Well there was as much a feeling of relief as there was of delight for everyone connected with Arsenal last night, after Mesut Ozil popped up with a brilliant late goal against Ludogorets Razgrad to complete a stirring comeback in a match that had seen us shockingly go two goals down in.
The three points were absolutely vital as well, because our main rivals for the Champions League group PSG pulled off their own Houdini style escape act with an injury time winner in Basel. As well as keeping us level on points with the French champions and setting up a deciding match at the Emirates, the win may be just important to our Premier League hopes.
That was the suggestion of Aaron Ramsey in his post match comments reported on the Arsenal website. The Wales international star said that he and the rest of the Arsenal players are delighted to have shown such fighting spirit to come back and win in Bulgaria.
The midfielder reckons that keeping up the momentum that the Gunners have built was very important and will see us in good stead for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday. What he did not say but was probably thinking is that dropping points last night could have been the start of one of those horrible Novembers that people have been talking about, with Man United next up after the spuds.
Ramsey said, “It was difficult after we went 2-0 down but we showed great character and belief to come back into the game. We got the goals before half-time and that helped our half-time team talk. It was a tough game, but an enjoyable one and obviously I’m delighted with that.
“I’m delighted to be back. It was a bit of a blow [to be injured] but that was what I needed tonight – to start a game and get those minutes under my belt. That’ll set me in good shape now and my target is to just stay fit and play as much as I can.
“We’re on a strong run at the moment and we’re looking forward to the north London derby on Sunday. It was important to keep the momentum going tonight and we come through with a win so we’re in good shape going into that game and hopefully we can come away with a win there as well.”
Spurs could have their own tough test tonight against Bayer Leverkusen and they are by no means certain to qualify from their group as they are second with just four points from the first three games and with the Germans just a point behind them.
No matter what happens with them tonight though, have Arsenal got the momentum and form to inflict the first EPL defeat of the season on our local rivals?
Bob.