The Spurs game is huge.
It’s bigger than it has been because the consequences of losing are bigger.
This game should be an exciting one. Personally, I need exciting.
So roll on Sunday at 4pm.
Let’s see a real North London derby again.
This time around White Hart Lane will be a big challenge for an Arsenal team that’s pretty average.
With Jack Wilshere out till Xmas, the form and fitness of Arteta has become crucial.
Saturday’s match was a dull encounter with Bolton, which Arsenal eventally won 3-0.
Robin van Persie scored his 99th and 100th goals and the 99th was a significant one.
In a jittery first half, Szczesny made a fantastic early save from a volley by Darren Pratley, after a knockdown. Second half started and Ramsey made bright run after ref Mark Clattenburg allowed advantage following a foul by Steinsson and the Welshman saw the opening, played to the whistle. and gave it swiftly to Van Persie, who worked a shooting position and drilled a shot inside the near post.
46 minutes, 1-0.
One of the most precious goals that Robin Bang! Persie has scored for Arsenal this calendar year.
When David Wheater pulled back Theo Walcott as the winger raced onto a lovely pass from Ramsey, Wheater got a red card in 55 and the contest was over. Arsenal dominated after that
A Walcott cross rewarded a rare near-post run by RVP for 2-0.
Song hit a fine shot to make it 3-0 at the death.
Wenger hadn\’t celebrated when Van Persie scored the all-important first goal. But when Song scored, Wenger jumped up and clapped his hands and did a jig. That tells you who he cares about.
I reckon Robin needs to build on this performance.
Playing in an attacking team for eight years, he should score a 100 goals.
He needs to do the same at Spurs for Arsenal to have any chance of winning.
Bolton had lost their last four games before Saturday and are now bottom of the table.
Watching Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, I saw David Villa chest a Xavi pass, then jab the ball very neatly with his left foot to set up a phenomenal shot with his right foot.
Still a first class sniper whose talents have been rather ignored of late.
Barcelona’s front three get in a lot of tackles and blocks and I was glad to see Miranda score an own-goal for 2-0, as I had a bet on Over 3.5 goals.
Fabregas then made a superb covering interception in the right back position to deny Jose Antonio Reyes.
The European champions were playing precision pinball football and Messi\’s yellow boots were on fire : he made it 3-0 in 26. On a rainy night in Catalonia, Barcelona were turning football into a 30-minute sport.
The fourth goal took a while but it came in 79 when Messi scuttled into the box and slotted with his left foot. Since the start of last season he\’s scored 64 in 64 games.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK :
Xavi said : Since Fabregas has arrived, I\’ve become a better player.