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<p>That’s it then. Arsenal have officially turned the corner. In the same way that <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1117724/arsenal_2_birmingham_2_feb_23_2008/">Eduardo’s injury, Stuart Parnaby’s dive and William Gallas’s teary outburst </a>reflected the collapse of their 2007-08 title challenge, so Ramsey’s injury, Danny Pugh’s waving arms and Cesc Fabregas’s penalty will reflect Arsenal’s glorious rampage to the title. Yet despite the significance of the result in terms of getting Arsenal back into the title race, is there really enough to suggest that Arsenal have turned the corner, other than the obvious historical overtones to the result?</p>
<p>On the surface, it certainly seems that they have. As Aaron Ramsey was carried off the field, it seemed that Arsenal’s title hopes were being carried away with him – not as such due to the Welshman’s impact on the pitch, but to the effect that seeing another broken leg would have on this ‘notoriously brittle’ Arsenal team, who were obviously going to collapse in a heap against a physical Stoke side, at the Britannia where they never lose, in a decade in which they had never lost: the ghost of St Andrews was rearing its head in an eerily similar way… but this time Arsenal didn’t crack. Instead of collapsing as the game meandered along, they dusted themselves down and went for Stoke head on, tackle for tackle in what was surely a must win game. As the clock ticked over 90, just before Stoke cleared it upfield and Sol Campbell gave away a stupid last minute penalty… Danny Pugh stuck out his paws and the penalty was given… to Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas was never going to miss, and he didn’t – low, in the corner, Arsenal take the lead. As Thomas Vermaelan tapped in a third, Arsenal fans and players, instead of smiling and cheering, were growling and shouting – scars had been healed, surely now was the time for Arsenal to grow a pair… and they did. It is understandable for fans and players to&nbsp;be swept along the narrative saying ‘This was the&nbsp;game where Arsenal grew up’.</p>
<p>Understandable, but premature. Whilst the mental effects of Ramsey’s injury were damaging for Arsenal, surely they were also damaging for Stoke – it can be argued that while Arsenal’s players had lessons to learn from previous, similar episodes (like the aforementioned events at St Andrews), Stoke would be inexperienced at having to recover from seeing such a serious injury in such an important game. Moreover, while Arsenal could pass the ball around as they recovered from those events, Stoke had to chase – Stoke’s ten men had to chase down Arsenal’s shadows, no doubt fearful of a similar tackle causing a similar injury. As many of Stoke’s chief threats: energy, physicality and the crowd were all drained from them, Arsenal could pass around them with impunity – and even doing that they struggled to break down Stoke’s determined rearguard. In the same way that Arsenal dominated That Game At St Andrews after Taylor’s dismissal – McFadden’s goals both came completely against the run of play – so they dominated this time, only with arguably less incisiveness. While Theo Walcott’s magnificent performance, the refereeing howler and Arsenal’s largely remarkable composure at St Andrews has been overshadowed by the narrative history, so it may be that Arsenal’s inability to create chances against 10 men, and Stoke’s remarkable ability to organise themselves a man down will be forgotten if Arsenal go on to win the league.</p>
<p>Whilst it is tempting to conclude that Arsenal’s result at the Britannia was a sign of a New, Mature Arsenal, it would be wrong, as ultimately the only difference between now and That Game At St Andrews is that while a dodgy penalty decision went against Arsenal on that day, a fortunate one went for them on Saturday. In the same way that the Lion in the Wizard of Oz had courage all along, so Arsenal’s cubs were always as courageous as they are now. A subsequent league triumph would be down to a consistently good campaign waged by an already spirited team, rather than a corner being turned at the Britannia.</p>


Have Arsenal Really &#039;Turned The Corner&#039;?

Have Arsenal Really &#039;Turned The Corner&#039;? - World Soccer Talk

Have Arsenal Really 'Turned The Corner'?

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<p>I settled down yesterday afternoon ready for one of those great footballing days that come along every now and again. I had the prospect of 4 matches in a row to keep me entertained (including Charlton v Brentford!) and to see if Scotland could get a win against Macedonia. It was an opportunity to run the rule over a few players who have returned to regular football in the Premiership and see just what Scotland could do.</p>
<p>I’m one of those strange people that wishes no ill to my Scottish cousins over the border to the North, I always try to watch the other home nations when I can, as well as the Republic of Ireland. I always have done, since the days of the Home Championships when I was a little lad and I always want them to do well.<br>
</p>
<p>With Scotland still reeling from the hammering they took in <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1206142/Norway-4-Scotland-0-Pressure-heaped-George-Burley-Oslo-massacre.html" target="_blank">Norway last month</a>, and the <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2009/09/04/pressure-builds-on-george-burley-as-sfa-president-george-peat-tells-him-it-s-not-good-enough-86908-21646855/" target="_blank">S.F.A once again seemingly trying their best to destabilise their own team</a>, Scotland manager George Burley was up against it. With 9 players in the starting line up either having played or still playing in the Premiership, the time had come for Scotland to dig in and get a result.</p>
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<p>Craig Gordon, the Sunderland goalie has endured a torrid time since his £9 million transfer 2 years ago, but yesterday, he was immense. His reflexes and strength kept Macedonia at bay throughout a nervous first half performance when Scotland could have been easily 2 goals down. It was the form that saw him so highly rated before joining Sunderland and he continued to excel throughout the first half.</p>
<p>Scotland were wobbling, but one incident seemed to change the whole game. Macedonia had been indulging in the type of behavior that would have embarrassed Eduardo but a drop ball was given. Scott Brown, the Celtic midfielder kicked the ball against a Macedonian player and it spun out for a corner to the Scots.</p>
<p>Macedonia were incensed and all went to try and get hold of Brown. Queue much pushing and shoving, shouting and finger pointing but the Scots wouldn’t bite. Half time went and half the Macedonian team came after Brown, but he slipped off down the tunnel. That incident completely changed the game. I don’t know what George Burley said at half time or if he even put something in the half time drinks, but the second half saw Scotland emerge as a different team.</p>
<p>Macedonia couldn’t cope and with Stephen Fletcher setting up Scott Brown for a cleverly flicked header, Scotland were in the ascendancy. Darren Fletcher was in his busy best, bustling and chasing, tackling and harrying everything. Macedonia had chances, but Gordon and the Scottish back four stood firm and then came the champagne moment. Take a bow, James McFadden. A wonderful solo run with 5 minutes to go, saw him bamboozle four Macedonians before putting the keeper on his backside and rolling the ball into an empty net.</p>
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<p>It was another great goal for McFadden’s resume but one goal can’t answer the doubts that still hang over the undoubtedly talented striker. His return to the Premiership can only benefit Scotland, but he needs to return to a more consistent approach. The last 18 months have seen his form dip and blighted by injuries, his performances fluctuate wildly. On his day, he is Scotland’s most naturally gifted player but he needs to have more of those days.</p>
<p>At his time at Everton, McFadden was a firm favourite with the crowd but could infuriate as much as he delighted. For a player that scores the occasionally brilliant goal, he doesn’t score anywhere near the level his talent says it can. He showed both sides yesterday, missing an easy chance from 12 yards out, slashing his shot high and wide. 20 minutes later he danced his way through the Macedonian team and scored. Work that one out.</p>
<p>With Scotland having to beat Holland on Wednesday night, McFadden needs to have one of those nights in back to back matches. No doubt it’s a massive ask but Holland have already qualified. They don’t need to win and that could play in to Scotland’s hands. Good luck to them, I’ll be wishing them well.</p>

McFadden's Wonder Goal Raises Scottish Hopes

McFadden's Wonder Goal Raises Scottish Hopes - World Soccer Talk

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Have Arsenal Really 'Turned The Corner'?

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McFadden's Wonder Goal Raises Scottish Hopes