the show at Hull City yesterday, albeit they kept it late.
The gaffer admits he had fears that we were heading for the rocks
after wasting a handful of opportunities.
However, Arsene Wenger has offered us reprieve ( "reprieve" because I
think we are in for a rough ride) by confirming that our midfield duo
of Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky will be available for next week,
as Arsenal put plans in motion to entertain our London underachievers
(West Ham) at the Emirates stadium.
Fabregas has been conspicuously missing in action for the past two
weeks (no thanks to his nagging hamstring injury).
We lacked the motivation the youngster provides and almost paid dearly
for our unseriousness at the K C Stadium - we escaped by the whiskers
and avoided the loss of a couple of points in the process.
For the avoidance of doubt, every gooner knows how catastrophic a
point loss could be for the Gunners irrespective of whom and where we
play.
And we've got to get used to the new routine (90 minutes or no goal).
While, this unothordox tactic can kill off any resistance put in place
by the opponents. The adverse effects on us the supporters shouldn't
be understated. It can be likened to bearing the brunt of some one
else's misdeeds, yesterday was a classical example, Hull decided to
defend what they had rather than push forward, and Arsenal as expected
set up the machinery needed to infiltrate Hull's defensive unit, but
the home team were too united and focused to entertain thoughts of
commiting a mistake.
It took the mis-handling of Boaz Myhill (a keeper that was rumoured to
be better than Almunia) for Arsenal to break the dead-lock and silence
thousands of the Tigers supporters with less than three minutes of
stoppage time left.
What I am saying in essence is, can't we dispatch off our opponents a
little bit quicker and save ourselves the rush. . .
We've been lucky so far, but just like the proverbial cat with nine
lives, we've exhausted seven of ours. That goes a long way to prove
how much luck we've had so far in this unpredictable campaign.
Meanwhile, the boss spoke on the chances of Rosicky and Fabregas ahead
of our meeting with West Ham next week: "Rosicky and Fabregas have a
good chance to be ready for next week. Gallas, no."
Arsenal's central defender William Gallas, whose contract expires at
the end of the season, hasn't played for Arsenal since February,
and Wenger maintains that we shouldn't expect to see our influential
defender anytime sooner than next month after he aggravated his calf
injury last week during training.
Arsene Wenger who took sole responsibility for Gallas' condition has
also played down suggestions that Sol Campbell, is capable of
featuring for Arsenal in every game.
Wenger said: "When we play once a week, it is okay. When we play three
games per week it is a bit too much."
Arsene also defended his team's performance yesterday at the Kingston
Communications Stadium by insisting that the title race is still open.
"Like some people before Christmas, I believed we were out of the
title race but now I really believe we are back in the hunt."
