Arsenal: Why They Are Still Good Enough

Contrary to what most fans think about Arsenal now, I reckon that Arsenal still have what it takes.

Here is why:

Arsene Wenger

I cannot believe that Arsenal fans here in this community and elsewhere, are calling for the sack of Le Boss. Personally, I am not a fan of chopping and changing managers the moment things go wrong. Wenger has been at Arsenal for a long time. He has guided Arsenal to three titles and two doubles. His record speaks for itself. 

His policy in recent years has been the emphasis on youth. This is especially so after the emergence of big spenders like Chelsea, who are investing ridiculous amounts of cash to sign big name stars. 

His policy has paid off so far. Players like Fabregas, Adebayor, and Walcott have benefited from his guidance and are now mainstays in the Arsenal first team.

Indeed, there are many Arsenal fans out there who are so used to their side winning trophies that they demand instant results from these current crop of players. Naturally, these fans cannot be faulted. The league is a cruel place and they only reward teams who get results, not fancy football. 

Despite this, Wenger persists on sticking to his youngsters, and he should be lauded for doing so. In a few years time these youngsters will be playing together for so long that they can compete effectively on any level.

Any football manager worth their grain of salt will tell you that there is a need for a certain degree of consistency and unity in a team to win things. And winning the league requires these attributes. 

Wenger is building a team that can eventually deliver this level of performance. 

If there is anyone who does not want to be part of his setup, he is ready to let them go. This is evidenced from the departure of Mathieu Flamini. Wenger has no tolerance for players who put their own vested interest before team spirit. Hence, regardless of how good Flamini was for the team, he was allowed him to leave. 

Now, Wenger is ready to give whoever that is willing to work hard and play for the team a chance in first team. Hence, the opportunities for the likes of Denilson and Alexandre Song. 

Denilson has been one of the better performers this season and has rewarded Wenger's faith. Judging from the critics who have labelled him too lightweight, it is obvious that Denilson is far from being a finished article. But Wenger would rather stick to him and hope that he form a cohesive partnership with Fabregas, then risk bringing in another big name star who could potentially undermine the sense of unity and consistency that Wenger is seeking to achieve. 

In the light of understanding Wenger's underlying motives, it is important that Arsenal fans stay patient and get behind Le Boss. It is definitely painful to watch this young team struggle now but Wenger is very much aware of the potential that this team has. 

And it is essential that Arsenal fans are aware of this as well. 

Experience

Much has been said about the lack of experience in this side. 

I beg to differ.

Arsenal do have experienced heads on their side. Yes, I know fans will be telling me "were you sleeping through the Spurs match?"

It is a one off incident really.

If you watched the Man Utd game over the weekend, you will realize how the champions were almost run over by a feisty Hull side. Similarly, Spurs almost ran over Arsenal because they had a new manager at the helm and players are now more inspired to prove their worth to him, hence their renewed self belief and a desire to up their game. 

How about Stoke? Honestly, in the aftermath of the Spurs game, Arsenal players were too shell shocked to realize what hit them. To exacerbate matters, insults, stories of unrest, and promises of a shake up were thrown around. 

There was clearly an overreaction to the Spurs game.

Just because Arsenal failed to garner three points from their most hated rivals doesn't mean that they became a bad team overnight. Yet, the comments that flew around after the Spurs game would have left fans who have just returned from Mars thinking that Arsenal were relegated from the league after their draw with Spurs.

The truth is, Arsenal cannot become a bad team overnight. 

As a result of such melodrama theatrics, Arsenal failed to recover in time for the Stoke game which was, ridiculously, played a mere two days after the Spurs one.

There was simply no time for Arsenal to recover from the after match reactions. Regardless of how hard they tried to pick themselves after the Spurs game, it was a matter of trying too hard, instead of not trying hard enough.

Hence, even if this was an experienced Arsenal side, the same would have happened.

It is absolutely necessary to stop pressuring this side. After last season's over-achievement, many Arsenal fans actually believe that this team is ready to win something this year. The truth is, and it hurts, they are not. 

Hence, instead of reacting the way they did, Arsenal fans should have stuck in behind Wenger's side and view the Spurs game with more of a collected head. 

It is safe to say Arsenal capitulated on Saturday due to the overwhelming emotional reaction to the Spurs game. Experience simply plays no part here. 

The Future From Now

The immediate concern for this Arsenal side is of course Manchester United this Saturday. I am sure that Arsenal fans will be predicting a thumping, especially with the likes of van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott, and Sagna out for this Saturday's clash. 

My frank opinion is: it doesn't really matter. 

And it goes back to what I mentioned earlier. This time, Arsenal will have one week to settle down and reorganize themselves. After a period of ascendancy, Arsenal hit the brick wall against Spurs and subsequently, Stoke. 

The squad will now have time to reflect on what went wrong and pick themselves up for the Man Utd game. 

I am sure Wenger will ensure that his rattled players do not get distracted from the media circus and concentrate on getting themselves back in shape to get results. 

Too much has been expected from this Arsenal side. After last season's performance, it is natural for people to expect this season.

There has been talk about how Arsenal simply cannot afford to drop any more points this season.

There has also been talk about how Clichy was crying in the dressing room after the Spurs game. All these reactions are adding to the pressure for this Arsenal side to perform. 

With the media, and dare I say Arsenal's own fans, now writing them off from the title race and even the top four spots, the pressure is off.

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal perform when there is no pressure.

And I believe they will excel now and prove critics wrong come end of the season.

Do not write off Arsenal. They are still good enough.