‘as you were’ at the top. Three games left for the Gunners, and we need not only to win them all but for City to somehow not win all of theirs. Quite what it will mean for this group to end up with 89 points and it still not be enough, I’m not sure. It’ll hurt us fans; so goodness knows what it will mean for the players to come even closer than last season, but to again fall just short. 

But let’s remain optimistic. We need to rely on others - wouldn’t it be hysterically funny if Tottenham, needing to beat them to qualify for the Champions League, do a job on them (they are unquantifiably City’s bogey side) in their penultimate game. We’re all Spurs that night, for sure!

So we move on. Bournemouth at home on Saturday lunchtime. Remember the scenes last season?

I’d hope for something more comfortable this year. But one step at a time. In the interim, let's bask in St Tott's Day.

COYG!

Thomas Comes To The Partey

Merciless Arsenal blew Chelsea away last night in a dominant performance that put their opponents firmly in their place; and put Liverpool and Manchester City on notice that Arsenal are not going away quietly. 

5-0 frankly understated the difference in class between a rampant Arsenal side, who have rediscovered their mojo following a difficult week, and a Chelsea side who, despite having spent obscene amounts of money over the past year or so, look many years away from being able to challenge for honours once more. But compare and contrast their FA Cup semi-final performance against Manchester City over the weekend - when they can probably count themselves as unlucky not to have gone through - to the manner in which Arsenal blew them away. And that surely cannot all be done to the fortuitous loss of Cole Palmer - by far away their best player - for this game due to illness.

Martin Odegaard will take most of the headlines. He produced a standout performance, leading by example; not merely showcasing his sublime skills and effortlessly linking the play, but once more leading the press, and constantly probing and pressing for weak spots in the Chelsea back line. Declan Rice, playing in the left 8 role, put in a typical ‘mere’ 8 out of 10 performance, but I’d like to specifically highlight the return of Thomas Partey to the starting XI and the fillip it gave to his team-mates.

The Ghanaian had looked a little off the pace in the few cameo performances that he’d been allowed by Mikel Arteta since his belated return from injury, but it was worth the wait. The perfect time for Arteta to drop him back in. He was everywhere - reading the play, putting in decisive tackles, making telling interceptions and producing his trademark vertical passes to the front 5. I’ve got nothing whatsoever against Jorginho, who can always been relied upon, but for me a fit and firing Partey adds an extra dimension to Arsenal’s play, and his return could not be more timely. 

I’d mentioned in this blog a number of times earlier this season how much I had been looking forward to seeing a midfield trio of Partey, Rice and Odegaard in unison. For me, the security that Partey’s presence gives will enable both Rice and Odegaard to express themselves fully. The trio made the Chelsea midfield of Enzo, Caicedo and Gallagher - the first two named having cost Chelsea almost a quarter of a billion pounds in total! - look second rate. I had felt that Partey could give Arsenal an extra dimension, and the proof that I was correct was right there in front of our eyes.

Elsewhere, I’ll pick out a few other top performances. Leandro Trossard kept his starting spot over both Jesus and Martinelli, and did Trossard things; namely scoring yet again! That’s 10 in the league now. An early goal is always good for the nerves, of course. 

  

Ben White had a superb game, not only doing well in defence, but continually supporting Odegaard and Saka and reaping his rewards with not just one, but two goals! The first a clever finish having made space for himself following a corner and the second… well, he’ll probably admit that he didn’t mean to find the far corner of the net with a lobbed effort; but who gives a monkey’s?

And Kai Havertz showed Chelsea what a happy and trusted Kai Havertz is capable of; leading the line well, linking with all around him and scoring two lovely goals. The first courtesy of a sublime through ball from Martin Odegaard (although he still had plenty to do) and the second following a clever wrong-footing of his marker before doing the same to the goalkeeper.

 

I love, by the way, that the official Chelsea Twitter feed couldn’t bring themselves to type the word ‘Havertz’. Salty…

I am, however, also going to have to point out a few things that didn’t go perfectly. It wasn’t all plain sailing. Firstly, after their fast start - when they ought to have already been out of sight at 2-0 or even 3-0 - Arsenal did let Chelsea back into the game for a while. Decent chances - better than half chances in fact - fell to Disasi and Jackson (twice). However, as any follower of the Premier League knows, Jackson couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo (so to speak). A winger who Poch has tried to convert to a centre forward; and it certainty hasn’t shown much sign of working so far. That Jackson was still on the field following a nasty challenge on Tomiyasu is something to ask the VAR, though.

Secondly, the afore-mentioned Jackson did at one point completely outpace William Saliba. Which was/is a concern. This is something we’re not used to seeing, and I for one don’t want to ever see it again. Fortunately, Gabriel dealt with the danger… just about. 

And as far as any other concerns we may have had… well, there weren’t any. A fast start to the second half soon put Arsenal - 1-0 ahead at the break - out of sight. Chelsea had no answer whatsoever, frankly looked to have given up any sort of hope at 2-0, and at the end 5-0 almost flattered them. I think that we were all aware that they’re not very good, but there’s always that nagging doubt prior to any game. Thankfully, we could soon relax and stop worrying.

The matches are coming thick and fast now. Liverpool and City still to play in this round of matches as I type, but now 3 and 4 points behind respectively. So the pressure is sure to be on them. It’s always better to play first. 

But Arsenal’s biggest remaining test comes at 2pm on Sunday. Yes, it’s the NLD. Tons at stake - even apart from the usual. Both sides are desperate for the points, and that lot are still holding out hopes of finishing fourth. And they’re desperate, of course. to stop Arsenal in their tracks.

At least two Spurs fans of my acquaintance are expecting us to ‘murder’ them. I hope they’re right, but I don’t share their confidence. Nonetheless, having gone into the Wolves game unhappy and having to dig out a result, then having followed that up with this emphatic victory, morale in the camp is surely as high as it can possibly be. For all that, it really is ‘squeaky bum time’, and not only is there still no room for error but we still need to see City slip up. 

All Arsenal can do is win, win, and win again. Starting at the home of The Enemy. Can they do it? Of course they can! But it’s going to be a nerve-wracking few days before we find out. 

Udogie’s absence will help - especially as that’s down our strong right hand side. But they’ll be well-rested; something that cannot be said for Arsenal, who have played three times since they last did. 

Let’s hope that Arsenal can end their season once and for all, and that the fans can celebrate St Totteringham’s Day at their place.

COYG!

Results Are All That Matter

Following their Champions League exit on Wednesday (more of that later), it was critical for Arsenal to get back to winning ways immediately. And… mission achieved. For all that Saturday's game was a terrible spectacle, the result was everything; because failure to have picked up those three points would have meant the death knell for any title aspirations. 

We're at the stage of the season when results matter more than performances. It's great to look superb in December, January, February - but at this time of year, provided you've got something to play for, that all fades into the background and it's points that matter - nothing else. With Arsenal (and Liverpool) now needing to both go perfect for the next half a dozen games, AND wait for City to slip up, it's functionality that counts. Cut out the mistakes. Get the ball in the onion bag by hook or by crook. Just get over the line.

Stage One was Wolves away. On paper, a possibly tricky encounter. And whilst our hosts were suffering with a ludicrous number of injuries, you start at 0-0 and you have to somehow break the deadlock. With the double blow of the previous two matches very much in everybody's minds, it was time to do what was necessary, no matter how, to achieve the required result.

The job was done; albeit that's 90+ minutes of our lives that we'll never get back. A somewhat fortuitous Trossard shot that made its way into the top corner, and then a late (and clever) second from skipper Odegaard after what felt like an interminable and agonising second half, and the job was done. 

 

If it hadn't been for some Raya heroics at the other end, things may have been different. Arsenals' current streak of away clean sheets is quite remarkable, however; perhaps it's easier in some ways to play away from an expectant Emirates Stadium?

It wasn't quite 'backs to the wall', but in their post Villa/Bayern funk Arsenal afforded Wolves too much respect. It felt like a sudden lack of 'mojo'. It does feel that Arteta is struggling to find the right formula at the moment, and he probably needs to freshen things up just a little now.

Of course, it's difficult to parachute players who are lacking minutes into the XI. A lack of sharpness at this stage could be fatal. But he's surely got to use Thomas Partey a little more. And give Gabriel Martinelli the chance to regain his pre-injury form. A fit and firing Partey can make a dramatic difference. And losing what Martinelli is best at has upset the whole front line. And - and I cannot believe I'm typing this after the start the man had to his Arsenal career - he needs to ensure that Kai Havertz plays up top; whatever that means for Gabriel Jesus.

Defeat at home to Villa meant that the 'noise' had started. Arsenal are 'bottlers'. Arsenal 'don't have what it takes'. Arsenal are 'serial losers'. etc etc. To then follow that with defeat in Munich only served to grease those wheels. Bayern had a little too much knowhow over the two legs; for all that we can point at key moments - especially in the home leg - that could have made a difference.

Let's face it. the team didn't deserve anything from either game. And it additionally served to pile the pressure on Arteta and his charges. But there's still a huge prize within reach.

So what has happened? Let's examine the situation: firstly, we'd have taken this at the beginning of the season - in with a reasonable shout of the title with 6 games to go. As for the Champions League, quarter final felt about right. After all, it took years for City to win it. It's feels like only clubs with true Champions League heritage/history - the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool (failed to qualify this time round) and, yes, Bayern - have the 'aura' you need to make real progress in the competition. It's Arteta's Arsenal's first season; so a step further next year, please...

And secondly yes, there HAS been progress this season. One league defeat at the end of a long, spectacular run of victories did not mean that the train had run out of track. The team had to show that it had merely been temporarily derailed; and it did that on Saturday evening. Quarter final CL defeat was not the end of the world. There were weeks in the Wenger years when Arsenal crashed out of competitions, one after the other, within the space of a week. But at least this Arsenal team remains in with a chance of attaining its primary target.

Last season, of course, they completely ran out of steam. This season, there is a chance that this may yet happen again, and if that does happen then Arteta will inevitably have questions to answer about squad rotation and freshness. He'd been building the squad up to peak at this moment, and if it fails to do so then he'll be asking himself identical questions to those we'll be asking. 

For what it's worth, I feel that he has over-played a number of key individuals, implying that he doesn't have full faith in some of his squad to fill in. City have a massive group of players - almost two full XIs - but they've had years (and the wealth of an entire nation) to get to that point. And Liverpool have done remarkably well to negotiate their injury crisis. The only excuse we can offer for Arteta is that the 'project' remains a young one. And I honestly believe that Arsenal have, in each of the last three seasons, been achieving tasks a season ahead of schedule. 8th to 5th was a big jump. To then somehow challenge for the title last season an even bigger one. This season, for all the money spent, the Manager is still obliged to work with players of insufficient quality. You know the players to whom I refer...

The phenomenal run from January to March has ended. They hit the buffers. But they started to bounce back on Saturday. This is a tricky week; Chelsea are completely unpredictable (thankfully their talisman Palmer looked less than fully fit over the weekend), and we all know what's awaiting the team on Sunday. Arsenal can definitely beat Chelsea, but a rested and highly motivated Tottenham Hotspur side at The New Toilet Bowl will be comfortably the biggest remaining challenge. Hopefully Arsenal can exploit their ludicrously high line - but that's for another day; it's Chelsea first of course.

We shall see. Believe; it's so close now...

COYG!

From The Sublime To The……

Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson once pronounced that: ‘A week is a long time in politics.’ Well, in professional sport it’s exactly the opposite! In the space of just three games, Arsenal have gone from imperious Premier League leaders and favourites to reach the Champions League semi finals, to a group of players bereft of confidence and fraught with misgivings. Fans are calling for wholesale changes, and people all over the country are back to calling our team ‘bottlers’. It's OK to be disappointed, but... rein it in, guys!

It’s all thoroughly annoying and frustrating but I - along with so many others - will try to examine what’s gone wrong below. Because there's so little margin for error. So without further ado…

From the moment that Bukayo Saka's penalty was dispatched into the side netting of the Brighton net, it was all over as a contest. Truthfully, Arsenal had already looked by far the likeliest winners by then, as they dominated a side who had been unbeaten at home since August; scarcely giving them a sniff of goal. And the one time they did, David Raya was very much up to it. Another sign of Arsenal's dominance over much of the Premier League. By the end, 3-0 did not flatter them in the slightest, and Liverpool's slip-up at Old Trafford the next day meant that suddenly Arsenal were back on top of the table with their fate in their own hands.

And so attention turned to Bayern Munich, and our old friend Harry Kane. Now, I have no idea if we'd been lulled into a false sense of security by Bayern's poor domestic form - since they lost to Leverkusen in February they'd basically given up the domestic ghost - but they have a huge amount of Champions League pedigree, and one of the best forward lines in world football. Yet could Arsenal have done more?

They took the lead with a superb finish from Saka, who bent a shot into Neuer's far corner with consummate ease, and Arsenal were well on top at that stage. 

But the margins are small at this level, and Bayern have dangerous players. And so it proved that, due to two pieces of inaccuracy from Arsenal and some sublime play from Leroy Sane, Arsenal were suddenly behind.

For the first, Raya's rash rush out of goal unbalanced the defensive unit, and despite one or two chances to clear Bayern took full advantage as old boy Serge Gnabry ran into the penalty area and finished clinically. For the second Kivior - a surprise choice at left back in my opinion, was undone by the quick feet and electric pace of Sane. Again, the entire defensive unit was unbalanced by some scintillating play and Sane was brought down at the third attempt. Penalty; and there was of course no doubt whatsoever about whether Kane was going to score.

Arteta switched the team around on several occasions in the second half in the search for an equaliser, and got his reward as Leandro Trossard swept the ball home following a typical Jesus run. In truth, the goal was all about the Brazilian. 2-2 is better than 1-2, but there’s plenty for Arsenal to do in Bavaria. 

We can be a little more dispassionate about Harry Kane these days, now that he is longer at our arch-enemies. And there is no doubt that he is a fine, fine player. All that's missing from his career is a trophy; but he has spent most of it at Tottenham, so that was somewhat inevitable. They say that 'You can take the boy out of Tottenham' etc..., but in truth he deserves more than a Golden Boot or two (if you haven’t seen what the top scorer in the Bundesliga gets, Google it!).  Unfortunately for Kane, he arrived at Bayern at a time when they're in a state of flux, and Leverkusen have had a miracle season.

But for all his ability there's still something dark about his antics. In one of several controversial moments during the game, he seemed to firstly check precisely where Gabriel was… before elbowing him in the throat. Nasty; and VAR should have paid closer attention, in my opinion. He got a yellow card, but for me that was a Wenger 'dark yellow' at the very least. Very unpleasant.

I'm going to gloss over the Bayern call for a penalty following Gabriel's alleged 'handball'. It was nothing. He wasn't seeking an advantage and the referee quite rightly used his discretion. In the last minute of the match, however, there were massive shouts for a penalty for a foul by Neuer on Saka. On balance, for me, that's a penalty - but I can see why it wasn't given. Questions of whether the referee was 'balancing things out' are a bit daft, but this whole 'initiating contact' thing does bother me. I referee a Walking Football game on Tuesday evenings, and initiating contact is my biggest bug bear (apart from all the running!). I hate seeing it! Of course, it matters not that I personally tend to favour the defender in such instances. This, however, is the Champions League! Saka looked for the contact (which he is permitted to do), Neuer didn't get a touch on the ball, and so it really should have been a penalty.

And so, having got out of jail, so to speak, on Tuesday, it was back to domestic action on Sunday with a visit from Don Unai’s high-flying Aston Villa. They had laid down and surrendered at The Etihad a few weeks ago, and we might have expected some rotation with them also in the middle of a European tie. Yet Emery went full strength against Arsenal - of course he did!

It was a great opportunity for Arsenal to go go back to the top of the table following City’s inevitable and emphatic win over Luton, and frankly put Liverpool - who had somehow contrived to lose to Crystal Palace earlier in the afternoon - out of the race. And so the crowd felt optimistic; domestic form was top-notch, after all. 

The first half was pretty exciting for a 0-0 score line, for all that there were a few moments of jeopardy prior to half time; but Arsenal should have been ahead. But that could not have prepared us for what was to follow.

Villa absolutely blew Arsenal away in the second half, and were well worthy of their 2-0 win. There can be no excuses from Arsenal. Yes, we might have disagreed slightly with team selection - as on Tuesday - but it unfortunately felt like another of those ‘hitting the wall’ moments, and Arteta has a lot to do to get the squad back in the correct frame of mind.

There was no room for error. Yet error there was. And I’ve been giving it some thought; haven’t we all? Arteta is still a young manager, learning on the job at one of the biggest jobs in world football. He hasn’t come up through the ranks or ‘done his apprenticeship’; yes, he’s seen Pep at work, but the decision-making was never his until he got the Arsenal job. 

And he’s made mistakes. There have been ‘watershed’ moments on the way. The decisions to dispense with Aubameyang and his cronies were wise. The injury to Willian that forced him into that fortuitous selection of Emile Smith Rowe against Chelsea worked out extremely well. Replacing the injured Saliba with Rob Holding and not Kivior last season; not so well. And in  these last two games, Captain Hindsight has told me that the manager got both selections wrong; and at a crucial time. 

And the way that this season in general has been managed? Well, if it turns out that the wall has been hit again - and it remains an if - then I would suggest that it has been a lack of rotation that has caused the problem. I accept that Liverpool and - especially - City have bigger squads than Arsenal. But perhaps Arteta doesn’t fully trust enough of his squad outside of the first 14/15 names? Clearly, long-term injuries to Partey and Timber, and to a lesser extent Tomiyasu, haven’t helped, but I for one would have wanted to see a bit more of ESR and Vieira, for example. 

.Whether the lack of a 20+ goal a season striker will finally bring Arsenal down, I’m not really sure. They remain the league’s top scorers. But for all the money spent I still suspect that Arteta feels that he’s still being obliged to fit square pegs into round holes. And may also be thinking that perhaps he needs to dispense with one or two of the more established players. We shall see.…

Look; it’s not all over. The fat lady hasn’t even started clearing her throat. But Arsenal can ill afford a single slip from now on. 

Do I still believe? Yes; just about. COYG!

Getting It Done

Arsenal continue to fly under most people’s radar in their two-pronged trophy attack. Quietly and efficiently, they are going about their work and getting the results they need. Porto; job done. City away; job done. Luton; job done. 

There’s been nothing spectacular about it - not, anyway, since the successive 5-1, 2-1, 3-1, 6-0, 5-0, 4-1, 6-0, 2-1 sequence of Premier League wins since the turn of the year that transformed the goal difference situation, that is...

They’re not getting much credit for being top of the table and for reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, but they’re currently right in the mix for both trophies. In fact, most pundits are expecting them to finish third in the Premier League, and to fail to reach the Champions League Final. And, if that's the case, that does not mean that progress has not been made this season. There has. They're a better side, and have more squad depth, than last season. And they are moving in the right direction, and at a rate that we couldn't have anticipated when Mikel Arteta took over the reins.

Now, I’m not saying with any sense of anything but a gently growing sense of hope that they might win either or both trophies. And I’m not sure whether to be disappointed that our team are still not being taken as seriously as they should be, or pleased that they’re evading the media spotlight. Under the radar, and out of the spotlight, is probably better than having pressure heaped upon them. 

After all, there's the whole Klopp's Last Stand scenario. And the City Always Come Good At This Time Of Year scenario. In Europe, there's the approaching spectre of Harry Kane. But one step at a time. Do the business. Move on. 10 (up to 13) matches to go. The next one is the most important.

Let's look back at the different ways that Arsenal have gone about their business. Against Porto, they 'scraped through’ on penalties; all the subtleties of the tie, and the trickiness of the opposition, were apparently irrelevant. What they did in fact do was stay compact and work away until they got their reward. None of this 'gung ho' nonsense. Goals conceded; zero. And they held their nerve in the shoot-out (flowers for David Raya, of course).

After that nonsensical and interminable international break, the performance in a 0-0 draw at The Etihad was apparently a sign that Manchester City remain a far better side than Arsenal (look; they’re very good indeed, and whilst Arsenal couldn’t really impose themselves on the match, they held City off reasonably comfortably, in hindsight). I was there, by the way, thanks to a very kind gesture from my cousin, and whilst it made for a very long day, accompanied by a great deal of tension in the ground itself, it was worth every minute of the 14-hour round trip, and the two hours of increased blood pressure. 

 

But Arsenal can't win. Instead of getting praise for being the first team in 58 matches to prevent City from scoring at home, they get accused of 'parking the bus'. Look, I suppose they did; but they had little choice - they were hemmed in for long periods. But a) the bus was parked beautifully - City had a single effort on target - and b) arguably had more and better chances than City. I'd have taken a draw beforehand. I'm sure we all would have. But, once more - goals conceded; zero. Erling Who?

Yet they left with a tinge of regret about not managing to leave with all three points, and that's progress. They've taken 4 points from both Liverpool and City this season; that's remarkable. However, if the 5 points dropped against Fulham end up costing them the title that will be extremely disappointing.

Two entirely different types of performance in those two games. And a third different type against Luton. In a game that everyone expected them to win comfortably, Arteta took the opportunity to rotate. The squad players took their chances, which can only be good. Just Jurrien Timber to come back now and the squad will be as healthy as it can possibly be in April. 

I was particularly pleased to see ESR performing so well. He helped set up the first goal by robbing Mpenzu (superb assist by Havertz and finish by Odegaard, by the way), and having ghosted into space took the assist for the second and decisive goal. He got tired in the second half, but showed that he can be relied upon if called upon going forward. As did Thomas Partey. The team then held Luton at arm's length for the second half to take the three points. Goals conceded, by the way; zero.

There's been some moaning about a flat atmosphere at the Luton game. I'd say this; firstly, it's Easter; loads of regulars are away. Secondly, it was Luton; once a lead was secured there was no need to get excited - we'll save that for the likes of Chelsea. And finally, the tube was f*cked; no wonder so many left early. Nothing to be read into it, frankly.

Anyway... Job done. Job done. Job done. In different ways, but done nonetheless. We move on to Brighton on Saturday evening; the first of several tricky-looking away games. But by all current metrics Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League at the moment. Most goals scored. Fewest goals conceded. Highest Xg. Lowest Xg against. I could go on... so whilst the likes of Brighton are tricky fixtures, don't you think that they might be a little bit worried about having to play The Arsenal?

Three points, please. And a nice lead to take to Germany after Tuesday evening, please. Move on up.

COYG!