Arsenal’s title challenge is in tatters as the Gunners lost more ground on leaders Manchester United after being held to a 0-0 draw against Blackburn on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger’s side went into the Emirates Stadium clash knowing that anything less than a victory would not be good enough to maintain their push for the title.
The north Londoners would have been delighted to hear that West Ham were beating United 2-0 at half-time earlier on Saturday.
Photo: Reuters
However, United’s ability to respond to a crisis is in stark contrast to Arsenal’s mental lapses and the Premier League leaders came back to win 4-2, while Wenger’s men were unable to see off 10-man Blackburn despite Steven N’Zonzi’s late dismissal.
Arsenal are seven points behind United with one game in hand and the destiny of the title is now out of their hands.
It is an astonishing meltdown by an Arsenal side who just over a month ago went into the League Cup final against Birmingham with genuine hopes of winning a quadruple.
Photo: AFP
Instead, they lost to Birmingham and then crashed out of the Champions League to Barcelona and the FA Cup against United.
It has been a frustrating time for Wenger, whose wait for silverware has now reached six years.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was vocal in the English press on Saturday as he claimed his team would win the Premier League this season.
Walcott looked as good as his word too, as he started Saturday’s match at breakneck speed with some surging runs down the right.
His pace and delivery almost caused Ryan Nelsen to turn the ball into his own next inside the opening five minutes.
While Arsenal enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early exchanges, Martin Olsson had a half-chance to give Blackburn the lead, but under pressure from Sebastien Squillaci, he was unable to hit the target.
Rovers midfielder Brett Emerton then fired his free-kick wide after Laurent Koscielny made an unnecessary foul on David Hoilett on the edge of the box.
Arsenal quickly upped the pressure once again and Andrey Arshavin’s effort stung Paul Robinson’s palms.
Jack Wilshere squandered a great chance to put Arsenal in front when he fired wide from close-range after starting the sweeping move.
However, Arsenal’s problems have been in defense this season and in particular with their erratic goalkeepers.
Manuel Almunia has come in for fierce criticism in recent weeks and he did his battered reputation no good when he spilled Olsson’s speculative long-range effort
The Spanish goalkeeper them fumbled at Paul Robinson’s long free-kick into the box.
The second-half introduction of Cesc Fabregas as a 58th minute substitute failed to spark Arsenal as the hosts lacked the composure to break down Blackburn’s defense.
They were even given a helping hand when referee Phil Dowd sent off N’Zonzi with 14 minutes to go for a tackle on Koscielny.
In truth the decision looked hard on the Rovers midfielder. However, even with their extra man, Arsenal could not find a breakthrough as substitute Marouane Chamakh saw his late effort blocked.
Elsewhere on Saturday, third placed Chelsea saw their hopes of mounting a late title charge dashed as they were held 1-1 at Stoke.
Jon Walters fired Stoke ahead on eight minutes, surging past David Luiz near the halfway line, before unleashing a shot beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
However, Chelsea got back on level terms just after the half-hour mark, Didier Drogba powering in a diving header from a Nicolas Anelka cross.
Fifth-placed Spurs also missed the chance to ramp up the pressure on fourth-placed Manchester City after being held 0-0 at bottom club Wigan.
Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson revelled in a 2-1 victory over former club Liverpool at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies sealed victory in dramatic circumstances, skipper Chris Brunt scoring an 88th-minute penalty to put his team ahead — his second spot-kick of the match. Martin Skrtel had given Liverpool the lead on 50 minutes.
It was the first West Brom victory over Liverpool since 1981, but more importantly it put Hodgson’s side four points clear of the drop zone.
In a tumultuous match at Goodison Park, Everton grabbed a 2-2 draw courtesy of an 83rd-minute penalty from Leighton Baines.
Baines equalizer was a form of justice served after David Moyes’ side had a legitimate second-half goal from Jermaine Beckford ruled out.
Everton took the lead through Leon Osman on 38 minutes, before Darren Bent leveled just after halftime.
Beckford thought he had given Everton the lead midway through the second half when his shot crashed off the underside of the bar and appeared to have crossed the line.
However, the match officials disallowed the “goal” and as Everton rued their misfortune, Villa swept upfield to score through Bent.
Birmingham, meanwhile, eased their relegation fears with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bolton at St Andrew’s.
Birmingham took the lead after only four minutes, veteran striker Kevin Phillips lashing in after a corner from Sebastian Larsson. Craig Gardner made it 2-0 on 59 minutes, before Johan Elmander pulled a goal back for Bolton.
Wolves’ hopes of pulling clear of the relegation zone ended in a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle.
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