Arsenal 0-0 Fenerbahçe

November 7, 2008

Another calamity. Well, maybe not a calamity. But it’s a continuing trend that seems to be marking a significant decline on this season. And with Manchester United looming over the weekend, it’s not the right result. It never is.

Yesterday’s match brought back recurring themes. Lots of ball control, slick passing, poor finishing in the final third. Robin Van Persie came close on a number of occasions, even hitting the post. Clearly lacking without the pace of Adebayor and Walcott, it was going be a tough battle no matter what. Fenerbahce deserves the credit where it’s due – playing behind the ball with better organization, they were a stubborn nut to crack. It seemed like it was inevitable at the beginning of the match, but by the end a draw was all but a foregone conclusion. The only question was whether or not Fenerbahce would sneak away with all three points.

It’s easy to be harsh and negative, especially during the Gunners recent run of form, but nowhere will things get easier. Man United is on the way, and it looks likely that Walcott and Gallas will miss out, Silvestre will be risked with a broken nose, and Eboue and Sagna are question marks heading into the weekend. Van Persie is out with his red card suspension. It’s important to remember what is at stake. Six points adrift from the top, a loss would most likely leave Arsenal nine points off the lead. That’s hardly reason to panic, but it is something to note. What team will show up? Will an organized, gifted team of youngsters take it to Ronaldo, Beratov, and Rooney? Or will they fold over in front of the home fans yet again? They’ll be more tomorrow before the weekend.

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