Are we in any anger of losing third?

I guess not many of us would imagine in early March that we would be in a position to lose third place to Manchester City. In the last nine games since the beginning of March, we have only gotten 11 points from a possible 27.  I thought last season's collapse was bad, but this year it is worse. Although we got a morale boosting victory over Man United, it came to nothing because we lost to Stoke the week after.

In previous years, we always falter when we were up against the likes of Man United and Chelsea. This year we managed to split the series with both of the teams but failed to beat the likes of Newcastle, Blackburn, Sunderland. In fact we only got 4 points from a possible 12 against the Northeast sides of Newcastle and Sunderland. It is no wonder that we lost all the title initiative and now might even lose third place to the Citizens.

What's most disappointing for me really is the attitude of some players. I chose not to write for a while because I was totally frustrated with some players in the Arsenal team. The manager has come under a lot of flak but I would also question the heart of the players. You can see that Arsene is extremely passionate about the club but that cannot be said of some players. I would be glad to see these players packing their bags in the summer because obviously their hearts are not with the team.

Let's see if the bollocking that Arsene gave to the team after the Stoke defeat will bring any chance in attitude of the players come Sunday. 

Bolton vs Arsenal: Match Preview

So this Sunday we travel to the Reebok with our title challenge hanging by a thread. Unlike many who have absolutely given up on the title, I am still very optimistic about the title race. Now it seems like it is going to be a three horse race for the title. Man United may be six points in front but a loss would put them back into the clutches of both Arsenal and Chelsea considering that the Red Devils still have to play both team. I am sure the end of the this season is gonna be more thrilling than the one we had last year

The Gunners have not lost to Bolton in their last five meetings in the Premiership. Last September, we thrashed them 4-1 at the Emirates but I don't think it is gonna be that easy this time around. Owen Coyle's team has been doing well this season although they seem to have gone off the boil in the last couple of games culminating in the humiliation last Sunday at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinals. They must be still smarting from the defeat and will definitely go all out to erase that memory by claiming the Gunner's scalp.

However, I have seen enough in the team last Wednesday to be optimistic about this match. After several pretty lacklustre matches, the attack seems to have gotten its swing back so we should see some goals for us. The key to getting a victory is again keeping the opposition out With Kevin Davies prowling the penalty box, our backline will come under pressure in the match but now with Wojciech Szechny between the post I am more confident. We just need to stump out those individual mistakes that have cost us dearly. All in all I expect the Gunners to claim three points this weekend. Who knows if the other results go our way, we would be right behind Man United before the May 1st showdown.

Another morning, another disappointing result

I was really hoping that we could get a win over the Spuds yesterday to get back to within 4 points of the title race but as expected we couldn't and now we are down to third place. Although we are still unbeaten in 2011, the many draws that we have suffered( I think it is 5 draws in the last 5 matches), have taken its toll on our premiership challenge.

Again it was not a match where the couldn't win. In fact, we had a two goal cushion at one point, just like the game at the Emirates but we failed to hold on to the lead. At least this time we didn't lose the match. I think the boys gave it their all but the lack of concentration among some of the players is evident. We just don't seem to be able to defend a lead well enough to secure the points. It was not as bad as the Eboue incident on Sunday but Szechny's penalty giveaway was a needless one. Other than that mistake, the young Pole actually did quite well and I think he will be the answer to our goalkeeping woes. 

Generally both teams played well but could not maintain the level of play for the whole 90 minutes. It was not only the Gunners but Harry's men as well. I guess that is why both the teams are struggling at the moment. It was an open and free-flowing game, a testament to all things good about the English game but if you were a fan of both teams, it would't have done your blood pressure any good. I know I went through a big rollercoaster of a time.( Not as bad as the Liverpool match though because at least this one was over 90 minutes rather than only 3)

All in all, the title challenge is still on but games are fast running out.