Stalemate at the Emirates as Wenger rues late misses

ARSENAL 0 CHELSEA 0
By Ricky Butler at the Emirates



Olivier Giroud missed late chances to give Arsenal victory last night

IT WAS a case of Bah Humbug for Arsene Wenger last night as he was once again unable to get one over on old foe Jose Mourinho.

In a game of precious few chances, Frank Lampard hit the bar for Chelsea in the first half while Olivier Giroud missed two late chances for the Gunners which would have seen them top the table at Christmas.

But Wenger was left frustrated after his side were denied a first half penalty when Theo Walcott was clipped in the area by Willian.

He said: "It was a penalty, 100%. I have regrets because I felt on points we should have won this game. The game was locked tactically by Chelsea.

"We were a bit edgy at the start because of our last result and it took us a while to get going. We were maybe less fluent than we can be. We played maybe with the handbrake because we knew we had not to lose this game."

But in truth neither side really did enough to earn three points where fear of losing became more important than winning.

In wet and windy conditions it took over half an hour for an opportunity to be created. Eden Hazard's lovely ball over the top of the Arsenal defence was met with a sweet volley from Lampard but the ball crashed out from the underside of the crossbar.

Then came the controversy. Jon Obi Mikel was late and over the top on Mikel Arteta on half way but referee Mike Dean allowed play to go on, and after Mesut Ozil had fed Theo Walcot inside the area, Willian clipped the England winger.

Dean again angered the home crowd by waving away their appeals for a penalty and a disappointing half drew to a close with a poor effort from Willian on the counter attack.

The second half promised better but failed to deliver. The game become a war of attrition with Ozil and Branislav Ivanovic squaring up at one point and that summed up the evening.

But Wenger's side could have nicked all three points in the closing stages. Tomas Rosicky, in for the suspended Jack Wilshere, fed Aaron Ramsey who's lovely ball fell perfectly to the left foot of Giroud. But with only Petr Cech to beat the Frenchman lashed his shot wide of the near post.

Then with less than five minutes remaining, Rosicky combined with Kieran Gibbs down the left and this time Giroud was denied by the knee of the Chelsea goalkeeper from inside the six-yard box.

Mourinho made his intentions clear by replacing Fernando Torres with defender David Luis in the closing stages and what they had they held.

"It was a game where both want to win," said the Chelsea boss. "But it was a game where both teams don't want to lose.

"For us it was more important not to lose. If we lose we go to five points behind the leader and with this result we keep two points distance.

"We controlled the game with a very good defensive concentration and stability. OK, we don't go to Christmas as leaders, but we go with evolution because last season the championship was already lost by this point. Now, we are there."

In terms of the title race, this draw means that just two points now separate the top five.

Mourinho said: "It is a unique situation, an unbelievable championship because we are all there. Manchester United and Tottenham are not in this top four but they should be."

Wenger, meanwhile, said: "It is very interesting. It will be very tight. It will come down to the team who is most consistent. For everyone who follows the Premier League it is interesting."

Unlike this game.

Arsenal are next in action on Boxing Day away at West Ham while Chelsea face Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosicky, Ozil, Giroud.

CHELSEA - Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpiliquerta, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Willian (Oscar, 77), Hazard (Schurrle, 73), Torres (David Luiz 87).

REFEREE - M. Dean

ATTENDANCE: 60,039

Nigel Winterburn - Mr Consistency

ARSENAL have had  a rich history of great left backs. From Eddie Hapgood in the 1930s right through to Ashley Cole in the early part of the 21st century, it has been the one position where the club has always been blessed.

Bob McNab was a double winner in 1971, Sammy Nelson won the FA Cup in 1979, Kenny Sansom captained the side to the League Cup victory in 1987. Cole, of course, has won the lot. However, the best of them all was probably a fuzzy-haired Brummy who was a late starter in league football.

 

Nigel Winterburn joined Arsenal from Wimbledon in the summer of 1987 at the age of 24. He had helped the Dons rise from Division Three (League One these days) to Division One in his four seasons at Plough Lane.

He had spent the early part of his career not getting a game at either Birmingham City or Oxford United but it was under Dave Bassett at Wimbledon that he began to build a reputation as a combative left back.

Perhaps not as technically gifted as others, Winterburn was instead a grafter who never gave less than 100%. So much so in fact, that he was voted fans player of the year in each of his four seasons at Plough Lane.

His early time at Highbury was not exactly a success. He spent six months in the reserves as under-study to the great Kenny Sansom and when he did finally get a chance in the first team, in December 1987, it was in an unfamiliar right back position.

It was in this position that he was involved in two incidents which put him in the spotlight in the early part of 1988. The first was in February in an FA Cup 5th round tie against Manchester United at Highbury. After missing the last minute penalty that sent Arsenal through 2-1, United's Brian McClair was openly mocked by Winterburn in front of the North Bank.

To this day it is unclear why he did it or what was said, but it clearly made a lasting impression on McClair and no doubt was behind the Scotsman landing several kicks in Winterburn's back during the now infamous brawl of Old Trafford two and a half years later. Perhaps this is where he earned the nickname 'Nutty Nige.'

It was another missed penalty, in April 1988, that would lead Winterburn to want to kick himself. After a series of missed spot kicks throughout the season, Arsenal had nominated Winterburn as the new penalty taker in early 1988 but they were not awarded another kick until the latter stages of the League Cup final at Wembley against Luton Town.

Leading 2-1 at the time, Winterburn knew if he scored the cup would be Arsenal's for a second year in a row, but his well struck penalty was saved by goalkeeper Andy Dibble and Luton came back to win 3-2.

However, Winterburn was build of stronger stuff and he came back better than ever. After Sansom left for Newcastle in the summer of 1988, he became the first choice left back for the start of the 1988-89 season. It was a position he would keep for the next 12 years.

As part of the famous back four alongside Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Lee Dixon, Winterburn would win 3 league titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 League Cup and 1 European Cup Winners Cup with the club. And he never let his performance levels drop.

In all he played nearly 600 times for the club, 4th in the all-time list behind David O'Leary, Adams and Dixon. The only surprise was that he won just 2 England caps, often below the likes of Tony Dorigo and Graeme Le Saux in the pecking order as under-study to Stuart Pearce.

But he was one of the first names on the team sheet at Highbury, firstly under George Graham and then Arsene Wenger. There was a brief period during the Bruce Rioch season in 1995-96 when Winterburn felt his days at Arsenal might be numbered, but the arrival of Wenger in 1996 gave his career a new lease of life.

Coming up to 33, many felt Winterburn's time at the club was coming to a end but he would be a regular in the side for the next three and a half years and helped the club to the Double in 1998.

That proved to be his last trophy success with Arsenal. By early 2000 he had lost his place to Brazilian Silvinho and at the end of the 1999-2000 season he left Highbury for West Ham.

Winterburn would play on for another two and half seasons at Upton Park before retiring in February 2003 with over 850 career appearances to his credit.

When  looking for role models, young footballers these days probably turn their attentions to Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi but they would do well to follow the example set by Winterburn.

Lacking the natural gifts of others, Winterburn showed that there is no substitute for hard work and application, and a look through his medal collection shows just what can be achieved.

I was a regular at Highbury throughout the 1990s and it was great time to follow the club. We saw some truly great players such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira. But one of my favourites would have to be Mr Consistency.

He gave us so many great memories. The crunching tackles, the unusual puffed-out-cheeks running style and some spectacular goals. The right-footed effort against Wimbledon as we closed in on the 1989 title will never be forgotten. And what about the winner at Chelsea in 1997?

It was easy to take Winterburn for granted. He was just always there. He rarely had an outstanding game - I cannot remember him getting man of the match award for example - but he never had a poor game either. He was a 7 out 10 every week without fail.

I may be biased as I grew up watching him, but if I had to select my favourite English player of all time it would probably be the fuzzy-haired Brummie.

Nutty Nige, I salute you.

Renaissance man Bendtner tames the Tigers

ARSENAL 2 HULL CITY 0
By Ricky Butler at The Emirates


GOALS at the start of each half from renaissance man Nicklas Bendtner and Mesut Ozil at the Emirates last night saw Arsenal maintain their four point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

There had been groans of discontent before kick off when the Danish striker's name was announced in the line up - his first Premier League start for the club since March 2011 - but he wasted no time in making his mark, heading home a delicious cross from Carl Jenkinson after just 90 seconds.

"It was a fantastic feeling," said a delighted Bendtner on the goal. "I think my celebration was a show of that."

That set up Wenger's side for a comfortable night against Steve Bruce's newly promoted Tigers, who had beaten Liverpool at the weekend, and the Gunners should have been out of sight before the break.

Hull, who became first team to come from behind to win at the Emirates back in 2008, rarely threatened a repeat and the only surprise was that it was still only 1-0 as the sides went off at half time.

Aaron Ramsey looked determined to add to his 13 goals this season with several efforts, one of which brought a terrific save from Hull goalkeeper Alan McGregor, while Laurent Koscielny, Ozil and Bendtner all came close.

But any nerves were eased within two minutes of the restart. Nacho Monreal, another making his first Premier League start of the season, just managed to keep the ball in down the left and Ramsey fed Ozil with a delightful pass which the little German stroked past McGregor with the minimum of fuss.

Wenger had made five changes to the side which had won at Cardiff on Saturday. As well as Bendtner - in for the rested Olivier Giroud - and Monreal, Jenkinson replaced the injured Bacary Sagna at right back, while in midfield Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini came in for Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta.

Despite the changes, however, Arsenal got off to the perfect start. A lovely interchange of passes down the right between Ramsey and Rosicky released Jenkinson and the full back's cross was powerfully dispatched by the head of the returning Dane.

"It's been difficult for the players who have not been in the team because we have had such great form," said Bendtner. "But everyone who comes in just takes it in his stride and goes with it."

After the second goal, another well worked move finished off in style from record signing Ozil, Arsenal could relax. Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Bendtner could all have added to the scoring but the clean sheet was the most pleasing aspect for Wenger, the fourth in a row and a seventh in the last nine matches.

"This is the basis, the foundation of the team," said the Arsenal boss. "You know once you are 1-0 up you can rely on the defence. That gives you the confidence to relax and go forward."

Speaking of the defensive improvement this season, Wenger said: "I believe individually the players have improved and collectively they have improved as they know each other much better. The confidence and the results help as well.

"We were serious tonight, had great technical quality and our combinations were fantastic. The only regret you have is that maybe we were not clinical enough in front of goal."

With many critics believing Arsenal do not have enough strength in depth to win the title, Wenger was able to bring on Wilshere, Arteta and Theo Walcott in the closing stages and still has Lukas Podoloski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back from injury.

"It is difficult to leave players out who deserve to play but the attitude and togetherness of the squad is great," said the Frenchman.

With another big week ahead - Everton visiting the Emirates on Sunday before trips to Napoli and Manchester City - Wenger will need all the players at his disposal.

"Yes, we have a massive week ahead but I am confident we will do well. We will take it step by step and focus on Everton first then see what we can do in Naples."

ARSENAL - Szczesny 7, Jenkinson 7, Mertersacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Flamini 8, Ramsey 7 (Arteta 80 7), Cazorla 7, Ozil 8, Rosicky 7 (Wilshere 73 7), BENDTNER 9 (Walcott 73 7).

HULL CITY - McGregor 8, Meyler 6, Chester 6, Bruce, 6, Elmohamedy 6, Huddlestone 5, Figueroa 7, Livermore 6, Brady 6 (Rosenior 58 6), Sagbo 5 (Nagy 73 6), Graham 5 (Boyd 58 5).

REFEREE - Andre Mariner 7.

ATTENDANCE: 60,017

Willington - The Redemption

SO it finished in a draw. I guess that was the way it was always meant to be. But football was the real winner on the day and that was the best result we could have hoped for.

It was quite simply a great game of football. Ironically, given the hype surrounding it, it was like a boxing match. Two teams standing toe-to-toe, trading blows, ultimately decided on a split points decision.

But it was not just on the pitch where credit was due. The Willington fans travelled south in great numbers to support their team and it led to one of the best atmospheres ever witnessed at a Northern League Division Two match.

The chants and banter between both sets of fans was terrific and it was all done in the best possible taste. No animosity at all and a friendly drink in the bar afterwards.

To be honest, I was not sure what to expect. I knew some Willington fans still looked on me as public enemy number one, and with very good reason, so I thought it best to keep a low profile.

I had a nice chat with the Willington secretary Geoff Siddle in the clubhouse before the match but I thought it best to keep a distance from the fans so as not to cause any unnecessary bad feeling.

To be fair most were fine. Yes, I did get the odd dirty look thrown in my direction, understandable really, but some came over to say hello and there was no hint of trouble.

The game itself certainly lived up to all the pre-match hype. It looked like being a long day for me when the visitors scored first after just 16 minutes but it was an open game as expected so it was clear that would not be the only goal.

It developed into an absorbing contest, the type you cannot take your eyes off for a second. It seemed something was always happening. And Town scored twice before the break to make that half time cuppa taste a little bit sweeter.

The second half was just as exciting and the atmosphere, which had been bubbling all afternoon, reached a crescendo when Willington scored twice in a minute midway through the half. They couldn't beat us again, could they?

For a long period it looked as though they would. But Town are nothing if not resilient and there are few better feelings in football than a last minute equaliser. It was not a goal of any real beauty; forced home from a yard by the shoulder of Kokesy - redemption after his red card at their place in the cup - but the celebrations were certainly of supermodel proportions.

We could even have nicked it at the death too but I think the draw was probably the only fitting result on the day. Both sets of fans deserved to have something to cheer about at the end.

I have to say I was very dismissive of the Willington team after that FA Vase meeting in September. I thought they were a poor side that day and was upset that we had managed to lose to them, even with 9 men. But what a turn around. Despite having pretty much the same group of players they looked a completely different side.

In David (or is it Adam?) Pinkney and Corey Nicholson they had two of the outstanding performers on the day. In fact young Nicholson is the best right back that I have seen this season, our own Banksy apart of course.

Then you have the Willington fans. They are a passionate bunch. They want their team to win and we can all relate to that. But I let one idiot; not even a Willington fan as it turned out, cloud my judgement on the people and the place as a whole after our last meeting, and that was completely wrong.

It was during the second half, with Willington 3-2 ahead, that it really hit home to me. Their fans were cheering on their team and I saw exactly how much it meant to them. All they wanted was to see their boys win.

I took a few minutes for reflection. The sweeping comments I made were not fair. I wanted to approach the vocal section of the Willington fans and tell them personally but we had a game to win and I soon became far too absorbed in that.

Unfortunately I was unable to do so afterwards either. I am always busy immediately after a home game; phoning in the result to the league, recording a match report for BBC Radio York and doing the post-match interviews. So I am doing it now. Somehow it seems appropriate this way.

So a day I was both excited about and dreading at the same time turned out it to be one of the best days I have ever witnessed at football. Faith restored.

Of course there will always be some residents of Willington who will never forgive me. But I hope that this weekend has shown we are not that much different, them and I. We all love our team and want to see them win.

But on the day, football was the real winner. The Northern League is one big football community and I would like to think that the part of that community that was separated in the aftermath of my last blog piece has now been re-joined.

Perhaps a stronger bond between the clubs has been formed. I certainly hope so.

Last time I called Willington the land that time forgot but I am singing to a different tune this time. Redemption Song. Amen to that.

Unbeaten runs and Old Trafford - a match made in hell

ONE thing you can guarantee about being an Arsenal fan is that if you travel to Old Trafford with a long unbeaten record to defend you will inevitably lose. It has happened in 1987, 2004 and now in 2013.

Usually it is a controversial penalty or a harsh red card, the type of which only befalls an away side at Old Trafford. Often it has been the result of being bullied off the park. But this one had none of the above ingredients although the end result was still the same; an unfortunate defeat.

I stupidly believed that with Fergie no longer at the helm, the curse would be broken. But no. Apparently it goes much deeper than that. The virus which had swept through the squad, robbing us of the services of Mertesacker and Rosicky -  both outstanding in midweek in Dortmund - showed there was an even darker force at work.

My previous visit to Salford had been for the 8-2 in August 2011 so the exorcising of demons was the order of the day. And I was confident too. Our recent form coupled with United's shaky start under Moyes meant I felt we would never have a better chance of winning here.

Perhaps we deserved little from the first half performance; as poor as we have played all season. But let's get it right, United were no better. Szczesny did not have a save to make and the goal, when it arrived, was a simple set piece inevitably scored by van Persie.

I must have been the only one in the away end not too upset that Robin had scored. Right from the start I have never joined in with the 'She said no...' chants and I have never wished any ill on the man. I respected his decision to leave and his title medal certainly justifies it.

My pre-match wish had been to see us win, obviously, but also to see van Persie score. In fact just seeing him play again live - having missed both meetings last season - was a privilege. Whatever you think about him now the guy was an Arsenal legend and is still a world class footballer.

I was not too concerned at half time. I knew we would play better in the second half and so we did. Right from the start we showed the urgency so sadly lacking before and the game was played out almost entirely in their half.

But something was missing. Ozil was off the pace, Ramsey not firing. Giroud lacked support. Despite that, we still should have come away with something.

The introduction of Jack on the hour at last gave us someone willing to run at defenders and slowly the chances came. Ozil fired into the side netting while two quality deliveries from Sagna on the right should have brought the equaliser - Gibbs and Bendtner both unable to get anything on the ball inside the 6-yard box when any touch would have seen us level.

Inevitably they had one or two opportunities on the break; Rooney firing wide after doing well to create space on the edge of the box and Smalling completely missing a far post header, but again Szczesny was virtually unemployed (unusual for a Pole in Manchester).

So while not the result we were hoping for, this defeat at Old Trafford did not hurt nearly as much as most of the others. I left with a weird sense of pride at having seen us dominate a half of football here. Not even in the glory days of Vieira and Henry did we manage that.

Despite a tough week and a weakened squad due to illness we gave a good account of ourselves. On another day we might even have won. United mustered just 2 efforts at goal. I wonder when the last time that happened at Old Trafford.

A week or so ago many were predicting three defeats, so to have come out of it with 2 wins and a narrow defeat is a good effort. We have faced strikers of the quality of Suarez, Lewandoski, Rooney and van Persie and conceded just one goal; not bad for a side who cannot defend.

On top of that we need to remember that the international break will see some key players return from injury; Walcott, Podolski, Ox. Imagine if any of those had been fit to come off the bench yesterday?

So it is not a time to panic. We are still top of the league and look like staying there for the foreseeable future. It is never nice losing, especially against them, but did we honestly expect any other outcome? After all we never win here, especially on the back of a long unbeaten run.

Now we must hope that unlike in 1987 and 2004, defeat here does not lead to a collapse. I do not believe it will as we appear to have a strong inner belief about us now, but I guess only time will tell.

Ramsey on target again as Arsenal scale the Yellow Wall

BORUSSIA DORTMUND 0 ARSENAL 1
By Ricky Butler at Westfalenstadion


AARON RAMSEY'S second half header silenced the Yellow Wall as Arsenal secured a famous Champions League victory in Dortmund last night.

Having been beaten by Jurgen Klopp's side at the Emirates two weeks ago, the Gunners knew they needed a result at the Westfalenstadion to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16.

And cometh the hour, cometh the man as it was once again Ramsey who was in the right place at the right time to keep Arsenal on top of Group F.

To put this result into context, Dortmund had won all eight of their previous home matches in what has been their best ever start to a Bundesliga season. They certainly looked impressive in the victory in London a fortnight earlier but Wenger's men, it seemed, had learnt their lesson.

And it did not go unnoticed by Dortmund chief Klopp, who acknowledged the quality of Arsenal's performance. He said: "Yes, they could win it - as long as they don't play Bayern Munich. They are young, healthy and good technicians. They won a clever game."

The North-Londoners had set out to contain the Germans from the start. In fact so concerned were they with they with their defensive duties, Arsenal failed to muster a single shot on goal during the first half.

They rode their luck at times, too. Defender Neven Subotic fired an early chance wide from close range while Henrikh Mkhitaryan, scorer at the Emirates, ought to have repeated the trick when presented with an even better chance midway through the first half. But with only Wojciech Szczesny to beat, he missed the target from 18 yards.

The Dortmund pressure intensified at the start of the second period. The Arsenal goalkeeper dived full-length to keep out a Marco Rues header, while the same man then saw a close range effort ruled out for offside.

Arsenal started to believe it might just be their night when the Germans had a second goal ruled out by the assistant's flag soon after - this one from Marcel Schmelzer - and so it proved.

There were 61 minutes on the clock when Tomas Rosicky worked hard to push the ball out to Mesut Ozil on the right. The Gunners record signing, born just down the road in Gelsenkirchen, stood up a cross to the far post which Olivier Giroud nodded into the path of the late arriving Ramsey.

The Welshman, with 10 goals already this season, was not about to pass up such an opportunity and his diving header nestled into the bottom corner of the net to send the 3,300 travelling Gooners behind the goal into ecstasy.

Suddenly the shackles were off and Ramsey was denied a second by a sprawling save from Roman Weidenfeller before Per Metersacker, immaculate at the back once again, headed onto the roof of the net.

The inevitable late Dortmund surge failed to bring any reward, although they felt they should have had a penalty at the death when Robert Lewandowski threw himself theatrically to ground under challenge from Mertersacker as he attempted an acrobatic finish. But Arsenal deserved their slice of luck.

Wenger, understandably, was delighted. He said: "We had a united, focused performance, especially defensively.

"It was a question of being focused and intelligent, and to wait for the moment to create openings in their defence.

"We had a difficult period at start of second half, but after we scored I felt we could have scored a second goal and we were less under pressure," he added.

"Overall it's a huge win here. If you look at the results they have made at home in the Champions League, not many teams have achieved that.

"Dortmund are especially dangerous when you lose the ball, and to counter that, you need maturity. If you have a very young team tonight you would be overrun and lose that game by a very high score. We look more stable defensively."

"I have a lot of respect for Dortmund because they are a very good side. Unfortunately this group is a very strong group, and one of the big teams will have to pay a heavy price. I hope it will not be us."

Despite now having to win their last two matches to qualify, Klopp remained upbeat. He said: “It is a very strong group and the positive news is that two wins and we will qualify.

"We created much more today up front but they scored with their first chance of the match and we could not come back. This defeat could have been avoided. It's definitely going to get exciting from now on.”

Arsenal could book their place in the last 16 with victory over Marseille at the Emirates in three weeks time. Meanwhile, Dortmund host Napoli, who beat the French side 3-2 last night to join Arsenal on nine points, knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND - Weidenfeller, Großkreutz, Schmelzer, Bender (Hofmann - 75' ), Subotic, Papastathopoulos, Blaszczykowski (Aubameyang - 74' ), Sahin, Lewandowski, Mkhitaryan, Reus (Schieber - 86' ).

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Gibbs, Arteta, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Rosicky (Vermaelen - 91' ), Ramsey, Giroud (Bendtner - 90' ), Özil, Cazorla (Monreal - 75' ).

REFEREE -  B Kuipers (Neth). 

ATTENDANCE: 65,829.

Sharpening their Daggers

THE Dagenham & Redbridge revolution under Wayne Burnett has really started to gain momentum in recent weeks, writes Ricky Butler. The pub team from Essex, who only survived in the Football League at the end of last season on goal difference, currently sit just three points off the top of Sky Bet League Two after a run of only one defeat from 11 games.

Dagenham & Redbridge are once again defying the odds under the guidance of Wayne Burnett

It has been quite a transformation down at Victoria Road. Following the departure in February of legendary boss John Still things looked to have been on a downward spiral for the Daggers. A dreadful run of results under caretaker-manager Burnett, who had been a coach under Still, saw the club sink towards the relegation trap door and they only survived on the final day of the season thanks to Barnet's defeat at Northampton.

Still had transformed the club from Ryman League also-rans into League Two play off winners and his side was just one point away from League One survival in 2011. But that great team, which included such household names as goalkeeper Tony Roberts, defender Mark Arber, midfielders Romain Vincelot and Danny Green, and striker Paul Benson, soon broke up and it appeared that the Daggers 6-year stay in the Football League was about to come to an end with the departure of Still to Conference Premier side Luton earlier this year.

Burnett, 42, who had previously managed at Fisher Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet and Grays, was thrown in at the deep end and he very nearly drowned. Having looked all-but safe when Still left, the Daggers won only two of their final 14 matches and were dragged into the relegation dogfight which they only survived by default, having lost the final match of the season at home York City.

After keeping the club up, albeit by the narrowest of margins, Burnett, who appeared in the Sky TV drama Dream Team, was offered the job on a permanent basis over the summer and he slowly set about rebuilding the side. The arrival of former Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy gave the Daggers a sharper cutting edge but a run of only one win from their opening 6 matches appeared to justify their pre-season tag of relegation favourites.

However, Burnett's young side was boosted further by the arrival of ex-West Ham and Bradford forward Zavon Hines just before the end of the transfer window and suddenly they were transformed. But while it has been the goals of the front two - 12 to their credit so far - that has rightly caught the headlines it has been the defensive solidity that has seen them become so hard to beat.

Zavon Hines in action for the Daggers

Goalkeeper Chris Lewington has proved a worthy successor to Roberts while former Weymouth centre half Scott Doe has taken on the responsibility at the back alongside another new signing, Brian Saah, a local lad who joined from Torquay. Burnett has also managed to get more from midfield duo Luke Howell and ex-Arsenal trainee Abu Ogogo, while Medy Elito has revelled in the free role behind the strikers.

The team has a freshness about them. They are young, fast and hungry. The team spirit and work rate, so important under Still, have been reignited and a surprise play-off challenge now looks possible at Victoria Road. Burnett, however, is trying to keep things in perspective.

"I can’t praise my players enough," said the young Daggers boss. "Against all the odds they’ve done brilliant. Let’s not forget, we’re the bookies favourite to go down. I know they aren't always right and our budget isn’t up there with the big boys but the team are surpassing expectations and to be where we are is fantastic.

"We’ve got a long way to go, we’re not getting carried away; we haven’t done anything yet. I’ll be more interested to see where we are after Christmas, to see if we’re still in contention, but hopefully we will be."

Having beaten league leaders Rochdale 3-1 last Saturday, the Daggers are fast becoming the surprise package of the season. Many in Essex thought the club would never again reach the heights of the Still regime but perhaps under Burnett they can surpass that. The revival continues at Hartlepool this weekend.

This is how it feels to draw away at West Brom

OF course we should have known what to expect. The last 7 away games Emerson and I had been to had yielded just 4 Arsenal goals, although the great day up at Newcastle in May more than made up for that.

But we both believed this would be different. The good form of the team and the chance to see Mesut Ozil in the flesh for the first time meant we made the 170-mile journey down the A1, M18, M1, A42, M42, M6 and M5, full of optimism.

Emerson was going for an exciting 3-2 victory, I was thinking more 2-1. Either way we were both confident that we would see Arsenal score more once in an away game for the first time since a 3-0 victory up the road at Wolves back in March 2012.

The journey down was smooth and took around 2 and a half hours, which included a brief stop off at Tamworth. Parking near the ground was more of a problem. I refuse to pay £5 to park in a car park on land that does not even belong to the people asking for the money, so we searched for a side street instead.

West Bromwich, it appears, does has a large Asian population. In fact every house in every street we drove down was occupied by Asians and whatever you feel about multiculturalism, and I personally think it enriches our lives if managed in the correct way, this does make you feel a little uncomfortable.

Emerson tried to re-assured me by pointing out that Muslims (although there was nothing to say these were Muslims, I should point out) are against all crime so it would be safe to leave the car there as no one would break into it. Good thinking, son...So we found a place on one of the Asian estates and took our chances.

Say what you like about West Brom but the birds are quality

On the walk to the ground a lad on a bike rode past and said, 'Hope you thrash them Baggies today.' Clearly a Wolves fan! A sign, I thought.

Emerson likes to get in the ground and to his seat early, but I bumped into an old friend Rob in the concourse and stopped for a chat. Emerson was not having any of it and literally dragged me up to our seats, which were just to the right of the goal about halfway up. A good view.

The view from our seats

The atmosphere was building nicely now with Emerson particularly enjoying the new Ozil song, sung to the tune of This Is How It Feels by the Inspiral Carpets; 'How does it feel to be Tottenham, how does it feel to be small, you sold Bale and we signed Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil...'

Say what you like about WBA but the atmosphere in the stadium is great. The teams came out to some techno dance number which Emerson was jigging about to like he was at his school disco, and then the real action could began.

Arsenal was attacking the home end in the first half, always the best way I feel, and the majority of the play was in their half of the pitch. Although we had all the possession we rarely looked like opening them up and the only real chances we created was a shot from Gibbo which flew over the top, after an unreal pass from Ozil, and an effort from Rambo which was well saved by Boaz Myhill.

With half time approaching, Albion, who had looked sharp and well organised throughout, started to threaten and they took the lead three minutes before the break. Jenko's clearance from a corner only fell to Mulumbu who played it out wide to Amalifitardo and his cross was headed in at the near post by Yacob - his first goal for the club as the stadium announcer took great pleasure in informing us.



Emerson always enjoys his away days

Having not conceded first in any game this season, and not at all away from home since our last defeat on the road at Spurs in March, we were unsure how we would respond. The answer looked to be not very well judging by the opening period of the second half. Twice Anelka, who always scores against us, should have made it 2-0, and had he done so it would have been game over.

But we began to show the character that Wenger has often spoken about, although it was only after the introduction of Rosicky that we really began to look like getting back on level terms. Most around us were screaming for Jack to be taken off as he was not having his best game, but instead it was Rambo who made way, much to the indignation of the chap behind me who proceeded to call Wenger every name under the sun for leaving Jack on the pitch. He was not alone either.

But Wenger is paid £7m a year to make such decisions while the chap behind me is not. And within 4 minutes we could see why. Ozil started the move by tracking back and winning the ball on the edge of our penalty area (something of the Bergkamp's about him - not afraid to do the dirty work) before setting off on a run down the left.

He played the ball up to Giroud who cut inside and fed Rosicky on the edge of the area. His lay-off was perfect for the fast-arriving Jack who hit an instant left-footed shot into the corner of the net via a slight deflection off Olsson - only his second ever Premier League goal which the stadium announcer did not feel the need to inform us of. Cue delirium in the away end.

There are few better feelings in the world than seeing your team score at your end away from home, especially if that goal puts you in front or brings you level. Emerson is now getting tall enough to see most of the action and he really enjoyed this goal, jumping about and, oddly, slapping me on the head. Not that I minded of course.

When the celebrations had died down, I turned to the guy behind me and said, 'Perhaps that is why he kept him on...' He just nodded and grunted.

Now for the winner. But it did not arrive. Giroud came closest when Jack, now moved centrally and thus having more influence, picked him out with an Ozil-like ball and the big striker tried to round Myhill. However, the 'keeper managed to get his hand to the shot and kept it out.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams try and win it. Well when I say both teams, I actually mean Arsenal. WBA seemed content to waste time and hang on for the point, although in the end I think that was probably the most we deserved anyway. Credit to Albion though who look a good side and will take points off most of the top sides. And Man. United.

The highlight of the second half, apart from Jack's goal of course, was the news that Spurs were losing 3-0 at home to West Ham. 3-0 to West Ham. At home! Very funny of course, especially as it meant the draw was enough to take us back to the top, but hardly reason for some moron behind us to sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' for ten minutes. Some people really do take Spurs far too seriously.

So not the goal-fest Emerson and I were hoping for but the second half in particular was very enjoyable. Not many teams will come here and win so a draw was a decent result. And they always feel so much better when you have come from behind too. (ooh, Matron!)

There were a few muted chants of  'We are top of the league' as we made our way out of the stadium, but the overriding feeling seemed to be one of disappointment. I tried to cheer up the guy next to me who was looking like his cat had died. 'Cheer up mate, we can't win every game,' I said. 'We looked tired but got a point. I'd say that was a decent effort.'

He smiled but I am not sure he agreed. That is the trouble with a winning run, it raises expectations.

Emerson now just wanted his customary post-match McDonalds, and after an hour-long queue in the traffic to get back on the M5, we stopped off at Tamworth again before demolishing a box of 20 nuggets between us.

Overall it was a good day out and a decent match. Of course we were disappointed not to see us win or score more than once, but we are still top of the league and nothing can beat the rock songs Emerson insists on playing on the journey home.

We're half way there, screamed Jon Bon Jovi from the speakers as we headed off up the M42. Not quite half way perhaps, but it is an encouraging start nonetheless. Next up for us is a trip to Old Trafford in November where revenge for the 8-2 may well be on the cards. So it is bound to finish 0-0 then. But we wouldn't change it for anything.

Now where is my Inspiral Carpets CD.

Daggers pace too much for struggling Stanley

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Store First Stadium

SECOND half goals from speedy strikers Zavon Hines and Rhys Murphy gave in-form Dagenham and Redbridge victory at the league’s bottom side Accrington Stanley on Friday evening.

After a tight, goalless first half in which Stanley’s Peter Murphy had struck a post, the match came to life after the break as swift counter attacks saw Hines and Murphy put the visitors in control.

Stanley did pull a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when substitute James Gray followed up to score after a shot from Will Hatfield had been pushed out by Daggers goalkeeper Chris Lewington, but it was too little too late for James Beattie’s side, who still await their first win of the season.

The Daggers had started the season as favourites to go down, having only survived on goal difference at the end of the last campaign, but manager Wayne Burnett has assembled a side with enough pace and quality to suggest they could instead challenge for a place in the play-offs.

Arriving in Lancashire on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, the Daggers started brightly with Hines going close in the 8th minute after getting in behind the Stanley defence, but goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, on loan from Fulham, did well to deny him.

It is a different story for poor Stanley, however. James Beattie, in his first managerial role, has really been throw in at the deep end and was forced to name himself on the bench such is the lack of numbers in the home ranks.

However, his troops looked the more likely in the first half and they were nearly rewarded after quarter of an hour. Lee Naylor whipped in a corner from the right and Peter Murphy’s header beat Lewington but not the upright.

It was a poor back pass from defender Brian Saah that presented Stanley with an even better opportunity midway through the half. Kayodi Odejayi was quick to react and beat Lewington to the ball but it spun away at the vital moment and the Daggers were able to clear their lines.

But the turning point arrived six minutes into the second period. The home fans behind the goal thought Shay McCartan had headed their side in front from a Tom Aldred cross, but the ball landed in the side netting and within moments the Daggers had made the breakthrough.

A swift counter attack saw Rhys Murphy slip in Hines and the former Bradford City man coolly slotted past Bettinelli for his first goal for the Essex club.

You could almost see the confidence drain from Beattie’s side after that and it was no surprise when the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour. It was another counter attack at pace that caused the problems - Hines this time returning the favour for Murphy to make it 2-0.

Beattie made all three substitutions - bringing on James Caton for his home debut, Kai Naismith and Gray – and it gave his side some impetus in the closing stages, but it was the Daggers who created the better opportunities. Hines came close to a second - firing over after good work from debutant Chris Dickson - before substitute Medy Elito headed wide from close range.

Stanley did give their fans something to cheer in the first minute of stoppage time when Lewington failed to hold a long range effort from Hatfield and Gray followed up to score, but it was not enough to prevent the Daggers moving to within two points a play-off place.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Bettinelli; Hunt (Caton 58), Aldred, Atkinson, Naylor; Murphy, Joyce, Miller(Naismith 70) , Hatfield; McCartan (Gray 78); Odejayi.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE - Lewington; Wilkinson, Connors (Illesanmi 76), Saah, Hoyte; Bingham, Ogogo, Howell; Hines, Obafemi (Elito 78), Murphy (Dickson 86).

REFEREE – M. Russell

ATTENDANCE: 1,833

Ozil off the mark as Arsenal crush Italian league leaders

ARSENAL 2 NAPOLI 0

By Ricky Butler at Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL conducted their Champions League business early last night as goals in the opening quarter of an hour from Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud made the ‘Group of Death’ look that little bit easier.

This victory over the previously-unbeaten Italian leaders, which make no mistake about it could have been by a much greater margin, made it two out of two in Group F and should not be under-estimated. Arsene Wenger’s side showed a quality and maturity which suggests they can become real contenders this season.

And in Ozil they have a very special talent. The first goal since his record-breaking transfer from Real Madrid last month was a thing of beauty. Giroud and man-of-the-moment Aaron Ramsey combined elegantly down the right after just six minutes but the Welshman’s cross still needed some finishing, and finish it Ozil did – first time, left-footed from 20 yards – giving Pepe Reina no chance.

Not content with that, the little German then created the second for Giroud, eight minutes later. Ozil headed straight for the right by-line and the French striker, who had started the move, burst into the six-yard box to fire into the roof of Reina’s net.

At this stage Arsenal looked as good as anyone in Europe. Napoli, in a strange camouflage kit, was shell-shocked as Wenger’s side showed all their new-found confidence. There cannot be many better players anywhere in the world at the moment than Ramsey and Ozil, and they were at the heart of everything. Meanwhile, in Giroud, the Gunners have a real outlet.

In fact it was the Frenchman who was the star of this particular show. It seems hard to believe now just how much he struggled at times last season as these days he looks the perfect centre forward. Running the channels and holding the ball up, Giroud even took on the role of Ozil early in the second period with a powerful run down the right. It would have been the assist of the season too had the returning Tomas Rosicky managed to apply the finishing touch.

But it mattered little in the end. With the job done, Arsenal eased off after the break but was still able to keep the Italians at arms length with relative ease. They could even have added a third in the closing stages when Reina somehow kept a close range effort from Laurnet Koscielny.

It is Koscielny's central defensive partnership with Per Metesacker that has slowly developed into one of the best in Europe, while in front of them, Mathieu Flamini is providing the extra security which has seen the club concede just six goals in their 10-match winning run since the opening day defeat by Aston Villa.

It is not often that so many players all reach their peak at the same time. The last time it happened at Arsenal was in the Invinsible’s season 10 years ago, but this group are showing they could be worthy successors.

The balance is right throughout the side and when you take into account the quality of the players currently out injured – Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – thoughts that the squad is not strong enough are soon dismissed.

Concerns remain over what would happen should Giroud pick up an injury, but a revitalised Nicklas Bendtner could do a job, while Podolski is another option when he returns in the next few weeks.

Wenger even had the luxury of resting Jack Wilshere last night as Rosicky was back from a hamstring injury, picked up on international duty. The 32-year old Czech has struggled with injury over the years but is still an important player when fit. He adds a new dimension to their attacking play with his electric change of pace and dribbling ability.

So while Ramsey and Ozil are rightly picking up all the plaudits, the glass is most certainly overflowing for Wenger at the moment. So much so in fact that the ‘Group of Death’ might just become a walk in the park. The forthcoming head-to-head with last year’s finalists Borussia Dortmund may well tell us more.

"This group still looks very tight," said Wenger at the whistle. "The key game will be us against Dortmund here in the next game. But winning is a nice habit to have.

"I am delighted, of course. It was a very enjoyable game with a fantastic first half, played with a great pace and belief. The second half was a bit more cautious and we played not to make a mistake."

On Ozil, the Arsenal boss said: "We are lucky to have got him. He just enjoys to play football and you can see that on the pitch. He has integrated quickly. He came in at a time where we are doing well and that has made it easier.

Asked if Flamini could be as influential a signing as Ozil, Wenger said: "He gives a balance to team and qualities that are needed for sure.

"Look, we are here to win trophies but there is along way to go. We have a good basis, we have good potential but lets just focus on the next game."

Arsenal; a force to be reckoned with both domestically and in Europe. Who’d have thought it.