Arsenal 3-1 Burnley – 06/03/10 – (Premier League) 7 March, 2010

Not really the kind of comfortable win we had in mind yesterday, if we won by four or more goals we could’ve gone top briefly but we got the three points and that’s what really mattered. It was another uncomfortable game at the Grove with the two-goal cushion only coming in the 90th minute.

It was a mix and match team with Tuesday’s game against Porto probably in mind, the last thing we need right now is more injuries. So of course Cesc Fabregas got injured and taken off before half time – It’s just our luck. He felt a hamstring problem and came off mainly as a precaution but is now a doubt for Tuesday.

However just before he came off he still had time to finish a great goal. A nicely worked move around the edge of the box was finished by a beautiful one-two between Fabregas and Nasri, the Frenchman chipping the ball over the defence and Cesc scoring between the ‘keeper’s legs. A really special goal but it was long coming.

We only led 1-0 at the break and although we hadn’t played all that well it could’ve been more. We were punished for not taking our opportunities when the visitors equalized early in the second half. Eboue clearance was headed back towards goal but no one thought to stop it and it went straight through to Nugent who finished past Almunia. Burnley had not threatened at all and this goal had come purely from mistake but the scores were level.

With Bendtner refusing to put any chance away we were looking for someone else to pick this game up and win it for us. Nasri had a great match but Walcott decided yesterday was his game and after the season he’s had and what was said about his performance for England I think yesterday will be one of his proudest man of the match awards. He looked dangerous and lively down that right hand side and was really causing Burnley problems. It gave him confidence and just past the hour he cut inside and executed a nice low curling shot into the far corner to make it 2-1. It was a really good goal but hopefully not his last this season.

He said after the game he feels fresh, like he’s only just had his pre-season and is raring to go. Well yesterday was a great way to start that and I hope he can re-capture some form. Burnley might be one of the easier competitors but it will have done his confidence a load of good.

Bendtner was replaced with about 15 minutes to go and he had a really odd game. He had a good afternoon in terms of getting in the right positions, causing the defence problems and supporting our attacks but he had a terrible shot on him. He could’ve easily had a hat trick yesterday and that’s no exaggeration. He had four or five chances literally laid on a plate for him that he couldn’t put away. It’s easy to look back on them now and almost laugh and think that next time he will put them away but had we dropped points yesterday he would’ve got a lot of stick. It was just one of those days though and he shrugged in disbelief when he was taken off, I’m sure next time he’ll have a better run of luck.

Eduardo replaced him and by this time Arshavin had already come on for Rosicky. We needed another goal and Burnley reminded us of that by almost making it 2-2. In the end the comfort goal came right at the end and it was Arshavin the scorer. It was a brilliant strike inside the near post from the left, the sort of finish he’s showed us he’s capable of so many times before but yet we haven’t seemed to see in ages. More of that please Andrey.

So yeah it wasn’t a perfect day but we set out to take three points and that’s what we did. Job done. All we can do now is take each game as it comes and try to grind out a win every time – that will win us the league.

I mentioned before the game about the various Aaron Ramsey banners going up around the ground and it was great to see them on TV. I must say I thought the atmosphere would’ve been a lot better, it seemed a bit quiet at times. I don’t know it might’ve just been me listening on TV but it didn’t seem that loud. We really need to get behind the team at this stage of the season and I’m sure Tuesday’s crunch match with Porto will be a lot louder.

With a 2-1 loss to overturn and with Fabregas possibly out it’s going to be a really tough game. Build up to come over the next couple of days. Thanks for reading.