Arsenal, Champions League, Premier League
Arsenal must focus on peninsula glory
The 2007/8 campaign could prove a good deal more painful for Arsenal fans than last season’s letdown, with their hopes having been raised higher than was conceivable just a few months ago of a glorious double of Premier League and Champions League titles. The closer something is, the harder it is to let go. So, having unexpectedly [...]
The 2007/8 campaign could prove a good deal more painful for Arsenal fans than last season’s letdown, with their hopes having been raised higher than was conceivable just a few months ago of a glorious double of Premier League and Champions League titles.
The closer something is, the harder it is to let go.
So, having unexpectedly led the pack at the top of the league for such a long period, Arsenal’s collapse threatens to derail all that has been good about their season. Pre-season predictions did not frequently feature the Gunners inside the top three but instead often sitting in fifth place, behind the habitually mid-table Tottenham. But Arsène Wenger’s exceedingly mature squad performed diligently and efficiently, and the team’s glorious football finally looked as if it would reap deserved reward.
Yet it was always hard to see Wenger’s side maintaining the balance between eye-catching style and effective, points-gaining football. His squad lacked in depth and experience; Manchester United and Chelsea possess both these facets in abundance.
And Arsenal’s awful recent form has surely cost them not only a chance of triumphing in the title race but potentially also second place, which is set to be stolen from them by a rather pedestrian Chelsea side.
Nevertheless, this campaign will lay down the foundations of future title challenges - the squad have their first experience of an intense and often emotional title challenge and will be stronger next season for it. From 2005 to 2007, there was not even a hint of the league crown heading towards north London; thus, 2007-8 must be acknowledged as a major step forward in spite of the instant grief of failure.
Even more immediately however, Wenger has to ensure his players do not enter their Champions League clash with Liverpool in despondent mood. The path to the final is clear: overcome two domestic rivals in four clashes for the opportunity to win the greatest piece of silverware in club football.
A repeat of the 2006 journey to Paris is not improbable. First, they must conquer the competition’s specialists in the last eight, with the slight disadvantage of having to play the first leg at home. However, they had the same issue in the last 16 tie with AC Milan but made nonsense of any supposed benefit with a terrific performance at San Siro. Liverpool will be favourites for their recent history, but were outplayed in the 1-1 Premier League draw earlier this season at Anfield and lost comprehensively in both domestic cup competitions last season to the same opponents.
Chelsea will be the likely opposition in the last four, providing they beat Fenerbahçe, and will present an instant opportunity for revenge. The defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier in the month put paid to any lingering title ambitions and so victory in European competition for Arsenal could mean Avram Grant’s side finish the season without any silverware.
These two teams chiefly are Arsenal’s rivals at home. Overcoming both on the peninsula would not only hand the Gunners a place in the Moscow final but also demonstrate that they, before long, will be able to handle all that comes before them on the home front. A psychological battle is there to be won; Arsenal’s ambitions and expectations for 2009 may depend on them winning it.
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