After the points shared at Villa Park and Godison Park, the Arsenal welcomed the month of December 2012 licking their lips to grab all victories. 8 matches were laid for the gunners to persecute but the Boxing Day fixture against Westham was cancelled.
The month started with the Michu-fication at the emirates where Swansea ran away winners no thanks to a late Michu double. Few days later we travelled to Greece where we were beaten 2-1 by Olympiacos to stay second to Schalke 04 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Two penalties against Westbrom at the emirates gave us three points but our next game against Bradford was a bitter pill to swallow. The League Cup penalty loss to Bradford sent sparks flying everywhere. Questions were asked.
The Arsenal responded with 3 straight victories. A 5-2 thumping of Reading at the Majedski where Cazorla had a hat-trick started the roller coaster. Theo won a penalty at Wigan where we converted before Newcastle fell 7-3 at the Emirates.
We scored 17 goals and conceded 10 in December, keeping only 2 clean sheets against Wigan and Westbrom. Our clean sheets came in matches where we won with penalties.Only Szczesny and Vermaleen played every minute of our 7 encounters with Arteta missing out only at Bradford.
The last match of the month and 2012 year was my match of the month. With 10 goals scored that night, our 7-3 victory over Newcastle was an end-of-the-year present. Theo’s hat-trick was memorable and if only Giroud scored that perfect hat-trick. The League cup exit to Bradford was my worst match of the month and maybe the season. We woke up late and had to settle for penalties. Cazorla, Chamakh and Vermaleen missed their kicks.
My best Arsenal player, Tomas Rosicky made his long awaited comeback against Swansea and has featured in 3 other games. He has started only one game against Olympiacos where he was voted man of the match despite playing only 45 minutes. His injection against Bradford brought the zeal for the goal.
Rosicky picked up 2 of my MotM from our 7 fixtures of which he played in just 4: One against Olympiacos and the other at Bradford.No other player had up to 2 MotM. Gervinho grabbed 2 VotM (Villain)against Bradford and Westbrom.
Of our 17 goals scored, Theo Walcott was involved in 7 of them; scoring 4 and assisting 3. Cazorla was also involved in 7 goals; scoring 3 and assisting 4. Podolski came next with 5 involvements; scoring 2 and assisting 3.
My man of the Month is Theo Walcott. I hear he would sign da ting this January 2013. I pray we have a good January.
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