I’ve been reading Arseblogger tell us that Almunia’s condition is like a virus spreading through the defense, to paraphrase. Until yesterday, I thought the sentiment was a bit hard on the keeper. Now I know that ye olde Arseblogger has been speaking wisdom all this time. I shant doubt you again.

Jens Lehmann got the boot for far less atrocities than we’ve seen Almunia commit lately. I hate to say it, but I think it may be time to apply that same boot. There are others to place blame for Sunday’s loss, but be certain of one thing: the tide turned in United favor after that own goal. Many games have turning points that you can put a laser spot on and say “This… this is when things went to shit.” And Manuel’s sensual love slap attempt at turning that ball over the bar was ours on the day.

But, who can replace him? Mannone is gone. Wojohowicz isn’t ready, and Szzczeznenyzxplyx is far too inexperienced. But, it’s clear that Almunia is not the keeper he once was. I really do hope he can turn things around. Hell, if Gallas can come back from the sixth circle of hell that he descended to, why not Almunia? But, pardon me if I don’t hold my breath.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest… I’m not one of those who has given up hope. I hope I never am. We came back from an eleven point deficit to catch up to Chelsea, so why not five? It all starts this weekend at Stamford Bridge. And I’ll be cheering my Gunners on like it’s the most important match in the world. And it is. Each one will be, for the rest of the season.

Come on you ARSENAL!

Back on November 30, 2009, after the 0-3 loss to the Chavs, I wrote:

The lead Chelsea has now is not insurmountable. And you just never know when or if the football gods will turn their cruel eye upon them and point the Finger of Injury Crisis.

And here we are, not eight weeks later… Top of the table. Sure, the blue twats from the Bridge have a game in hand, but that will even itself out in time. So…

That was a nice little match last night, was it not? After two major defensive cock-ups to go down 0-2 to the hated Trotters, the mighty mighty Arsenal come steaming back to put in four goals and take the points… and their rightful place at the top of the Premiership. After the match at the Reebok this past Sunday, I wrote:

Have fun trying to claw your way out of the basement.

But I would like to soften that statement a bit. Instead, I would like it to be:

Suck it, Trotters. I hate you more than I ever thought possible. But, I love when Arsenal play against you. Please don’t go down to the Championship. You’re our bugaboo team, and it’s been ever so much fun squashing you this season. Let’s do it again next year!

There are other teams that I’d rather see go down. I’d rather torment Bolton each year, and watch them languish just above the drop. It’s like a little premiership sideshow for me now.

Our first goal was the one that spurred us into high gear, I believe. The team were definitely mounting the pressure, but when Tomas Rosicky put that beautiful shot in past the dumbstruck Juicy Jaaaaaskelainen, you could feel things ratchet up a bit. It was a brilliant shot and exactly what we needed going into the tunnel at the half. It’s great to see Tomas back in fine form.

After the break, we took about eight minutes to equalize. It came about in odd fashion, though. William Gallas and Mark Davies came together in midfield and Gallas went in late and crunched Davies ankle. He went down in a heap, but Alan Wiley waved play on. So… we played on. And while half the Trotters were waving their arms and screaming like girls… Cesc Fabregas scored. You get what you give, Coyle. And sometimes you get it in spades. I’m glad to hear Davies is not seriously injured.

Oooh... that's gotta smart.

And It’s hard to imagine that Gallas didn’t intend the foul, and foul it was, but I suppose he was getting a bit tired of seeing a basement team trying to kick points out of us. And, he’s not exactly known as someone who keeps his cool, now is he? The whole incident had Owen Coyle making this sort of face you see here to the left. He looks a bit like John Cleese, doesn’t he?

With the score now equal, you could just tell we were on our way to another. The pressure was on and Bolton had all eleven men in their area, bleating like sheep. At 65′ the ball got ricocheted around a bit and Thomas Vermaelen showed some nice skill to turn as the ball passed him and pound one in off the upright. It was at this point I started screaming unintelligibly at the screen… something about “Push that up your hoop, Owen!” And, it still felt like we had more in the tank. We settled a little at this point, and Bolton did manage a few scary moments, but we were still in control. And, with that goal differential we needed in mind, the little genius of Andrey Arshavin wound up with the ball in the area, took a brilliant touch to make space and bashed home our fourth. Done, dusted… left a fifty on the dresser. Thank you ma’am.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

We went to the Reebok and they tried to kick us off the park. Shocking. The best part is that we just let it slide and went about the business of outplaying them, despite some scary moments, and just taking what really counts: the points.

Owen Coyle has his work cut out for him, that’s or sure. I’m not so sure he’s made the right career move, despite being a Wanderer alum. Does he miss the Championship? So, new manager or no, Bolton went about playing us the only way they know how. Getting the kicks in, and… hair pulling, as it were. And they call Arsenal girls? Getting a good crunching tackle in and taking a man out is part of football, but kneeling on someone’s head, kicking them in the face and pulling their hair? That’s cowardice, and Taylor is a coward. He and his ilk got nothing last night, and they’ll go home Wednesday with nothing.

Fabregas’ goal was a thing of sheer beauty. Despite the ridiculous announcer who was having a love-in with Bolton the whole match, it wasn’t luck. No, he took the ball, touched once, and threaded a needle in less than half a second to put us ahead. That’s not luck, you dipshit. That’s skill. Merida’s was just skillful and the build up as well. Where was Bolton’s skill? Flashing the fucking ball wide six or so times? All they did was play rough, as we expect them to. But they’ve been served notice: it’s not enough anymore. Have fun trying to claw your way out of the basement.

I felt all through the match that we had more in the tank. It was only a matter of time before we’d see it. I also didn’t think we’d have to wait until the last 12 minutes of the match to see it, but we’re nothing if not exciting now, are we? And, I don’t always get that feeling during a match. That quiet confidence that somehow, some way, we’ll find a way to crack the other side. But the way we were playing, even before the introduction of our substitutes, had me feeling that we only needed to wear them down to find a way through. As tough as Hammers played, they just wouldn’t be able to go a full 90 against us. Most teams get knackered near the end, cracks show, and mistakes happen. We’ve made a habit of pouncing on those opportunities.

The lineup wasn’t too surprising, although it was a but stronger than I had expected. With a packed fixture list, Arsène had to rest some of his men, but elected not to rest as many as perhaps many expected. I was pleasantly surprised to see Alex Song though. I thought I had read somewhere that the Portsmouth match was his last before heading off to the ACN. Perhaps I’m confusing him with Eboue, who is already off. Song can’t come back quick enough for me. I think if Denilson is fit, or if Abou Diaby gets put in that role, we should do fine. But Alex now owns that defensive midfield role like no one else. With him away, we may have to make some serious adjustments to maintain our form.

Their goal, a good one, appeared to be partly to blame on a defensive error. Diamanti (what a bitchy little character he is, no?) was played through by that blond chap who was all over the park, and he got enough on it to get through the outstretched mitt of Lukasz Fabianski, who otherwise looked terrific. It was right at the half time whistle too, so a bit deflating to go into the tunnel that way. But when we reemerged, Arsenal were right back in it. The pace was up, although Hammers could smell blood and were making quite a game of it. It got a bit physical at times, and even a bit testy with tempers flaring. But then we did what Hammers couldn’t… and brought on quality from the bench. No offense to the bench warmers for West Ham last night, but none of you are Abou Diaby or Samir Nasri. And, they made the difference. Diaby was on fire from the moment he stepped in as he’s made a habit of late, and Nasri immediately began weaving in and around the area, creating opportunities. It was only a matter of time before one of them struck home, and Aaron Ramsey was the man. At 78′ Song got through to Vela, who stumbled a nice little pass up to Ramsey who needed no touch to turn and left-foot it to the far right. Equal. Then at 83′ Song passed off to Vela on the left who crossed in from the touchline, and Eduardo Da Silva did quite well to rise above Upson and get a beautiful header into the top left. 1-2 to the Arsenal, match over. It looked like the ball may have taken a very slight deflection off Upson as their heads came together, but there’s no denying that it will do a world of good for Eduardo’s continuing improvement as he recovers from injury this season.

So, we’re on to the next round, away to Stoke. That should make a nice match as well, and I’m looking forward to it. With Chelsea drawn at home against Punjab’s Chip Shop XI and Manchester United getting dumped by Leeds, it’s shaping up to be a fairly interesting cup this year.

So what started out to be quite the tussle, ended in a rout. And a more deserved rout I’ve never witnessed.

I’ll start with what pretty much every other blogger is talking about. Was it worth the risk Cesc Fabregas to bring him in? When I first saw him limping, I thought no. But in hindsight, I think it was. That being said, I also feel that we were probably on our way to scoring had he remained on the bench. We had the momentum. You could see a massive improvement after the break. Was it another pep talk from the boss? From the captain? We may never know. But we transformed from a side that played well in the first half, to one that played great in the second. The attacking on the ball was just ruthless. As in, completely without Ruth. Whoever she might happen to be.

Aston Villa had their share of threats in the first half, but we pretty much shut down their efforts in the second. Manuel Almunia, when he had something to do, did it well. The back four were a wall. Not the tallest wall in the league, but a wall just the same. Andrey Arshavin was having a somewhat subdued match, but still played well. He doesn’t seem to have bad days. Have you noticed? He’s either good or great. Abou Diaby put in yet another very impressive performance. Could he be the next on the team to completely revamp his outlook? He’s certainly on his way. On that note, we’ve come to expect excellence from Alex Song, and once again, he did not fail to deliver. He will be sorely missed when he’s off to the ACN next week. I wish him success there as well as good health, but secretly hope his side get dumped as soon as can be managed. Come back to us soon, Alex.

At 57′ Cesc Fabregas came on for Denilson, who also looked pretty decent. He immediately made an impact, simply by being on the pitch. He’s a defender magnet. Within seven minutes, he was fouled about seven yards outside the area. He stepped up to take the shot, and curled it over the wall and into the left side of the net past Friedel at full stretch. 1-0 to the Arsenal. The celebration in the corner with the fans was a thing of beauty. At this point, Song seemed to be playing forward a bit more, with Cesc hanging back. I’m wondering if this was intentional to minimize risk of re-injury to his hamstring.

At 81′, Milner dumps the ball directly to Armand Traore, who decided to pop a huge diagonal up to Theo Walcott on the right side. Theo outstrips his man, as he’s wont to do, and slides the perfect pass in front of the onrushing Cesc Fabregas who simply belts it into the right side past Friedel, yet again. Job done. But… Cesc is now limping. He put a lot into that run to get into position and looks to have aggravated his hamstring at the least. Hopefully it’s not serious and he’ll be back soon. Luckily, the upcoming fixture schedule is somewhat kind to us, so hopefully he can find the time to heal up. No offense to Portsmouth, West Ham et al, but these are definitely the fixtures we want to have in light of our over-crowded treatment room.

Cesc goes off at 84′ for Aaron Ramsey to come out and Aston Villa appear to have been stunned. The defense is positively knackered as Abou Diaby takes the ball in the center circle at 91′, dances his way up to the area and puts in our third. A lovely shot from a man who is making his case to be included in every start. 3-0, match over.

It felt good beating Villa after recent experience with them. It felt good knowing they were beginning to fancy themselves giant killers, having done in the rest of the supposed Top Four. It felt good beating Martin O’Neill after his shenanigans last time around. He’s a fun character to frustrate. Aston Villa had previously scored in nearly every match since the season began, but left Ashburton Grove with nothing. No goals, no points… nothing. Apart from a sore ass, that is. An ass that, I’m quite sure Rafa Benitez and his men will enjoy taking up the task of plugging, when they come to visit Villa Park later today. Big fun.

So, we’re off to Fratton Park tomorrow. Given the travails of Portsmouth lately, it’s reasonable to expect full points from the match. Especially given the high we’re riding and the 2-0 whipping they took from the Hammers recently. And, if Wigan somehow pulls off a draw or even *gasp* a win over United, we may find ourselves in second position by 2010. Imagine that. At the very least, we should only be two behind United and four behind Chelsea. I like our odds… I do like our odds.

Come on, you Gunners!