"Who to... Who to be... Who to be a... GOONA!"
For the first time since 'The Invincibles of 2004', I feel genuinely proud and able to boast about the team I support in regards to the Premiership.
I am starting to believe that 2007/2008 is the start of a new era for Arsenal Football Club. The cobwebs of the Emirates Stadium have been brushed aside and the old chants from the stands of Highbury "We're The North Bank... We're The North Bank... We're The North Bank Emirates!!!"
9 premiership games into the season and only two points dropped, can the glory of 2004 be repeated again so soon?
Thinking back to the unbeatable season, I still can't help but remind my scummy (tottenham) mates about the day "We won the league, at the SH*TOLE" every time we go to the pub. Since the departure of the oh so gracious my va va voom there has been a revived sense of optimism about the future, for too long we held onto our 'special one', in the hope he would bring victory back to north London. Two years spent in the captaincy, and Mr. Henry brought back two runners up medals, he hardly fulfilled his potential as a leader.
However, since he got on his bike, the team feels much more of a team again, before there was 'Henry and Arsenal', now there is 'The Arsenal'.
When I watch the fluid football of the current season, I see the breakaway moves once by Rosicky, Fabregas, Hleb and Van Persie, once lead by the ranks of Petit, Vieira, Bergkamp and Overmars. The return of praised long shots from Fabregas, Toure, Adebayor; just like in the old days from Parlour, Bergkamp, and even Winterburn. Last season as gazed and a wept at the undying resilience to lose, the only loss at the Emirates Stadium against West Ham last year was a games of many many chances, but none taken by Arsenal. Now we are creating the same amount of chances, but scoring many more, a goal difference of +15 after a quarter of the season completed, no team has ever reached a goal difference of more than +57, and that was during Chelsea's runaway title in 2006.
I feel the key to our current success lies with how solid our defence is proving, with only 6 goals conceded in 9 games with 4 clean sheets. With only one of those goals having been scored by a headed cross, and none from indirect free-kicks, it appears we've cracked our biggest flaw in the past two campaigns. Bringing Gallas to north London for Ashley Cole, has been one of the most positive transfer moves for Arsenal since the snab of Fabregas from Barcelona back in 2004. His clear clear leadership qualities and strive to win was hugely influential at the start of the season, and its a huge boost that he is now fit to play again.
The injury list is also shortening with the reintroduction of an important asset in midfield in Rosicky, his lightning runs, composure on the ball, long shots, and passing ability give Arsenal a new dimension that was lost when Pires went sour.
In the coming fortnight comes our biggest test yet, with an away game with Liverpool and a home match again Manchester United. Dropping points can be afforded with a two point lead at the top, and with a game in hand.
Manchester United's dynamic play and the development of a new striking force with Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes will test the likes of Toure, Gallas and Sagna to the limit. After the late winners in the two ties last season that were the only dents in a perfect premier league campaign last time around, United will be looking for revenge.
Overall it looks like Arsenals season lies with how consistant they can be in the run up to Christmas, if points are dropped less now, then later on with FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League knock-out ties looming Arsenal will benefit more greatly than the other big guns, it seems that after their early mistake, Chelsea are firing on all cylinders again, with Drogba finding his form of last season.
Lets hope the future is bright for Arsenal's young guns.
Van Persie Free Kick Against Sunderland - Watch a funny movie here
Video courtesy of Metacafe
Image courtesy of Sky Sports Online
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2861223,00.html
No comments:
Post a Comment