Craven Cottage is not an easy place to visit, especially for Arsenal for the past few seasons. Despite getting the required results most of the time from there, it also witnesses heartbreaks when Arsenal fail to reach their level of football. Even though a rarity but Arsenal are also known to grind out results despite not reaching that level.
Last night was one such cases. Fulham 'in-your-face' attitude did not allow Arsenal to really settle down and the trip to South London could have been a disastrous one if not for the heroics of an Italian young goalkeeper, Vito Mannone.
The saves he pulled from the likes of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora were first class and it kept the hopes up for Arsenal who scored the winner when Robin van Persie's deft first touch enabled him to deliver a quick finish just before Mark Schwarzer could deny the Dutchman. It was skipper Cesc Fabregas's vision and delivery that opened up the stout home defence.
It is still very early to judge Mannone even though the signs are good. I am sure Arsene Wenger will revert to Manuel Almunia once the Spaniard recovers from his illness. But one thing for sure, the competition for the place between the sticks will heat up, though I hope it would not escalate to a 'Lehmanesque' proportion.
Andrei Arshavin had a quiet match though there were a few moments that could have turned the match in his favour. But it was good to see him coming back especially with the Champions League match against Olympiakos coming up on Wednesday morning.
The three points from Craven Cottage are sure sweet but Mannone certainly provided the icing on the cake for me.
Go Gooners!
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