This year we've shown incredible character. Our midweek loss was the fifth loss in all competitions. Four times now Arsenal have showcased their ability to overcome a defeat and move on.
Lose to Villa, go on to set a new away record. Lose to Borussia, beat them at their turf. Lose to Chelsea, defeat Liverpool straight away. Lose to United, go on to win the next four games, which saw us widen the gap on the Skunk Dutch and Co to thirteen points.
Pretty neat, isn't it? And now we face another test, the sternest of all. City away. Over the course of the season, they have demonstrated just how hard it is to escape Etihad unscathed. Only Bayern have won there, all of the others were demolished. Mercilessly.
Statistics confirm City's superiority at home. 29 goals scored, 2 conceded. The best team in the league, if we judge them based on these stats. Oh, and City also have the highest conversion rate, not just at home. 20.6% of their shots ended up in the back of the net.
Should we fear them? I don't think so. If we look at this stats-wise (again), Arsenal has the best away record in the league (not for nothing, also), having scored 14 and conceded just 5. Their conversion rate, at 18.9% is second only to City.
Before the game, Arsene said when he looks at his side, he doesn't envy City. And he's right. When everyone's available, our squad looks intimidating fro just any team. We've got rid of all the slack and now reap the benefits. Everyone's focused, everyone does his utmost, because he knows there's someone on the bench, who'll gladly take the opportunity, if provided with one.
Speaking of squad, Podolski and Sagna seem back in contention. The manager was elusive on both guys, saying Podolski is still a bit short and Sagna needs a late test, but both will definitely be available for the next game. So why am I telling you this?
Because both can actually be available today. There were reports of Sagna making the trip and "a bit short" for Podolski might mean "a bit short to start". So I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Should Sagna start, I fancy Walcott will, too. Knowing the Englishman's love to drift inside and leave the flank exposed, I think the manager didn't risk it, as he had Jenkinson on the right. The young man needed that extra level of protection. He wasn't rock solid even then, but he could have been much worse without any help.
I also think it may be time to drop Cazorla, if Sagna starts. The Spaniard is off the pace, so a sharp shock to his system may benefit him, the way it benefited Szczesny. I'm not particularly happy to say that, because I love the Spaniard, but the team should come first.
Unfortunately, all of this is riding on the assumption, that Sagna will play. If he doesn't, chances are we'll see exactly the same side that drew with Everton. But even then there is one change, that may benefit us.
I'm talking about Mikel Arteta. He's another player, that seems out of his depth right now. Our captain was overrun by Barkley a week ago and wasn't exactly our best performer on Wednesday. Maybe it's just the effect of playing too many games, but I think a Ramsey-Flamini duo will look fresher. More capable of setting the right rhythm to the game. And stopping Toure.
The stage is set. Now we need to perform. So here's for the three points later today.
Come on you Gunners
Lose to Villa, go on to set a new away record. Lose to Borussia, beat them at their turf. Lose to Chelsea, defeat Liverpool straight away. Lose to United, go on to win the next four games, which saw us widen the gap on the Skunk Dutch and Co to thirteen points.
Pretty neat, isn't it? And now we face another test, the sternest of all. City away. Over the course of the season, they have demonstrated just how hard it is to escape Etihad unscathed. Only Bayern have won there, all of the others were demolished. Mercilessly.
Statistics confirm City's superiority at home. 29 goals scored, 2 conceded. The best team in the league, if we judge them based on these stats. Oh, and City also have the highest conversion rate, not just at home. 20.6% of their shots ended up in the back of the net.
Should we fear them? I don't think so. If we look at this stats-wise (again), Arsenal has the best away record in the league (not for nothing, also), having scored 14 and conceded just 5. Their conversion rate, at 18.9% is second only to City.
Before the game, Arsene said when he looks at his side, he doesn't envy City. And he's right. When everyone's available, our squad looks intimidating fro just any team. We've got rid of all the slack and now reap the benefits. Everyone's focused, everyone does his utmost, because he knows there's someone on the bench, who'll gladly take the opportunity, if provided with one.
Speaking of squad, Podolski and Sagna seem back in contention. The manager was elusive on both guys, saying Podolski is still a bit short and Sagna needs a late test, but both will definitely be available for the next game. So why am I telling you this?
Because both can actually be available today. There were reports of Sagna making the trip and "a bit short" for Podolski might mean "a bit short to start". So I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Should Sagna start, I fancy Walcott will, too. Knowing the Englishman's love to drift inside and leave the flank exposed, I think the manager didn't risk it, as he had Jenkinson on the right. The young man needed that extra level of protection. He wasn't rock solid even then, but he could have been much worse without any help.
I also think it may be time to drop Cazorla, if Sagna starts. The Spaniard is off the pace, so a sharp shock to his system may benefit him, the way it benefited Szczesny. I'm not particularly happy to say that, because I love the Spaniard, but the team should come first.
Unfortunately, all of this is riding on the assumption, that Sagna will play. If he doesn't, chances are we'll see exactly the same side that drew with Everton. But even then there is one change, that may benefit us.
I'm talking about Mikel Arteta. He's another player, that seems out of his depth right now. Our captain was overrun by Barkley a week ago and wasn't exactly our best performer on Wednesday. Maybe it's just the effect of playing too many games, but I think a Ramsey-Flamini duo will look fresher. More capable of setting the right rhythm to the game. And stopping Toure.
The stage is set. Now we need to perform. So here's for the three points later today.
Come on you Gunners