No Arsenal Makes Mark Worry

Of course, the second our form gets red hot and United and Villa start playing like the Farore Islands reserves, we get a big, fat international break. This, of course leaves me to my own devices where I can only imagine soccer rather than watch it. Granted Tomas Rosicky returns to score many beautiful goals in my imaginary unbeaten season, but that should illustrate why my imagination is of no consolation. So I worry. Let's be honest, we have a bit of a task ahead as we turn into the final stretch. Three "easy" games against Stoke, Boro and Portsmouth are on the docket. Remember that these match ups were anything but easy earlier in the season and you start to understand. Wigan and City are our next opponents and comprise our remaining mid-level matches. We can and should win both of these, but it is going to be a very dangerous time as our focus is going to be on Villareal in Champions League and Chelsea in the FA. Neither of these are slouch squads to say the least, but the real kicker comes next:

If we defeat Chelsea and Villareal, then we get a month's time in which we play Liverpool at Anfield, Chelsea again at Emirates, and Manchester United.....4 TIMES

Now, that isn't necessarily the case. Everton and Porto could maybe... or we could get lucky and... well maybe. Frack. 2 Champions League, a cup final at Wembley, and another trip to Old Trafford to finish it up. I'm gonna be so sick of peevish, ugly Rooneys and fo-hawked Ronaldos. 

Yep, the battles are coming. But we love the battles. We play much better at the top against teams which are not trying to kick us off the pitch or play for a draw. Bring it on.

Still, I needed some cheering up to stop all the inter-lull worries, so I got out my goal clips for the year and made a list. Here are the top ten goals so far this year:

10. Diaby vs Aston Villa (December)

Crucial game, great one man effort. Watching him skin two defenders with a back heel to himself was magical. A great pass by from Eboue and a cool finish, which we have lacked so much this year. Good for you Abou.

9. Fabregas vs. Sunderland (October)

I miss him so much. Forget that this was at the last second of the match. This strike is to be remembered because Cesc doesn't use his noggin ever, and he's not exactly the tallest bloke on the pitch. How he snuck pass two defenders and a keepers, I will never know. I'd put this goal on the list just to see how fired up he is afterwards. What a competitor.

8. Bendtner vs. Dynamo Kiev (November)

 

November was a weird month. We played eight matches, beat United and Chelsea but went down to Stoke, Villa and City. It looked like we were in for another lackluster performance and a nil nil result when Cesc launched a surprise long ball to Bendtner, who pulled it down beautifully and slotted it home with a cool finish. I know that don't sound right, but looking back, he's had a couple clean finishes throughout the year. But this confection is as much Spanish as it is Danish. Having been out so long, we really forget what Fabregas can do. You especially forget how beautiful a leading pass can be. If anyone is going to boost us through the this homestretch, it'll be the skipper.

7. Vela vs. Wigan (November Carling Cup)

He'd already scored a very similar goal against Sheffield U earlier in this competition, but this one had all the Vela characteristics on it. Wigan was gutted, but the Mexican's pace and trademark chip left us all stunned, including Chris Kirkland, whose dumbfounded expression says it all. We all have a lot to look forward to with this kid.

6. Van Persie vs. Chelsea (November)

Now, I've tried to focus on the goals themselves, and not the scenarios in which they were scored, but this just had to be here. The ball in from Cesc sits in the air forever before Ade directs it to Persie, who turns and blindly fires it to the only place Peter Cech couldn't be. Cesc's deadball, Adebayor's head, Persie's leg (vanilla). That's an Arsenal goal.

5. Van Persie vs. Everton (January)

Nothing new here. Van Persie, finding space with a great chest trap and a sublime volley at low angle to save the day. Just perfect. You really haver to watch this one from a better angle than the TV one before it really dawns on you how solid this strike is. The man really does shoot better off of volleys then ground balls. Viva Van Persie! 

4. Vela vs. Burnley (March)

Granted this was against weak opposition, but the 3-nil finishing master class Arsenal put on against Burnley would not be overlooked. The Mexican superstar takes a touch from Arshavin and then leaves his man in the dust. Finish it off with his signature chip and you've got another great winner de Carlos. He really is bringing some beauty back to the Cannon.

3. Arshavin vs. Blackburn (March) 

This goal is just sexy. It came at a point in the match where we just couldn't finish to save our lives. But one man took it on his shoulders and pretty much did it himself. You can see Bendtner calling for the cross, but the Russian wasn't having it. He skins his man on a very simple move, keeps the ball in play, and then scores from the slightest of angles with a top shelf delivery. First goal, great goal. Welcome to the Emirates Andrei. 

2. Nasri vs. United (November) #2

This is a great strike, but while not being as brillant as some other scores, it is truly a team goal and the best example of the Arsenal way. The patience, the pose and the sheer number of passes that we used to set up this strike against quality opposition really give me confidence that we can take on any team in the world. Watch Fabregas turn and slide the ball to Nasri. Watch Walcott draw Vidic away and make a mockery of the United center backs. Finally, watch  Nasri do what God made him to do, slot home winners. A goal which true Gooners can all be proud of.

 

1. Eduardo vs. Burnley (March)   

But this was simply the best. I have never seen anyone do this on a futbol pitch...ever. A fantastic ball in from Song which Eduardo sends back the other way into the top corner off the ankle which we all feared would end his career a year ago. You can't write that. You can't even put that into context. The cheek, the confidence to even try that maneuver when there are so many easier options speaks to Eduardo as a player. You can openly dislocate his ankle, but you'll never take his balls. What a comeback he's had. Let's hope the is the first of many jaw-droppers to come.

There. That made me feel better, and I hope it did the same for you. Enjoy the international blah, blah, blah and get ready for some great match ups to come.