The Beautiful Groan

Man United 2 (Ronaldo pen 54, Hargreaves 72) Arsenal 1 (Adebayor 48)

If ever there was a week to demonstrate the story of Arsenal’s season, it has been this one. Two excellent performances domestically and in Europe, two hard fought games, two games in which the initiative was firmly held, and in the end, absolutely nothing to show for it.

On another day United would’ve been comfortably beaten, but this wasn’t ‘another day’. It hasn’t been ‘another season’. It has been a season of fantastic football, followed by an unravelling which can be attributed to a variety of causes, not all as straightforward as ‘too small a squad’ or ‘bad luck’.

The first half yesterday was goalless, but only because of poor finishing and excellent keeping. Jens, in goal for the injured Almunia, made a couple of fine saves from Rooney, while Adebayor was having an off day in front of goal, set up time and time again by the excellent Cesc and Hleb.

The second half began perfectly, if fortuitously. Van Persie fooled the defence with a short free kick, the ball ended up coming to Cesc, whose shot was blocked, only for Van Persie to pick up the loose ball and fire in a perfect cross to the near post. Ferdinand left it to Van der Sar, and Adebayor nodded in. Or so we thought - replays clearly showed the ball went in off his arm. Curiously, not one United player appealed the very obvious handball.

Then came a critical couple of minutes. First, Ferdinand nearly scored an own goal from Adebayor’s cross, and when United broke, Gallas handled Carrick’s innocuous and mistimed pass into the box. There was no danger, no reason for Gallas to lean his arm towards the ball, but he did it nonetheless, and it was a clearcut spot kick - no complaints here.

How ironic it was that the man who was so critical of the way a penalty was conceded so soon after leading at Liverpool would be guilty of the same act just five days later. It was never in doubt that Ronaldo would score, even having to take it twice because of encroachment.

Despite continuing to create plenty of chances, there was a horrible inevitability about the winner. Gilberto was harshly penalised on the edge of the area for what looked like a very soft free kick, but what happened afterwards was sublime. You cannot blame anyone for not stopping Hargreaves’ free kick, it was arced over the wall and into the corner perfectly. Unstoppable.

Bendtner came on and had a couple of chances, forcing Van der Sar into one routine and one very good save, but once again we left with nothing. Even Ferguson accepted that his side were second best for long periods:

“They bossed the first half and we looked nervous at times because of what today meant. They were very unlucky to lose you’d have to say, they gave it their biggest effort of the season and were magnificent.”

Of course that’s easy to say after a victory, but it’s good to know there was some recognition there. Even the managers’ handshake at the end was less curt than usual.

As for the players, Clichy, Cesc, and Hleb was absolutely outstanding until their legs gave out, Lehmann was excellent in goal, and while Eboue was still woeful going forward, he was much improved defensively. I’m being kind to him today. Song was solid after a couple of shaky moments in the first half, Gilberto had his best performance of the season, and Van Persie looked menacing on occasions.

Yet it still ended in defeat. Wenger looked as down as he has been in years after the match, apparently not understanding where it has all gone wrong. And it is difficult to assess - the pundits may look for the easy answer and say that the squad is too thin and not English enough, and while the first of those is partly true, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Football is a game of very thin margins, and when it has counted since March, we’ve been a little short. There is nothing to suggest that extra players would’ve played better - I bet you cannot find another week in which a team has looked so spellbinding twice and lost both games. It just doesn’t happen.

The trouble is that we are giving the softest goals away, and at demoralising times - just after we’ve worked so hard to get our noses in front. Anfield, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge. We’ve scored first at all three in recent times, and lost the lot.

It isn’t even a matter of mettle, as some suggest. It isn’t that these players aren’t mentally tough enough, if they were fragile they never would’ve managed a performance yesterday after such a heartbreaking midweek. In fact, for all the talk of experience it has been the experienced members of the back line making as many critical mistakes as anyone.

The summer hasn’t started yet. There are four games left and they could at least give the season a happy ending. Then we can start talking about the tinkering that can be done in the close season.

Judging from the way we outplayed the team that are about to be crowned champions, we’re not as far away as some will have you believe.

Liverpool 4 (Hyypia 30, Torres 69, Gerrard pen 86, Babel 90) Arsenal 2 (Diaby 13, Adebayor 84)

Twenty four hours on, the feeling of complete injustice hasn’t gone away, after a tie that swung both ways in an enthralling match, and was ultimately decided by the softest of soft penalties. Last week Hleb was clearly tugged down, this week Babel went down with Toure trying to get out of the way behind him, and after minimal contact. One was a stonewall penalty, one was absolutely not. And the wrong one was given.

It had all started so well - the first twenty minutes saw Arsenal at their irresistable best, and for once, there was even a goal to show for the dominance, Diaby smashing home after a wonderful passing move. Even Eboue was looking neat and tidy on the right. The control lasted for half an hour, and then for the third time in as many games, Liverpool scored a simple goal against the run of play.

It was a cheap corner to give away, but floated in fairly harmlessly, before Senderos completely lost Hyypia who powered an excellent header into the top corner. Credit to Hyypia, it was a clever run and superb finish, but Senderos should’ve done much better.

Confidence seeped out of Arsenal, and before half time Flamini was forced off with what looked like an Achilles injury. Gilberto came on, and the midfield lost some fluency.

The second half was frenetic, but very few chances were being created until a moment of magic from Torres swung the balance towards Liverpool, turning Senderos and firing past a helpless Almunia. Much as people want to criticise Phil for the goal, it isn’t one that blame can easily be attached to - Torres’ movement was just too quick. Not that hard facts will stop the anti-Senderos bandwagon that has been rumbling on some time.

Van Persie and Walcott came on, and suddenly Liverpool were looking nervous. Adebayor sliced wide when through, and then with seven minutes to go, the moment arrived that should’ve been all over the morning papers today - Walcott picked up the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, stormed up the field on his own, beating five Liverpool players in the process, before squaring for Adebayor to tap home. Such was the panic his run had caused in the defence, we had three players lining up to tuck away his cross.

That would’ve been a glorious way to finish the tie - an Englishman (the press missed that particular point) coming of age on the biggest stage, and finally putting Liverpool out. It was not to be. A minute later, Babel ran into the box before inexplicably going down in a heap, there was minimal contact and certainly no foul from Toure, but this was Anfield and this was the Kop. There was a certain inevitability about the awarding of the spot kick, especially after such a blatant one had been ignored in the first leg. Gerrard tucked it away comfortably.

Babel scored a breakaway fourth in injury time, as the ITV commentators once again lost grip of reality, claiming that it ‘made the penalty not matter anymore’. Really? I somehow doubt that at 2-2, leading on away goals, and exhausted Cesc would’ve been the only Arsenal player in his own half in injury time. Honestly, these ‘experts’ don’t half talk rubbish.

To make matters worse, they were criticising Arbeloa after the game for not accepting a booking by deliberately hauling Walcott down on the half way line during his stunning run. What advocates they are - witnessing one of the finest games of the season, played in an excellent spirit by both teams, and they’re promoting deliberate and cynical fouling to the nation. Take a bow, you idiots.

When the final whistle went, there was a disbelief in Wenger’s eyes, mirrored on the faces of the Arsenal fans who had made the trip. Much the better side in the first leg, they got the away goal in a dominant opening spell in the return, then the second away goal when it mattered, and yet somehow Liverpool snatched it away again.

The papers are all trying to claim that Wenger solely blamed the ref for the defeat, which is ridiculous because he was specifically not doing that, saying that although the penalty was a gift these things have to be accepted. He’s right, but it doesn’t make it any less galling that the goal that won the tie should never have been scored. Had the correct calls been made in both legs, Liverpool would almost certainly be out now.

But what mustn’t be forgotten is that Liverpool scored five times in the tie. The referee may have gifted them goal number four, and indirectly the fifth that came at the end, but the first three goals were legitimate, and they had something else in common - they were all avoidable, especially Hyypia’s last night and Kuyt’s in the first leg.

Without those defensive lapses, the poor standard of officiating wouldn’t have mattered. Does that make it any less infuriating that we feel so robbed today? Of course not, but it does point towards the action that needs to be taken in the summer. This isn’t a call for drastic squad changes, as we’ve seen so much good stuff this season, but the depth isn’t there. Small tweaks, Arsene.

I’m usually one for optimism, but even I’m not going to claim that we’re still in the title race, no matter what Wenger wants his players to believe. United will have their stars rested for Sunday, as they left some big names out tonight, so it seems like a good time to give the fringe players a game - are exhausted and deflated first teamers likely to get a better result that hungry fresher reserves?

It’s time to build for next season now. But for all the disappointments of the past couple of months, this one has been much more like it. Don’t forget that.

Arsenal 1 (Bendtner 54) Liverpool 1 (Crouch 42)

On Wednesday night, Arsenal drew 1-1 with Liverpool but deserved a great deal more. Today, the result was repeated but on this occasion it was a much fairer reflection of a game that just didn’t seem as important to either side, perhaps a subconscious concession that the title race has gone for one, and fourth place is secure for the other.

Liverpool made eight changes, understandable given their ever increasing lead over Everton, while Wenger tried to win the match at the same time as giving Adebayor, Clichy and Hleb a break. That left Traore and Hoyte at full back, and after two minutes, the right back carried on from where he left off at Old Trafford, giving the ball away, Crouch forcing a superb save from Almunia. In fairness to Hoyte, he was much better after that.

Which cannot be said about the overall team performance in the first half. Bendtner had a good chance, and Walcott looked lively, but Liverpool were creating the better opportunities and shortly before the break Reina pumped a long ball up front, Crouch and Benayoun combined well, Crouch turned Gallas inside out and scored past us once again.

In fairness, they deserved it, and the half time score was disappointing. But what was more annoying was to hear some of the fans booing the team off - at this point in the season, they need some confidence and support, not to be chastised despite giving us so many good times over the last eight months. A particularly poor moment for that minority in the crowd.

The second half was much better, Toure heading wide when unmarked, and Flamini forcing a decent save from Reina. But it was thanks to the Liverpool keeper that the equaliser came, Cesc’s distant free kick dropping on to the edge of the six yard area, Reina not coming to claim, and Bendtner making a darting run to power home.

Wenger went on the offensive, bringing on Adebayor for Hoyte, and either side could’ve won it, the best chances falling to Voronin and Hleb in injury time. Cesc could’ve had a penalty when Lucas grabbed a fistful of his shirt, but unlike Wednesday, that would’ve been an injustice. A draw was fair this time.

And with that, any remaining hopes of winning the title are snuffed out. Even second place is looking tricky, with Chelsea winning to move three points ahead. With Old Trafford the venue for our next league match, it may be a while until that gap can be closed.

It’s frustrating to watch at the moment, but take some solace in this fact - last season was poor because we lost too many matches. This season we’ve just drawn too many instead, a clear improvement. One more step is all it takes.

Now, on to Tuesday. That one is vital, and the tie is firmly in the balance. For some reason, I fancy another Milan style performance to keep the season alive. If we can just get past it, the rest of the Champions League fixtures are surrounded by much simpler league games, unlike the run we’re on at the moment.

So the title may be gone, but there are always positives. For that reason, I won’t mention the man Wenger keeps playing on the right wing. It’ll only kill the mood.

Arsenal 1 (Adebayor 23) Liverpool 1 (Kuyt 26)

After nights like these, you don’t know whether to feel optimistic for the second leg or not. There’s no doubt that Liverpool got away with it, especially in the second half when they had to defend valiantly for practically the whole 45 minutes, and their record suggests that this is what they do best - soak up the attacks, frustrate and then hit back an Anfield. On the other hand, if the team plays anything like they did tonight at Anfield, Liverpool’s solitary away goal will surely be matched.

The opening exchanges were cagey, but as both teams settled Arsenal took hold, Van Persie looking lively, volleying over from a superb Flamini pass  and then forcing an excellent save from Reina. A goal was coming, but how it came about was the surprising part. It is easy to forget that van Persie’s set piece expertise isn’t restricted to free kicks, he delivers deadly corners too, and his superb cross found Adebayor unmarked six yards out, having the simplest job of heading home. Liverpool’s defending was woeful, splitting badly and giving the biggest man in the box the freedom of London.

The lead didn’t last long, and there was as much culpability for the equaliser as there had been for the opener. Gerrard rode some weak challenges to square for Kuyt, who was stronger than Clichy in forcing the ball home. Suddenly the tide had turned, and the team seemed rattled, perhaps an indication that confidence levels were still at fragile levels.

Gallas and Senderos were marshalling Torres superbly, but Carragher was harrying Adebayor in equal measure and the game became compressed. It didn’t help that Hleb was struggling on the left, while Eboue was contributing absolutely nothing on the right.

I missed the first minute of the second half, but was delighted to see Walcott on, wrongly assuming the hapless Eboue had been hauled off early. Not the case, Van Persie picking up another injury, but Wenger claims that it was only a precaution and he should hopefully be fit for the second leg.

Walcott fired a piledriver wide, while Hleb began to thrive in the support striker role he loves so much. And then came the moment that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth - Hleb made a stunning run, dancing between four players, before Kuyt clearly grabbed him arm and hauled him down. What made it galling was the view of the referee, five yards to the side of the offending arm, with an unbroken and perfect view of the incident. Inexplicably, he didn’t give the penalty.

Otherwise, it should be noted, he had a decent game, trying his best to let the game flow and keeping his cards in his pockets for the whole match. But he bottled his biggest decision. Still, with Reina such a adept penalty saver and Van Persie off the field, a goal was by no means guaranteed.

The game still should’ve been won, Cesc’s goalbound poke being stopped on the line by Bendtner, who got his legs tangled trying to get out of the way. It was an unfortunate moment more than anything, criticism cannot really be levelled at the striker, who just wasn’t fleet footed enough to step over the ball.

The last twenty minutes were full of nearly moments, admittedly with Liverpool occasionally looking dangerous on the break. But in the end, the defences came out on top, nullifying every threat that came their way, and the match ended all square.

No doubt the media will now favour Liverpool, and I’m sure in the reverse situation we’d now fancy our chances. But Benitez has a strange tactical mind - not needing to score, they may try to keep things tight next week and invite pressure, which is likely to be a terrible mistake. They tried to shut up shop at Anfield in the league early in the season after scoring early, and failed. In fact, they should’ve been well beaten that day.

Liverpool will be happy with this result, but there is no reason for us to be downhearted. We were the better team, and also were at Anfield months ago. Don’t forget the two cups wins at Anfield last season either, it is not the fortress it once was. Had they got two away goals, we would’ve been in real trouble, but there is no reason we can’t score the one goal we need. Before then, we need to continue the second half momentum by claiming three points on Saturday.

In amongst all this positivity, I cannot fail to mention Eboue, who was utterly hopeless tonight. On one occasion he could’ve scored had he gambled and attacked a cross from the left, on another he sliced wildly. Every time he tried to beat his man he lost the ball, his delivery was poor and he even managed to get in a trademark dive when he would’ve been in a decent position had he stayed on his feet.

This time last season many were questioning Hleb’s future, as the most infuriating player in the team. But at least with Hleb you could see what was happening, and now and then the Hollywood balls he would attempt came off. And he always tried his best. Eboue, on the other hand, isn’t a goal threat, is a red card waiting to happen, and simply serves no purpose in this team.

The trouble is, Diaby isn’t playing well, Rosicky’s injured, and Walcott remains an effective substitute, so options are limited. I just don’t see what he offers that others do not. We have young players able to step up, why not give them a chance now that players need a rest?

Maybe he’ll prove me wrong and score the crucial goal an Anfield next week. I won’t hold my breath.

Bolton 2 (Taylor 14, 43) Arsenal 3 (Gallas 62, Van Persie pen 68, Samuel og 90)
(Diaby sent off 31)

A game of two halves is one of the most overused cliches in football, but rarely will a game have been more accurately described by the phrase than this one. It was a game of polar opposites, in terms of the performance from the players and assessment of the fans. At half time, the league title was over, Wenger was being heavily criticised, and the team were falling into the Bolton trap all over again. An hour later, the team had their first domestic win in ages, momentum had returned and the players had shown astonishing resilience in the face of extreme odds.

It started well enough, and the first fifteen minutes could’ve seen the game put to bed. But then with their first attack, Bolton scored, and it was an admittedly excellent move, Steinsson whipping in an superb cross and Taylor rising to head home from six yards. Culpability for the goal falls squaring on Toure’s shoulders for allowing Taylor far too much space.

A goal down soon became a man down when Diaby went in with studs showing and caught Steinsson’s standing foot dangerously. The red card was as inevitable as it was absolutely correct - Diaby will remember having his ankle shattered in an equally poor challenge a couple of years ago, although on that occasion there was intent from Dan Smith, and shouldn’t be going in like that. It was an appalling challenge and he had to go.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, luck was out before half time when Taylor’s shot deflected off Gallas and went in, doubling Bolton’s lead. Although the goal was fortunate, the way Gallas turned his back was extremely poor to say the least. The block should’ve been made.

Flamini missed a good chance before the break, but we went in two goals down, a man down, and staring down the barrel of another terrible day at the Reebok. Fans were angry, the players looked dispirited, and thoughts were already turning to the Champions League.

It could’ve got worse before it improved, Almunia making an excellent save from a close range header which would’ve killed the game. And then the dynamic changed - Adebayor and Walcott came on, and Bolton seemed to panic. Campo made a mess of a clearing header from a corner, and then ball feel invitingly for Gallas to sidefoot home. Say what you like about the captain, but he has come up with a few crucial goals this season and with that act swung the momentum back in our favour.

Bolton wilted, a sign of their fragile mental state, and six minutes later, the game was level, Van Persie smashing home a penalty after Hleb had been felled. After that, there could only be one winner, it was just a case of whether the goal would come. Van Persie missed a couple of glorious chances, one brilliantly set up by the improving Walcott, but the match headed towards a draw.

At that point, I was preparing to write a piece on the sequence of luck, both good and bad, that teams get, and hope that at least we’d get some fortune against Liverpool in the Champions League. But the luck came early, in stoppage time when Hleb’s cutback found Fabregas, and his shot took two deflections on its way into the net.

It was one of those magical moments you get in football sometimes, when you realise that you’ve just witnessed a slice of action you’ll remember for a long time. The fact that it was Bolton, it was raining and miserable, the sort of conditions the team supposedly struggles in, made it all the sweeter that against all the odds the comeback was achieved.

Moments later the day got worse for Bolton. They had been looking at escaping from the drop zone, but thirty seconds after Cesc’s goal, Sunderland scored a winner to leave them four points from safety. I doubt you’ll find an Arsenal fan that bemoans their now likely drop to the Championship.

Fabregas himself has been talking recently about how he believes the critics are enjoying knocking the team down:

“I feel every time we lose or we don’t play well it’s like everybody’s happy”

Imagine his delight after a half time break where the knives were being sharpened for the morning papers, that it was he (after actually playing quite poorly throughout) who stopped the pens in their tracks.

Wenger has been claiming for some time that this team has mental toughness. While it doesn’t look like it’ll be enough to win the league, as United’s form has now become ominous, he is right. Out of form teams do not stage those kind of comebacks without it.

Now for Liverpool.

Chelsea 2 (73, 82) Arsenal 1 (Sagna 59)

A day that started badly for both Chelsea and Arsenal, with United recording an overly comfortably win against a poor Liverpool, became the worst possible one for Arsenal as Chelsea came from behind to steal a victory thanks for a typically powerful performance. The frustrating thing is that it could and should have been so much different.

After largely controlling a first half devoid of many chances, and in fact short of the bite you would have expected of the fixture, the second half began with Arsenal on top. Throughout, Chelsea were creating half chances with one long ball, contrasting wildly with Arsenal doing the same after twenty passes. It was neat, but generally fell down at the last minute. You felt a goal could come at either end.

And then it happened. Chelsea had looked surprisingly vulnerable from set pieces, and their setup for a corner on the hour was nothing short of appalling - no-one on the near post and Cudicini way too close to his far post, Sagna was able to steal in and head the ball into the unguarded corner. It was a goal they never would’ve conceded under Mourinho, but what a moment for the man who must surely be the right back of the season in his debut year.

There were only two worries. One was Eboue, who had been booked after four minutes for charging a free kick down way too early, and spent the rest of the match seemingly unaware of the tightrope he was walking, and the second was Didier Drogba, who always give our defence nightmares, with or without Senderos.

The former calmed his act in the last half an hour, but the latter turned destroyer. A(nother) long ball over the top caused confusion, and the eventual ricochet fell kindly to Drogba, who smashed home from the edge of the area. Yes, players were offside from the original hoof, but you’ll never hear me complain about that - in the time it would’ve taken the linesman to turn his head from the passer (if you can call it that) to Anelka and co was probably enough for them to get back in line, and caused enough doubt in his mind to keep his flag down. The rule is that if he is in doubt, he must not flag for offside, and while that’s frustrating at a time when we are getting goals wrongly ruled out, it happens and cannot be used as an excuse.

Fractionally offside should almost always be called onside because of the doubt, and the minute Sky get out their lines and slow motion replays, you know there will have been doubt.

The reality is that after the long ball, as with after the long ball for the Boro goal last week, the defending wasn’t good enough, although Clichy was unlucky to slip when he was in a position to block the shot.

Back on level terms, Chelsea sparked into life, and you had that horrible feeling they would pinch it. That fear came to fruition when Anelka flicked a free kick on to Drogba, who finished past the despairing Almunia. The keeper has taken some criticism early in the analysis, but he had no time to react, and it was one of those moments where you sometimes pull off a fantastic save, and on other occasions don’t quite get your hand in the right position. Unfortunately, the ball spun off the top of his hands and into the corner. He shouldn’t be blamed when it would’ve been a excellent save. He isn’t suddenly a liability, as some would have you believe.

After that, there was no coming back, despite best intentions. To be honest, a draw would’ve been the fair result, but that would still have only suited United. As it stands, Chelsea move into second, five points off the lead, while we sit a further point back.

To win the league now, we have to win at Old Trafford, and hope Chelsea and someone else stop their progress. But United are picking up steam at the right time in the season, and I’d be surprised to see them drop seven more points now. I think the title is theirs, it is certainly theirs to lose.

But that doesn’t end our season, it doesn’t even end our league season. We have two targets - first to overhaul Chelsea and get second place back to avoid a qualification round for the Champions League next season, and second to pick up the maximum points just in case United get the wobbles. What would be a disaster is for that to happen and us not take advantage.

And of course, there’s the Champions League, and with Liverpool so woeful today (even before the sending off), we have to fancy our chances. The bonus would be a chance to avenge today against Chelsea in the semis, who would have to play us either side of their crucial match against United. Can they challenge on both fronts?

Today was as bad as it could’ve been. Is it distressing to see us now six points off the pace when we were five points up only a month ago? Of course. Does this mean the season has been a failure, and indeed, the players are failures? Absolutely not.

There is always tomorrow.

Arsenal 1 (Toure 86) Middlesbrough 1 (Aliadiere 25)

Ouch. For the fourth successive game, two points have been dropped in the sort of match that championship winners gobble up towards the end of the season. Birmingham, Wigan, Villa and now this.

Playing at home to a side who played three days earlier, and have not a lot to play for, when you’ve had a week to recharge, is exactly the sort of fixture you want before a run of quickfire top games. As it was, it proved to be a case of deja vu. Again.

It could have been so different, Adebayor scoring a perfectly legal goal after only a few minutes, when played through by Boateng. It is easy to slam a referee when you’ve played poorly, but this sort of thing isn’t helping at the moment, especially when United went top earlier in the day with a late and offside goal of their own.

And it got worse, Aliadiere gaining the dubious benefit of the doubt this time to put Boro ahead against the run of play. But the static nature of the defending deserves more of the ire than the officials, with the old adage of playing to the whistle being criminally ignored. And how ironic that Aliadiere, having not scored a Premiership goal for us in five years, should get it now.

And although we had most of the play, we didn’t create a lot, Eboue of all people looking the most dangerous, while still managing to infuriate by flopping in the box. Really, Wenger has to sort this troublesome idiot out - he must know that Eboue dives, and he must also know that his reputation has got to the level where he just isn’t going to get penalties. Cut it out.

Up front, we were struggling, Adebayor having understandably lost some form with the burden he has been shouldering for much of the season, while Van Persie was equally understandably rusty. As a result, it was one of those games we just wanted to nick, there are too many players off the pace to blow teams away.

It took until Toure scored, slightly fortunately from a header, with only minutes to go to even salvage a point, and it’s hard to say that we deserved all three. The result means United go top with a game in hand, which they’ll play on Wednesday night against Bolton, who are unlikely to repeat their favour from earlier in the season. And then it’s the start of the big run on Sunday.

There is no doubt that the momentum is slipping away, but it is equally frustrating to see the reactions of some fans aiming anger at Wenger for not strengthening in January, probably the same fans who predicted doom in the summer and then went quiet for the first few months of the season, only to resurface after defeats.

This league is far from over. Liverpool are firing at the moment and who would bet against Torres making an impact against United next weekend? We’d then have to chance to go top, and if there’s one thing the last two seasons have taught us, it is against the top teams we play to our best.

So perhaps it’s a good thing that we’ve got so many difficult fixtures coming up. My only real concern is that every single match will be incredibly intense, and I’m not sure our squad can cope with playing that sort of game every three days. Hleb and Adebayor seem tired, Flamini must be, while Rosicky’s knack of taking three or four games to get back to form may mean he’s peripheral for the rest of the season.

It is a concern. But we’re still in the two competitions we want to be in, which is a massive improvement on last season. Now we just need to end this blip.

Hello from sunny California.

It’s pretty difficult to get much in the way of football news over here. Baseball, ice hockey and poker seem to filling every channel, and the hotel internet is painfully slow. But there we go.

Having been in the dark about the Wigan game until about 24 hours after it happened, I spent most of Monday wishing that it had stayed that way. Eminently missable was the verdict I’ve heard most often.

So the question is - does this hand the initiative to United? Possibly, given that a win in their game in hand will see them go top now, and in fact after Chelsea’s predictable demolition of Derby, they can pull back to within two points with a win in theirs. All three clubs now have destiny in their own hands, thanks to the fact that all will play each other.

But there are plenty of twists ahead. Sometimes you get to this stage of the season and wonder where the top clubs are going to drop points. But here’s a neat fact for you - the only fixture the top five don’t have to play against each other in Everton-United. All nine other combinations are left. And United still have to play Villa and Blackburn.

Any of those matches are dangerous. Dropped points are inevitable given that everyone has so much to fight for - and that’s before you take into account the fact that relegation threatened sides tend to pull out the odd incredible performance at this stage of the season.

It is mid table sides you want to be playing, and that’s where we’ll start, trying to avenge our only Premiership defeat of the season when Boro come to town on Saturday. The good news is that we have no fresh injuries, and the return of van Persie means some of the weight is off Adebayor’s exhausted shoulders. And speaking of freshness, Boro may be short of it having had to play Villa tonight in a tough game.

We haven’t won in England since February 11, and a victory on Saturday is crucial given that four games that follow it - Chelsea, Liverpool and United wrapped around our usual joyous trip to Bolton.

Buckle up, this is what championship chasing is all about. It isn’t supposed to be easy.

Milan 0 Arsenal 2 (Fabregas 84, Adebayor 90)

Gone are the days when English sides run around like headless chickens in Europe, scaring their opponents for half an hour with the blistering ferocity and pace of the play, only to tire and get picked off by their more technically adept adversaries. Welcome instead to the days when controlled pace and skill wear down experienced campaigners until they buckle under the unrelenting pressure.

This was European football at its best, its classiest, and that is an accolade normally reserved for the now vanquished AC Milan. They are the experts, or at least they were until last night.

Attacking Milan in the San Siro whilst knowing that one slip, one mistake, and you could be facing the exit door against perhaps the best defence is Europe is an enormous ask. But Wenger talked about bravery and spirit, and it was there in abundance last night.

Once the first fifteen minutes had been negotiated, in which Cesc cleared a header away from the line and Milan looked threatening from set pieces, the Arsenal midfield took control. Flamini, Cesc, and more surprisingly Hleb were biting into tackles and fighting for every ball, and when Adebayor was needed as an outlet, he was able to outfox his markers for long enough to receive support, no moment more noticeable than when he somehow wriggled around Nesta before feeding Diaby, who shot wide.

As the half progressed, the home fans grew frustrated with the lack of possession their team was enjoying, while Fabregas began to spray the passes around with great effect. All too often though, Milan were getting the last ditch tackle or block in, so Kalac had little to do until Cesc cracked the bar with a superb swerving shot. Shortly after, Adebayor tested the big keeper with another rising drive.

While Arsenal were in total control of possession, Milan still had the players to threaten on the counter, and once Kaka had fed Pato, hearts went into mouths, but the young Brazilian chose not to smash home, instead trying to lift the ball over Almunia and making a mess of the execution. It was to be the best chance they got all night.

Arsenal didn’t want half time, but if anything, the second half display was even more dominating. Senderos connected well with a half volley from a corner but struck it straight at Kalac, before Eboue fired wastefully wide when he was, for once, afforded the space by the otherwise excellent Maldini. As the match entered the last quarter, it was effectively a next goal wins scenario, and having missed so many chances, you wondered whether Milan were going to sneak it in true Italian style.

They wouldn’t. After good work from Hleb, Cesc got the ball just past halfway, ran with it, and without much of a backlift fired from distance. Kalac hadn’t set himself, was slow in getting down, and by the time he flung out a desperate hand the ball had skidded off the greasy surface and into the corner. A great strike, but the keeper will be disappointed with himself.

Nonetheless, it was the very least Arsenal deserved, and Milan were instantaneously killed off. The second and icing on the cake goal was almost inevitable, and it was suitable that it was Walcott setting it up, storming past Kalahdze despite giving the Milan man a huge headstart, and Adebayor finishing it off after Theo calmly slid it across goal. 2-0 was a fairer reflection on a masterclass performance.

The match, and the tie, was won in midfield. Every time Milan won the ball after an Arsenal attack, the advanced trio of Flamini, Cesc and Hleb were seen chasing back and beyond the counter attack, before winning the ball and charging forward again. Their energy was boundless, and it was no wonder Hleb looked exhausted when eventually substituted in the dying seconds. He’d given his all.

Eboue was better defensively, but offered little going forward and his shot was woeful, and while Diaby did his best on the left, you can’t help but feel the returning Rosicky will be better suited there in future rounds.

The defence were magnificent. Senderos and Gallas stood tall and withstood everything thrown at them, while Clichy and Sagna gave classic wing back performances. Superb stuff, and that back four are looking extremely solid at the moment.

The referee was abysmal, and as I realised I would be writing that I hoped even more that an Arsenal win would prevent the predictable ’sour grapes’ response. He really was dreadful - on so many occasions he refused to play a clear advantage, blew up for nothing, booked Hleb for diving when he was clearly fouled, booked Inzaghi and Clichy for nothing, got throw ins and corners wrong, and generally loved the sound of his own whistle. That such an open game was possible despite his frequent interruptions is a credit to both times. He could easily have ruined it.

But today is a day for positives. Those same pundits who were writing the team off days ago are now predicting league and European doubles. Their fickleness is transparent and while the talk of implosion was premature, so must the feet stay on the ground today. It was a wonderful night, but let’s make it a wonderful week and go four points clear at the weekend.

And a final mention for Milan too, who lost with class. Their fans stayed behind to applaud the Arsenal players, and since then both Ancelotti and Kaka have admitted they were simply beaten by a better team. There is much respect there, gained through the course of two matches, and flowing both ways. I hope they qualify for next season’s competition.

Enjoy your day after the night that was.

Arsenal 1 (Bendtner 90) Aston Villa 1 (Senderos og 28)

So much for a backlash. Arsenal’s performance yesterday was extremely poor, while Villa looked strong, quick and clever, and to their credit attacked with numbers whenever possible. Credit to their team, that is, rather than credit to their fans, who let themselves down with some appalling Eduardo chants, vile and unnecessary given how most clubs have wished the Croatian a speedy recovery.

On the pitch, Walcott started up front, and forced good saves from Scott Carson at the start of both halves, but other than that the opposing keeper had little to do - Hleb forcing a routine save and Cesc missing a chance that Adebayor tried too hard to supply to his right foot were about the sum of things.

And by then, Villa were ahead. The goal was unfortunate on Senderos - Agbonlahor’s cross hit his shins and rebounded in, with Carew lurking behind the Swiss defender to apply the finish if necessary. But Villa were causing havoc on a regular basis, with their pacey forwards counter attacking with real menace whenever they had the ball, and Almunia was making impressive saves to keep the deficit at one.

As the second half wore on, the situation became more and more desperate, and it was a surprise when the equaliser finally came, four minutes into injury time. Clichy’s cross was aimed at Adebayor, and for once the Villa defence slacked, too many men got drawn to the big man, leaving Bendtner free to slot home his knockdown. To say the point was merited would be stretching things - in reality Villa probably deserved all three points.

But having been so cruelly denied in the last minute last week, it is incredible to witness the different scenes when you are the ones who score so late. This point not only keeps us ahead of a resurgent United, but it might just give the players the lift they needed. Getting Van Persie, Toure and Rosicky back is also important, because our squad is not as deep as United’s, and many more injuries, in creative positions especially, and we could be in trouble.

Perversely, it might help our league challenge if we went out on Tuesday night. But on the flip side, the season was reinvigorated with a victory in the Bernabeu two years ago. What price another one, in the San Siro this time, providing the launching pad?