Chelsea 2 - 1 Arsenal

   Photo: The Guardian

This result was disappointing, but expected at Chelsea away. Arsenal should have played better.  The more disconcerting fact is that fourth place or anything higher is looking incredibly unrealistic.

Our first half was appalling.  The penalty and yellow card against Szcesney were unfair, but we deserved to be 2-0 down with shoddy defending and inconsistent play up front.

The second half was an improvement, but we lacked the killer instinct and ability to fire the trigger when in front of the goal.   We fought back strongly and defended a lot better, and I would have been a lot happier if we got an equalizer at least.  Overall it was sort of the performance I expected playing at Stanford Bridge.

Arsenal's performance worries me when we consider the fact that we have Liverpool soon, as well as Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

It also frustrates and worries me when I consider the fact that we are still 7 points behind Spurs, but at least we have a game in hand.

Sagna played poorly, his defending and crosses were average and disappointing for a man of his usual standard.  I hope he just had one off game and will improve against West Ham next week.

Theo signing a new contract has really lifted my spirits, and he needed to stay to provide experience in the squad.  He has been playing for Arsenal for awhile now and improves every game.

I got distracted midway through the game, because at half time Djokovic was still playing Wawrinka in the Australian open.  At half time in the football I switched to that to watch the deciding fifth set, when Djokovic finally won.  It was well deserved, he played fantastically and is a true inspiration as an athlete.

Until next time,
xoxo - Gooner Girl

Disappointment against Southampton

Lukas Podolski in action against Jack Cork. Photo: The Guardian

Arsenal haven't ended their winning streak, but they haven't done well either.

The second half of the season kicked off with a draw, much like the start to the season.

Does not bode too positively for Arsenal, unless we make some major improvements.

The game against Southampton was disappointing. The Gunners were made to look mediocre against a team fighting relegation.

Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal were complacent and lacked purpose after the game, which is accurate to how they performed.

Southampton have scored 4 own goals this season, 3 against Arsenal. An incredible statistic, and not good for them.  Guly do Prado saved the day for Arsenal by deflecting in Theo Walcott's powerful free kick.

The Gunners looked boring and tired. They couldn't control the ball, or the pace of the game.  Both halves were appalling and fairly boring. I got up to watch the game and was already feeling tired at a ridiculously early hour of the morning so I almost fell asleep in the game. It was unexciting and uninspiring.  I can't think of any highlights partly just because I was just desperately trying to stay awake.

I hope Arsenal improve quickly, because we have several extremely tough upcoming fixtures. 

Swansea away in the FA cup will be challenging, with a lot riding on the match. The FA Cup may now be our only chance to win a trophy this season.

In the EPL, Arsenal face Manchester City and then Chelsea in quick succession.  It isn't an easy kick off for the second half of the season.

However with some improvement the Gunners can definitely still make the top four this season, and finish above Spurs. A trophy with the FA Cup would be the icing on the cake and restore a lot of relief and confidence in the players and fans.

Until next time,
xoxo
Gooner Girl