Arsenal 3 Hull City 0:AFTER A match featuring a 21-man melee it was unsurprising to hear Arsene Wenger speak of the pain his players felt. In keeping with the Frenchman's philosophical slant, the hurt he was referring to was more of the existential variety rather than anything to do with a spot of unpleasantness towards the end of the first half, which involved every player on the pitch bar William Gallas.
It is now more than three weeks since Arsenal were beaten 3-0 here by Chelsea. In that time they have taken 10 points from a possible 12, three coming with last week’s 2-1 win at Anfield, and are now six behind the leaders, with a game in hand. They would leapfrog Manchester United if they won that spare match at home to Bolton Wanderers, but a positive December has not expunged the analysis of the Chelsea defeat from Wenger’s memory.
“It certainly hurt the players when they were criticised after the Chelsea game, when you’re a professional footballer and you want to reach the top it always hurts,” he said. “It did hurt, when you look on TV and see people say it was men against boys, then it does hurt but they kept going, kept fighting and that’s good.”
The manly fighting here was triggered by a petulant and sneaky stamp by Samir Nasri on Richard Garcia’s foot. Stephen Hunt and Nick Barmby took umbrage with the France international’s behaviour and by the time the swinging of 21 handbags had ceased Hunt and Nasri were booked.
Minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, Arsenal were in front through a wonderful Denilson free-kick. Second-half goals from Eduardo da Silva and the game’s outstanding performer, Abou Diaby, sealed the victory, but not before Geovanni had a penalty saved by Manuel Almunia.
The Arsenal goalkeeper said he could relax, enjoy Christmas and look forward to the visit of in-form Aston Villa. Almunia does not view Martin O’Neill’s side as title contenders and he believes the league will be won by one of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
“At the end of the season there will be three teams fighting for the title. It will be one of the tightest at the top for years,” he said. “Not many players beforehand knew United had lost. I knew the result but, when you are on the pitch, you forget about that.”
Hull’s robust defensive display in the first half would have snapped almost anyone out of the glorious reverie the Craven Cottage result might have induced – that plus the acrimonious relationship that has developed between these clubs.
In the wake of spitting allegations made against Cesc Fabregas by Phil Brown’s assistant, Brian Horton, after Arsenal’s win here in the FA Cup quarter-final it is not all that surprising a ruckus developed. “It is something I’ve been involved in for a number of years now,” said Brown. “Arsenal are here to entertain; we are here to get something from the game. It is two different ideals. If you get under people’s skins, you know you are doing something right.”
Hull could not repeat last season’s shock 2-1 victory here but the scalping opportunities keep presenting themselves and next up for the club hovering just above the relegation zone are United at home. Hull’s midfielder George Boateng is looking forward to what he thinks will be a test of the renewed spirit of Brown’s side. “I think Manchester will be an interesting game,” said Boateng. “Do not count us out, even though we will have respect for United.”
Arsenal will be expecting the return of some of their best players over the coming weeks. Fabregas is likely to be fit for the Villa match while Nicklas Bendtner’s return from a hernia problem may take another three weeks. Robin van Persie’s ankle injury has effectively ruled him out for the season and Wenger is likely to seek a striker in the January transfer window, as Andrey Arshavin does not appear to be a long-term leader of the Arsenal line.“Every team appears to be having blips this season but the team which keeps going, keeps believing, has a chance,” Wenger said. “It makes me proud after the Chelsea game that we didn’t give up.”
Guardian Service
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