Sunderland, Tottenham, Braga, Wigan, Ipswich, Newcastle, Leyton Orient, Birmingham, Liverpool and Bolton. That's a big list and there's a connection linking all the teams. That similarity is Arsenal have conceded goals against all of these teams in the last 12 minutes. This lack of concentration has cost us 10 points in the league, a Carling Cup final, and embarrassing results against Braga, Ipswich and Leyton Orient. This is inexcusable to say the least. That list doesn't even include poor results such as West Brom home and away.
The warning signs were they from the start. In the Emirates Cup, the Gunners drew to AC Milan because of a Pato goal in the 77th minute and then nearly slipped up vs Celtic when Murphy and Ki scored within the last 18 minutes. Yet despite this no-one really took much notice and the Premier League campaign began.
I start with Sunderland away (Sept 18th). After Fabregas had put Arsenal ahead on 13, Arsenal were heading for a 5th straight win. Rosicky had the chance to make it 2-0 from the spot only to sky his shot. The clock was counting down, the game was nearly over. However in the fourth minute of added time Darren Bent snatched a point for the Black Cats. Disappointment number 1.
Two months later and Spurs visited the Emirates. By half time Arsenal were 2-0 up only to end up losing the game 3-2. Kaboul won the three points for Tottenham with a 85th minute winner.
2 days later Arsene Wengers team had the opportunity to qualify for the next round of the Champions League. Braga kept Arsenal at bay for 80 minutes then broke the fans hearts when Matheus scored goals on 83 and 90 minutes.
More late goals came when Arsenal played Wigan, then Ipswich in a two week period. Squillaci scored an own goal in the 81st minute against the Latics then Priskin amazed all of Ipswich when he slotted past Szczesny at Portman Road.
My next example is a very memorable one; Newcastle away. Leading 4-0 at half time, the 3 points looked wrapped up. Diaby then got sent off and Djourou was subbed after getting injured. The collapse had begun. Arsenal had conceded twice but with just 10 minutes left, most supporters wouldn't have predicted a 4 all draw. Barton scored a penalty on 83 then Tiote scored a fabulous equaliser on 87. Two points lost.
Then there was the cup displays against Leyton Orient and Birmingham. Jonathan Tehoue's 88th minute goal sent the game into a replay and we all know what happened at Wembley.
Finally and most recently there's Liverpool and Bolton. These two games have contributed to another frustrating season. Kuyt in the 102nd minute stopped Arsenal moving closer to United and a late Tamir Cohen goal put the final nail in Arsenal's coffin.
10 games, 10 very terrible games for Arsenal. Had the Gunners not conceded the 12 mentioned late goals, we could be in a very different situation. We could have lifted a trophy, avoided Barcelona in the Champions League and definitely be much closer to Man United. Instead it's another season without success. So surely the time is now to buy a centre back who will fight for 90 minutes and a commanding midfielder able to lead the team to happier times? Go back a few years and would previous teams had lost/drawn this amount of games because of a failure to hold on? This problem needs addressing and hopefully Wenger will eventually give into what most want. Maybe 2012 will be Arsenal's year.
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