Editorial: The frustrating tale of Arsenal

They were meant to be Champions this season as the Manchester clubs and Chelsea flattered. The title charges of Spurs and Leicester City were meant to fizzle out. Everything was written in the stars for the red half of North London to reclaim a title they last won in 2004. But at Arsenal, nothing is ever straight forward. 

As the referee blew the whistle to signify full time after another disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the boos from the home crowd rang out spontaneously. They had just witnessed another match thrown away -another opportunity missed. 

Arsenal have been here many times. The tension in the crowd as Arsenal held a slender 1-0 lead in the final quarter of the match was palpable. They have, over the years, lost games they were expected to win or fail to win a game like today's when they were comfortable for long spells. This Arsenal has a soft underbelly, one which is characteristic and pathologic at the same time. 

Even more perplexing is that in this frustrating side, there is a team somewhere in there capable of fighting when their back is against the wall - like that creditable draw at Tottenham. They can also offer a false illusion of hope like how they took the Manchester clubs to the cleaners at the Emirates. 

But then of course, there is the true drama. Champions and tittle contenders win games at home to Palace. They win games at home to Swansea especially when they have got the lead. But this Arsenal side is incapable of doing this and is unlikely to win the league unless this vulnerability is addressed. 

The league will not return to Arsenal this season and now they must worry about the other teams breathing down their neck as the season comes to a close. Fourth place is now far from certain. But one thing is certain, we never know which Arsenal will turn up in last five matches of the season. 

Different shades of Arsenal

Arsenal defeated Everton yesterday with consummate ease at Goodison Park like a title favourite would be expected to. The problem however is that they are no longer the favourite. 

Arsenal's season is gradually turning into one that promised so much but ended in the usual and customary annual disappointment we have become so accustomed to. On their day, the Gunners can blow any side away. 

This is a side that can demolish Manchester United and Manchester City. But then, for every Arsenal that can defeat Bayern Munich in the Champions League, there is also an Arsenal side somewhere in that team that can blow it when it really matters. You know like losing to Watford. Or West Brom. Or Olympiacos and Dinamo Zagrab. Or even a weakened Manchester United side. 

The Premier League season has seen the traditional powerhouses perform poorly this season. Arsenal managed to stay close to the top as their rivals flattered at the beginning of the season. However, like the typical Arsenal, when the pressure was on, they somehow conspired to throw it away. The game against Everton was only their second win in nine games in all competitions. 

And ironically, this was the game they were expected to struggle. Everton had given Chelsea a thorough and hard examination last week. The Champions failed that woefully. And Arsenal were expected by many to fail as well. But like the typical unpredictable Arsenal, they made Everton look ordinary for the entire duration of the game. 

This surely must be a cause of frustration for the manager and their fans. With eight games left, this is an Arsenal side capable of going on an eight-game winning run or even winning just one of the eight games remaining. They are the unpredictable! The question is, which Arsenal side will turn up from now to the end of the season? We just never know. There is no black or white with Arsenal. We just have to find out for ourselves. 

Alex Iwobi stars as Arsenal defeats Everton

Arsenal kept their slim hopes of winning the English Premier League title with a convincing win over Everton at the Goodison Park. 

Arsenal have had a difficult week which included eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup by Barcelona and Watford respectively. 

Alex Iwobi was handed his first league start of his Arsenal career and he justified his manager's faith with an excellent display. His link up with Welbeck in particular caused the Toffees plenty of problems. 

Danny Welbeck finished off a flowing passing move when he went round Joel Robles in the 7th minute to give Arsenal the lead. 

Lukaku, fresh from his impressive display against Chelsea last weekend, never really got going with the Arsenal defence doing a good job of keeping him quiet. 

Alex Iwobi was having a good half and his half got even better when he finished off a long pass from Hector Bellerin in the 42nd minute. 

Arsenal remained relatively untroubled in the second half as they held on to secure a convincing and comfortable 2-0 victory. 

LIVE UPDATE: ARSENAL VS LEICESTER CITY

Full time: Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City

Arsenal secure a hugely important win in the final seconds of the game against league leaders Leicester City. Their season is alive again.

94" Welbeck!!!!!!! It is probably the most important goal of his Arsenal career
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City

90" Four added minutes

80" Into the final 10 minutes of the game.
Arsenal 1-1 Leicester City

71" Arsenal. Walcott levels after a delicate header by Giroud.

Red Card for Leicester City. Simpson sent off.

53' Arsenal have started brightly but still can't find a breakthrough.

Arsenal makes one change at the start of the second half. Chambers in for Koscielny.

Half time: Arsenal 0-1 Leicester City
Leicester City lead. Should Arsenal have had a free kick in the build up to the penalty. Big 45 minutes for Arsenal.

44" Penalty to Leicester City
       Vardy converts. 1-0 Leicester City

40" No breakthrough yet. It is still 0-0 here.

15" Super save by Cech from a lightening counterattack from Leicester City

2" First corner to Arsenal. Sanchez heads wide.

Gabriel misses out due to injury while Welbeck is named on the bench for the first time this season.

TEAM NEWS
Arsenal: Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscieny, Nacho Monreal; Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez.

Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel; Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Danny Simpson, Christian Fuch; Danny Drinkwater, Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Marc Albrighton; Shinn Okazaki, Jamie Vardy.

It's a big day in the English Premier League title race. Arsenal and Leicester City meet at the Emirates in less an hour

Arsenal gets huge fitness boost as Coquelin is set to return

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have been given a huge boost as Francis Coquelin has recovered quicker than expected. 

Coquelin, who has been injured for two months, could make his return against Burnley this weekend in the FA Cup 4th Round. 

The Gunners suffered a disappointing defeat at home to Chelsea and the news of the return of the key midfielder will lift the spirit at the club. 

Tomas Rosicky is also close to first team action after completing 45 minutes for the club's Under 21 side. 

Wayne Rooney breaks Premier League record

Manchester United and England captain, Wayne Rooney has broken the record for the most goals scored for a single Premier league club.

His crucial volley against Liverpool,which was enough to seal all three points, saw him overtake Thierry Henry who had scored 175 goals for Arsenal. 

The England striker has now scored 176 goals for Manchester United in the Premier League.

Arsenal signs Mohamed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny has joined Arsenal FC

23-year old Egyptian midfielder, Mohamed Elneny has joined Arsenal from FC Basel.

The midfielder won three consecutive Swiss League titles and made over 90 league appearances in the three years he was with the Swiss giant. He began his senior career with El Mokawloon in the Egyptian premier league before moving to the Switzerland.

Elneny helped his country reach the quarter-finals of the 2012 London Olympics. Injuries in midfield meant that the London giants were short in midfield and with Tomas Rosicky, Flamini and Arteta all out of contract at the end of the season, Elneny can hope to play a big part in Arsenal’s long term future.

Roma consider deal for Arsenal defender

Mathieu Debuchy could be on his way out

Mathieu Debuchy could be subject to a bid from Roma according to Italian publication, Football Italia.

The French defender, who is now considered second choice following the emergence of Hector Bellerin, is seen as an ideal replacement for 34-year old Douglas Maicon.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted that he was not sure if Debuchy will remain at the club after the January transfer window. The French defender has grown frustrated with his lack of playing time and has previously said he may look to leave the club in order to boost his chances of playing at the European Championship later this year in France.

Mathieu Debuchy arrived from Newcastle United in July 2014 as a replacement for Bacary Sagna. His Arsenal career has however been plagued with series of injuries during the last 18 months.

Arsenal downs Manchester City

Arsenal defeated title rivals City to close the gap on league leaders Leicester City. Theo Walcott ‘s thunderous drive in the first half set Arsenal on their way before Olivier Giroud scored the decisive second just before half time.

City tried to get back into the game and were given hope when Yaya Toure scored a sumptuous goal with Petr Cech rooted to the spot. The visitors made three attacking substitution in the second half bringing on Raheem Sterling, Wilfred Bony and Jesus Navas in an attempt to overturn the deficit.

Arsenal held on in the end closing the gap to two points at the top and creating a significant gap over Man City. Petr Cech, however, will have to wait a little longer before overtaking David James with the highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League. 

Photo Credit: Arsenal