A New Year's Treat

What better way could you think of to finish off 2011 than by seeing the old Arsenal grab 3 points at home, move into the top four of the league, and for Robin Van Persie break the club record for goals scored in a single calendar year, coming only one short of tying the all-time record (though to be fair he's already broken it on a goals-to-game ratio)?

It was a good 1-0 win against QPR yesterday at home. Not as comfortable as we'd like to be sure, but a win is a win. Van Persie grabbed the goal after an inch-perfect pass from Arshavin who had been gifted the ball by QPR. The Russian actually had a really good game, which makes two good ones in a row for him. Perhaps he's not a worthless as so many of my fellow gooners claim he is, though if we're honest there's certainly much room for improvement.

One of the only bad bits from yesterday's win was the fact that this is four home games in a row now where we've scored only one goal. 1-1 to Fulham, 1-0 over Everton, 1-1 with Wolves, and 1-0 yesterday hosting QPR. Perhaps it's just coincidence. If so, let's hope it ends with the turn of the new year, as it'd be great to watch us dominate games at the Emirates again, and not just in chances created, but also chances clinically finished.

Either way with Chelsea, Manchester City, and Man Utd all somewhat comically losing, and Spurs only getting a draw, we gained ground on every team ahead of us yesterday. We're now only 9 points off Man City. Now say what you will but that's no unassailable margin, and one that perhaps keeps faint hopes alive at a title push. Realistically such a thing won't happen, but stranger things have transpired when it comes to the title race. One just never knows.

Well the big news then from the aftermath of the game is that our defensive rock Thomas Vermaelen has been injured, and that he'll likely be out of action for about three weeks. Of all the people to get injured I can think of no one, save RVP, who I wanted to stay fit more. Ever since he's returned our defence has looked far more solid and assured, and his loss to injury could do a bit of damage to our defensive solidity. Sure, Coquelin did a good job when he came on and slotted in there, but he's not naturally a fullback and it's clear perhaps a temporary loan signing is in order.

So tomorrow we take the short trip down to Fulham to hopefully exact a bit of revenge if you like for our mere draw with them at home a few short weeks ago. The game could certainly be another draw or even a Fulham win, so it'll take a solid performance from the lads tomorrow to pull off a result. Van Persie will likely be rested, as will, I expect, one or two others who put in a taxing effort yesterday. But hopefully those who replace them will show the quality and class necessary to pull off victory. We'll find out soon enough.

Till then, I'll be busy dreaming of the Thierry Henry deal being finalised and preparing the subsequent celebrations which are very likely to happen round my place when it is. It'll be good to see the legend back in red and white once again. Welcome to 2012.

Fab 4