On to the next one

According to me, some of the greatest inventions ever; alcohol, electricity, the gel ink pen, the internet, the iphone, airplanes, the bicycle, and the DVR. The last item, the DVR or Digital Video Recorder makes the list for one reason only; it allowed me to record my Arsenal games and watch them on a continuous loop.

I have this habit of re-watching the Arsenal games over and over. On an average week I will watch my first replay of the match on Saturday night after the missus passes out, and again sometime on Sunday. During the weekdays I get home from work about an hour before my girlfriend. She attends these Yoga / Pilates classes after work, which works for me because it gives me a little window to watch the matches again during the week. I watch each game about 5 times regardless of whether it is a win or loss, but if Arsenal win a big game (Chelsea away and Man Utd at home last year, Stoke away and Porto at home this year) the number of times the game is viewed can easily approach a dozen times.

I re-watch these games for three main reasons. First, it calms me. I find the sounds of an Arsenal game soothing and almost therapeutic. Some people like the sound of running water, birds and crickets chirping, or jazz as background noise. Not me, I fancy the sound of the Arsenal. Second, is for analysis. I really focus on individual performances. For example, I usually devote the second viewing entirely to Fabregas. I sit there and analyse his movements and positions on the pitch. I record every pass he makes and whether it was successful or not. It's sick and sad. I know, but I can't help it. Finally, each time I watch the game I am looking for those moments that lead to deeper thought. Something to write these articles about...

It's Sunday afternoon and I have watched the game at Hull three times already. The thing that jumps out at me most is the simple fact of getting the result. This is a game two years ago we would have lost, last year we would have drawn, and this year at Stoke and Hull we managed to take all the spoils. That is progression within the squad, no doubt. Yesterday, Arsenal were without RvP, Fabregas, Song, and Gallas. Those are four very important players for our squad not just in skill and technique, but in pushing the team on. In previous years when players like Diaby, Denilson, and Bendtner were depended on for results they did not get the job done. To be able to get that goal when we absolutely needed it was impressive.

I agree with Big Sol on his description of the remaining fixture list on the official site this morning. He was quoted as saying the run-in for Arsenal is NOT easy. This weekend proved that. Some fans seem to see weaker teams on the schedule and immediately look past them. Hull reminded us that the fight at the bottom of the table is just as fierce as the one at the top. These teams will fight us tooth and nail to stay up. So let's put an end to this nonsense that Tottenham and Manchester City are the only tough games left. No match, especially the away fixtures, are going to be easy. Every match left will test my heart and diminish my fingernails. Arsenal are the Cardiac Kids.

As far as analysing the game, Arsenal really did not play that well. This is not a knock on Arsenal, in fact, I think it is a measure of a good team to be able to win when they aren't necessarily playing their best stuff. Arsenal have been able to do that a couple times this year, again signaling progression within the squad. I was amazed at how much space was available in the middle of the park against Hull. Nasri looked a little too tired and Denilson looked too weak to take advantage of these vacancies. I felt Arsenal missed Fabregas on Saturday. I know writing the Gunners missed Fabregas is a bit of stating the obvious, but watch the tape. Hull gave our midfield all kinds of space and it just seemed if Fabregas was out there it would not have been as close as it was.

Hull were reduced to 10 men, and at the sight of the red card I thought Arsenal would cruise to victory. But the scoreline was already 1-1 at the time of the sending off. Hull abandoned all offensive minded thoughts and were determined to keep the point they had earned with the bullshit penalty. Having one less man when your parking 9 guys in the box is not as big a disadvantage as I thought. It appeared Hull were actually tougher to break down after the red card if that makes any sense...

One cause for concern is Arshavin's finishing. He has now missed some clear-cut chances in two consecutive games. However, I am not too worried about the little guy. He just came back from injury, and has scored two goals and set up another two. Not to bad for your first three appearances back in the squad. Arshavin also has a habit of scoring goals that no other person on the planet could create, so I am not going to jump on him for missing a couple of chances. Russia missed out on the World Cup. Let Arshavin show the world his talent by leading his team to Champions League glory or the Premiership title.

One more cause for concern that has nothing to do with the match played this weekend. What is really going on with one William Gallas? I really to see him back in the squad when his calf injury heals. I really do not like this talk that we have seen the last of him in an Arsenal shirt. Arsenal need Billy G for the big matches ahead, and their all big matches from here on out. Last year, Arsenal shut down Gallas for the last month of the season due to injury, and we got a sloppy at the back. Campbell has been a very astute signing. In fact, I do not know if we would have gotten past Porto and back in the title race if Silvestre was are only cover when Gallas went down. I would like our first choice Center back pairing in tact heading down the stretch. I guess we will just have to see how this one plays out in the next couple weeks.

Bottom line: with 13 games left I said: "We got to win 'em all". Guess what? I'm still saying the same thing, but we are down to only 8 games. We can do this! Like the Jay-Z song, "It's on to the next one..."

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