Arsenal need to turn their thoughts back to the title

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
01 Mar	3:00 PM	P	Aston Villa (H)	1	1	Draw

Fans have gathered in a collective therapy to get over the nightmare of last weekend. I am sure the players have done the same.

Now the title race is back on with Aston Villa on Saturday and the team and fans need to turn their thoughts back to the big picture.

After the Milan game I wrote here: "Birmingham could be quite annoying at the weekend . Wenger has a huge psychological job to do over the next 14 days ..."

Birmingham was indeed annoying. I believe the reaction over the tackle was compounded by the 2 points lost. As soon as all the players realised what had happened to Eduardo only Flamini recognised the danger that it posed to the game and the big picture. He walked to a few players and patted them and urged them on. Gallas should have done the same as captain. The title is the focus and we momentarily forgot that.

Eduardo's absence leaves Arsenal with an Adebayor-Bendtner partnership up front and as one commentator rightly spotted, Bendtner is not quite part of the group.

Arsenal cannot succeed without fully healing that rift. Recognition of the big picture is the motivation needed to heal that before van Persie returns. Bendtner is important because any more injuries up front and we will be past bare bones, we will be in marrow territory.

We have come to the point where the team needs to take all risks. No more resting or saving players. In a way, it is better that this situation has been forced on us because sometimes, choice is a dangerous thing.

11 games to go, all cards on the table and hopefully from a squad perspective things will only be getting better as Tomas Rosicky, van Persie, Kolo Touré and Denilson will be returning rather than recovering.

The title race is won out of consistency and dogged determination over adversity. The table proves that we have been more consistent but on the determination side, we have work to do.

In one season, Arsenal played about 6 games with 10 men and won. They won the title out of playing consistently well and refusing to give up when the odds were stacked against them.

This team needs to that determination component to add to their consistency in order to make it this season. I cannot say that I have seen evidence of that dogged determination in this team yet. I have seen ambition against Milan at the highest level and good football but not outright determination.

The games over Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have been called decisive. In my opinion, they don't yet matter. They will only matter if we beat Villa, Wigan and Middlesbrough.
If Man United and Chelsea also pick up full points then those games will be decisive. If not then they will just be important.

This season has shown that nothing can be taken for granted. Manchester United will not necessarily beat lower teams and neither will Arsenal or Chelsea. Let's get back on track and focus on the games and see what happens.

On Saturday, I will be screaming my lungs out for the team in the stands and I hope the team will be running their legs out with the same fervour.

It's been great to be among fans either via the internet articles, forums or physically in a collective therapy to get over last Saturday. Now we join the team, not feeling sorry for ourselves but determined to fight and go forward.

Come on you Gunners!

User Comments

KABOGGOZA HENRY .N. -Kampala ,Uganda.

Posted on 6 Mar, 2008 at 06:04 PM - Reply

Thank God we have advanced to the next level &here theres need to double our efforts for better results this season.
With the come back of key players like Rosicky,Persie & Toure,arsenal will produce good results at all levels.But Wenger needs to instil in his players a culture of using long-range chances & try out their luck just like CESC did previously.Adebayor needs to double his efforts in these remaining matches after all he's the main striker .Its high time he emulates Thierry so as to enlight Arsenal's chances of getting atleast a trophy this season.HEY GUNNERS, DON'T LET YOUR GUNS RUN SHORT OF BULLETS IN THE REMAINING GAMES...OTHERWISE...!!! Lets wait 4 d weekend match.

ahmed, kano nigeria

Posted on 1 Mar, 2008 at 10:06 AM - Reply

We really got a chance, but the players need to realise that we are just in the semi finals and are close to the finals. This is the time to win or loose the title. We need to see hunger in the players just like what our tough rival (MAN U) has. Arsene Wenger need to show his players one or two goals dont win a match. they need to keep on the tempo till the end. The birmingham day is the saadest day of the season to all gunners, the eduardor injury and the unfortunate equaliser. We had all the chances to kill off the match but we lack the Man United type of spirit. Adebayor need to realised that the team is greater than selfish interest, the pass he refuses to Bendtner is unforgivable, is a serious crime to all GUNNERS all over the world. I pray he realises earlier. He use to be a fuck up and all of a sudden an outstanding player, but the last game made him look his old self. May be he need to put on his hair style back, cos i never saw him looked horrible like that day for a long time now. CUM ON GUNNERS WE NEED TO BE ACK ON TRACK FAST.

JASON FORM MALTA

Posted on 1 Mar, 2008 at 09:43 AM - Reply

ALL ARSENAL PLAYERS NEED TO KEEP CONCENTRATED MORE ON EACH MATCH THEY PLAY AND KEEP THEIR MORALE UP TILL THE END. THAT WAY I BELIVE THAT THEY CAN MAKE IT. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE PLAYERS ARE ALL YOUNGSTERS THE PRODUCT IS THERE FOR BEING THE PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS OF THIS SEASON. COME ON YOU GUNNERS...

Tollylemmy

Posted on 1 Mar, 2008 at 09:27 AM - Reply

No need to entertain fears.all we need now is a strong determination.adebayour needs to be more serious this time bcos we need goals.up gunners!!! No shaking!

tommy NYC

Posted on 1 Mar, 2008 at 02:56 AM - Reply

great post - we have the talent and the quality - just need to regain belief. Mr. Wenger will instill it this week, and we will go at Villa with real commitment. COME ON U GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!

Orishpapa

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 11:27 PM - Reply

'Every cloud has a silver lining'.I hope this tragic injury to Edu will make Ade and Bendtner act professionally, and more importantly,as adults.They should not fail Edu and us,the loyal fans.

Orishpapa

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 11:27 PM - Reply

'Every cloud has a silver lining'.I hope this tragic injury to Edu will make Ade and Bendtner act professionally, and more importantly,as adults.They should not fail Edu and us,the loyal fans.

Terry

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 09:51 PM - Reply

we need to stay focused on the league because its much easier than the champions league. come on u guuuners!!!!!

tennie

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 02:45 PM - Reply

For all his great qualities Arsen fail to realise that his squad is too thin. Drogba sighted this as a possible failing point of Gunners this season and i quite agree with him. We had a golden opportunity this season of rewriting the history books is we had a little more cover for our injuries.

ROBERYT TESADALE

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 02:22 PM - Reply

SORRY FOR ANGLE GETT BEING

abdul

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 12:48 PM - Reply

Let Adebaor be serous with goal scoring we need to win games

tega

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 12:17 PM - Reply

gunners gonna win title,common,gunners,go for it.

Achinivu Okey

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 12:16 PM - Reply

This is great... i hope Gallas, Flamini and Fabregas see this, cos now they have all the job to do.

teempofu

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 11:56 AM - Reply

we will win the tittle if we are focused as ateam ,we started very well what is the problem now gunners for life

sbakht

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 11:00 AM - Reply

superb stuff joel che.....article like this provide comfortableness to the readers.....
i want to ask here a simple question if u could answer it.is it not the job of the manger to stop people doing selfish game.ADE screwed my a-- when he had not converted the ball to nicklas and that cost us two points right at the moment and no one knows what it would cost at the end.this thing must be stopped at the earliest most if we want to achieve something cuz ADE and Bendtner have to collaborate cuz we have got the threshold of the injuries. would luv 2 hear from u.

EYOAL ELIYAS

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 10:19 AM - Reply

I am vary happy abut all what u did in fotball,but this days (after enjory) u ar becam decriz in many games. to stop united u must play magnifsent we ar in the math of final.we must be the campion in barclay.NO MATER U DO WE ARE IN UR POSION WE LOVE U FABERA)

Femi

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 08:50 AM - Reply

The Team should get a professional shots trainer for a crash course! I'm serious. Their marksmanship is TOO POOR - ALWAYS MAKES KEEPERS LOOK GOOD. I also agree with the comment about the determination issue. These guys lack it. The only person who really does (GALLAS) is being abused by the press for his frustration because he knows the slack attitude most Arsenal Players have. If they can quickly kill off teams instead of this 'beautiful soccer' that has become a frustration then they might win the PL.
The odds are too much in Man U's favour. They have the players and most importantly the DETERMINATION! IT'S CLEAR NOW THAT THEY HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR SIR ALEX THAN THIS TEAM HAS FOR MR. WENGER. COS THEY FLOUT SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS.
To be frank, I'm really not too confident about Arsenal winning the title but am just hopeful. If Wenger will put aside all excuses about still building a team and that 'no one gave Arsenal a chance...' and face the fact that they are in pole position then they MIGHT STILL win it.

Joel Che

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 07:18 AM - Reply

Aussie Fan. I stated the Bendtner is not part of the group but I did not say whose fault it was. I'm not in the dressing room so I cannot speculate. I agree with you that the pass that Ade did not play to Bendtner was deliberate rather than a case of he did not spot him.

It was a very public incident for those who paid attention. In my view Ade should realise 2 things now. First that what he did was noticed and that fans would consider that unprofessional and secondly, that he can only succeed if the team succeeds (i.e if his strike partner succeeds too). Van Persie may be on his way back but the need to work together is urgent in the next game because a second successive game of failure to work together could destroy the season.

On the header in the Milan, I cannot blame Ade for that. He did very well to get there in the first place. I cannot think of any other Arsenal player who would have got there. In his efforts to get there, his body was out of shape to make a clean header. It was a big miss but it was a big effort in that moment and in that game.

Thanks for your ever colourful and eccentric feedback.

Aussie Fan

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 05:29 AM - Reply

Your opinions are colourful and Eccentric.. All the Boys Need is a bit of Heart and realise that The team & Club is much bigger than any idividual!! Wat i haven't heard in a while is ADE Bashing i mean nobody doubts his commitment to The Red Shirt, But his Ego is in the way just like an Old King of Past Years!! Frankly his Failure to Spot Bendnter (which i reckon was on purpose) shows that the rift still affects him!! He has in 2 games had the chance to Win us the Games and both times he has Failed!! I Know he has won us out fair share this year as well buit i just can't help but think that he slips the ball to An open onside Bendtner with a open Net we are up 3-1 and Game is over, He converts the Header we take a lead to Milan so really i just wonder if his Ego was not a problem maybe Bendtner would be more accepted!! Walcott seems pretty close to Bendtner so it doesn't seem everyone in the squad dislike him!

goran bakker

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 02:27 AM - Reply

im from kurdostn i love arsenal for ever i wsh go to tu op every yers this my emil goran_2010@hotmai.co.uk i go friend hes name aram he like arsenal so much thxt me back to my emil plz thx ?

aram muhamad

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 02:23 AM - Reply

iov arsenal 07762044559 i lvoe arsenal iam fom iarq i lvoe to mah arsenal

aram muhamad

Posted on 29 Feb, 2008 at 02:16 AM - Reply

iov arenal

JohnDaviesAFC

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 10:53 PM - Reply

Totally agree with you I think all us gunners have had to have a bit of collective therapy over Eduardos injury but now its time to fight on and get the job done don't let Eduardo's contribution this season be for nothing - I wanna be hearing the Emirates rocking on Saturday!!!!!

adetunji adenipekun

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 04:58 PM - Reply

frankly i see diferently.bendtner is a great striker, and adebayor should be giving assist to him when the Dane is clearer at goal.good thing that ade has found his belief but he does not neccessary have to be selfish.bringing ur teammates along helps a lot.and the injury to Eduardo ,as grisly as it is, is the perfect tonic we need to succeed.we do not go out of the way to crush opponents which is very bad.MANU does that a lot that is why they have a beeter goal diff.we need to do that to have better psychological edge over our foes.the lads sometimes get carried away with the way they play.so i know the injury to ed would serve us better.we are winning the premiership and AC milan!u wanna bet?i know this cos i do.

Warp

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 04:18 PM - Reply

Arsenal can win many titles but wenger always buy cheap and inexperince people. Even if he wants to get experince players he wont paid what they want.

Look after invinsible season..any good cup?
Wenger wasted to buy or loan experince players during january transfer market. If arsenal ever drop any points then sure MU will WIN...Come on gunners...keep ur eye and mental sharp and gives us the another good record. U need little luck here...

Sam - Gunner for life!

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 04:11 PM - Reply

Totaly agree that Bendtner does NOT fit in our team. We can always play as we started the season, Rosicky back and push Helb little up to help Ade. And we all hope hope Van persie will be back soon. One thing i have to say, Ade is been doing a great job, but lately we media gave him too much attention and now he doesn't look as a good finisher as before. We should just let him play and don't pressure him too much. Sam - New York

Yusuf Bulama

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 03:26 PM - Reply

I believe now is the moment to see wether Wenger does trust his boys; Van Persie, Toure, and Rosicky will be massive boosts in this period and since Adebayor and Bendtner still seem to have problems, Theo Walcott should be given a chance in the striking role.

Arsene Trava

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 02:57 PM - Reply

That says it all mate, from all the Aussie Gooner Faithful, Eduardo we wish you a speedy recovery, and though we cant attend many matches, we will be singing our guts out for the lads. Lets show the Manc scum that they may take our cup, but they'll never take.. our title!!!! Long Live the Gunners!!!

john number 1 gunner

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 12:57 PM - Reply

i have to agree with you on this joel the whole arsenal community has got to look at the big pic which is refocusing on the title race.The injury to eduardo was a big blow i still ant get over it just when i thot he was starting to really establish himself as a big player in the team this happens, i can imagine the responsibililty adebayor has now on his shoulders to lead the attack.Arsene wenger has to talk to all players urging them on to give 100 percent in each of the 11 games left,one advantage is that his been in this position before and will be perfectly able to handle it.Saturdays game could be the most important game so far win and were back on track focused lose or draw could be very discouraging and might hamper the players mentalities.To often arsenal fans expect the team to go out and steamroll opponents it cant be like that always saturdays game is going to be hard as nails the fans have got to be the twelvth man and cheer them on.I cant wait for this one my preferred team is almunia,sagna,clichy,senderos,gallas,hleb,gilberto,flamini,fabregas,walcott and adebayor

Abayomi fasheyi

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 12:48 PM - Reply

i pray that he will return soon,cos his a good finisher than ade and we will all miss him in Nigeria,Abule oja fans will miss him and we all wish him well soon.Gunners for lyfe

mires

Posted on 28 Feb, 2008 at 12:37 PM - Reply

support you n gunners 4eva n eva n eva

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