But today's different! Arsenal have won and I'm happy as this winning feeling hasn't been a familiar one in the last six weeks. I felt sick for the first fifteen or so minutes of the game as I am going through a strange phase of being really nervy when it comes to watching Arsenal. I've always been quite nervous when it comes to Arsenal games but recently my nervousness levels have increased. However after Abou Diaby finished off a lovely Arsenal move on 18 minutes to put the Gunners ahead, my stomach felt better. It felt even better when Emmannuel Eboue popped up with another delightfully well worked goal three minutes later to double the lead as I jumped out of my chair in relief for a second time in quick succession.
I again jumped out of chair as i believed Nasri's effort to be going into the corner of the Blackpool goal. Little tip: never celebrate a goal until it's in the back of the net!
Arsenal could and perhaps should have put the game out of Blackpool's reach before half time as, despite a sloppy start, Arsenal created a lot of chances with some great football in the first half only for the likes of Diaby, Nasri and Arshavin to miss their chances. To be fair, the Nasri volley was brilliant technique and not as easy as he made it look so that wasn't a case of 'oh what a miss'.
A few nervy minutes followed the half time break after Taylor Fletcher pulled one back for Blackpool and a bit of luck for a change in refereeing decisions as Lee Mason didn't give the penalty he should have when Koscielny fouled Taylor Fletcher (I think it was him).
But in truth, after that and the Southern chance, Arsenal were always in control of the game and did a professional job in holding on and getting another goal (probably the best of the game) to settle the three much desired and needed points for Arsenal. They didn't gamble too many players forward and made sure Blackpool couldn't create chances. Not that prats like Lawrenson and Lee Dixon will compliment them for that.
Jens Lehmann looked solid in goal, saving a couple of shots well and being alert to deal with crosses. Abou Diaby was very impressive in the absence of Song, as he was well disciplined and got stuck in, as well as looking threatening going forward and grabbing himself a goal. Just what he deserved today. He also did magnificently in the build up to the third goal so credit to him, he looked very mature and professional today and looked like a player who's team needed to win no matter what so had to go and do the business to ensure that happened.
To add to that Fabregas and van Persie very excellent, particularly in their combinations with each other as Fabregas' passing and VP's movement and link up play were excellent. And van Persie topped it off with a goal.
We are still in the title race and stay a comfortable distance above Chelsea, Man City and tottenham, so all is good this weekend!
I think the team can treat themselves to some of Blackpool's finest doughnuts on the way home.
Match ratings:
Lehmann 7
Eboue 8
Squillaci 7
Koscielny 7
Clichy 7
Diaby 8
Wilshere 7
Fabregas 8
Nasri 7
van Persie 9
Arshavin 6
Walcott 7
Gibbs 6
Ramsey 6
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