Arsenalist

I can’t believe we didn’t win that…is the last week going to be a microcosm of our season?

A 92nd minute equaliser that truly upset the Champions League football odds in midweek and two points thrown away on Sunday; what should have been two wins has turned into two irritating draws.

The West Ham game is perhaps the most frustrating as, given results elsewhere, it was a great chance for us to jump up a few places in what is rapidly becoming a very tight and competitive top six.

It looked set to be one of our most comfortable away games of the season (the Everton game apart!) when van Persie capitalised on a Rob Green (England’s number one???) mistake and Gallas then converted van Persie’s corner; the three points were all but there.

But basic defensive mistakes let West Ham back in.

I’m no goalkeeping coach I admit, but even I know that if you can’t keep hold of a shot you push the ball away from the six yard box. Sadly for young Vito Mannone, who has impressed in recent weeks, he parried the ball invitingly into the six yard box and gave Cole a chance even he couldn’t miss.

It is amazing how a goal changes games, from being comfortable all of a sudden we were jumpy, the crowd were lifted and we started making mistakes that did not fit with the previous 70 minutes.

Was it a penalty? Cole went down very easily – can you imagine if Cesc or Eduardo had fallen down like that?

But in truth Song should never have stuck a foot in. Cole was surrounded and had his back to goal; the trip was a gift he was never going to turn down.

A point off the top with a game in hand would have done nicely but, frustratingly, we are two points further back. The very best teams know how to kill sides off and I’m sure Wenger and his players know that.

Whether it was inexperience or cockiness I don’t know, but it seems a safe Premier League bet that they can’t afford to switch off like that next week, where you know who lie in wait.