My thoughts went back to our game against Manchester United at the Emirates. 0-0 Arshavin in a similar position but went for goal when Cesc and Nasri were in good positions

Match Review – Arsenal 4 Fulham 0 – Premier League

Arsenal winning comfortably whilst our neighbours fluff up a two goal lead to lose at Burnley. At last, some order seems to have been restored to the world.

After all the worry of losing our third place, I wondered what we were all so concerned about at the final whistle. Before I talk about the game I would like to wish all Arsenal Vision readers a happy and blessed St Totteringham’s day, much later than most living Gooners are used to but as they say, better late than never.

As expected Fulham made changes to their personnel, not a complete new team but eight changes from their previous game against Stoke City.

To be honest, I think if Fulham had played their strongest side and gave their all, I still think they would have been undone by an impressive and committed Arsenal team. I think the attitude was much improved from the recent outings to Wigan and Blackburn. I do not think that it was a coincidence that the players upped their game as all of a sudden the players had a target to play for.

The sunshine, along with Van Persie back to somewhere near his best form just reminded me back to the first few months of the season. Our football was fluid, we were creating chances effortlessly. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to witness this for a long enough stretch to sustain a full title fight right until the very end.

Fulham were on the back foot from the very beginning, Arsenal as expected started quickly, won their individual duels and passed the ball quickly. It could have been a completely different start had Fulham taken advantage of the out of sorts Fabianski’s fumble from a Fulham cross after only six minutes on the clock. Clearly Fabianski is a bag of nerves right now and each cross into the box looks to be worrying him. I wasn’t very impressed with the home support’s ironic cheers whenever he caught or kicked the ball.

I personally think that he should be loaned out for a season and should not be a part of our first team at present but that does not mean that when selected he should be subject to that from his own fans.

A few minutes later Van Persie tested the finger tips of Mark Schwarzer, after his inswinging free kick was heading for the top corner.

Schwarzer has been a keeper on many fans wish list as a stop gap until Woijech Szechney is old enough and experienced enough to claim the first team gloves. To be honest, I could think of worse candidates but if his error had been made by either Fabianski or Almunia then there would have been mayhem at the Emirates.

Schwarzer received a back pass but his touch was heavy, the quick thinking Andrey Arshavin nipped in and whipped the ball away from the big Australian goalkeeper. I stand by my initial thoughts whilst watching live. He made a terrible decision to go for goal.

My thoughts went back to our game against Manchester United at the Emirates. 0-0 Arshavin in a similar position but went for goal when Cesc and Nasri were in good positions. At home to Bolton late on in the game, Theo Walcott is completely unmarked yet Arshavin completely ignored him and went for glory on his own without applying the finishing touch.

Arsenal players play for each other and not for themselves. You could argue that we need someone who will take on a bit of responsibility but players like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Cesc Fabregas and Dennis Bergkamp knew when it was better to go alone and when to play the simple pass to a better placed team mate to score the goal. Andrey Arshavin plays for himself and that to me is not the Arsenal way.

It is almost ludicrous to suggest that as the ball found its way into its intended target, but that will not always be the end result and it could cost us as Adebayor’s selfishness proved at Birmingham a few years ago with Bendtner screaming for it in an unmarked position.

The nerves had been eased, Arsenal supporters already knew that Gareth Bale had given Tottenham an early lead in Burnley so Arshavin’s goal was just what the doctor ordered.

Minutes later, Bacary Sagna slipped in Walcott with a lovely left footed threaded pass, a pass that Cesc Fabregas would have been proud of. Theo raced in the space and squared to Van Persie who struck past the keeper at the second attempt after his first shot was blocked onto the crossbar. Van Persie raced to Walcott, hugging him and pointing to his team mate. The cynic in me wondered if that was a slight dig at one of his other team mates.

9 goals in 14 starts for Van Persie. *sigh*

The time that Van Persie is fit for 80% of our season is the time we win the league comfortably.

Van Persie’s overall game was superb, I am sure he is still short of his full match sharpness but his link up play and first touch is wonderful. Nicklas Bendtner made a terrific impact when he returned from injury, his goal scoring record tells its own story but when the ball is killed dead when passes are being fired at Van Persie, a shimmy later then a floated pass into the feet of an advancing team mate just makes you open your eyes to what we have missed.

Theo had the ball rolling in the back of the net after a good move but the flying winger was adjudged to have been offside. Ten minutes before half time the game was wrapped up. A lovely passing move resulted in Walcott crossing into the penalty area, Eboue’s flick deceived Chris Baird and his extended leg diverted the ball past his goalkeeper.

When was the last time we raced into a 3-0 lead at half time? It has been far too long.

The game slowed down considerably in the second half. Van Persie had a few Bendtner vs Burnley moments in the second half. The best chance was probably his first striking the post from close range after Schwarzer had blocked his first attempt.

Carlos Vela showed everyone how it was done with his trademark finish late in the game. Nasri slid the substitute through and he only had one thing on his mind, lifting the ball delightfully over the advancing Schwarzer for 4-0.

That was Vela’s first Premier League goal of the season. I still believe that Vela could be a fantastic striker for whichever club he plys his trade for. He has the obvious talent, he just needs consistent games and confidence and the rest will come through. The problem for Vela is that he has some very good established players ahead of him, so we will wait and see what happens to him.

Speaking of debuts, Henri Landsbury made his first Premier League start for Arsenal in the last 15 minutes. He looked for the ball as much as possible and looked very neat and tidy. He has been one of the better players in the Championship, clearly the playing time has done him the world of good. He may find some more chances during the pre season to make an impression. Aaron Ramsey’s injury may have opened another door for a young midfield player.

Johan Djourou also featured in the second half, replacing the injured Mikel Silvestre. I have a soft spot for the talented Swiss international. He slotted in alongside Campbell and looked assured. The door may be left ajar by William Gallas who was absent from the post match goodbyes and it is likely that Silvestre has played his last game for Arsenal. Johan Djourou needs to avoid injury and work hard in training and he could find himself fighting for a place alongside Thomas Vermaelen in 2010/2011.

Both Arsenal and Fulham had penalty appeals waved away and Fabianski handled outside the box and received a booking for his troubles. Apart from that, Arsenal were in control of the game and won convincingly.

The afternoon was made even better as Tottenham were put firmly in their place by Burnley, losing 4-2 after taking a 2 goal lead. All we need now is our lovely neighbours to be annihilated in the qualifers in August.

It was a season of up’s, down’s and what if’s but ultimately we came up short in the end. Many of the Gooners will have the world cup to look forward to and Wenger can get on with his job, analysing the squad, the strong points the weaknesses. Players will leave and no doubt some will be brought in.

The silly season begins here.

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Season Review & Player ratings review coming soon.