The internationals for February was sandwiched between two arsenal games against oppositions that play a different brand of football. podolski’s deflected goal had put Rugby Stoke and Begovic to the sword and had rendered pulis ranting, with Arsenal home and dry with the much needed 3 points.

the other game required a trip to the stadium of Light to face Sunderland on that infamous pitch that ended Metersacker’s first season at the emirates. 3 points were needed a=in the wake of the amount of teams vying for to be in the top 4 and the little matter of the chicken down the lane.

koscienly passed a late fitness test but got injured in the warm up, thus requiring Arsenal to feature a makeshift back-line with injury to captain Vermaleen and Djourou away at Germany resurrecting his career. is the squid squillaci still a goner? kos’ injury shifted Sagna to the central position, with Jenkinson moved to the right back. Monreal and Metersacker retained their positions.

the tenacity of Bacary Sagna cannot be over emphasized. he had a lot of last gasp tackles, positioning and man-marshaling. he just reignited the form that goonerdaily labels as the S.I. Unit of defending. it has been long that this Frenchman played like this. little wonder he was voted 2nd man of the match on arsenal.com.

The first half was all Arsenal, but the potters came firing on all cylinders in the 2nd half and one man kept them at bay: Wojciech Szczesny. the Pole was just alert and ready. when we needed him, he was. He could save our season. did you see that reaction after the match?

Jenkenson’s 2nd booking made Ramsey play at the right back and he did a good job. he reminded me of when i saw Walcott play same position some seasons ago. Walcott, Giroud and Cazorla, the goal scorer all had their share of pat-on-the-back; but the three points were kept by the French and the Pole: Szc-Sag

meanwhile, i hope Wilshere would be back soon. we need him. Giroud is also lapping his exploit with being awarded arsenal player of January.

watch out for the champions of Africa. next.

 

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