On this note, I was a post early on the complacency/consistency debate in my preview of the West Ham United game. However, as I do not suffer from delusions of grandeur neither do I posses psychic abilities, it will be foolhardy to ride the back of that horse again
Arsenal v Newcastle: Expected Line-up
Today, the 7th day of November 2010, I elect to tell the story as it unfolds.
I am on the trail of a supposed spell that is cast on Arsenal on Halloween night.
A spell that is claimed by many to be responsible for Arsenal's misfortunes in the seasons just passed. This spell comes into play as soon as the clock strikes midnight on every 31st of October. At this time, November, it is usually some two months into the English Premier league season.
This November started with the loss at Shakhtar Donetsk. Though this loss may seem like an insignificant battle in a yet to be concluded war, logic informs me that it is in such fashion that the Arsenal cookie starts to crumble.
Coming into this November, the winning bet was with Arsenal. Things are looking good this time in the gunner world.
Arsene Wenger's team was finally beginning to show signs that it was on the verge of dropping all the labels of lack experience, steel and winning mentality. This was rightfully said by all, not only in consideration of their exploits on the pitch, but also in lieu of a team-to-team comparison with fellow premier league title contenders..
Arsenal's record in various competitions stands as follows
English Premier League: On a three game wining streak, Second on the table, The premiership side with the most attacking intent based on the number of goals scored and leading in the number of attempted shots.
Champions League: Top of group H, Three wins out of three including a 5-1 drubbing of their closest rivals, Highest number of goals ever scored in the Champions League at that stage of the elite European Competition.
Carling Cup: Advanced into the quarter finals sweeping past Tottenham and Newcastle winning both matches by three goals margins.
Injury Log: Looking positive as long term absentees Robin Van Persie and Aaron Ramsey back to training, Abou Diaby probable long term Injury, TV5 on recovery path expected back in weeks
With Manchester United looking more of a side battling with age rather than for the title, Manchester City in another dressing room upheaval and Liverpool just glad at the moment to have new benefactors, little wonder then that Arsenal were seen as the team to challenge Carlo Ancelotti's MEN.
In fact, the momentum seems to be with Arsenal. Fresh from an emphatic 3-0 victory in the City of Manchester Stadium, Arsenal were on the ascendancy while Chelsea were on the lee-side- struggling but grinding out them wins.In terms of wowing performances, Arsenal had matched Chelsea bit for bit, even slightly out doing Chelsea on shaming opponents by putting three, four, five goals past them.
Based on Arsenal's season so far, the problem it seems has not been in bringing forth the child, but rather in bring it up right. An African proverb commonly printed on lessos says 'Kuzaa mtoto si kazi. Kazi nikumlea mwana'.
I say this because, over the past seven years when arsenal have failed to win the premier league title, for most of them, Arsenal has been quick off the blocks before their steam abates sometime in November. A string of poor results and before you know it it a massive gap betwen the league leaders and Arsenal by the end of December.
Arsene wenger though proud of what his has brought forth over the past few years is well warranted, his call for his side to emulate the consistency of Chelsea is a true as the gospel.
Even in the short quarter of the season just gone by, cracks on the vase that holds Arsenal's glory ambitions are already forming. Complacency seems to be the culprit here as of late, every emphatic win has been followed by one that makes you wonder if it is the same team that had performed so explicitly just a few nights earlier.
The Tottenham 4-1 truimph was followed by a careless 3-2 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion. The fourth round 4-0 Carling cup dismissal of Newcastle was followed by a hard fought wasteful late 1-0 win over West Ham at home.
This November just got tougher courtesy of the missed opportunity at Ukraine.
Chelsea and Manchester United have a chip turned in their favor as they have assured their progression in the Champions League and can therefore not only concentrate on the premier league but also use the remaining matches to blend in fringe players into their first teams.
The international break on 17th Nov pitting England and France in a friendly, couldn't have come at worse timing. Three days earlier, we face Everton and three days later we face Tottenham in the packed November calender.
First though, Newcastle visit the Emirates today. This is the second match of the November menu. I think it's one of the more important fixtures of the season at least on psychological grounds. Psychological, in that, consistency is a matter of the mind much more than it is of body.
As Wenger explains, Chelsea are the animal they are today as at 30/31 years average age, consistency is second nature as players have the experience to know how to maintain balance in the match to enable them be fluid in attack, composite in structure, yet cautious enough to avoid defensive mistakes.
Beginning today with the Newcastle match, it is time to see if this crucial lesson that the professor at the Grove demands of his players has sunk in. The man himself , Arsene Wenger, believes that this is the squad. Starting today, Cesc Fabregas and Co. shall let it show 'if this is the time'.
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