You can easily say that yesterday, with only a few minutes left, Arsenal’s dream of winning the Premiership was very close to be shattered but yet again, the sheer determination of Arsene Wenger’s men made sure we took all three points from the KC Stadium, a place I honestly don’t want the Gunners to visit in the near future. Yes because I usually never focus on the others after the game but if there is one team I hope to see relegated, that’s Hull.

Unfortunately, Aaron’s injury didn’t change anything and if you think protests and writing letters will, you’re wrong. Bacary Sagna is to consider himself a lucky man – same words used by Cesc not long ago when describing tackles in the English Premiership – because George Boateng’s tackle with his foot so high was a criminal one.

But anyway, Chelsea and Manchester United – as expected – both registered home wins so it was mighty important for us not to drop any points, a script which as we’ve been saying for weeks and weeks, simply cannot change if we are to be crowned champions.

Not The Best Of Performances, But I Accept It

It is impossible in a season to win all games and even more impossible is to do it by convincing week in, week out. Hull City will not go down as one of the best game of the season but it’s natural to have a bad day at the office, especially after the super wins against Stoke City and Porto.

Of course we could have been in a more “relaxed” position had we not dropped cheap points like the away game against West Ham, but that’s history, we are now in a position where we simply cannot lose concentration, not even for one game and as I said, this will not change until the end of the season.

Shoot!

It is funny how many see Arsenal as a team which should shoot more from distance and Denilson’s strike which allowed us to win at Hull shows why. Sometimes I compare our team to a computer, programmed to perfection to do one thing, passing the ball into the net, which however has no alternative ways when this doesn’t work out.

Which is ironic, because I don’t believe the problem is that we lack players who can hit it from range. Abou Diaby can, Cesc Fabregas can and even Denilson has scored some nice goals from distance. I’m not complaining of course, but it would be nice to see more efforts from distance as you never know how you get a goal from them.

Speaking of the Brasilian, there were mixed reactions to his game. I personally believe he played well, doing what he was asked to do. What I however keep on finding frustrating about him is the lack of awareness and lack of will to track back when dispossessed. Against Porto, Alex Song twice gave the ball away cheaply, but in both occasions raced back like a train to win it back. This is something Denilson has to learn to do, you simply cannot be dispossessed and stay put thinking defenders will do the dirty job for you.

Looking Forward

This will be a good week for us Gunners, at least that’s my gut feeling. After their defeat against Wigan, Liverpool will have a point to prove away at Manchester United and Chelsea’s game at Blackburn is no piece of cake.

We, on the other hand, will be in action at home against West Ham. I watched Zola’s side against Chelsea and wasn’t impressed. They are good on the ball, create chances, but struggle to find the net. That’s on Saturday, the other top two will play on Sunday so we can easily go top after the game.

As always, I’ll be back on Friday with the preview. Until then, take care.