Don't get me wrong, the game still "matters", beating United ALWAYS matters, like having sex ALWAYS matters - last weeks' quickie with that ugly bint still gave you pleasure right?
I think this game has helped to highlight two interesting factors. First, we seem to play better against bigger teams when we aren't under as much pressure to do something (i.e win the league). The boys clearly knew they still had to get a result, but not whilst carrying the burden that is competing for a league championship. For a team with an average age of under 24, that's a pretty serious weight on their shoulders.
Instead, we looked like we were being more expressive and having a bit more fun out there, whilst at the same time completely controlling the pace of the game, and seeing substantially more of the ball than United.
The other thing I noticed from this particular game, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is the way we played without our Number Four - WHO NEEDS CESC??? I'm not saying that because I dislike the kid, I'm very pro-Fabregas and I love what he's done for us over the years in terms of goals and assists, but as fans we have to be prepared for the possibility that he won't be at The Emirates next season. What might have been a daunting thought at first (it was for me) has turned into a subject that we need not worry about too much.
Today's midfield performance, although not perfect, was extremely convincing. I'd be more than happy to see the Ramsey-Wilshere-Song midfield as the partnership of choice next season, and with that the captaincy could be offloaded to somebody with a bit more commanding presence on the pitch, like Robin van Persie. In fact, RvP's the only player I can think of that would be worthy of full-time armband duty at the moment. Either that or SN8, but he's not as much of a motor-mouth.
I think it was one of the most solid defensive performances of the season too, Koscielny made some key tackles and interceptions, and Arshavin really impressed me with the way he was sliding-tackling his way around the pitch like Sol Campbell on crystal meth.
And the goal itself came from a quite typical Arsenal attack. Aaron Ramsey started this move himself, spreading the ball out to van Persie, who stormed up the right wing but showed patience and vision before returning the ball to the Welshman inside the area to slot past van Der Sar. I couldn't have been happier that it was Rambo who found the net, he's only started two games for us this season, it's nice to see him score against our arch enemies and will no doubt spur him on to impress in the final few games of the season.
Aside from that, and despite my praise for our performance, that game itself was rather uneventful. We obviously should have had a penalty when Vidic thought he was in goal, and Szczesny pulled off a few good saves, first to deny a Rooney free kick and then later to thwart Nani's attempt following a United breakaway. I won't mention the Owen penalty claim, he made it look a lot worse than it was!
So what does the result mean for us this season? Very little. At most, it will help us wrap up 3rd place. Mathematically we can still take the title, although we would need something miraculous to happen. Anybody fancy a punt on that one?
It's just nice to know that we're making United work for it, although it's a shame that the other team in contention is just as hateful.
COYMFG!!!
