As an Arsenal fan with strong links to Rangers when my football interest goes north of the border, I knew all about Daniel Cousin.  The mercurial striker brought Rangers fans much frustration and I had a hunch that Fate would give me a neatly wrapped present.  Unlike some slightly naive sections of Arsenal fans, I was not expecting a walkover when Hull visited the Emirates.  Just like our good old man of steel Kolo Toure, I am more nervous about games against the likes of Hull than games against the rest of the Big Four.

When Arsenal come up against fellow members of the oligopolistic Big Four, Arsenal can perform.  The skill and quality of the opposing team and the knowledge that the Premier League is essentially between you four teams is enough to cause any one of the Big Four to raise it’s game.  When the likes Hull City come to visit, Arsenal are overwhelmingly expected to win.  Now despite claims that the Gunners were not complacent coming from the likes of William Gallas, it is a claim that I fail to believe for one second.  Whether it was realised or not by the team, Arsenal shut down.  The team went into stand-by mode, and as Arsene Wenger correctly stated, “Perhaps subconsciously we thought we would make it. After we went 1-0 up, we were a bit careless in not pushing on to score the second goal.”

It was this subconscious complacency that really killed us off.  While pushing for the elusive second goal, the team seemed to show Shootaphobia and had to take turn after turn before their subsequent shot was smothered by a ubiquitous Hull defence.  Then, came the bolt from the blue.  It was unfortunate that such a loss had to come in such spectacular fashion and Geovanni’s screamer had to come when Arsenal were pushing hard (and coming excruciatingly close) to a second.  The Brazilian’s strike was more than enough to steal any shred of momentum from Arsenal and give Hull more confidence than an egotistical teenager who’s just had his braces removed.  Cue our old friend the corner kick and Gallas’ perplexing nonchalance then game over.  And I do believe a certain wise man’s complaint was justified in the form of Arsenal missing a series of simple chances.

However there are reasons for some post-Hull optimism (demolition of Porto aside).  The reason that an Arsenal fan can use all too often to justify defeats is injuries, but the fact that reason is used very frequently as a semi-excuse is because of its reality.  Our big-money signing (don’t laugh), Samir Nasri, was still out, and the absence of our quasi-defensive midfielder Abou Diaby is beginning to become a lot more evident.

With the return of these players, the squad rotation that Arsenal so sorely need becomes possible.  Denilson, Diaby and Song can rotate the central midfield partnership alongside Cesc Fabregas.  Despite the chances of Gallas being dropped being microscopic, the defender is on his last warning and Johan Djourou must get his chance to usurp the lazy captain’s position, being 6ft 4in also helps his cause.  This squad depth that Arsenal do possess (when players are fit) is enough to maintain a successful system of squad rotation that must be at the forefront of Wenger’s mind following Saturday’s defeat.

The weekend’s humiliating defeat could not have come at a better time.  Although the team currently sits in fourth place on the table we are only two points off the lead and a point ahead of Man U (assuming they win their next Premier League match).  Considering we have lost twice in six games, it’s impressive that we are still in touch.  There is no doubt that we should have gone top at the weekend, but looking at the current pattern of Arsenal’s league games, things can only get better.  After defeat to Fulham, Arsenal upped their game and wracked up three consecutive and convincing wins in the Premier League.  The defeat to Hull is much worse than the Fulham loss and it breached the armoured fortress that was the Emirates, but this could work in the team’s favour.

The reaction to this defeat has to be bigger, better (Exhibit A: Porto match) and last much longer, before we leave another game with nothing to show for it.  As for apocalyptic cries that Arsenal are already out of the titles race, just look at last year’s champions.  Manchester United were beaten 5 times overall last season, only once by a member of the Big Four.  Chelsea, Bolton, West Ham and Man City (twice) all felled the champions yet still they marched on.  Losing to both Fulham and Hull, although infuriatingly frustrating, does not destine Arsenal to Premier League failure.  Losing to Hull is infinitely better than losing to a Big Four club, as it is them, not Hull, who we are competing with for the League title.

Adebayor and Van Persie are also yet to hit full power but have still racked up five goals a piece in the Premier and Champions League.  There is no doubt that the two front-men need to move up a gear and take more of their chances, but it can only bode well that they are still scoring without hitting their top performance plateaus.

However, these reasons shouldn’t be allowed to paper over prominent cracks in the team that still need to be addressed whether the team in winning 4-0 or losing 2-1.  Arsenal can consider themselves lucky that yet another goal this season wasn’t conceded from a corner kick, which Gael Clichy clearing off the line after some statuesque defending, from which Porto really should have taken the lead.  As well as making our defence on corners air-tight the team also has to provide a much more concise threat to the opponents goal when we are gifted corners.  Adebayor’s scruffy header against Porto was the first goal Arsenal have scored this season from a corner.  Overall this season, in the Premier League and Champions League group stage, Arsenal have had a monumental 69 corners, and scored only 1 goal from them.  That is simply not good enough.

The finishing from the team is still poor, regardless of the amount of goals we have been scoring recently and that is of paramount importance.  For me, it’s a matter of when, not if, the finishing efficiency returns and only then will my screaming at the likes of Adebayor and Van Persie cease.

At the end of the day, as the enlightened Emmanuel Adebayor said “losing to Hull is not like a crime.”  The defeat to Hull has provided the team with a much louder wake-up call than Craven Cottage did and with the return of Nasri and hopefully Diaby in the next few weeks, the depth is returning.  After the scintillatingly swift destruction of Porto in the Champions League, transferring that confidence and fluidity to the Premier League is priority No. 1.  I’m not sure about you, but I believe.

Arsenal took on Premier League newcomers Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on a sunny Saturday evening in north London.

14 goals in the Gunners’ last 4 games gave Arsene Wenger’s side something positive to build from and it looked set to continue with an easy-looking game against Phil Brown’s troops.

Hull were certainly no mugs coming into the game though, 8 points out of a possible 15 would normally be the mark of a ‘top four’ team, something that Arsenal had to be aware of.

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Fabregas – Denilson – Walcott
Adebayor – van Persie

Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Song, Silvestre, Djourou, Bendtner.

Hull Starting XI:

Myhill
McShane – Zayatte – Turner – Dawson
Marney – Boateng – Geovanni – Ashbee
Cousin – King

Subs: Duke, Hughes, Garcia, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan, Ricketts.

First Half

The first period started with some neat passing from both sides, Phil Brown earlier admitted he’d be delighted if his troops got anything from the late kick-off.

Both sides were feeling their way into the game in the late-summer conditions. Denilson was brought down by Andy Dawson on Hull left but Van Persie delivered a free-kick straight at Myhill. Minutes later, Fabregas struck a decent opportunity wide from 18 yards when put through on goal.

Arsene Wenger felt his side should have had an early penalty as Robin van Persie went down under Michael Turner’s challenge on the edge of the box.

A Cross from Sagna was headed in by Adebayor but referee Alan Wiley had spotted handball. In the next attack, Dawson committed a goal-saving tackle on Walcott who found himself 20 yards out. Arsenal started stepping up through the gears – only desperate City defending stopped the Gunners from taking the lead.

Tigers’ midfield were only just managing to stem the Arsenal’s attacking thrusts. A speculative shot from Geovanni was high and certainly not very handsome.

Former Manchester United defender Paul McShane went forward in a rare attack and won attacking throw-in. City started to settle and had a rare spell of possession.

Interplay between Walcott an Fabregas almost created an opening and it was Arsene Wenger’s troops who looked the more likely to score.

Arsenal tried to almost walk the ball into the net when the best opportunity of the half reached them. Emmanuel Eboue was given a sublime pass by Emmanuel Adebayor and instead of shooting tried to pass to Robin van Persie, but Hull managed to clear. A ridiculous piece of play from the Ivory Coast international.

It was the hosts who had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but City – often with their backs to the wall – had done enough to frustrate and shade the honours at the break.

Second Half

An early Boateng drive was deflected over in Tigers’ most threatening move of the match as the second half begun in full force.

Turner and Zayatte were outstanding in back four for City both defenders were cancelling out van Persie and Adebayor.

City were having the better of exchanges before Arsenal finally struck.

A thrilling run from Theo Walcott occured, the England wizard crafted a bit of lucky magic after Adebayor clipped the cross and McShane turned it in with Cesc Fabregas claiming the goal.

Goal: Paul McShane (50 – Own Goal) – Arsenal 1-0 Hull City

Adebayor almost made it two nil minutes after but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Turner. Arsenal turned the screw City started to lose some of that composure that earned them a goalless first half.

Theo Walcott laid the marker down for Hull’s defence and his pace found him in a threatening position. Arsenal’s attacking power started to expose City.

Hull regained some composure and started to pass the ball around well, Geovanni got the ball, moved in field and launched an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner – a massive blow.

Goal: Geovanni (61) – Arsenal 1-1 Hull City

The Brazilian’s strike was arguably the goal of the season so far and Daniel Cousin almost added another seconds after

Momentum was with Hull and they won a corner on the far side. Andy Dawson smashed it in the box and headed Cousin burst the net with a crisply taken header, William Gallas was caught on his heels.

Goal: Daniel Cousin (65) – Arsenal 1-2 Hull City

What a comeback by the Tigers. Don’t forget only West Ham have ever won at the Emirates in a Premier League game so this, if it happens, would be one of the great wins in the top flight by anyone, ever.

Walcott’s cross failed to find a head and the Gunners’ support started to get ncreasingly restless- and who could really blame them.

Marlon King ran in on goal and brought a save from Almunia as Arsenal otherwise engaged at the other end.

City tried to wind down the clock and were helped by an offside flag which used up a few more seconds. Four minutes of added time, the Gunners needed a goal.

All bodies in the way on every occasion Arsenal went forward. Dawson headed over and from resulting corner, Gallas struck the bar with a header.

A Cesc Fabregas drive brilliantly tipped over by Myhill and Toure strikes wide from resultant corner. Van Persie just over the top but it was City’s day and an unbelievable result.

Arsenal’s 60 game unbeaten home record and Arsene Wenger’s 12th anniversary at the club will now go largely unnoticed thanks to a magnificent display from Phil Brown’s resoloute Hull troops.

No Player Ratings for today’s game – a shocking display, all players below 4′s.

Arsenal’s reward for thrashing Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in the Carling Cup is a fourth round trip to Premier League tough-nuts Wigan Athletic.

The last time both teams met in the competition was in 2005 when a memorable injury time goal by Jason Roberts secured their place in the Carling Cup final.

Last season, Arsenal fought a scrappy contest to beat the Latics 2-0 at the Emirates thanks late goals from William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky. At the JJB, Arsene Wenger’s side forged a 0-0 draw mainly due to Wigan’s stern defensive display.

The ties will be played on either the Tuesday or Wednesday the 11th or 12th November

The full draw is as follows:

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Brighton & Hove Albion or Derby v Leeds United
Chelsea v Burnley
Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Rotherham United
Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
Swansea City v Watford
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

One has to wonder what goes on at shooting practice behind the sacred doors at London Colney.  Despite racking up a more than healthy number of goals in the club’s last handful of games, I have become more and more frustrated at the amount of simple chances that appear to evade the team all too easily.  Rather than winning 4-0, we could be winning 8-0 without breaking a sweat, and the psychological messages that those types of results send out are priceless.

Looking at the stats from each of Arsenal’s Premier League games will paint a picture of team who, I feel, are under-achieving in the shooting department.

Starting off with the first match against West Brom.  Sitting in the stands at the Emirates I could not contain my nervousness as Arsenal had failed to capitalise on any of their chances, bar the one in the 4th minute, and had therefore left the door ajar for West Brom to snatch a point.  During the match Arsenal had 18 shots on goal and could only manage to convert one.  At the start of the season a team is always going to be slighting lacking in terms of sharpness, but guilt-edged chances that were handed to Adebayor and Bendtner on that day did not go unnoticed.

Next up, the dark day at Craven Cottage.  Arsenal’s final shot tally came in at twelve in comparison to Fulham’s six.  If there was further evidence as to why Arsenal lost three points that day, look no further than the lack of edge possessed by the Gunners front-men.  Van Persie missed a simple opportunity, Adebayor hit the post when he should have headed home, it’s these moments that can shift the momentum of games, and it was clearly the case against Fulham.

Back to the Emirates and a polished performance dismissed a solid Newcastle side by 3 goals to nil.  A fantastic result, but fans were left to question, why wasn’t it more?  Over the 90 minutes Arsenal had 19 shots on goal with a majority of them (12) on target.  Step up, Emmanuel Adebayor, as once again you must receive your award for best chance missed for yet another match.  Gallas skied a tap in as well, but forgiveness for him is easier to find as he didn’t score 24 goals last season like a certain Togolese striker I’ve heard of.

Ewood Park, and yet another classy demolition of a well-organised and consistent team in Blackburn.  Adebayor atoned himself for his howlers in earlier Premier League games with a hat-trick, however, this time it was the passing decisions that cost us cheap and easy goals that were there for the taking.  Walcott, Adebayor and Eboue stormed away on the break from a corner, all Walcott had to do was pull it back to Eboue and it was a tap in.  Alas, Eboue was denied a rare Premier League goal by Walcott’s high and wide shot.  Another tap-in went begging a matter of minutes later, as Van Persie opted for beating Robinson at his near-post rather than cutting it back for the unmarked Adebayor on the edge of the six-yard box.  This apparent selfishness was even cottoned onto by Wenger, who stated “I am after my players to make the right decision and many times you see when a player shoots, someone could be in a better position. So I want my team to be capable of making the right decision without being greedy.?  Maybe it was a lapse in concentration that saw Kolo Toure choose to take the more appealing option of trying to karate kick the ball into the net, forgoing the easier and more efficient methods with included heading or the conventional kick.  Either way Toure somehow turned a glorious chance into yet another miss.  At the end of the day Arsenal had had 15 shots on goal.

This theory is also applicable to the team’s European outing on Thursday and yesterday’s victory at Bolton.  Both matches should have been over at half-time with Adebayor seemingly incapable of finding the net in both and the post becoming Bolton’s second best player on the pitch (Jasseklainan being the best).  Nails were bitten until the 87th minute when a slick Denilson goal injected a much needed dose of relief straight into Arsenal fans’ bloodstream.

But am I just being brutally harsh and unforgiving?  Should I just shut-up and settle for 4-0s and 3-0s like a Man United fan would?  The simple answer is no.  While I am more than pleased with the recent results that have provided more than enough eye candy in the form of goals, I want more.  Football is not just a physical sport, many of football’s greatest battles are fought in the mind, and mentally, Arsenal need to toughen up.  The way in which Arsenal can mentally rattle their fellow Big Four members may sound far too obvious but it is simple: take more of their chances.

It doesn’t sound like anything new, in fact even when I read it back it looks a little stupid, but it will make much more sense in due course.  If Arsenal could take just two more of there abundant chances their scores would read around 5-0 or 6-0 nearly every week.  Psychologically these two extra goals are massive, when the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United look across to Arsenal’s results they will see a monumental amount of goals the team is capable of scoring, and regularly too.  In turn, this will put far more pressure of the rest of the Big Four to score as much as Arsenal and win as easily.

But isn’t that the case now?  Partially.  The rest of the Big Four will no doubt recognise the threat posed by Arsenal this season, but they, like all of us, will also see the skip-load of chances that have passed the team by.  If these teams can construct a sturdy defensive performance, that they are all capable of doing, they could feel confident that Arsenal will not take any of their chances, the numbers of which will be reduced due to the rest of the Big Four’s defensive quality.  However, If Arsenal are more clinical with their finishing and score the majority of their opportunities, then the rest of the Big Four will be quaking in their boots, as they would know that any chance given to Arsenal is one that they would take.

It may sound both callous and greedy to ask for more goals from the Gunners considering that they have scored 11 in their last 3 Premier League games.  But as pundits and mangers alike repeatedly state, to win the Premier League you need that little bit extra.  Looking back to last season, if Arsenal had been more opportunistic at Old Trafford then the trophy may have been at the Emirates, and the same applies for the painful amount of games that the team drew.  When it comes to games that decide the winners and the runners-up Arsenal may be left to rue taking none of their usually guilt-edged chances.  Arsenal may be top of the table now (maybe not even that depending on when you are reading this) but in order to stay there, clear-cut chances like ones the team has missed in every Premier League game this season,  need to be taken with aplomb.