Arsenal, Premier League
Do Arsenal have what it takes?
Arsenal went to the top of the Premier League last weekend after defeating Manchester City and watching Manchester United slip up at Tottenham. The win took Arsene Wenger’s team to 60 points in 25 games, two points ahead of last season’s champions United and six ahead of arch-rivals Chelsea. With 13 league games left, anything could [...]
Arsenal went to the top of the Premier League last weekend after defeating Manchester City and watching Manchester United slip up at Tottenham.
The win took Arsene Wenger’s team to 60 points in 25 games, two points ahead of last season’s champions United and six ahead of arch-rivals Chelsea. With 13 league games left, anything could happen. Does the Arsenal squad have the necessary depth, belief, and skill to sustain its title charge for until May?
Depth
Arsenal’s squad is not the biggest, but the quality of the club’s second-tier players is more than enough to make up for a seeming lack of numbers.
Arsene Wenger has often been criticized for his seeming inability to splash cash during transfer windows. This January was no different as Wenger failed to bring a single player to the Emirates despite losing Lassana Diarra to Portsmouth and Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, and Alex Song to the African Nations Cup. The Arsenal manager claimed that he did not want to burden his squad with too many players when his African stars returned from international duty.
Despite the outcry of Arsenal fans who wanted to welcome a centre-back to replace Toure, Arsenal have won three of their four Premier League games since he, Eboue, and Song departed. With only one more league game to play before the trio return, it seems as though Philippe Senderos, Justin Hoyte, Armand Traore, and Johan Djourou provided enough cover for the defence.
The Gunners also have one of the strongest midfield line-ups in the league. The recent form of Mathieu Flamini has been enough to keep Brazil captain Gilberto Silva from starting many matches, and Neves Denilson, Emmanuel Eboue, and the improving Abou Diaby are all ready to cover for Alex Hleb, Cesc Fabregas, and Tomas Rosicky.
Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor has proven his worth at the perfect time. The departure of Thierry Henry and a long-term injury to Robin van Persie could have been a major crisis, but Adebayor’s brilliance has averted it. With Eduardo beginning to settle in and Nicklas Bendtner starting to show his potential, Van Persie’s absence is barely noticeable and Theo Walcott’s mediocrity can be forgotten.
Although Arsenal’s official website lists only 25 numbered first team players, the Arsenal squad has a strength in depth enough to make up for any number of potentially harmful injuries.
Belief
Arsenal’s youngsters have the mental strength necessary to win the title. Captain William Gallas, along with a large number of his players, have often stated their desire to win the title this season, and frequently show their aspirations on the pitch.
The team possess a ‘never say die’ attitude, gaining points out of games in the rare cases where they concede an early goal. In fact, 20 of Arsenal’s 52 league goals have come in the final fifteen minutes of a match.
One of the most exciting games of the season was a 3-2 Carling Cup victory over Blackburn Rovers, in which some of the Gunners’ younger players showed their mental and physical endurance. Early goals from Abou Diaby and Eduardo saw Arsenal 2-0 up within half an hour of the start, but a goal from Roque Santa Cruz grabbed one back for Blackburn before half-time. Santa Cruz then bagged his second around the hour mark to force Arsenal into extra time.
However, despite the mental fatigue of having surrendered a two goal lead and the physical fatigue of an added 30 minutes, Arsenal went on to win the game when Eduardo netted his second.
Just as the squad never gives up on a game, not a single one of Wenger’s boys will give up on the title challenge. Arsenal are the comeback kings, and having regained the lead last weekend, the players are sure to show the indispensable belief required to challenge for the Premier League trophy.
Skill
Although they are young, Arsenal’s players are some of the most skillful in the league.
Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy have both proven to be rock-solid in defence. Their offensive capabilities are what make the pair two of the best full-backs in England. While neither has scored a goal for the club, the Frenchmen have confounded defenders and assisted their strikers in scoring goals, all while adeptly shielding the Arsenal goal.
Mathieu Flamini’s box-to-box action has finally earned him the respect of Arsenal fans. The 23-year-old’s pinpoint tackles have often prevented opposition goals and Flamini has even added a few goals of his own to the mix.
Cesc Fabregas and Alex Hleb are two of the most accurate passers on the planet. Hleb’s skill with the ball at his feet and Fabregas’ newly-discovered penchant for scoring goals make the pair invaluable to the Arsenal cause.
Emmanuel Adebayor has improved dramatically since last season. No longer a wasteful finisher, the Togolese striker’s incredible leap has added a number of headed goals. His silky control is incredible for such a tall footballer and his powerful shot has seen him contribute 18 league goals this season.
Arsenal’s starting XI is one of the most skillful groups of footballers in the world, and with the depth and belief to back up their footballing prowess, Arsenal should be taken as contenders, if not favorites, to win this season’s Premier League title.
Do Arsenal have what it takes?
Share your views by leaving a comment below.
This article was originally published at http://lazy-arse.blogspot.com, an Arsenal fan’s blog
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3 comments for “Do Arsenal have what it takes?”
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As a Arsenal season ticket holder, judging by what ive seen this season compared to the last, we definetly look the part this season. i think bringing in Sagna to shore up the defence, letting Adebayor grow in confidence, and vitally, giving Flamini the holding role has all helped. with flamini instead of Gilberto, we press harder, and chase the ball when we lose it. the passing has been the same, but we’ve also scored a different variety of goals this season too, which all means that we’ve kept our total football style but mixed it up to. 3 goals against Everton showed that - long ball. great finale expected
I also think Man United are vastly overrated. Their defence is awesome, but who can come in for Evra or Ferdinand/Vidic? I know Neville has been out all season but Brown has looked ordinary in all the games I have seen. He is the main cover for CB/RB. With the error prone Silvestre out, Man U also have no cover for Evra. I know few United fans who would feel comfortable with O’Shea there.
The midfield is also not as great as the media make out. Giggs and Scholes cant play 3 90 minute games a week anymore which is understandable, but nonetheless a worry for Fergie. Hargreaves and Carrick as a pair dont strike fear into the opposition and Nani and Park are erratic. However, Anderson has looked sensational, and he could have a key role to play for Man U in the run in.
Up front, Man U are very much dependant on Ronaldo and Tevez; Rooney to a lesser degree. Without that trio, United have looked like a mid table team, lacking cutting edge and a goal threat. Indeed, when they had an off day against Spurs, United werent particularly dangerous and only an own goal saved them. Cover for them is even more thin with only Saha a viable option. I dont know any fans who would count Dong as even a squad player.
Another crucial factor is Fergie’s growing obsession to beat Busby and grab his second Champions League. This could prove a huge distraction, and we will see its effect for the first time in the FA Cup tie with the Lyon game on the Tuesday after.
I accept that as a gooner I have made sweeping generalisations and biased observations but I really believe that we will win the title come May
As pointed out, Arsenal may not have the depth but the quality is there for all to see. Though I wasn’t sure about Arsenal challenging for the title when the league started, but now, I am sure Arsenal are on its way.