 Arsenal find relegation form for run in
Three points in four games is not the type of form Arsene Wenger wanted but unfortunately he was again unable to motivate his team prior to KO to beat a team who were there for the taking, it seems the only way he can motivate them is when they are struggling at half time and by giving them a massive b*ll*ck*ng.
Arsenal will be playing in Europe next season one way or another, but are we destined for the Europa League, the Champions League or is it in a pre season friendly?
Either way there is a real possibility that the Spuds will finish above us, just how on earth did Wenger allow that to happen?
The Norwich players alluded to what it may be after they secured the draw, they said Arsenal were arrogant, and I totally believe them because the first half display was as poor a display that I have witnessed even with a fantastic opening goal in the second minute of play by Yossi Benayoun.
Watching Yossi play is a lesson to all the Arsenal players, the on loan player is one of only a handful of players who seemingly want to regularly put a full shift in whenever they play, it is as if a we were still unmotivated and lack desire, like the win will come to them rather than going out and earning it.
Anyway, Arsenal are a flakey team, we have had three dips in form over a season and all at the wrong times, just when we needed to demonstrate our calibre we showed our soft belly like a submissive dog offering their throat to the bully alpha male dog.
I have questioned Wengers motivational tactics many times before, there are just some times when self reflection is not just good enough, you need to enter the pitch ready to walk through a wall to win a difficult match and that is a huge flaw that Wenger has not got in his repertoire of personal man management.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next week, but everything is out of our hands now, we have to rely on luck now and Chelsea not winning the Champions League, anyone for some Lasagne?
Match report.
Arsenal's hopes of automatic Champions League qualification were severely dented as Norwich earned a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners' afternoon had started so well with a goal from Yossi Benayoun after just 65 seconds. However, the Canaries, already guaranteed their top-flight status for next season, rallied and were level after Wojciech Szczesny spilled Wes Hoolahan's shot before Grant Holt's deflected effort gave the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
Arsenal rallied after the break as a brace from Robin van Persie in the space of eight minutes put the home side back in charge, only for Norwich substitute Steve Morison to grab a deserved point. There was still time for referee Anthony Taylor to miss a clear shove by Kyle Naughton in the back of Van Persie as he looked to tap in a winner at the far post before Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy made a couple of important blocks.
Arsenal have a slender two-point lead in third place and now must hope Tottenham and Newcastle fail to make up ground on Sunday as the race for Champions League qualification is set to go to the wire.
A win looked a very safe bet indeed when Benayoun marked his 32nd birthday with the opening goal after a minute's play. He picked the ball up on the left side of the Norwich penalty area, cut inside and curled a sublime effort up over Ruddy into the far corner.
That should have settled any nerves, but instead, the Canaries were galvanised.
Bradley Johnson's chipped free-kick was headed goalwards by diminutive Canada frontman Simeon Jackson, and the equaliser came in the 12th minute.
Full-back Naughton, on loan from Tottenham, raced forward down the left and played the ball through to Hoolahan on the penalty spot. The Republic of Ireland midfielder did not really connect properly with his shot but it was enough to squirm past Szczesny and across the line.
Now it was Arsenal whose resolve was tested, as the atmosphere grew decidedly edgy.
Norwich continued to ask questions of the home defence and went ahead in the 27th minute. A quick break saw Hoolahan release Holt at the edge of the Arsenal area. As former Norwich loanee Kieran Gibbs backed off, the 31-year-old's shot caught the defender's boot and looped over Szczesny and in.
|
Stoke is a tough place to go and with the history of Ryan Shawcross and Aaron Ramsey added to the mix it had the potential to turn very nasty indeed.
Sensationally Wigan pulled off a shock 2-1 win at Arsenal to boost their Premier League survival hopes.
Feed Entries 
