A good point and some perspective

Arsenal 1 - 1 Fulham

I know it’s a few days late...I didn’t have much to say after the game and thought that waiting would help me digest my thoughts.  

The Fulham game itself was really Vermaelan 1 – 1 Vermaelen. 

Fulham offered very little attacking intent and were fortunate to say the least with the own goal we conceded.  However, Bobby Zamora proved a handful and was able to hold the ball up and provide his team with some possession throughout the game.  Our chances were scattered throughout the game but it was only after falling a goal behind that we managed to increase the urgency and tempo of our play as we searched for the equaliser.  That we didn’t score earlier was down to some dogged defending (an RVP shot cleared off the line against us), some good goalkeeping (Schwarzer’s save from a Djourou header) and some poor finishing (Theo’s excellent run and pull back skied into the stands by Ramsey).  All in all though this was a point well earned after a tough Champions League match in midweek.  The fact that Man Utd, Newcastle, Man City and Liverpool all drew as well softens the blow though Sp*rs continue their winning run which one finds most annoying.

The Good

An own goal midway through the second half would have had the Arsenal team of recent seasons breaking out into a cold sweat with their heads held down.  This team has considerably more fight in them and it shows.  Vermaelen in particular is a player that we have sorely missed not just for the quality he brings to our play from the back but also for the strength of his character and positive influence on this team.  With an own goal scored at the wrong end, he made amends with a well timed run into the box and a good header into the corner.  

The introduction of the substitutes helped significantly bring more attacking zest to our play with Gervinho and dare I write this, Diaby, offering good moments and ideas as they tried to influence the game.

Djourou was probably our standout performer at the back with some well timed tackles and blocks and he maintained a consistency throughout the 90 minutes that has sadly been lacking from some of his performances this calendar year.

The Bad

The whole team looked tired with Arsene since admitting as much a few days after the game.  Specifically he has pointed out that RVP, Theo and Ramsey are near the dreaded ‘red zone’.  I for one, will welcome the majority of the first team being rested against Man City in the Carling Cup.  The midfield against Fulham looked leggy and as a result, the creative spark and energy just wasn’t there – these boys though have been playing full 90 minutes at a consistent level now for two months as they have strived to pick up points and help us climb the table.  The fact that we have done so means that their effort has been rewarded but with games during the festive period coming thick and fast, surely now is the time for some of the fringe players to prove their worth and stake a claim....one thinks of Arshavin, Chamakh and Rosicky in particular...three players who are effectively playing for their future at the club.

The ‘He’s better than you think’

Theo has always showed flashes of brilliance for us during his time at the club....I fondly remember the run for the fourth goal against Liverpool in the Champions League and his first goal against Chelsea in the Carling Cup final.  But it was always flashes and he could not sustain a top level of performance.  this in part was due to a succession of injuries along with him still learning various aspects of the game while also trying to improve his technical ability.  This season, he is adding consistency to his game...consistency within a game (i.e. offering a threat throughout the 90 minutes as shown by the fact that Arsene is substituting him less) and consistency from one game to the next (I make that a goal and two assists in his last four league games).  Defensively he is also significantly better and the fact that he has played with four different right backs behind him this season yet offered good protection to each one of them (baring the loss to Man Utd) speaks volumes for the development in his game and the intelligence he is now showing.  Theo is one of the few players in our team who, due to his directness and aggression, is able to get the fans on their feet, the opposition scared, and now...provide some end product to what has always been good approach play.