Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland: Vote for Player-Ratings/MotM!

After a stodgy, stultifying first half in which it looked like Arsenal were the relegated club happy to play out a rather-pointless match, the second half offered just enough of a glimmer of a hope that something could still be salvaged of the season. Just past the hour, Alexis struck twice to bring his tally to 112 goals in 143 appearances for the Arsenal. Credit Sunderland, long-since relegated, for their stubborn display. Our inability to break them down is a familiar story, and it took some rather relentless pressure to pick that lock. Still, it's a positive result, and one that keeps open the door on finishing in the top-four and earning a Champions League. More on that later. For now, let's give the lads what they deserve in the poll below the fold!

From AKB to WOB, something like scales fell from my eyes.

It's official. I'm now a card-carrying member of the WOB. After the disappointing draw at home against Crystal Palace, I've converted. For the second straight week, we've bottled it. All we had to do in each case was defend a lead against an inferior opponent, and we couldn't do that. At least against West Ham we could claim that we were away to a motivated opponent. This time through, well, there are few if any rationalisations. Palace didn't need this point and barely played like they wanted one. Still, we gifted it to them all the same, and we now teeter precariously. I've tiptoed along the line of supporting Arsène through thick and thin, but this is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Arsenal 1-1 Palace—Vote for Player Ratings/MotM!

A beautifully headed goal from Alexis Sánchez sent Arsenal into halftime with a 1-0 lead only to see Bolasie send a rabbit-chaser squirming through a thicket of defenders and past a surprised Petr Čech's outstretched fingers. Four minutes of stoppage-time only compounded the frustrated as, for the second straight week, we've dropped points from a winning position. The result leaves us level with Man City and five points behind Tottenham with just five matches left. This isn't a nail in the coffin, but it does look like we have really screwed up. We've got our work cut out for us, I'll say that much. Well, get down to the poll and rate the lads...

Open Letter to Crystal Palace: beggin' yer Pardew.

Let's face facts, shall we? You at Crystal Palace have done a job, and it's time to put it in neutral. No sense in exerting yourselves any further, now that you're assured a position in the Prem or another year. Villa's been relegated, and you're seven points clear of a squabble that will consume two of Newcastle, Sunderland, and Norwich. You're in the clear and have nothing to do but play out the season. We at Arsenal however are locked in a cataclysm of sorts. We're sandwiched between the Manchesters and can ill-afford any more dropped points.  What say you?

Time to put Pardew—and Palace—in their place...

We're into a tetchy, bum-clenching time of year when we have to anxiously assess not only our rivals' ambitions but those of the squads fighting relegation. So it is with Crystal Palace. Though they may look to be safe, they have to know that every point matters. Think of the time and energy you've put into figuring out how we might overtake Tottenham or hold off Man City. Parallel-universe calculations are coming out of Selhurst Park. Leave that to them, though. We know full-well that we have to smash them to keep alive our slender hopes of Champions League qualification, not to mention a St. Totteringham's Day.

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: Vote for Player Ratings/MotM!

Arsenal fielded a much-changed side, making nine changes from last weekend, and struggled at times with a spirited Burnley side. The return of Alexis brought a much-needed boost as the Chilean assisted Calum Chambers's goal to open the scoring, then delivered the second goal after a beautiful, free-flowing sequence reminiscent of Arsenal at its finest. It wasn't always impressive but it was enough to see us through to the FA Cup fifth round. We'll take a closer look at how the lads performed later; for now, get down to the poll to give 'em what they deserve!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the comedic stylings of Per Mertesacker...

It was just minutes after Gabriel had opened his Arsenal account, mere minutes after he had become the latest of three Arsenal defenders to score more Prem goals this season than Eden "better than Ronaldo" Hazard—joining Koscielny and Gibbs—that Per Mertesacker threatened to make it four. That's right—but for the bouncing of the ball, Arsenal could have conceivably fielded a back four consisting of defenders who have outscored last season's PFA Player of the Year. Sadly, it was not to be. Gabriel, perhaps hungry for his second, sent a glancing header towards the far post, leaving Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc flailing rather helplessly. The ball bounced once and headed to that far post. Enter, stage right, one Per Mertesacker!

Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth: Vote for Player Ratings/MotM!

Gabriel headed home his first Arsenal goal in the first half from Özil's corner-kick, to which Özil coolly delivered a goal of his own in the second (assisted by Giroud), and Arsenal eased past AFC Bournemouth and to the top of the table, at least for a few days pending the result of Mancester City's visit to King Power Stadium to visit Leicester. That one could be a barn-burner—I'm still of a mind to hope Leicester win there—but we can only take care of the squad in front of us. Thankfully, we're back to winning ways. Petr Čech gets his record-setting 170th clean sheet in the Prem, Özil has his 16th Prem assist, and Gabriel opens his account. Good times were had by all. Get down to the poll to rate the lads' efforts!