Afternoon:
9°c
Arsenal 1
Liverpool 0
As the dust settles on the four games that were supposed to define their title chances, Arsenal now find themselves back in the title mix in this most remarkable of seasons.
Four points from games against Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool is a disappointing return and yet results elsewhere have conspired to give the Gunners lingering hope they remain in the hunt.
A six-point gap still makes Arsenal considerable outsiders but the advantage of such a tough recent run of matches is that the fixture list looks favourable enough in the coming weeks to suggest the consistent run of victories required is eminently attainable.
Arsene Wenger can enjoy a rare free weekend as the FA Cup returns and after next Wednesday's Champions League resumption in Porto, his team's next four League fixtures take in Sunderland, Stoke, Burnley and Hull.
What tempers enthusiasm is that persistent doubts remain over whether Arsenal are in the kind of form to put together such a sequence after another patchy display in which Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri both went off injured last night with hamstring and head problems respectively.
That said, Abou Diaby's 72th-minute header gave the scoreline the slant Arsenal's performance just about deserved against a limited Liverpool side who badly missed Fernando Torres and who proved their recent resurgence has some way to go before it is a fully-fledged revival.
“I don't see any mathematical reason why we shouldn't believe we can win the title,” said Wenger.
“It can change quickly but for us it is more important for us to focus on winning our next game than speaking about the title because we had a big shock in our last two games. It was important to recover and come back with a win.
“We believe we have a chance and you could see again that Chelsea lost, Man United dropped points, so it is open for everybody. Everybody can drop points.”
Clearly that applies to Arsenal as well and for the majority of a bitterly cold evening at Emirates Stadium, it appeared that affliction would strike them once again.
Nicklas Bendtner, making his first start since October, wasted the best opportunity of a dull first half when firing high and wide with time to spare inside the penalty area.
Minutes after the break, Steven Gerrard slipped a ball through for David Ngog who was about to pull the trigger only for William Gallas to produce a superbly-timed block.
Tomas Rosicky and Bendtner went close as the pressure began to intensify at either end but, given the travails of the last fortnight, it is to Arsenal's credit that they found the breakthrough.
Bendtner's failed cross ricocheted back to him and he turned the ball wider still to Rosicky, whose pinpoint delivery found Diaby smack in the middle of the gaping hole between Liverpool's centre-backs and he duly powered the ball past Pepe Reina.
If there was ever a measure of the importance victory held here it was Wenger's decision to substitute Bendtner for the final eight minutes for Bacary Sagna.
With Theo Walcott operating through the middle, there was no presence to hold the ball up and Arsenal consequently invited pressure.
Ryan Babel cut inside and unleashed a vicious right-foot shot that Manuel Almunia brilliantly tipped onto the bar before Gerrard's last-gasp free-kick blatantly hit Cesc Fabregas's outstretched hand, although TV replays suggest the offence was committed outside the penalty area.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez felt a spot-kick was the right decision and his captain was unequivocal. “It was a penalty,” said Gerrard.
“In the first half the referee told the Liverpool wall, Anyone raises their arms above their head, I am going to give a penalty.' For some crazy reason he has not given the decision.”
It was perhaps the stroke of luck the Gunners have been missing in recent weeks and Wenger, who admitted Fabregas's indiscretion was “a controversial situation”, was left to reflect on a night which will give his side a much- needed boost as they embark on a six-day break from action.
The Gunners have risen from the dead more times than Lazarus this season but the mere fact there is a remote chance their latest resurrection could result in a coronation is more than most thought possible a few days ago.
Reader views (12)
I have read all the response and I agree (as a Spurs fan) that Arsenal are in it with much more than a half chance. We are nowhere. At least our season has lasted beyond Christmas this year. One serious question about last night's game at The Emirates. Where was referee Webb looking as the last second free-kick was taken? Any official, in that situation, cannot be looking in any other direction other than ahead of himself. In other words;looking at the kicker; the flight of the ball; the defensive wall; AND,get this, he cannot place himself in a location where he is blind to the route towards the goal.So if he did not see Fabregas wilfully raise his arm above his head to divert the path of the ball whilst standing directly in line with the kicker,then Webb cannot be believed. This decision (or non decision) is on a par with the decision not allow Defoe's "goal" against Liverpool 2 weeks ago, because Webb believed he was offside, despite two defenders playing the ball across their own penalty area before Defoe became active. Liverpool have now had some "afters". Webb was also the referee that was forced to apologise publicly for erroneously awarding a penalty to ManU last season against Spurs (at Old Trafford,of course).This referee,supposedly our best,needs re-assessing
- Patrick Churchill, GOFFS OAK, Herts, 11/02/2010 17:24
Report abuse
The gunners are the team to watch,every gooner wants a bit of silverware but its the style and quality i love andi've been watching them for 40 years
- Tom Arlow, poole, 11/02/2010 17:18
Report abuse
Er Whats that about counting chickens........I'II eat my hat if we win the league but who says ehhh on a whim and a prayer that we can't, Up the gunners
- Tony, Hove England, 11/02/2010 16:45
Report abuse
Taking in into account injuries, poor form and lack of a top class goalkeeper and striker, it is amazing to be in 3rd position,let alone only 6 points behind Chelsea.
The fact is Arsenal have played all the top four games and apart from an away derby at Spurs the run in looks,on paper, easier that Man U and Chelsea.
Arsenal fans should stop moaning and get real !
Winning the Premier League and Champions League is still possible which in itself is an acheivement for a team who were written off by the media even before the season had started ! Keep the Faith .
- Steve, Bromley, 11/02/2010 15:52
Report abuse
Rob Gooner im a spurs fan and i would not say Arsenal are out of the title race not by a long way Chelsea and Man U have harder runnings if Arsenal can keep every one fit i believe you have a fantastic chance.(I hate to say it but its true)
- Stephen O M, woodford green essex, 11/02/2010 12:53
Report abuse
An excellent set of results last night. I see your team 'Londoner' lost to Wolves again...Champions League your having a laugh! lol Well done Mr Wenger and the lads. A difficult game against a battling Liverpool side but we ground out the win. It showed character and bottle and we have now bounced back after recent setbacks. The Title race is still on. Keep it going Gunners.
- Sensible Opinion, N5, 11/02/2010 12:45
Report abuse
All Wenger ever does is either moan or tell us the title race is back on.
Borrrrrrring
- Londoner, London, 11/02/2010 12:21
Report abuse
chelsea and united have been very poor away from home this season and i fully expect them to drop more points, add the fact that moanure have benefited from 14 own goals scored by their opponents this season, the title race is far from over for the gunners.
in fact their next seven games on paper look cert 3 pointers.
- Steve, thailand, 11/02/2010 12:16
Report abuse
Great result for Arsenal and Wenger hopefully this will ease the pressure on him from both the media and a section of Arsenal fans who are giving him stick every time a result goes against us.What we need now is more consistency from all the players,Clichy and Walcott need a step up their game,we cannot keep carrying Walcott,he was terrible when he came on,and Clichy looks a good few games off being 100% fit.But this result will give the team confidence, and hopefully keeps us in with a chance of a late run at the title...
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 11/02/2010 11:40
Report abuse
So yet again Wenger declares the title race back on? Again?
- Lance Johnson, Canterbury, Kent, 11/02/2010 11:18
Report abuse
it's cliche time folks..........
Keep the faith
A season of two halfs
Told ya so
Arsene knows
true dat
Come on you Reds!
- Gazman, n7, 11/02/2010 11:03
Report abuse
Excellent set of results last night. Dont forget Chelsea & Man U still have to play each other. Their next premiership matches against Man City & Everton respectively are not easy, whereas we have Sunderland at home. Taking into account United having to play the Carling cup final, as well as testing matches against AC Milan, with Chelsea playing at least one more F A Cup match & a difficult tie in the Champions League against Inter and arguably both have a more difficult run in than Arsenal's ... although difficult all is not lost.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 11/02/2010 10:50
Report abuse
