The big win over Blackburn was immensely enjoyable and has lifted the mood in the Gooner camp to
a great extent after an eminently forgettable January. A lot has already been said about the match
and I don't want to revisit it in detail but there were two goals in that game that caught my
eye.
Both the goals started from the back but were scored in a markedly different manner, each a
delight in its own way.
Arsenal have two visits to Sunderland on consecutive Saturdays in different competitions and
both have the potential to improve the season but could also make it far worse. The focus for now,
obviously, has to be on the more immediate fixture that is the upcoming League meeting.
It would be an understatement to suggest that Martin O'Neill has turned the fortunes of the
Black Cats around.
To say the Gunners were woeful in defence against Milan will be an understatement. It was a
shocking performance. The 8-2 debacle at United earlier in the season didn't occur completely by
accident either and we can be fairly certain this isn't the last time Wenger's side have crumbled
defensively.
Clearly, every game is a very tough one for Arsenal on current form. Will the team get its first
League win of 2012? Doesn't seem like it if we look at the manner in which Arsenal have dropped
points in recent games, or the way Blackburn came from behind to win at home earlier this season,
or the fact that Steve Kean is yet to lose against Wenger or Ferguson in the Premiership (2W,
2D)!
The Champions League is back and it's returned with a special fixture. Milan V Arsenal is
arguably the cream of the second round ties. Aging giants in the process of transforming themselves
to prove they aren't just heroes from the past meet a resurgent, fairly youthful side that is still
looking to make its mark at the highest level.
