Analysis – How many points have Arsenal recovered from losing positions?

How many points have Arsenal recovered from losing positions in the Premier League? by SE

Arsene Wenger’s men have recovered well since experiencing an underwhelming start to their Barclays Premier League campaign that saw them accrue just 23 points from their first 15 league fixtures. It has not been a dominant season from Arsenal, who have had to grind out some results and come-from-behind to draw games. From that point of view: how many points have Arsenal recovered from potential losing positions in the league this season?

In their very first league fixture of this season, the Gunners had to dig deep and find a way of overcoming a beleaguered Crystal Palace side that had lost their manger Tony Pulis a day before the season started. Palace took the lead through Brede Hangeland’s header in the 35th minute but ended up losing the game, as Aaron Ramsey’s stoppage time goal have his team all three points after Laurent Koscielny had equalized earlier in the second half. The North Londoners recovered 3 points from an unpleasant situation in their very first competitive game of the season.

Arsenal’s next league assignment was an away trip to Goodison Park. The Toffees began well and went 2-0 ahead by the end of the first half. The score line remained at 2-0 in favor of the home side until the 83rd minute, when Aaron Ramsey halved the 2-goal deficit and set some panic in the hosts’ ranks. Olivier Giroud then scored a terrific headed goal in the 90th minute, which came as a result of a beautifully delivered cross from Nacho Monreal on Arsenal’s left-hand-side. Arsenal once again came from behind to recover a crucial away point.

Wenger’s side produced another dramatic encounter at the Emirates, as they went toe-to-toe with the reigning English champions, Manchester City. Sergio Aguero had put the visitors ahead in the first half, and the hosts couldn’t find the back of Joe Hart’s net despite constructing some great passing moves and getting past a shaky City backline. Jack Wilshere, though, stepped up after the hour mark and scored a brilliantly chipped goal that shifted the momentum in Arsenal’s favor. Manuel Pellegrini’s men were all over the place, as they failed to cope with the Arsenal pressure and conceded a second in the space of 10 minutes. Alexis Sanchez caressed a beautiful volley to the left of Hart in the 74th minute, to give the hosts a 1-goal lead that they, however, couldn’t cling onto. It was a high-octane battle that ended with Arsenal recovering a point from a potential losing position.

Arsenal faced a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur in their 6th league game of the season. Arsenal enjoyed lots of possession in this one, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side was always a menace on the counterattack. Spurs took the lead through Nacer Chadli’s calm finish in the 56th minute, as Arsenal were undone by a swift visitors’ counterattack. Given the Gunners’ grit, though, the game was far from over. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain equalized for the hosts after Danny Welbeck failed to make contact with the ball, but his compatriot was on hand to harness the opportunity and recover another point from a losing position for the Gunners.

Arsenal’s nightmarish start to their league campaign continued, as they lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and had Hull City to take care off in their subsequent league fixture. Sanchez put the hosts ahead after 13 minutes, but Mohammed Diame and Abel Hernandez came up with a goal each to give Steve Bruce’s side a one-goal lead that threatened to hand Arsenal their second successive league defeat. But Welbeck came to his side’s rescue this time around and equalized in the 91st minute, to recover a point for the currently 3rd placed team on the Premier League table.

Those 7 points recovered by Arsenal from losing positions, have been crucial to their season and could see them achieve a higher position than the usual 4th.

Suhith Kumar