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Chapter 91: Three Way Chase
🕑 Added 2025-07-12 15:35:07 +0000 UTCFebruary 28 – Fifth Round of the FA Cup
Arsenal maintained their strong run of form as they knocked Blackburn Rovers out of the FA Cup.
But the win didn’t come easily.
For the full 90 minutes, Arsenal were relentless in attack. Yet up against Blackburn’s rigid 5-4-1 low block, the Gunners found it nearly impossible to create real scoring chances inside the penalty area.
In the 70th minute, Podolski came off, and Wenger turned to Arshavin once again.
Arshavin’s burst of energy on the flank injected some life into Arsenal’s attack, but even he struggled to break through Blackburn’s deep defensive line.
Then, in stoppage time—90+1 minutes—Blackburn suddenly launched a counterattack that caught Arsenal off guard.
With the Rovers charging forward, Kai and Ramsey raced back at full speed, linking up with Jenkinson to shut down the break with a well-timed double-team on the wing.
Kai won the ball back and immediately launched a long pass forward to spark a counterattack of his own.
Martin Taylor (on Sky Sports):
“Wait a second... What a ball that is!”
Alan Smith:
“That’s outrageous. He’s gone direct from deep in his half!”
Kai’s pass sailed over everyone, dropping straight into the final third. Suarez leapt to flick it backwards—and the ball deflected perfectly into the path of the onrushing Arshavin, who didn’t hesitate.
Bang. Goal.
Stunned silence from the home crowd. Even Arsenal’s players were momentarily frozen.
Blackburn’s coaching staff were furious.
Martin Taylor:
“You can’t script that! One long pass, a header flick, and a perfect finish. That’s one in a million.”
Alan Smith (chuckling):
“Call it luck or call it magic—either way, Arsenal are through!”
The final score: 1–0 to Arsenal. They punched their ticket to the next round in dramatic fashion.
The result left Blackburn’s players understandably dejected.
A draw would’ve meant a replay at the Emirates—but Arsenal had other plans in the dying seconds.
...
Champions League, Round of 16 – Second Leg
Arsenal barely had time to celebrate before shifting focus to the second leg of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
After a hard-fought 1–1 draw at the Emirates, they travelled to the Allianz Arena to face a full-strength Bayern side.
Jupp Heynckes wasn’t interested in caution—he went all in with his best XI. The result? A 2–1 defeat for Arsenal on German soil.
Over two legs, the Gunners fell 2–3 on aggregate and bowed out in the Round of 16 once again.
Despite the scoreline, Arsenal didn’t go quietly. They played with intensity and purpose, even away from home, constantly looking for a way back into the tie.
But youth can only take you so far.
Still, Kai stood out.
He couldn’t completely shut down Robben, but he certainly made life extremely difficult for the Dutchman, and if it wasn't for the timely team help for Robben, Kai would have neutralised him. Facing Robben and Ribéry on either flank, with Mandžukić lurking up top, was a nightmare assignment for any player, let alone a teenager with only half a season of senior football under his belt.
Even so, his performance didn’t go unnoticed.
After the match, Bayern’s head coach, Heynckes, made a beeline for him.
Heynckes:
“Ever thought about playing in Germany? If you come, I’ll personally look after your development in Bayern, a team that wins.”
Kai blinked, unsure how to respond.
Before he could say a word, Wenger stepped in.
Wenger:
“He’s not interested.”
And with that, the manager ushered Kai down the tunnel without another word.
...
At the post-match press conference, Heynckes made headlines.
Heynckes:
“We’re not just chasing a title—we want more. A single championship isn’t enough for this Bayern side.”
It was a bold statement, and it instantly made Bayern the team to watch across Europe.
Last season, they’d come agonizingly close, only to lose the Champions League final to Chelsea. But now, with Heynckes at the helm and a stronger squad in place, Bayern looked ready for redemption.
Watching the 67-year-old Heynckes speak with such conviction, Wenger couldn’t help but feel a tinge of melancholy.
Once upon a time, he too had led an invincible Arsenal side deep into Europe. But the ultimate prize had always eluded him.
Back then, he believed Arsenal’s time would come again.
But nobody expected the years of setbacks that followed—the stumbles, the rebuilds, the pressure. It’s been seven long years.
Wenger lightly slapped his cheeks to shake off the nostalgia and focused forward.
Wenger (to himself):
“It’s not too late. We go again.”
Arsenal may have bowed out of the Champions League, but their supporters still have plenty to look forward to as the season enters its decisive stage.
Their spirits were lifted after the 28th round of the league, when Arsenal secured a convincing 3–1 win at White Hart Lane. Completing the league double over their North London rivals brought much-needed joy to the fans—and a little bit of revenge.
Compared to last season, this Arsenal side has made strides, showing real upward momentum in the Premier League.
Here’s how the table stands after 28 games:
1. Manchester United – 21W–2D–5L, 65 points
2. Manchester City – 17W–8D–3L, 59 points
3. Arsenal – 18W–5D–5L, 59 points
4. Tottenham – 15W–6D–7L, 51 points
5. Chelsea – 13W–7D–8L, 46 points
With 10 rounds left, the Manchester clubs still lead the way. But Arsenal’s charge in the second half of the season has seen them climb back into contention, turning a two-horse race into a thrilling three-way fight.
Tottenham remain competitive thanks largely to Bale’s superb form, despite losing their Croatian midfield linchpin in January. Chelsea, meanwhile, continues to stumble. Tensions between interim boss Benitez and the club have boiled over, and it’s widely expected he’ll be gone before long.
In Spain, Mourinho has also clashed with his employers at Real Madrid. According to reports, Chelsea’s owner even flew to Madrid to meet Mourinho personally, hoping to bring the Portuguese firebrand back to Stamford Bridge.
That move, of course, would all but seal Benitez’s departure.
Liverpool’s season has been equally disappointing. Since selling their Uruguayan star, their new signings have failed to impress, and Brendan Rodgers has come under fire. The former Swansea manager hasn’t delivered on his promises, and at one point even had Liverpool flirting with the relegation zone, much to the frustration of the Anfield faithful.
As it stands, the Premier League title race has shifted from a Manchester duel to a gripping three-way chase.
United, with Ferguson rumoured to be retiring at the end of the season, are charging towards the finish line as if on a farewell tour. City remains hungry to defend its crown. And Arsenal, bolstered by the return of key players from injury, are determined to end a seven-year wait for silverware.
The title is still within reach—and in this unpredictable Premier League season, nothing is decided until the very end.
Martin Taylor (on Sky Sports):
“This really could go down to the wire, Alan. You’d be brave to put money on just one of them at this stage.”
Alan Smith:
“Absolutely, Martin. United have the experience, City have the depth, but Arsenal… well, they’ve got their spark back. And with everyone fit, they’re more dangerous than people give them credit for.”
The 2012/2013 Premier League campaign is proving once again why it’s considered the most dramatic league in the world. Right now, the title race is wide open—and until the final whistle on the final day, no one can say who’ll lift the trophy.
