Almost Draw, but It's a Win

Arsenal almost got a 0-0 draw, but a late goal scored by Alexandr Song Billong made them earn three points in the match against West Ham United

Arsenal was dominating the game, having possession, making passes, and creating chances. But West Ham was defending very well, and Robert Green was playing like possessed. He denying chances, not only once, twice, or three times, but nine times!

When everyone was thinking it would be a 0-0 draw, Gael Clichy cut inside through the left flank and gave a lovely pass to Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner. It was Alex Song who headed the ball and scored the goal. A priceless goal, which keep Arsenal in the title race. It wasn't an easy game, even could be said it was a very tough game. But, in the end Arsenal could overcome it.

In other place, Chelsea won 2 goals by one goal against Blackburn. So it's still 5 points between Arsenal and Chelsea.

City - Arsenal 0-3

In the beginning Arsenal was under pressure. City dominated the game, and David Silva had a chance to score, but Fabianski denied it.Deryck Boyata sent off by Mark Clattenburg, after a professional foul, brought Chamakh down. Even Manchester City is playing with ten man, the game was still even. Both team made some inaccurate passes. But it was Arsenal who opened the score. One-two play by Nasri and Arshavin, nicely finished by Nasri, 1-0 for Arsenal. Arsenal would've leading 2-0 on first half, if Joe Hart hadn't saved Fabregas' penalty. So first half ended 0-1.

On the second half, Man. City had some chances to equalize, but Fabianski brilliantly denied it. Alex Song doubled Arsenal's lead, and since that time, Arsenal comfortably controlling the game. Finally, Nicklas Bendtner made it 0-3 after few minutes coming in.

It was a good game by the gunners, they played well, offensively and defensively, even they helped with the red card. But at least, Arsenal has answered the critics for them. Should this form continues, Arsenal will be real contenders for Chelsea.

Real Test

Arsenal is now on the third position in English Premier League with 14 points from 8 games, 3 points behind Manchester City and also 5 points behind defending champions Chelsea.

Arsenal will face Manchester City this week on City of Manchester Stadium, this weekend. This match is an undoubtedly tough match. City has bunch of quality players, such as Nigel de Jong, Carlos Tevez, and Arsenal's hatred Emmanuel Adebayor. Roughly, City, like Chelsea, is physically stronger than Arsenal, but Arsenal technically better.

While Fabregas and Walcott are back, Vermaelen and van Persie are still on the sidelines, facing injuries they got during international games. Jack Wilshere is also absent because of red card he got during the match against Birmingham City.

Arsenal did lose 2-4 in City of Manchester Stadium last season, but they still has chance to win this game. What Arsenal has to do is to score an early goal. This season, Arsenal never lose any game after scoring first. So, I predicted, the team who score an early goal will win this game.

Fabianski could replace Almunia?

Manuel Rivero Almunia took Arsenal's regular position in Goalkeeper in 2007/2008, when he filled Jens Lehmann's position, when Lehmann was injured, and played fairly well, and since then, Manuel Almunia has been no 1 for Arsenal, which also resulting Jens Lehmann to be freely released to VfB Stuttgart.

Almunia is rather inconsistent, sometimes, he could play very well, stopping penalties, like he did against Tottenham, which ended 2-1, or against West Ham, which ended 2-0.

But he also could play badly, like he did against Birmingham, when he slipped Kevin Phillip's shot into his own net, or recently, like he did against West Brom.


This season, before the season started, Arsene Wenger reported want to sign a goalkeeper to replace Manuel Almunia. From Shay Given, Marteen Stekelenburg, and also Mark Schwarzer; but until the end of transfer window, Arsene Wenger didn't sign any goalkeeper, and Manuel Almunia still became Arsenal's no 1, because his deputies, Lukasz FabianskI and Vito Mannone, made several mistakes when Arsene Wenger believed them to stand in front of goal.



Manuel Almunia

Well, Manuel Almunia is injured now, and Fabianski have to fill his position. Fabianski was highly doubted he could play well, but in the match against Partizan, he showed who he really is. He stopped one penalty, and made strings of fine save.

If Fabianski continue playing like that, Manuel Almunia could be switched to the bench, and he gains first team football regularly. Could Fabianski continue his brilliance? The first test is today, facing Chelsea!