2-1, Premier League, Anfield, 03-03-2012
van Persie 31, 90
We barely won a game in which we score all the goals... Ahhh, the irony... Well, won it we did and our captain is on a rampage at the moment! (well, replace at the moment with the past year and it will be more accurate).
By no means did we dominate this game, as we tend to do, but we showed that dominance and corners (I think the final count got to around 15 for Liverpool and none for us) doesn't win a game. Spirit and efficiency does.
The first half was rather eventful, to say the least. Liverpool was awarded with a corner when Suarez practised his artistic skills. Kuyt stepped up to take the penalty, struck it towards the left post, and Szczesny gets his hand to it! The rebound bounces back to Kuyt, who strikes it towards the right side, and somehow Szczesny pops up to punch it to a corner. A heroic action that further emphasises his value as a world-class 'keeper.
However, the joy was somewhat short-lived as Koscielny misjudged a cross into the box and put it in the back of wrong net.
Yet the lead would not last into half-time. Robin van Persie, made sure of that. As Sagna provided an amazing cross into the box, the skipper created some space for himself and headed the goal into the back of the net, the right one. It was poor marking from Carragher, but the Dutchman's qualities need not to be questioned.
We played dangerously close to the edge in the second half, and had to defend pretty much constantly. We've never been lucky when it comes to injuries, and this game was no different. Arteta collided with Henderson in an unfortunate situation, completely off the ball. It took the medical team quite some time to sort him out and have him stretched off the pitch. It looked as though he got a concussion, but I can't be too sure yet. Diaby replaced him, and it was at least some cause to cheer, as he has been out for quite some time. But, horror struck again as he was himself replaced before the end. What is the most distressing about this is that when Wenger spoke of him before the game, he said that if he had another set-back he would probably be out for the rest of the season...
Though we had all these concerns upon us, we ended the game with plenty of reasons to cheer. Our very own Captain Vantastic wasn't done with Liverpool yet. In the ninety third minute (there were eight added minutes due to Arteta's injury) Song provided an amazing assist that Robin van Persie made sure counted. On volley he hit the ball with his left foot, and the shot was too powerful for Reina to be able to save. Suddenly Anfield was filled with chants of the Arsenal! The away fans have been brilliant all season through, and this game was by no means any exception.
He scores when he wants, He scores when he wants. Robin van Persie, He scores when he wants!
A win which goes beyond the three points. Liverpool are now ten points behind us (granted, they have a game in hand) and we have racked up plenty of victories of late. Confidence is high and times certainly feel brilliant!
I would like to end with a special congratulation to Mr. Wenger upon receiving the February Manager of the Month award. It was well deserved since we won all the three games we played in the month and we scored fourteen amazing goals.
Injury Update,
-There is still no telling how serious Arteta's injury is, but hope for a swift return for him, he is a vital midfield player for us.
-Don't know about Diaby either, but am hopeful that he'll be back before too long.
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