That Sinking Feeling

Top before the match, 2nd after the match. Points are dropped by championship winning teams every now and again. But somehow I feel that this particular match could have some bearing on the destination of the Premiership. Hope I’m wrong.

There was a numbing sense of complacency creeping into these young boys’ head after leading the rest of the pack for much of the season. After the lead was established through Adebayor’s penalty, you could almost sense that the players thought that it was enough for the win. Balls were being sprayed across the middle of the park rather than go looking for the killer second goal.

The lack of urgency paid its price as early as the 3rd minute after 2nd half kick-off. Lull into sitting back by the ever eager Birmingham side, they struck off the corner kick. No visible marking can be seen. It was the only error that the impressive Senderos committed all afternoon. When the central defender is the best player for your side on the pitch, it tells you volume of what’s happening to the game.

Tried as they might, they just couldn’t conjure up the winning goal that would’ve kept Arsenal top of the league. It’s moment like this when the Van Persie feeling starts to kick in. Games as tight as this and no players taking the challenge and responding, you’ll look to your most gifted player to produce a moment of magic. Whether or not it results in a goal is one thing, but it will surely pump up the other players to react to those magic.
With Fabregas not looking to shoot anymore this season, the midfield contribution starts to dry up. Eduardo and Bendtner will need to step up to the plate and make it count.