As You Were, Lads

Well I'm so glad our performance against Man City was the springboard for Arsenal's free-flowing attack finally being unlocked and unleashed for the final five games of the run-in, aren't you? 

Yes, last Saturday evening Arsenal reverted back to type and ground out a stressful, bordering on torturous, 1-0 win over strugglers Newcastle. Am I happy with the three points? Absolutely, I think this is one of our trickier games in the run-in despite Newcastle's recent poor form. Am I happy with the lack of goals to add to our goal difference when that could be the deciding factor of this title race? Nope. Am I happy with the performance overall? Also no!

Firstly, the positives: 

• I thought Eze was our brightest spark (before this was extinguished) and his goal was a fantastic bit of magic that is really needed in these tight late-season games. 
• I thought Hincapié's performance was strong, battle-hardened in the face of adversity, when we needed a warrior to shield us from the danger that Newcastle posed. 
• Saka's very-welcome cameo showed signs of what useful attacking input he could provide as a welcome treat to our final few games. 
• Clean sheet again olé olé!

However, despite the needed victory to get us back on track after a horrid run of results, there were some things to worry about too: 

• Eze going off injured - I know he said afterwards he was fine but he said that last time and missed some crucial games for us. 
• Havertz going off injured - reports today suggests he could still have a part to play in this run-in but to have him out for any length of time right now is a big blow to our attacking game (or what little remains of it). 
• That Gyökeres performance - with it peaking at the point he couldn't play a simple pass in a 4 vs 1 to almost guarantee we go 2-0 and secure a more convincing victory. This is especially worrying given the point above re Havertz being injured for a spell of games. 
• That Madueke performance - thank god Saka is back because these performances can't keep being allowed in our starting XI game in-game out. 
• The overall team performing with, in my opinion, a sense of fear and risk-aversion. There continues to be an emphasis on playing it backwards and sideways to ensure more security on the ball, but then at the same time we keep giving it away with sloppy technical quality on the ball. This all adds up to a nervy performance where we lack the control we saw as a hallmark of this Arsenal team in the early part of the season. 

The lack of goals when we are in a straight shoot out for the title is concerning, but somewhat mitigated I think, by the fact Man City could only muster a 1-0 at Burnley. We have them at home and might be able to put a few goals past them (yes I live in delusion land). 

We get to play in the league again at home to Fulham before City play their next game, a tricky fixture away to Everton, and we need to ensure we pile on maximum pressure by winning our game before their trip to Merseyside. It won't be a straightforward affair as Fulham always give us a good game and are a decent side in decent form, but if we want to be champions we have to win this game (and all the others quite frankly). 

Until then, however, there is the small matter of a Champions League semi-final first leg, away at Atlético Madrid. I think this will be another hard watch as Arteta's conservative gunners play for a 0-0 draw against Simeone's pragmatic...Athletics? What actually is their nickname? According to Google, "Atlético Madrid's primary nicknames are Colchoneros (Mattress Makers) and Rojiblancos (Red-and-Whites)." One is quite funny and the other quite Arsenal. Well, wasn't that an amusing tangent we briefly went on? 

I think we are capable, despite all my moaning recently, of coming through this semi-final tie. It won't be anywhere near as straightforward as the 4-0 mauling at the Emirates in the league phase, so we will need to perform a lot better if we want to get through this like I know this team is capable of. I'll be back with you after that game to share my musings, as usual. 

One more down, (hopefully) seven games to go!