Time to go into Title Chase Mode. 11 March, 2008

Yep. Now we have to actually kick our arse in gear. We were five points clear not so long ago and it all seemed lovely and nice but then we’ve drawn three in a row and it’s not quite so pretty. We’re still top, yes, but Man United can go a point clear of us if when they win their game in hand at Bolton.

A lot of these players wont be used to the pressures of a title race. I think they need to realise how well they must perform at this stage. Every single game should be like a cup final, and played with that spirit and determination. I know it’s hard, but you have to take that atmosphere from playing at the San Siro in a knockout game, and apply that to the league games against Wigan, ‘Boro and Bolton etc.

I don’t know how you do that, but you just have to. Maybe if the players look at the table as they walk out onto the pitch, they will realise the importance of every single game from here on.

I’m sure they know all this already, but you have to admit that the performances have been lacking recently. As I said, the team we up for the game against AC Milan, no surprise. So why can’t they play like that every week?

This image from Le Grove (a good blog by the way, check it out if you haven’t already) shows our title run in with Man United. We both have to go to Stamford Bridge, we’ve both got Derby away, we’ll both be entertaining Liverpool and of course we go up to Old Trafford in April.

It’s going to be an exiting run in, that’s for sure. And we’ve seen first hand how quickly a 5 point lead can be lost. It won’t be over, until it’s over.

We’ve got a secret weapon now though…Robin van Persie is back. He might just be that extra element we need to keep 1st place. If Adebayor can carry on scoring and Robin starts finding the net again, we’re in business.

Flamini’s ready for a title fight. You’d imagine he would be. He’s the sort of play that will keep going for the entire 90 minutes doing his part for the team. He’s the one that can inspire our players to pick themselves up if we concede and he’s the won that can win the ball back and start an attack. He’ll never stop, even if we’re 3-0 up. I’m pretty sure that if we subbed him off he’s go straight into the dressing room and carry on playing football.

Wenger admits we’re going through a bad patch too. What’s important though is we’re not losing games, only drawing. 3 points from three games is better than no points from three games.

Let’s hope this title-race-ambition starts on Saturday afternoon against ‘Boro. Thanks for reading.