We are at exactly the halfway point of the season, and a quick analysis of the Gunners’ results against the rest of the league reveals our problem– we aren’t sufficiently up for it against the bottom half of the league… Arsenal have 16 points from 9 games against the top half of the league (1.8 points/game) and 17 points from 10 games (1.7 points/game) against the bottom half of the league… With 3 upcoming games (starting today) against those very same bottom-half teams, it should be clear that getting 3 wins from 3 matches is imperative, if we are to move up at all in the standings over the long haul.
Date: December 2006
Watford 1 – 2 Arsenal
Sorry this is late, but family obligations kept me away from a TV and net access until just now. I did however get to hear the last 18 minutes of the match via Sirius Satellite Radio. Just in time to hear how we were controlling the match, but getting nothing for our efforts.
But then, Robin van Persie saved the day for the second match in a row. His curling effort in the 82nd minute won it for the Gunners, moving Arsenal to third in the table on 36 points.
Next up is a trip to Sheffield to take on a Sheffield United who fell 3-0 to the Arsenal at the Grove back in September. Let’s hope for a repeat performance this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:15 PM ET, and will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Watford
Another away game – this time at a relegation candidate. It might be tricky.
One thing is for sure. The defence needs to get back to the basics and cut out the silly mistakes – if they can do this we should be just fine.
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