Arsenal produced a performance Monday that I was always fearing, that maybe after wins at Wolves and Villa, I was being convinced we had moved on from our inconsistency.
With 4th spot up for grabs and what that would mean for the club, it’s inexcusable at this stage of the season for any Gunner to show up for a fixture and not have the appetite. The manner of defeat at Selhurst Park is a reminder that with the youngest squad in the division, we might lack the leadership to handle the pressure.
Our destiny remains in our own hands but 4 out of our last 9 games are against those in the top 7, meaning we are going to have to most likely get results at the Lane or the Bridge.
There is also the small matter of a game which could go a long way to deciding the title?
Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
Think it’s harsh to accuse the Toon of being on holiday after a few defeats.
Eddie Howe has improved their home form and a live game under the flood lights against Wolves, I fancy them.
Everton 2-2 Man United
In a strange kind of way this isn’t a bad game for Everton. Which is reflective of how bad Man United have become.
The visitors are flaky enough, where you can’t guarantee they will show up and battle, yet still a big enough scalp that I think the Goodison faithful will realise their boys need some support.
Confidence is so low; it would be counterproductive for home fans to turn on their own, and it might suit Frank Lampard’s men to be underdogs for the afternoon.
Arsenal 1-0 Brighton
Mikel Arteta can’t dwell on Monday, he has to get his players to look at the positives, which is our fate is in our own hands.
With the fixtures we have left though, we can’t afford to drop any silly points which makes this a nervous afternoon
I’m still not convinced we have the mentality to cope with those nerves, but the Emirates has been brilliant at sticking with the players this season and can help us get over the line on Saturday.
Saints 2-2 Chelsea
So suddenly Chelsea have conceded 7 goals at the Bridge in 2 games, making mistakes uncharacteristic for them.
They have enough experience not to allow a wobble turn into a crisis and will regroup for their FA Cup Semi Final.
In the short term though, this is a nightmare fixture after the week they have had.
The Saints are high energy, and the visitors might be jaded physically and mentally.
Watford 1-3 Leeds
Getting close to a last chance for Watford.
Win and they will be 5 points behind Leeds with a game in hand, lose and the gap is an untenable 11 points.
Roy Hodgson has never set up the Hornets to go out and win games, so they might be out of their comfort zone.
Villa 1-1 Spurs
I said for weeks, I don’t have the faith Arsenal have the mentality to qualify for the Champions League.
Then I watch our rivals and I become more confident.
If we beat Brighton, we send Spurs to Villa Park in a must win situation. You can’t trust the visitors in that scenario.
Brentford 2-1 West Ham
I think it’s only natural that West Ham will have one eye on the 2nd leg of their Europa League quarter final and that will have an impact here.
Leicester 0-1 Palace
Like West Ham, Leicester might have one eye on their European 2nd leg.
Vieira again showed Monday why he could be a future Arsenal boss.
Every player understands his ethos and knows what his job is.
Funny how Palace celebrated a 3-0 winl ess enthusiastically than when we drew with them 2-2 at the Emirates…
Norwich 0-0 Burnley
You can’t underestimate how huge Burnley’s win was over Everton was.
At 2-2, their campaign was on life support, now they are breathing again.
Yet they are not used to being in a position of expecting to win which brings different pressure going to Norwich.
Man City 1-1 Liverpool.
Real simple, the winner takes control of the title race, the loser is mentally scarred.
Both managers won’t play for a draw.
So much at stake that I’m sitting on the fence.
LAST WEEK’S TABLE
Top 32 qualify for the World Cup
keV 82- 203
Rob 49- 194
Gotanidea 193
Kenya 001- 192
Terrah 191
Sue 185
Ackshay 185
Prince 183
Matthew 182
Turbo 181
j gunner 178
Dotash 178
HH 176
Declan 176
Samson 175
Goonersia 175
Dkit 174
I 173
Edu 173
Adiva 170
Toney 170
Sid 169
Phenom 168
Easy guys 167
okobino 164
Tom 159
Dunchirado 157
Sue P 156
Me 155
Admin 150
Stephanie 148
Khadi 146
SJ 144
Tayo 141
loose cannon 140
Rusty 137
MTG 137
K Tyson 136
Sagie 136
Mambo 131
Adajim 126
Eblaze 127
Serot 127
Kobin 125
Uzi Ozil 124
Splendid 122
Shakir 118
Dendrite 102
Die hard 93
Famochi 93
labass 88
Owei 87
Oslo gunner 82
Zeek 77
Onyango 73
BA Thea 65
Jo gunz 65
Instrooments 57
Voyageur 56
Gunner Rey 54
Guy 53
Timothy 53
Dhoni 47
illiterate 46
Angus 44
Indian gunner London 44
Elvis 39
misgan 38
Adeski 36
Arsha 36
Illiterate 35
gun down 35
Gogo 34
Blue 17-33
John Legend 32
James Gacheru 32
Baron 29
Mark 2.0- 28
Kelvin A- 26
Abbass 25
PJSA 23
walidomy 23
FK 23
Sol 21
Tomorrow 20
Hackiubee 19
lucia 19
Third Man JW 18
Drayton 16
Longbenark 15
Anti keV 15
phil 14
Olushorlor 14
Anti virus 13
Odi 12
Kuz 11
Montana 11
Diddie 11
Musa 11
Davars 10
George 10
BTG 10
Leno happy 10.
Ezegou Kevin 9
mubz ug- 9
Mena 8
Lucia 8
Tjay 8
Gunner 4 lyf 8
Buddy 8
Nasiru Kwalli 8
Sylvander 7
Quincy Okebe 7
Geo 7
Dendrite 7
Mark 7
football lovers 6
Gooner 19-6
Khaly 6
David 6
Arsenal Why 6
Ezekiel 6
Joseph 6
BME 12- 6
Charlie 5
Kedar 5
Joe Ginner 5
Lisg 5
A Samson 5
Big Sam 5
Siddharth Mohapatra 4
Collins 4
Tas 4
gunsmoke 3
Girl 2
Varka 2
Steve Shaffelbury 2
Akaymoney 2
V 2 – 2