But the next matches were sights to behold. Arsenal blasted 6 past Blackpool, and then won away at Blackburn. Before that, Arsenal hadn't won away to a Sam Allardyce team since 2002 (or 2003, can't remember). Next, Arsenal proceeded to beat another bogey team, Bolton, 4-1 at the Emirates. Then the tables looked to be turning. A last gasp Darren Bent goal denied Arsenal 3 points at the Stadium of Light and then a shock victory for West Brom at The Emirates. There was a victory ar White Hart Lane in between that, but that was all forgotten as Almunia's antics and our defensive frailties caught everyone's attention.
This season, we're defensively tighter than the past couple of seasons. We've defended very well up until the West Brom game. Almunia on the other hand, is a different story. He played a vital part in West Brom's second and third goals. It was just pathetic. How many times have we seen that Spaniard go off his line when he has defenders to cover for him? Sigh.
Luckily, he's injured, because Fabianski's going to have massive confidence going into the Stamford Bridge game this Sunday. Last night he was impeccable against Partizan Belgrade. He plucked the balls out of the air, he punched the crosses out and he even made a brilliant penalty save. In injury time, he kept the Serbs at bay when he pulled off an even finer save. He's got to be more confident now, and he'll have one eye on the Number 1 spot for the Gunners.
The game at Chelsea this weekend is COLOSSAL. We need to make the vital ground we didn't make when Chelsea lost to City. I blew my top both of the times we lost to the Blues last season, we have to take atleast a point this time around. With the for that Fabregas has been in, he might just be the key.
The last time we hijacked 3 points at Stamford Bridge was way back in 2008 and I think that was the last time we've beaten them. Didier Drogba just loves playing Arsenal and I hope our defence can cope with that. We'll have to play as tough as them , cause I saw the City vs Chelsea match, and it was pretty physical.
I think Clichy will start as our left back, having being rested in midweek. If Vermaelen's back, then he'll play center along with Koscielny and Sagna should fill in at right back. Against Chelsea, an ideal Midfield would be with Song holding midfield and Fabregas as the playmaker. Arshavin could play down the left and run into the box and in at defenders. Chamakh will definitely play up front, he's been amazing this season. Rosicky should come on as a sub, to kick life into our team and Nasri and Wilshere playing would make our team abound in creativity.
On paper we have a world class team, and on our day we can pass our way around anyone, and into the goal. We've shown that many times in the past few seasons and I hope that in 4 days we can step up to the plate and deliver.
Come on you Gunners.
