If memory serves me right, the last time Wenger was banished to the
stands, we were deep into a mauling at old Trafford. Right there in enemy territory, Arsene stood arms
stretched in a crucifix pose. For all his failings, you've got to give it to Arsene for leading from the front when it matters. Even when Arsenal are under siege (another incident that comes to mind is the Jose Mourinho altercation the season before at Stamford bridge) the boss doesn't back down.
During those moments as a fan watching on, you hope that by Arsene's action the team will get a lift and fight for their pride. Depressingly, in both circumstances any attempt at a fightback was nothing more than the twitch of a dead horse. At Old Trafford, it served to confirm that Arsenal's project youth had run it's course. That you can only do so much with inexperienced lot of Szczesny, Jenkinson and Djourou.
Arsenal's Old Trafford mauling was followed by the mad transfer deadline day trolley dash that brought in Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun. Those unusual signings have build up to this Arsenal team that this term has shown resolve. It has been a long time coming and there have been days like this Mirror headline Wenger's push on Mourinho was packed with years of frustration, anger, dislike and powerlessness.
Now we have a team that going by yesterday's exhibition is ready to challenge. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is 23 now, Theo Walcott is 27. They are six years wiser from that Old Trafford debacle. Shkodran Mustafi intimated that against Burnley, having conceded very late on at danger of falling 11 points behind, 10 men down, with the boss also sent off ; the lads used that as inspiration to rally.
In many ways, Arsenal's team yesterday against Southampton yesterday was reminiscent of that one at Old Trafford: inexperience with the likes of Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding; with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain players in unfamiliar roles. Southampton might be united, but you only need to look at how it turned out for Tottenham, even worse for Liverpool when they put their squad to the test.
Besides, Southampton were overran in midfield despite having two regular starters in those positions. It remains ambitious for Arsenal to head into this critical period with Maitland-Niles and Chamberlain as midfield backup for Ramsey and Coquelin. In the bigger scheme of things, progression in the FA cup adds extra games that disadvantages us against Tottenham & Chelsea in what I believe will be a three horse race for the title.
In another lens, Arsenal's emphatic win yesterday might also mean that everyone is tuned in for the business end of the season. The win does conjure some imagination with thought of a Perez- Alexis-Welbeck attack at Chelsea a tantalizing prospect. Besides, February always marks the beginning of rich vein of form for Arsenal.
In other news, a look across Europe reveals that Alexis is up there with the best in terms of goals scored and assists. It is often said that for a team to challenge for honors, there has to be that guy with gravitas to pull the team over the line. With signs of the end of the Messi-Ronaldo hegemony,the onus is on the likes of Costa, Alexis, Lewandowski to be the main men before the Pogba-Greizman generation takes over.
Expect the Chilean to push himself even further as having led his country, all that remains is club glory: immortality is in sight. Know who else was a complete boss yesterday? Social media reacted to Arsenal's win with puns on Steve Bould's debut as manger. I guess it bodes well for the future when Wenger hangs remains permanently in the stands as a spectator.I have always thought that Steve deserves a shout when Wenger retires. He knows the club, is a legend and looks way cooler than Ryan Giggs in a suit. He could just be our Zinedine Zidane.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"So you trying to take my job now fam?" <a href="https://t.co/bhXW71W2Je">pic.twitter.com/bhXW71W2Je</a></p>— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/825421598085754880">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Legend <a href="https://t.co/dRe4HBQUgK">pic.twitter.com/dRe4HBQUgK</a></p>— Arsenal Pics (@Arsepics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsepics/status/825576695440797697">January 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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During those moments as a fan watching on, you hope that by Arsene's action the team will get a lift and fight for their pride. Depressingly, in both circumstances any attempt at a fightback was nothing more than the twitch of a dead horse. At Old Trafford, it served to confirm that Arsenal's project youth had run it's course. That you can only do so much with inexperienced lot of Szczesny, Jenkinson and Djourou.Arsenal's Old Trafford mauling was followed by the mad transfer deadline day trolley dash that brought in Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun. Those unusual signings have build up to this Arsenal team that this term has shown resolve. It has been a long time coming and there have been days like this Mirror headline Wenger's push on Mourinho was packed with years of frustration, anger, dislike and powerlessness.
Now we have a team that going by yesterday's exhibition is ready to challenge. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is 23 now, Theo Walcott is 27. They are six years wiser from that Old Trafford debacle. Shkodran Mustafi intimated that against Burnley, having conceded very late on at danger of falling 11 points behind, 10 men down, with the boss also sent off ; the lads used that as inspiration to rally.
In many ways, Arsenal's team yesterday against Southampton yesterday was reminiscent of that one at Old Trafford: inexperience with the likes of Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding; with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain players in unfamiliar roles. Southampton might be united, but you only need to look at how it turned out for Tottenham, even worse for Liverpool when they put their squad to the test.
Besides, Southampton were overran in midfield despite having two regular starters in those positions. It remains ambitious for Arsenal to head into this critical period with Maitland-Niles and Chamberlain as midfield backup for Ramsey and Coquelin. In the bigger scheme of things, progression in the FA cup adds extra games that disadvantages us against Tottenham & Chelsea in what I believe will be a three horse race for the title.
In another lens, Arsenal's emphatic win yesterday might also mean that everyone is tuned in for the business end of the season. The win does conjure some imagination with thought of a Perez- Alexis-Welbeck attack at Chelsea a tantalizing prospect. Besides, February always marks the beginning of rich vein of form for Arsenal.
In other news, a look across Europe reveals that Alexis is up there with the best in terms of goals scored and assists. It is often said that for a team to challenge for honors, there has to be that guy with gravitas to pull the team over the line. With signs of the end of the Messi-Ronaldo hegemony,the onus is on the likes of Costa, Alexis, Lewandowski to be the main men before the Pogba-Greizman generation takes over.
Expect the Chilean to push himself even further as having led his country, all that remains is club glory: immortality is in sight. Know who else was a complete boss yesterday? Social media reacted to Arsenal's win with puns on Steve Bould's debut as manger. I guess it bodes well for the future when Wenger hangs remains permanently in the stands as a spectator.I have always thought that Steve deserves a shout when Wenger retires. He knows the club, is a legend and looks way cooler than Ryan Giggs in a suit. He could just be our Zinedine Zidane.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"So you trying to take my job now fam?" <a href="https://t.co/bhXW71W2Je">pic.twitter.com/bhXW71W2Je</a></p>— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/825421598085754880">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Legend <a href="https://t.co/dRe4HBQUgK">pic.twitter.com/dRe4HBQUgK</a></p>— Arsenal Pics (@Arsepics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsepics/status/825576695440797697">January 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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