Race To The End

This was a game that Arsenal simply had to win. There’s just no two ways about it. Having seen their previous conquest, Man City conjured up a spectacular victory at Old Trafford to spoil the other Mancunians’ 50th year in memory of Busby’s era; Arsenal must now win at home against Utd’s old boy Mark Hughes’ Blackburn Rovers.

However all the talk leading up to the match was on David Bentley. He of course moved to Blackburn from Arsenal albeit after a short loan spell. This was a man touted as the next Dennis Bergkamp. On some occasions when he was given a chance, he rarely disappoints. So it was safe to say I was quite disgruntled to hear about his transfer to Blackburn 2 years ago. If only he had been a bit more patient, I’m sure he would have been the first name on Wenger team list this year.

The match was settled in the first and last five minutes of the game. Senderos and Adebayor combined to produce a comfortable score for an Arsenal victory to lead the table by 5 points. Yet the match itself reflected little to the final score. Blackburn tried and pushed Arsenal hard although they may not have that many efforts on goal to actually trouble a returning Jens Lehman.

To his credit, Bentley was probably the only real threat to the Arsenal defense. But his creativity and ingenuity was not match by the runnings and desires of his strikers. Arsenal weren’t at their efficient best and it showed with many stray passes that was easily intercepted in the middle of the park.

From here on then, it will be about the boys keeping cool and calm till the end of the fixtures. 5 points lead at this time of the season is as good and promising as they come. It will be interesting to see how these young lads respond to the extra pressure and burden to maintain the challenge and reach home first.

Robin Van Persie started the ball rolling with the equalizer in the opening match against Fulham, what I wouldn't give to have the man so besieged by injuries this year to complete a wonderful season by capping it with the goal to win the Premiership. From where we stand, it may not be such an impossible dream after all.