When Ruud Van Nistelrooy moved to Spain at the start of last EPL season, no one would've predicted that Manchester United would eventually lift the premiership. Where are the goals going to come from, the critics asked. But Ronaldo and Rooney scored an impressive tally of forty odd-goals between them and finished the premiership on the top. With the departure of the Arsenal talisman Thierry Henry at the commencement of this season, same is what they said about the gunners. But in United's defence atleast they had finished second in the premiership in the two seasons prior to the last one. Arsenal on the other hand, have been struggling to keep fourth position and stay in contention for the Champions League even.
But as the season played out, everyone was amazed at the way Arsene Wenger led his new crop of players - young on age and low on experince - to not just perform well in the premiership but also retain top spot. Most of the members of the team are yet to win a major trophy with Arsenal. But the way this season is going, that fact stands most likely to change. Twenty weeks into the premiership, Arsenal are still tied on points with United. They only fall short on goal difference.
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But the challenging part of the season is yet to come. Initially Arsenal performed well and were unbeaten in the league till they lost to Middlesbrough. Yet timely goals and luck helped them ride with the momentum they had gained and maintain top spot. But a few dropped points here and there has helped United catch up and take the lead. The going looks to get tougher for Arsenal. Especially with a cluster of fixtures coming up owing to being alive in the league cup, the FA cup and the Champions League as well as the premiership, the schedule is likely to become hectic. . And with Eboue and Toure gone for the African Nations cup and the injury-bug being a constant worry, Wenger faces an added problem. Van Persie who is easily the first choice striker has missed out most of the season due to recurrent injuries and looks likely to miss out atleast a few more weeks and this reduces the striking options. Adebayor may be the second highest scorer in the league so far, but he doesn't quite have the same pace and overall impact on the game. Eduardo and Bendtner are low on experince and don't seem to be able to perform when under pressure. The draws against Tottenham and Birmingham was proof with both the strikers unable to finish. In the midfield, Fabregas and Hleb started the season well with their swift passing and assists. The former also scored a lot of goals in both, the premiership and in the champions league. But his goals have dried up with the last one coming in the game against United almost two months ago. Rosicky and Flamini have also played their part with the odd goals and the assists but they have been on and off due to minor injuries. Defenders like Clichy and Gallas who have been consitent and starting every premiership match this season risk suffering a burnout. Senderos and Djourou aren't very convincing or inspiring in their performances. Almunia however has been outstanding in the goal and hence the goalkeeping option thankfully is not a case of concern for Wenger if you overlook Lehmann's frustration at not getting enough starts.
Let us see what happens as the second half of the season unfolds. Going by facts of the last few years, the club that has held top spot at Christmas and at the start of the calender year have gone on to win the premiership. Arsenal led the standings on Christmas day but surrendered the lead to United on boxing day. However they won it back before the New year. Let us hope that history repeats.
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7 months ago
I would rather call the present Gunners as the 'Young Gunners' and that's what they are. Boy's on a mission. And boy they are good.
Arsenal's struggle as mentioned by the writer in the last two seasons was actually the building process of a champion team whose budding stage we see now. They may or may not win the championship this year. It doesn't matter. What will matter is the coming seasons when Arsene's young boys become men and their firepower will even make Hitler's blitzkrieg bombing raids seem to be mere fireworks display.
7 months ago
Arsenal have the potential to become as good as the legendary unbeatables again. Maybe not this season but surely in the following two or three. As long as they get themselves a better goalkeeper as Wenger has rid himself of any chance to reinstall the experienced Lehmann. Almunia has not been outstanding despite how Wenger and the English press hyped him up, more in an attampt to give Lehmann a good bashing for sure. He was average, with a few good games and a couple of bad ones, lost Arsenal a couple of points but is only as good as Arsenal's defense which has been outstanding lately and bailed him out numerous times. I think he will cost Arsenal the season or even the CL as soon as the pressure on his rises. His mentality is weak and he was only able to gain the confidence he has right now with the full support of his manager, teammates, the English press and a demonation of Lehmann. This is the man who sat in the cabin sobbing over his own mistakes. He is no goalkeeper to win anything with. He had enough chances to win something with Arsenal in recent years. Oddly enough they only ever managed to do so with Lehmann. I wonder why....
7 months ago
I hate to say it, being a United fan, that the boys are good!!!
If they can't do it this year, they will come much stronger next year..
they have all the years to move ahead and build on to their experience and gameplay..
but Arsene will have a tough time to hold on to his star players, as long as you have nagging teams like Real Madrid, Barca and Milan clubs ..
from 7 months ago
true! i agree...
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