It’s now 13 days away.
Arsenal v Spurs at the Emirates.
Will it be a season-defining moment for both clubs?
Not really. But if Spurs can beat Arsenal they should finish third. Not bad for a team that’s been in awe of Arsenal’s trophy haul since 1987 and hasn’t won the title since 1961.
Arsenal won 2-1 at Sunderland, as expected.
Sunderland were always going to tire. When Middlesbrough and Sunderland went to extra time in midweek, it was likely that Arsenal would outrun them in the second half and score a couple of goals.
I didn’t bet on the game but it looked a sure thing.
We’ve all been saying that Aaron Ramsey needed a rest. At Sunderland he was given a rest for 72 minutes. Then he came on and when an Arteta shot rebounded to him, Ramsey slammed in a right foot shot that hit the inside of the post, rebounded against the other post, and went for the equaliser.
Left winger James McClean had scored in 70 after Sagna was pressed, passed backwards to Mertesacker, who twisted and collapsed, allowing the Irishman a chance which he took in fine style. Mertesacker was taken off on a stretcher, Song dropped back, Ramsey came on into the midfield.
Henry had already replaced Oxlade, and when Arshavin came on for Walcott, the Russian produced two very fine crosses in five minutes’ Henry stabbed one home from three yards to give Arsenal their first away win since the 2-1 at Villa Park on Wednesday, December 21.
Two experienced subs won the game for Arsenal.
Experience is very important, although some managers forget that vital component
Can Thierry Henry repeat that trick in Milan on Wednesday night?
SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Mignolet; Bardsley, O’Shea, Turner, Richardson; Campbell (Ji, 87), Larsson, Gardner, Colback, McClean; Sessegnon.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker (Ramsey, 72), Koscielny, Vermaelen; Arteta, Song; Walcott (Arshavin, 87), Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Henry, 66); Van Persie.
EVERTON beat Chelsea 2-0.
Chelsea were shocking. Worse than Arsenal fans ever hoped they could be when both clubs are competing for fourth place.
Villas-Boas never lost the dressing room because it was never his to lose.
Sad but true. A very promising rookie coach, AVB has been shafted by the senior players.
They say the oligarch has been at the training ground five times lately. And he had the players in on Sunday.
Ashley Cole has been pitiful for months. Every week he does things I\’ve never seen him do on a football field. Same again with that kamikaze pass across his own penalty area.
Bad as Ashley Cole has been recently, that kamikaze pass was still unexpected, still inexplicable. Football is all about good habits. Did he forget a lifetime of good habits? Is he that far gone?
Ashley Cole was an amazing footballer and I still hope he gets 100 caps.