Arsenal FC: Eight Reasons Why They Can Still Win the English Premier League
I try to be an optimist as much as possible. So even when Arsenal are five points behind leaders, Manchester United, I still believe that the Gunners can do it. It is in no way impossible, but considering the Gunners’ recent form it will take some doing.
Despite the odds, I believe that this side can overcome their demons and finally end the drought. This does not mean that Arsenal are favorites to win the league, but it is merely a look at the potential reasons why Arsenal could win the league come May.
Now there are several reasons why Arsenal may not win the league. Injuries to key defenders, but more importantly, Wenger’s persistence with the ridiculously inconsistent Almunia may end up costing the Gunners the season.
But why always look at the negatives? So here are the potential reasons why Arsenal could win their fourth Premier League trophy:
It Can't Get Any Worse on the Injury Front
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Injuries.
Can it get any worse?
Knowing Arsenal, you bet it can. But with the International break coming up, I believe that Arsenal will come out a stronger side.
For the Gunners, the International break couldn’t have come at a better time. With Fabregas, Song and Walcott all injured, the break provides the Gunners the ideal time to recuperate and heal. These players should be back for Arsenal’s next game against Blackburn Rovers and that would give the Gunners a lift going into the match.
While our two main goalkeepers and defenders will not be fit, having Alex Song will definitely improve Arsenal’s defense and it will also give Jens Lehmann some time to come back to his peak.
Also, Arsenal are currently short of confidence and have just won one game. The last time we had an International break was following the 4-4 debacle at Tyneside.
Following the international fixtures, Arsenal seemed a better side as they thumped Wolverhampton Wanderers and produced a stirring fight back against Barcelona.
Arsene Wenger did admit that the international fixtures helped to release a bit of the frustration and tension and we can only hope that this time around as well it is the same result.
Arsenal with Fabregas, Van Persie and the Rest Are Unplayable at Times
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Like mentioned in the previous slide, Fabregas, Walcott and Song may all return, and all these players are integral first-team players. They have an extremely positive effect on the side and Arsenal are always a better team with them playing.
This season Arsenal have suffered just one defeat in all competitions when both van Persie and Fabregas have started, which came against Barcelona when van Persie was sent off wrongly.
But during the period of January and February, there was a time when Arsenal were crushing opponents and cruising to victories. It started with a victory against Chelsea in the last game Arsenal played in 2010 and since that Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches, winning seven and drawing five.
Out of these three draws have come when either Fabregas or van Persie has played no part.
It was obvious during the early part of the year that with these two players, Arsenal are capable of devastating any team, beating any team. Arsenal romped home with comfortable, often scoring three goals or more.
This streak has included comfortable wins over Birmingham, Wigan, West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers. It also included hard fought wins over Everton and Stoke.
But it was the effect these two players had on Arsenal’s passing game that was remarkable. Van Persie added a ruthlessness to top off Arsenal’s beautiful game and helped complement the midfield players and enhanced the overall style and play of the entire team.
Right now there is no player in the Arsenal squad who possesses the creativity and vision of the Spaniard. The inclusion of Fabregas results in a certain fluency in Arsenal’s game that is not present during his absence.
Also during this period, players like Walcott were impressive to say the least.
Now with Fabregas, Walcott all set to return, it can only result in the increase of the potency of Arsenal’s attacking play.
The Match Against Manchester United Is at Home
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At one point it looked destined that the clash between Arsenal and Manchester United would decide the fate of the Premier League but following Arsenal’s decline, many have boldly predicted that the title race will be wrapped up before the clash on May 1st.
But I beg to differ. I strongly believe that with the Arsenal squad looking set to improve, the Gunners can revive their current form and will remain firmly in the title hunt and will have every chance of winning the league, providing they defeat United.
I believe that Arsenal will be around two to three points behind United heading into this make or break clash. Since November 20th when Arsenal lost to their North London rivals, Tottenham, Arsenal are unbeaten at home in all competitions.
This has included clashes against Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona. This coupled with United’s poor away form means that Arsenal do have a chance of beating the Red Devils.
In recent times, Arsenal have never faced United with a full strength line up and the Gunners have shown that with a full strength lineup, even the best of the teams cannot restrain them.
This clash I believe will be different from the previous meetings between these two sides in which, United effectively closed down Arsenal.
Arsenal could take all three points in my opinion and if they manage to pull it off, then they will no doubt have the momentum and confidence. Let us not forget that following this clash, United has a match against Chelsea, which could potentially decide the fate of the Premier League.
The Return of Jens Lehmann
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Call him mad, call him eccentric. He may be all these things. But Jens Lehmann is also winner and will remain one of Arsenal’s most remembered and decorated keepers.
Jens Lehmann was the keeper during the Invincibles era, he was the goalkeeper that took Arsenal took the UEFA Champions League final for the first time ever and he is the goalkeeper that will be forever remembered for his on field antics.
Something this current Arsenal side lack is a proper leader, someone who can lead the troops. Jens Lehmann can be that man. He is a man who is capable of having an extremely positive effect on the dressing room and could prove to be another great coup by Wenger much similar to what he did with Sol Campbell last year.
Lehmann won trophies with the Gunners something which only few players in the current Arsenal side have and he is known to be a fierce competitor and he could motivate and guide his younger and more inexperienced teammates.
His experience and his winning mentality is something lacking in this Arsenal squad and he could be the difference between collapsing in the title race and lifting the trophy.
Availability of Impact Substitutes
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Substitutes always play crucial role in deciding the fate of the game. When the defense is getting weary fresh substitutes can go a long way in finding the holes in the defense and can help the team exploit those weaknesses.
Even when things are going completely against you substitutes offer you a chance to change the tactics. With a full strength squad, it is most likely that players like Chamakh, Bendtner or either of Arshavin or Walcott will miss out on a starting place.
This does not mean that they are bad players. They are all heavily talented and capable of winning matches for the Gunners.
Even this week, Arsene Wenger used his substitutes to turn the match around against West Brom as both Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh had an immediate impact on the team and added a different dimension to Arsenal’s game.
Arsene Wenger is currently predictable in his tactics and formation and always chooses to go with just the one striker on top. This means that more and more teams are now able to close down the Gunners and stop them from playing their game.
Chamakh and Bendtner are capable of playing the Arsenal style of game, but what they also offer is an opportunity to change the formation and they offer the Gunners a more direct route. Arsenal now have players who are capable of attacking crosses and can create havoc in the box with their physical presence.
Against West Brom, both the Gunners goals came thanks to contributions from these two players.
Wenger’s persistence and stubbornness with the single striker formation may just turn out to be a blessing in disguise and offer the Gunners and opportunity to turn the game around and win games from losing situations and come back despite struggling.
Also with the return of Walcott, Arshavin will most probably be relegated to the bench. This season Arshavin has changed the course of many games after coming on as a substitute most notably against Barcelona and Everton.
Arshavin is an extremely talented individual who may just prove to be Arsenal’s impact substitute.
The Development of Unlikely Goal Scorers and New Found Mental Strength
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Sebastian Squillaci, Laurent Koscielny, Alex Song, Bacary Sagna: Not players who you would consider the normal match winners.
Alex Song scored several important goals for the Gunners this season and scored the winner for Arsenal against West Ham. Squillaci despite all his struggles scored the winner against Stoke City while Koscielny won Arsenal the match against Everton. Even Bacary Sagna scored an all important goal against Everton.
This is great for the side as it shows that Arsenal can get the job done even when the likes of van Persie, Nasri struggle to score. This is testimony to the squad’s new and improved mental strength.
Arsenal this season have scrapped home in situations from where they might have lost in previous seasons.
While some still believe that Arsenal mentally weak, I think it is being too harsh on Arsenal.
Arsenal are no Manchester United but when seeing previous seasons there is an obvious improvement in this Arsenal side. They have triumphed over sides like Chelsea, Barcelona and have scrapped to victories from losing situations and have won unconvincingly.
Sure, there are deficiencies but they have also displayed a certain resiliency and determination that is often missing from Wenger’s Arsenal.
Arsenal currently have the best away record in the league and have lost just the twice away from home. Arsenals’ weak link has always been their away record but this season they have been good on the road and have claimed victories at Everton, Manchester City, Birmingham and Wolves, something that few teams have done.
There is scope for vast improvement but this side has progressed and they can win the league.
Desire and Desperation to Win the League
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2004: The year Arsene Wenger lifted a trophy last.
Over the last six years, Arsenal have faced several disappointing, trophyless seasons while their archrivals continue to pile on the trophies. The last six years have been an extremely frustrating time for the team and all Arsenal fans.
For a top club like Arsenal, the six years many believe is far too long to go on a barren run and this season there have been signs that Wenger is under immense pressure to deliver the goods. Now, there is no doubt that Wenger is a great manager, but the fact that his side has been unsuccessful for three years, seems to have affected him and he now looks a real desperate man.
Even the squad knows that this season they have to win the trophies to silence their numerous critics. Even several players have announced their desire and determination to win.
Even this squad will want to show that they are made of sterner stuff than they are often projected to be and what better way than winning the league.
Now with the English Premier League the only trophy the Gunners can win this season both Wenger and his side will be determined to end the curse once and for all.
Light Fixture List When Compared to the Rest
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Now, going out of three cup competitions in the space of three weeks can affect the team psychologically but I believe by the time, the league resumes, the effect and disappointment would have finally worn off.
Manchester United are still alive in three competitions while Chelsea are alive in two. This means that compared two of their nearest rivals, the Gunners have a comparatively light fixture list. Considering Arsenal’s injury problems this could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Arsenal have just one midweek clash remaining while either of Chelsea or United have more than two midweek clashes. This break gives the Gunners ample time to recover and be fresh for each clash.
