Clock end

By Boris Mellor
February 29 2008

On January 12th, Arsenal drew at home with City, causing cries of its all over for the Gunners. It was Arsenal's second draw in a row, the first being 1-1 with Spurs in the lager cup. Arsenal's response to the predicted implosion was to win the next four games in row. Ironically, that run ended with another draw, this time away at Birmingham.

    I am not sure how useful it is merging results from all competitions together, but now the press are noting it is three games since Arsenal won a match.  That is defeat to Man U in the FA cup, a draw in the CL, and the draw against Brum.The one stat they do not note is that the Gunners are only beaten once in the Premiership, but facts like that could ruin the case.

That a weakened team was played at Man U, that the team played extremely well against the best team in Europe, and suffered a horrific injury at Brum makes no difference to these hard headed purveyors of statistics. All are united under the heading of dismal failure.

Of course, there is no doubt that any team wishing to winning the league must win its home games. Thus irrespective of any statistical spin, this is a must win game for the Gunners.

That may be easier said than done, for Villa are amongst the toughest opposition a team can face. They have only lost two games away, won five, drawn six. Villa have scored 26 goals away, more goals than any other team in the Premiership. They have scored in the last eleven of their away games. Players like Agbonlahor and Carew are a real threat.

This is no longer a dour O'Neil team playing for a 0-0 draw; it is a team with real talent and aspirations, a team not to be taken lightly at your peril. As, no doubt, some might recall from the second half of the Arsenal 2-1 win at Villa Park.

Paradoxically that could be just what Arsenal need, a big match, the feeling that they are playing a worthy opponent. It should inspire a team that is hurting after what happened to Eduardo, and in the final minute of the game.

The crowd also needs to play its part. It rouses itself for the Man U's and Milans, but rarely bothers for lesser fare. This time it must become the 12 th man to ensure that Arsenal establish their championship credentials. It is time to build a momentum that will bring our trophy back, and ensure that Eduardo has not suffered in vain. That is a project for both team and crowd.

Forget the press bullshit, the Fergy mind games, the MOTD in your face urgings, forget them all. Keep winning, win the next nine games, and then as they say in Scotland they can "all away and shite", and as Wenger says lets do it for Eduardo.

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