you've probably heard this before, i'll try to say it differently.

all i seem to be blogging about at the moment is arsenal, our inability to defend a lead and how its quite likely that this 'quality' of our game could rule us out of winning of the premier league.

last night, a three all draw at tottenham defined why we're not bookmakers favourites anymore. i've been told last night was a 'fantastic game' and for the neutrals, i'm sure it was. however, trying to enjoy a game where your team have let a two goal slip is rather difficult. the spurs defence is nothing to be feared but yet after half time, we did not test them enough. again though, it was our defensive frailties that made the headlines. if it happened once or twice, i could understand. but now its almost becoming a physiological barrier with arsenal. even with a two goal lead, we're still not comfortable and cant contain those nerves. hell, a four goal lead isnt enough sometimes: i struggle to think of another team who would throw away such an advantage at st james park.

at home to tottenham this season, we lost 3-2. going into the dressing room at half time we were 2-0. many other top teams would have come out after the interval and got an early goal and then easied to victory. why not arsenal? after every example of this, i have a debate with myself over why this is. i cannot come up with a definitive reason. when you come back from being a goal down, it is said to 'show spirit' so does conceding late goals constantly show a lack of said spirit? it is all well and good to come out with good quotations after games but its what happens on the pitch that really matters. only results will quieten your critics.

someone said on twitter the other day 'arsenal are to football, what south africa are to cricket: chokers' - sadly, i cannot argue with that too much at the moment.
since early february, we've won three premier league games. - wolves & stoke (h)and blackpool (a) too many stuttering draws and defensive cock ups, yet we're still in the title race. manchester united and chelsea have also both been poor this season but one difference with manchester united - theyre turning these 'stuttering draws' into wins. if they do end up being crowned champions: its not due to their outstanding play, its thanks to their rivals not applying the pressure - a crime arsenal are certainly guilty of. we can still win the league from this position but i can't help but feel that we've gifted manchester united too many opportunities. its been nice to be involved in a title race going down to the wire because over the last few seasons, we've really faded into air when the going got tough.

conventionally this is the time where i'd offer an optimistic message to the lads, i very much doubt another of those is needed. they know what they've got to do and all we can do now is concentrate on our games & pick up as many points as we can. you never know what can happen, manchester united could drop points. the beauty in the premier league is its 'predictably unpredictable'.