Have we made progress this season? Should we finish second, our highest since 2005, and retain the FA cup, will it be considered success?
Intriguing questions, but all point in the same way, with an emphatic yes. Let’s take a look at the former first.
Interestingly, we have the same amount of points at this stage of the season as last season, 63. However, we find ourselves second now instead of fourth last season. So what has been the progress, some ask. Perhaps most significantly, its the new mentality instilled in this Arsenal team, that has allowed them to win the big games, which is something they haven’t been able to do.
Last season, Arsenal were heavily battered, (understatement), by the big teams, 5-1 at Anfield, 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, 6-3 at Etihad, and also lost disappointing games against Man Utd and Everton. Many heated questions were raised at the fragile mentality of the Arsenal team, which inevitably led to the dismay and frustration among supporters, seeing their team crumble when it mattered most, unable to take the heat and magnitude of a massive game.
It seemed like a curse, like a twisted truth, a trait innate in the Arsenal team. However, Arsenal showed signs of progress in the early parts of this season. Baby steps as they set up to be more organised, more resolute, ceding possession and curbing the insatiable desire to cling onto the ball for a more effective, counter-attacking play. Losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge was a result of quality due to the number of injuries and the post World-Cup fatigue, rather than the performance itself. Drawing 2-2 at Anfield, although disappointing, was vast improvement yet again. Then came the big ones in 2015.
Going to Etihad, Arsenal sent shockwaves across the world when they put in a strong, organised, composed, resolute display to stun the champions 2-0. It was a measure of the mentality, to be hard to break down, then counter-attack with incisive passing and breakneck speed. It was refreshing to see Arsenal approach a big game in a manner like this, finally acknowledging the fact that retaining the ball won’t always be useful, and instead being more sensible in the approach to the game, which is very surprising, and definitely welcome from Wenger, who isn’t known for his pragmatism. However, this was a sign of Arsenal in their newfound aggression and mentality, and it was such a pivotal victory, a victory that not only got the monkey off their backs, but also a victory that would give them massive confidence, and finally a mentality to not fear the big boys, but play with courage and determination, and the first win is always imperative. The team did that, and it wasn’t to be a fluke.
Arsenal then went to their rivals, Man Utd for another important, classic FA cup quarter-final. With the team having the right mindset, they set out to nullify Man Utd’s threat, then to impose their swift, incisive play on the break. Prevailing through Danny Welbeck’s goal, Arsenal got their first win at Old Trafford since 2006, and it meant that the team had gone to Manchester and won both their games. More importantly, it ended Man Utd’s dominance over them.
Then came the big game at the Emirates, a game tested on the fortress, a yardstick for Arsenal’s home-ground credentials. Arsenal proved that Emirates was indeed a formidable fortress, tearing Liverpool apart with four superb goals that demonstrated their quality. Superb, sensational and scintillating, the Gunners put in an extraordinary performance, that signified their vast confidence when approaching these big games, no longer coming into it with that new-boy apprehension and fear. Definitely, this is massive progress from last season, with a mark of intent, and a seismic shift in the team’s mentality, that has gone from fragile to resilient, bar the aberration of the Monaco game. Winning these big games have shown that Arsenal have made significant progress, and critics can no longer justify their harsh criticism this season.
Success last season was considered to be challenging for the title this season, by using the FA cup as a springboard. However, within months into the season, fans were bored and frustrated once again at the same old Arsenal collapse. However, this was due to the unfamiliarity within the squad, injuries, and players coming back from the World Cup. Playing a back four of rags and tissues, the Gunners had to patch it up nearly every single game, unable to find consistency and stability in the side. Players being unfamiliar with one another also did not help. This culminated in the abysmal early form of the season.
However, this year, with nearly a fit squad, and little injuries (credit to Shad), and ‘automatism’ according to Per, we are starting to bear the fruits of it. We’ve seen what we can do, when players are familiar with one another, and we have a fit, consistent squad of great depth, providing competition to enhance performances every single game. That is what we haven’t been able to do for the first half of the season, to answer some of the ‘Why couldn’t we do that for the early part of the season,’.
Finding ourselves second placed, and in contention to retain the FA cup trophy, is massive tangible success for me considering the plight we had been earlier on. This is due to great, massive work from the manager that goes unnoticed, and unappreciated. He has steered us clear of choppy waters, and we find ourselves in a very favourable position now. Retaining the FA cup and finishing second, will be significant, tangible success, but also intangibly important, as winning the big games have showed us, it will instill a strong, resilient, fearless and winning mentality in the side.
What we do this season, will be subjected to a myriad of different opinions, but retaining the FA cup and finishing second, will give us a real springboard to plunge in full-on for a serious title challenge next season. What we do this season, or what we have done this season when we reflect on May, for the FA cup and the league, will not be important. What is important, is the newfound mentality imposed on the team. Success and progress have already been made in this side, they only require patience to be noticed.
