Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers - Emirates Stadium, London - Monday 11th February 2008

Two weeks ago, after the game against Newcastle, Arsenal were sitting in a good position. Joint top of the League, on the same number of points as Manchester United, but with a slightly worse goal difference, it looked tight but promising. Then, we had 2 weekends in a row with near perfect results for Arsenal. We beat Manchester City away, then watched as Manchester United could only get a point at Spurs (and they didn't really even deserve that). Chelsea could only draw on the same day, which was an added bonus. Then, the day before this game, it happened again - Manchester United lost at home to Manchester City (who looked unrecognisable from the Manchester City that we beat the previous week), and Chelsea drew again.

So, going into this game, we were 2 points ahead of Manchester United, with a game in hand, and with the chance to go 5 points clear at the top if we beat Blackburn. This may be remembered as the 2 week period where some Arsenal fans started to believe that we might win the League. Not wanting to get carried away, though, I reminded myself of the situation a month ago, where Arsenal seemed to have surrendered the initiative completely. With 13 games to go, 2 points is absolutely nothing, so there is still a very long way to go.

Before the game, Arsenal had something of an injury crisis - with rumours of only 11 fit players available to play. In many respects, it seemed as though both Arsenal players and fans were somewhat nervous, waiting to see if we could take advantage of the opportunity that had presented itself. But, Arsenal got started quickly, and were ahead inside 5 minutes - big Phil Senderos rising to meet a corner, and head unchallenged into the net. His celebration reminded me of Stuart Pearce in Euro 96, the kind where you are a bit scared of the player, but can see how much it means to them. Despite looking really dodgy in his one off appearances earlier in the season, Senderos has been very solid during Kolo Toure's absence, and so fully deserved that goal.

If Arsenal started well (which they certainly did, for the first 20 minutes), Blackburn definitely suffered from a slow start to the game, and were a goal down before they knew what was happening. Arsenal dominated the first 20 minutes or so, during which Blackburn gradually came into the game - if not by creating much, then at least by getting hold of the midfield and being a nuisance. Arsenal for their part started to ease off completely towards the end of the first half, which helped allow the visitors back into the game.

The second half was more of the same for the most part. Arsenal were so laid back, it was uncomfortable to watch at times, especially given the narrow lead, and the enthusiasm with which Blackburn were approaching things in midfield. Gilberto in particular looked out of his depth and totally unable to cope with determined opponents, as well as being unable to find a red shirt when he did try to pass the ball out. Having said all this, Blackburn created absolutely nothing, Lehmann was virtually a spectator for the majority of the game, and despite the nervous feeling that something would go wrong, Blackburn just didn't create enough
in the end to pose any threat.

As the game wore on, and into the last 15 minutes or so, Arsenal gradually stepped things back up a gear, creating half a dozen good chances - although with the score at 1-0 still, it was tense throughout. When the second goal came from Adebayor, in the first minute of added time, it was a huge relief, and the 2-0 scoreline was a decent reflection of the game - Blackburn's total lack of willingness to go forward meant that they certainly deserved no more goals than they got, and 2 goals wasn't an unfair return for Arsenal.

So, five points clear at the top, with 12 games to go. Predictably, the media immediately started saying that Arsenal won the title tonight, and can of course only lose it from here. Things do look good, and this weekend was the first time this season that I have believed it might be possible. But, there is still an awful long way to go, and Manchester United were in a similarly good position a few weeks ago. Plus, with the relative lack of depth of Arsenal's squad, the rest of the season is going to be tough still. If we do end up winning the League this year, this will probably be the game where most Arsenal fans started to believe that it might happen. So, possibly important beyond just 3 more vital points.