When I saw the lineups, I thought we were going to lose 4-0. The three at the back didn't work against pathetic Boro; how could it stop powerful City? But a disciplined defensive determination kept the ball out of the net except for an Aguero finish of a Sane cross wrongly ruled to have gone over the line on the way to the Argentine. The Gunners had it in the opposition net once as well, but a correct offside call negated that as well. It was a physical game, but only Sanchez picked up a yellow on a slightly mistimed lunge at a loose ball. Silva had to leave the game after Gabriel's knee was driven into his thigh from behind. There were two penalty shouts with some merit: Aguero had his ankle clipped by Ox, though it was more a case of Aguero kicking Ox than the other way round; and Alexis was wrestled to the ground trying to get to a free kick, though it was an open question whether he'd have gotten to the ball. City was the better team, but the scoreline was not grossly unfair. Back after the half...
Oops...my second half comments got lost in the excitement. Arsenal found another gear in the second 45 and looked slightly the better side. The first goal was a result of their overcommitment to offense. When Ramsey lost the ball with everyone up for a set piece, Aguero was set loose and Monreal found himself trailing the play. Aguero chipped Cech beautifully. Within minutes, though, Ox lofted a lovely cross to the right foot of Nacho, who slammed it past Bravo at his near post. City hit the woodwork twice and Welbeck narrowly missed the far post, but it was 1-1 full time.
Arsenal really did look the better side in extra time, and their high pressure seemed to rattle a tired City. Kompany brought Welbeck down outside the area close to the touchline, City did not deal with the ball in, and Alexis pounced on the loose ball to slot it into the City goal for Arsenal's first lead. And that's how it ended, as City had chances but didn't really look like scoring. I'll have a lot more to say about this inspiring win in a while, but for now, I will happily flagellate myself for my lack of faith in the team and the system and exult in another FA Cup final. It's five weeks away, and who knows what form Chelsea and the Gunners will be in then? Dream!
...and now for some comments. Boy was I wrong about Ox as a wingback. He can defend, and his offensive play was fantastic. Sane gave him problems, but Sane gives everyone problems. Monreal was another of our stars today. The finish on his goal was perfect, and he was a real contributor on both sides of the ball. All three center backs were excellent, and for once Kos didn't stand head and shoulders above his center back partner(s). Gabriel may have had his best game for us, and Holding seemed to know exactly where to be. He probably should have had a goal off a corner too. Cech was excellent, I thought. Arseblog thought he was a bit at fault on the City goal, but that's nuts. Coming out after the ball would only have resulted in a red card and PK. He made a fingertip save from Fernandinho (?) and was quite solid. Xhaka and Ramsey were not as impressive as the guys they played in front of, in my opinion. They showed discipline for the most part, but Ramsey kept getting caught too far forward as the game wore on. Their fitness was key, though, as they looked stronger in extra time when their opposite numbers faded. Ozil was a disappointment again; he looks like a guy preoccupied with deciding where he'll be playing next season. Alexis was his usual sparkplug self, though I wish he wouldn't always try to play the ball out of the back after he recovers it when he is (laudably) helping out on defense. One of these days he's going to cost us a goal. Giroud did his job, wearing out the City center backs and providing a good target up front. He seemed to be used as an outlet and a decoy, and seldom had service--though there were moments. Welbeck did well when he came on for Giroud. Bellerin did not do so great; there seems to be something a little off with him, besides the new hairdo, which is awful. I don't remember Coquelin kicking the ball after coming on very late.
City looked shaky on set pieces, but otherwise this was the same crew that outplayed us in our building a couple weeks ago. Had two refereeing decisions gone their way, both of which they have a right to feel aggrieved about, they'd have won this game. But sometimes the ref doesn't see things your way and you have to overcome it. It was 0-0 after those incidents and anybody's game, and I hope Pep isn't using the officiating as an excuse. His guys just dropped off in the later stages. I've seen de Bruyne play better, and Silva had to come off; but Aguero looked sharp and Toure had a fine game. Bravo didn't blunder, although he looked like a man who was likely to. Bottom line, if Arsenal can win this game, they should do very well the rest of the season.
With three games in hand on Liverpool, whose loss today leaves them nine points better than us, it's conceivable for us to catch them*. City and United will have to stumble to give us even as much of a shot at passing them as we have with 'pool. But we will host United, who looks a bit banged up now and has Europa League to distract them. Tottenham will have to be defeated at Wet Fart Lane a week before, though, which is no easy assignment. Those games in hand, of course, will have to be played mid-week; but if we're going to make a run at the top four, we'll have to be in good form, and when you're in good form, you want the games to come thick and fast. Top four is a long shot, but not an impossible one, and we may hoist the FA Cup yet. I know 18 other EPL clubs who aren't going to do it for sure.
*The run-in (away in italics): Leicester, Tottenham, Man U, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Everton. We're going to Mordor, Frodo!
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