Arsenal 1 – 0 Liverpool: Diaby offers a glimmer of hope but United in pole position
Add comment February 12th, 2010
Arsenal 1 – 0 Liverpool (Diaby 72)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
It’s not quite over. Yet. If it weren’t for the idiocy of Nani and the marital problems of John Terry, we could well be out of it. It it weren’t for a pinpoint cross from Tomas Rosicky and a crashing header from Abou Diaby, we certainly would be.
As it is, we’re five points behind United, and just six behind leaders Chelsea. A glance at the remaining fixtures show that our trickiest games are trips to Stoke, Spurs and Birmingham, as well as a home tie with Man City. Chelsea, meanwhile, still have to travel to Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane, as well as hosting City themselves. United have to face Liverpool and Chelsea, but both games are at home. Their toughest trips are to Everton and City, but I have to say that at the moment I reckon the Mancs have the edge. Our fixture list is easier, but we still have a fair chunk of ground to make up.
If we were just chasing one team it would feel infinitely more achievable, but the fact is we need two juggernauts to veer violently off course for us to nip in and pinch the prize. I’m grateful that we’re still in the race, but realistic about our chances. Of the nightmare run of fixtures we faced we lost the two most crucial to our title aspirations. It is a long way back from here.
Still, it’s not over. There were signs against Liverpool that this is a team ready to fight: William Gallas’ last-ditch tackle, the gamesmanship of skipper Fabregas, the fist-pumping celebration of Abou Diaby. The team know they’ve been granted a second (perhaps even third?) chance – one that it’s easy to argue they don’t deserve.
Arsenal fans have the weekend off as there’s now game – and after the events of the past few weeks I think we thoroughly deserve it. Have a good one all of you, and let’s come back reinvigorated for the return of that little European thing. You know, the Champions League.
