Caution will not win us the title

In previous seasons, a draw at the Emirates will be seen as a good result and a valuable point earned. In this season's context, however, it's more like 2 valuable points dropped especially after the Gunners were reduced to 9 men momentarily. While Fabregas was being treated for a knee ligament injury and Adebayor sent off for a second yellow card offence, we were playing against a 9 men team for a while. With only one striker upfront, the Gunners were there for the taking. Instead of attacking, we slowed the game down considerably and were contented with passing the ball around in our own half. As a result, the game became scrappy and our momentum going forward was lost.

While I understand that a point will virtually end the Gunners title hopes, we could have very well capitalised on the situation and gone for the win. Instead, Reira was subsituted with Babel, Keane was taken out for Nabil El'Zhar and finally David N'gog for Lucas. As far as I am concerned, the substitutions were overly cautious for a team sitting merely one point above second-placed Chelsea. Lucas should have been substituted earlier in the game. He was losing possession easily and was ineffective in his role. I cannot understand Rafa's intentions as far as the substitutions were concerned. Wouldn't it be a sensible decision to play a 3 men defence at the back especially when the Gunners deployed a lone-striker upfront? Insua should have been taken off and Babel playing as a striker behind Keane and Kyut. Benayoun should have replaced Lucas on the right flank and Kyut moved upfront into a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2 formation. With Alonso protecting the 3-men backline, Gerard can still maintain his position in the hole and push the attack from midfield. Benayoun could exploit Clichy's injury on the right flank with his surging runs. We will have Babel, Keane and Kyut in attack trying to score that winning goal.

I said before that while caution will not necessarily cost a team the title, it will not win us any either. Every single point counts. It is a blessing that Chelsea has continued to struggle so far. They could have easily taken over the lead this morning at Goodison Park. With Man United winning the World Club championships, they will return with renewed confidence. I agree that we have been playing our best football in recent years but to win our 19th league title, we need to be more ruthless and adventurous in front of goal. Our inability to kill teams off may return to haunt us in May.

Let's hope we will not have to face a heart-stopping second half of the season.