After a couple of decent months, we managed to bring some much needed wins from the tight games in November, to put us top of an extremely even league. Things are not only golden, however, as we've managed to make a hash of a tight Champions League group.
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Chelsea 3 - 0 Arsenal
We begin our summary way back in September with a crushing defeat. We can't seem to get results against Chelsea or City and this game was no different. Wenger sent out a naive lineup with Cazorla and Ramsey in central midfield, and we were dominated from the start. This goes to show that we may still be lacking that key solid midfielder that can do the dirty work for us.
Arsenal 3 - 3 Man City
We were comfortably 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go here. And then Sakho managed to get sent off, and it all fell apart. At 3-1 up in the 60th minute, Wenger used up all his subs too, bringing on the likes of Cazorla, when all we needed was to make sure to tighten up. We conceded in the 84th and 86th minute, to lose 2 points. City scoring 3 goals from their only 3 shots on target, as Ter Stegen had a shocker. This may very well come back to haunt us in May. It was pleasing to see both Sturridge and Aboubakar getting on the scoresheet, as well as Ramsey adding another goal.
Arsenal 3 - 2 West Brom
Another game that was made too close for comfort. A double from Sturridge and an early Sanchez goal should have made the game safe, but we let West Brom back into the game after goals from wonderkid Gimenez and one of the signings of the season last year, Gomis. We held firm at the end, after a key performance from Ter Stegen, and got all 3 points.
Arsenal 3 - 1 West Ham
We started October with yet another home game, comfortably beating our London (and family) rivals West Ham. Yet another Sturridge goal, as well as contributions from Aboubakar and Özil gave us a 3-0 lead, and a late goal from big Andy Carroll was only a consolation. Frustrating that we can't seem to keep a clean sheet despite investing heavily in defence this year.
Sunderland 2 - 2 Arsenal
One of our most trusted transfer partners is becoming somewhat of a bogey team for us. We always struggle at the Stadium of Light, and gave away another 2 points here. With 30 minutes to go, goals from Sanchez and Ramsey had put us 2-1 up, and Jonathan Silva's second yellow, meant we were facing 10 men. We still couldn't hold on, however, as Jenkinson was the one to come back to haunt us this time, scoring his second ever senior goal.
Arsenal 2 - 0 Liverpool
We finally kept a clean sheet! Szczesny was back in goal for this one, and had a good game to deny a wasteful Giroud. When a former Gunner couldn't do the business for Liverpool, a former Red did the job for Arsenal. Two quick Sterling goals gave us a solid win, against a Liverpool side that look stronger than last year.
Stoke 1 - 1 Arsenal
In true Arsenal-fashion, we struggled at the Britannia. Özil gave us a second-half lead, but loanee James Wilson equalized 13 minutes from time to make it a draw. Fair play to Stoke who created the most chances, and deserved at least a draw. For once, I can't say I'm too disappointed, despite Stoke having a tough season.
Arsenal 3 - 1 Crystal Palace
3-1 seems to be our standard result against mid-table sides at home. This was, however, a bit tighter than the result may show. We got a rare penalty early on, and Bainsey made no mistake to score what is surprisingly his first goal for the club. Unsettled Ukrainian winger Konoplyanka looked like he had secured the win when he scored 13 minutes from time, but as has become the case for the last couple of seasons, our old players always score against us. This was no different, as Arsenal "legend" Yaya Sanogo scored his first goal for Palace only 2 minutes after Konoplyanka's goal. Sanchez made sure of the win with a goal 1 minute from time, and we picked up our first 3 points of November.
Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal
Despite a lot of decent results, during these months, it's strange to feel that this might be the one I'm most pleased with. I feel what we lack as a squad is to be able to grind out those tight 1-0 wins from the even matches. To be gritty and cynical when it's needed is generally considered un-Wengeresque, but this performance was just that. A MoM performance from Marquinhos, and a Özil goal made it 6 out of 6 points in November.
Arsenal 2 - 0 Man Utd
Two clean sheets in a row! What is happening?!? We were solid at the back once again, restricting free-scoring Man Utd to only 3 shots on target. And when Sanchez was on form, scoring a brace, as well as November's BPL Player of the Month Leighton Baines having a great game, winning MoM, there was no stopping us in this game. I have to finally give some credit to Arsene after this game. Learning from the City Game, he made 3 changes as we went 2-0 up, bringing on left back Gaya to play left winger, and bringing on McCarthy to sure up the midfield, to secure the 3 points.
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Arsenal 1 - 2 Monaco
We kicked off our CL campaign in shocking style, giving away the points at home to Monaco. We had the most shots, better chances, and had control of the game, but Monaco took their chances and gave us a tough start.
PSV 0 - 3 Arsenal
Hendrix managed to get himself sent off in the 1st minute for PSV, and gave us an easy game. A brace from Sturridge, and a Sterling goal gave us a solid win, as PSV played the last 40 minutes with 9 men. Now to build on this!
Arsenal 1 - 0 Dortmund
Vincent Aboubakar may well save our whole group stage with his goal here. We left it late, but taking the lead 15 minutes from time was enough to put us ahead of Dortmund, and fighting for top spot in our group.
Dortmund 1 - 0 Arsenal
Payback is a b*tch! Hot-head Sakho got himself sent off after 9 minutes here, and we couldn't find a way back after an early Immobile goal. So much for top spot in the group, now we've got to focus on going through.
Monaco 2 - 1 Arsenal
And we've made going through anything but straight forward. Monaco seem to have our number, as yet again they got the result in a very even game. We should have had at least 2 points from these two games, but end up with 0. Still, a win against PSV at home in our final game will secure qualification, albeit as second placed in our group. If things stay as they are, that means we will face Bayern, Shakhtar, Barcelona, Villareal, Real Madrid or Genoa in the knockout stage. We have to be prepared for a very tough draw
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Leicester 2 - 2 Arsenal
(3-5 after penalties)
Despite playing a strong 11 here, we struggled to hold on after going 2-0 up. A Leicester side that have had a brilliant start to the season, came back after goals from forward duo Long & Ulloa. In the end, Ter Stegen saved 3 penalties, as our own player, Bellerin, was the only one to score for Leicester.
Aston Villa 1 - 3 Arsenal
For once, we were lucky here. 3 goals from 4 shots on target. We were 2-0 up after 9 minutes, thanks to a brace from Sanchez. 6 minutes later, Villa were back in the game, but also down to 10 men. A Pelle penalty was swiftly followed by a red card to Joe Bennett. Aboubakar scoring his 2nd cup goal in his 2nd game gave us the win, and sets us up for a quarter final meeting with Reading, where we have to play away from home yet again.
(and still unbeaten 
)
