Another three points, another three goals and another dodgy goal conceeded. Business as usual at the Emirates yesterday saw Arsenal move up to fourth, at least until Man City play later today.
With Chelsea having lost earlier in the day it was a chance to make up some ground and after Man United beat Bolton and leapfrogged Chelsea we are now four points off the top with a game in hand.
Mannone kept his place in goal, Gibbs replaced the injured Clichy, Eboue was at right back for Sagna and Walcott came in for Arshavin. All the rest of the team was as usual.
Walcott's return didn't last long after a crunching tackle early on from Ridgewell. More firm than dirty though. He lasted until the 33rd minute when we were 2-0 up but it doesn't look good for the midweek game.
Theo actually looked like he may be fine, he came back on after the tackle and forced a save from a cross/shot from the right which was dipping under the bar. However it didn't take long though for Arsenal to take the lead.
Song picked up a loose clearance and played a very Cesc-like ball inbetween defenders to RvP who is took it into his stride with one touch, teed it up with another and finished excellently across the goalkeeper into the far corner. He is really growing into the main striker role and this was his fourth goal in four appearances for him.
Two minutes later Rosicky and Eboue combined well down the right, Rosicky slid a cross low into the box which missed everyone until it got to Diaby at the back post who finished neatly for his third league goal of the season. Despite the level of some of his performaces not being totally up to scratch that is a decent return for this stage of the season.
Time for Arsenal's customary wobble. After 38 minutes a throw from the right led to a cross which Diaby headed up into the air, Mannone came and flapped under pressure from Larsson, it fell to Bowyer who smashed it in. Mannone may complain that the defence were too deep, that Gibbs didn't really go for the dropping ball and most of all he may have had a case that Larsson bumped him, especially considering how much protection goalkeepers usually get. But the I like to see goalkeepers come for high balls and take everything in their way and that is what was needed here.
The second half was a little nervy and Birmingham had a great chance to level. A low cross from the left, with Sagna nowhere to be seen, seemed to be heading to one of their players but Mannone clawed it away for Gallas to clearu. I do worry about Sagna's concentration at times and he and Clichy both need to raise their games as they have been disapointing this season.
Arsenal did have chances too though, including hitting the bar from a free kick which was awarded for a back pass which was picked up. We also forced a few saves from Hart, before Arshavin made it safe.
Cesc was given the ball by Mannone on the edge of our box, he ran to the edge of their box, fed the little Russian who cut in from the left and passed it into the far corner with a finish that Henry would have been proud of. They made us wait 85 minutes but the points were finally safe.
We almost immediately made it four when Diaby forced an excellent save from Hart after a cross from Eboue. 3-1 it finished and another three points maintains our 100% home record.
Overall I am pleased with the result more than the performance. After we went to 2-0 we seemed to stop playing a little and I would have liked to see us kill the game. Some of our defending was slack and we could have found ourselves level but for a nice bit of goalkeeping from Mannone.
It's hard to be too critical though. We scored three against a team that had only conceeded eight in eight games before yesterday. We looked bright and inventive going forward and RvP, Cesc and Arshavin are in fine form. Song is really growing into the role and Diaby probably had his best game of the season so far. There are still problems but I am in no doubt we are stronger than last season. We look much more solid at the back and in midfield and dangerous going forward.
With Chelsea having lost two and Liverpool four I think it is certain that the big teams and the eventual champions will lose more than in recent seasons. I also think this season will see the biggest challenge to the "big four" domination since we started to think of them as the "big four."
On a side note the "Arsenalisation" continues and there are some fabulous pictures of it all here about half way down the page.
Enjoy your Sunday.
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