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Birmingham City, so promising earlier in the season, have suffered two consecutive defeats. They lost 3-1 to Sunderland away at the weekend and then on Wednesday they lost 2-1 away to Blackburn Rovers.

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish will rue the loss of two games he and his club would have considered very winnable. 

Yet the manager waxed philosophical over his team’s football fortunes. "Sometimes it happens, you go through a spell where you ship soft goals when otherwise you've been absolutely brilliant in defense," said McLeish.
 

The manager also lauded the efforts of his men in their two recent losing performances. "I've got nothing but praise for them…” he said.
 

It’s OK to wax philosophical, but you still have to manage

But philosophical retrospection and laudatory remarks in the aftermath of consecutive defeats, praise-worthy though these qualities may be, will take a club only so far.

McLeish therefore came back down to earth. "I'm disappointed tonight, not happy with some of the defending, and I've kicked their backsides, but I expect that they'll rise again to the occasion."

That’s the Premier League manager taking over from the philosopher.

The Blues now face Arsenal at home this weekend in a match that is, quite frankly, more important to Arsenal’s fortunes this season than to Birmingham’s. 

McLeish’s club now sits ninth in the league on 44 points, six ahead of Fulham and four behind Everton.

Birmingham is solid at home

Last time out Birmingham lost 3-1 to the Gunners at Emirates Stadium. Coming home to St. Andrews for the return fixture Birmingham can be confident that they’ll give nothing away cheaply to the London club; they’ve lost just two games at home this season.

And yet, having won only one match in their last five in all competitions McLeish will be keen to halt the erosion of a club whose early season performances provoked speculation of possible European football next season.

Going into the match against Arsenal this weekend Birmingham will be able to field an almost complete squad. Only defender Lee Carsley and striker Garry O’Conner are unavailable due to injury.  

Arsenal come into the weekend’s game with Birmingham having won six consecutive matches in all competitions. Until Wednesday they held second place in the league but were bumped to third following Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Portsmouth.

The Gunners are now on 67 points, one behind Chelsea and two behind league leaders Manchester United. All three clubs have played 31 games.

Injuries still plague Arsenal

Robin van Persie should return before the end of the season but manager Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to speak in absolute terms regarding any contribution the Dutchman may be able to make to Arsenal’s last few games.

Aaron Ramsey is of course out for the season following the broken leg he suffered against Stoke City. Keiran Gibbs is finished for the season due to a broken metatarsal, and Johan Djourou is likely out for the season also.

Defender William Gallas has been out since mid-February due to a calf muscle problem that seems to be healing slower than expected. Up front Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner, who suffered an ankle injury in the match with West Ham, is questionable for the Birmingham match.

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen is definitely unavailable. Vermaelen was sent off against West Ham when he was judged to have brought down Mexican striker Guillermo Franco in the box. The red card to the Belgian seemed a harsh decision, as did the penalty kick that followed.

Good news and bad news for Arsenal

The good news? West Ham’s Alessandro Diamante missed the penalty kick. Actually Arsenal ‘keeper Pedro Almunia had a hand in it because he guessed properly and made a great save.

The bad news? Arsenal’s appeal of Vermaelen’s red card has been denied by the league. He’s therefore suspended for one game and will miss the match with Birmingham.

At times like these Arsene Wenger’s decision to pick up Sol Campbell seems positively inspired.

Sir Alex says he fears Arsenal

The Gunners are far from out of the competition for the title but certainly most punters would put their money on Manchester United or Chelsea first, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s supposed concern over Arsenal’s abilities to pip them at the finish line.

For his part Arsene Wenger strikes a note of optimistic realism over his team’s chances. "There are three teams in the race and it is down to the team who are the most consistent. We can only focus on our own performances," Wenger said.

Wenger will be focused on Birmingham this weekend, but he’ll be keeping an eye on developments at Old Trafford on April 3. Chelsea visit Manchester United on that day and the result of that contest may determine Arsenal’s place in the pecking order as the season winds to a close.

Birmingham City vs Arsenal Match Statistics

Birmingham City vs Arsenal Live Commentary

90'' Second Half ends, Birmingham City 1, Arsenal 1.

90'' Goal! Birmingham City 1, Arsenal 1. Kevin Phillips (Birmingham City) with an attempt from the centre of the box to the top left corner.

90'' Foul by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal).

90'' Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

89'' Attempt missed. Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nicklas Bendtner.

89'' Attempt saved. Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

89'' Stephen Carr (Birmingham City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

88'' Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

88'' Foul by Stephen Carr (Birmingham City).

86'' Attempt missed. Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.

86'' Foul by Samir Nasri (Arsenal).

86'' Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

85'' Craig Gardner (Birmingham City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

84'' Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

84'' Foul by Craig Gardner (Birmingham City).

84'' Substitution, Birmingham City. Kevin Phillips forward replaces Keith Fahey.

83'' Attempt blocked. Denilson (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nicklas Bendtner.

81'' Goal! Birmingham City 0, Arsenal 1. Samir Nasri (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gaël Clichy with a headed pass.

80'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Keith Fahey.

77'' Offside, Arsenal. Gaël Clichy tries a through ball, but Samir Nasri is caught offside.

76'' Substitution, Birmingham City. Cristian Benitez forward replaces James McFadden.

76'' Foul by Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal).

76'' Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

73'' Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City) is shown the yellow card.

73'' Attempt saved. Samir Nasri (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andrey Arshavin.

70'' Attempt missed. Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Bacary Sagna with a cross.

69'' Substitution, Arsenal. Samir Nasri midfielder replaces Theo Walcott.

68'' Substitution, Arsenal. Andrey Arshavin midfielder replaces Tomas Rosicky.

68'' Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

68'' Foul by Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City).

65'' Foul by Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).

65'' Keith Fahey (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

63'' Attempt missed. Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.

63'' Theo Walcott (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.

63'' Foul by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City).

62'' Attempt missed. Scott Dann (Birmingham City) left footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high following a set piece situation.

62'' Roger Johnson (Birmingham City) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Barry Ferguson following a set piece situation.

61'' Foul by Denilson (Arsenal).

61'' Craig Gardner (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

59'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Lee Bowyer.

58'' Offside, Birmingham City. Craig Gardner tries a through ball, but Cameron Jerome is caught offside.

58'' Hand ball by Craig Gardner (Birmingham City).

56'' Alexandre Song (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

56'' Foul by James McFadden (Birmingham City).

55'' Attempt saved. Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Tomas Rosicky.

55'' Alexandre Song (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

55'' Foul by Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City).

53'' Offside, Arsenal. Francesc Fabregas tries a through ball, but Nicklas Bendtner is caught offside.

53'' Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

53'' Foul by Craig Gardner (Birmingham City).

52'' Offside, Birmingham City. Cameron Jerome tries a through ball, but James McFadden is caught offside.

49'' Offside, Birmingham City. Lee Bowyer tries a through ball, but Roger Johnson is caught offside.

48'' Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Sol Campbell.

47'' Alexandre Song (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

47'' Foul by Craig Gardner (Birmingham City).

46'' Attempt saved. Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Vasiriki Abou Diaby.

45'' First Half ends, Birmingham City 0, Arsenal 0.

43'' Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

43'' Foul by Stephen Carr (Birmingham City).

43'' Offside, Birmingham City. Craig Gardner tries a through ball, but James McFadden is caught offside.

40'' Foul by Gaël Clichy (Arsenal).

40'' James McFadden (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

40'' Attempt saved. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

37'' Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

37'' Foul by Roger Johnson (Birmingham City).

31'' Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Manuel Almunia.

31'' Attempt saved. Cameron Jerome (Birmingham City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lee Bowyer.

31'' Attempt saved. James McFadden (Birmingham City) left footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stephen Carr.

30'' Attempt saved. Gaël Clichy (Arsenal) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tomas Rosicky.

27'' Gaël Clichy (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

27'' Foul by Cameron Jerome (Birmingham City).

26'' Foul by Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal).

26'' Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

25'' Gaël Clichy (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

24'' Foul by Gaël Clichy (Arsenal).

24'' Craig Gardner (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

24'' Attempt missed. Sol Campbell (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Francesc Fabregas with a cross following a corner.

23'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Roger Johnson.

23'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Liam Ridgewell.

22'' Attempt blocked. Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

18'' Attempt saved. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Francesc Fabregas with a through ball.

17'' Foul by Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal).

17'' Roger Johnson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

16'' Alexandre Song (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

16'' Foul by Alexandre Song (Arsenal).

16'' James McFadden (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

15'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Lee Bowyer.

14'' Foul by Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal).

14'' Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in his own half.

13'' Attempt missed. James McFadden (Birmingham City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Joe Hart.

12'' Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

12'' Foul by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham City).

10'' Attempt saved. Craig Gardner (Birmingham City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by James McFadden.

10'' Attempt missed. Craig Gardner (Birmingham City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.

9'' Foul by Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal).

9'' Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

8'' Foul by Sol Campbell (Arsenal).

8'' Cameron Jerome (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

5'' Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) wins a free kick in his own half.

5'' Foul by Stephen Carr (Birmingham City).

4'' Offside, Birmingham City. Barry Ferguson tries a through ball, but Liam Ridgewell is caught offside.

3'' Foul by Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal).

3'' Cameron Jerome (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

2'' Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Lee Bowyer.

2'' Attempt blocked. Vasiriki Abou Diaby (Arsenal) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Assisted by Tomas Rosicky with a cross.

2'' Offside, Birmingham City. Lee Bowyer tries a through ball, but Cameron Jerome is caught offside.

0'' Second Half begins Birmingham City 0, Arsenal 0.

0'' First Half begins.

0'' Lineups are announced and players are warming up

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