There’s always a ‘but’ with nervy Arsenal

CAN ARSENAL win the Premier League?

Mark Hughes does not think so and even Arsene Wenger is not sure.

On the evidence of this crucial victory, over a Fulham side struggling for points, it is easy to see why doubts remain. But for two superb goals from Samir Nasri that bookended this entertaining London derby, Arsenal could easily have fallen to their fourth home defeat of the season, which is hardly the mark of champions.

West Brom, Newcastle and Tottenham have already emerged from the Emirates Stadium with three points, having exploited Arsenal’s two biggest weaknesses – a fragile defence and a profligate attack.

The game against Fulham followed a similar pattern – Arsenal started like a steam train, and chance after chance went begging, before the visitors started putting pressure on the back four, who eventually crumbled and conceded a vital goal.

The difference on Saturday was that Nasri produced a second superb strike, in the 75th minute, to wrap up the points for Arsenal and send them top of the table.

Even Wenger conceded his team’s performance was not good for his nerves though. “It takes a few heart beats, but if you get the three points, it’s okay. It shows again that between the top of the league and the bottom half, you have to fight to win the games.”

It should have been a cakewalk once Nasri opened the scoring in the 15th minute, jinking between defenders before smashing the ball past Mark Schwarzer at close range. But Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song all missed chances before Diomansy Kamara equalised on the half-hour for Fulham. The visitors grew in confidence, started to take control and Kamara missed a sitter before Nasri rescued the Gunners with his 11th goal of the season, another great individual strike.

“When we were one up it should have been two or three, but you could sense suddenly the team did not have the drive to go forwards and we invited them to come to us,” Wenger admitted.

He is not helped by the absence of his best defender in Thomas Vermaelen, who is out with an Achilles’ tendon injury. “We want him back, but it will not be before January.” Wenger also lost Laurent Koscielny with concussion when Fulham scored, although Johann Djourou was an adequate replacement.

“I believe we will become stronger as a unit defensively. Recently we have been punished a lot, and we want to improve our defensive record. Last season our record was not good enough to win the title. But last season Chelsea didn’t drop points, which they are doing this year, so it will be down to consistency. Of course, defensive solidity is linked to consistency.”

He conveniently forgets to mention Manchester United, who have not yet lost in the league this season, and play host to Arsenal next Monday. There is little chance of Arsenal emerging from Old Trafford with three points unless they defend better than they have been in recently, as former United striker Hughes knows well.

“If you get at their full-backs and centre-halves, you can expose them. If you allow them to play, they can hurt you, but if you break up their rhythm like we did, you can dominate. They didn’t have the look of champions, and I don’t think they look good enough.”

Hughes is more concerned with his own side’s problems. “Apart from 45 minutes against (Manchester) City, we have been competitive, but we need to get more points and sometimes you need the rub of the green. We were up against a top team in Arsenal and made them look ordinary. We were beaten by a moment of individual brilliance.”

Indeed, Nasri is maturing into one of the best players in the Premier League. It seems incredible that Nasri was omitted from France’s disastrous World Cup campaign, but their loss has been Arsenal’s gain.

“I missed the World Cup but it was good for me in all aspects,” he admitted. “I was able to have a real holiday, a good break that was not possible before. I think I’m better than before. I’m playing higher up the wing and the boss asks me to go in behind defenders. When I am in front of a goalkeeper, I am more relaxed. When I am more at ease in a game, the opportunities come naturally.”

But will his goals be enough to make up for Arsenal’s defensive frailties. Wenger is not sure: “I think so, but the answer will come in May. We are not favourites, but we are where we are.”