That’s the message that is seemingly being thrust into the minds of Gooners every time we dare to watch Match of the Day, or read an article that mentions the title race.
It’s reminiscent of that kid at primary school who gets the teachers applause for ‘giving it a go’ in the 1500 metre run, even though he finished 30 minutes after his two competitors. After all, ‘it’s the taking part that counts,’ right?
We are at least now being recognised for our efforts, but ultimately we are still being doubted as serious title contenders with everyone expecting that, at some point, Manchester City and Chelsea are going to race ahead and leave us in their dust.
There seems to be a reluctance to accept that Arsenal are now ready to slug it out with the ‘big boys’ again, and no matter how many times we stand firm and reassert our position at the top of the table, our imminent collapse is anticipated.
Paul Hayward, who writes for the Telegraph, yesterday published an article entitled, “Manchester City can be the irresistible force that overcomes immovable object Chelsea in Premier League.”
He went on to describe Chelsea as the immovable object, a unit that had been moulded by Jose Mourinho to “grab a goal or two and shut down the opposition.”
He also described them as a “points-accumulating machine.” All this is fine. If Manchester City and Chelsea are some people’s picks for title favourites, their current points totals would render them wise choices.
But, how Arsenal can be overlooked is nothing less than baffling. The way in which Paul Hayward describes Chelsea would suggest that they are efficient and that their defending is magnificent. However, 2-0 is a common score line of ours this season and our defence has conceded the least amount of goals of any team in the Premier League.
If we then look at Man City’s array of goal scoring talent and the depth of their squad, they have to be considered the out and out favourites to win it. One injury to a key player at Arsenal could have a detrimental effect on our title hopes.
Though, their defence can be very leaky and that weakness of theirs is our main strength.
Tony Adams himself said: “Year in, year out the team with the best defence win the league.”
Our other main strength, which has been ever present for over a year now, is our consistency. Mark Lawrenson said on Match of the Day that it doesn’t matter what happens over a calendar year, it matters what happens over a season.
As it happens, this does matter. We were the best team in 2013, amassing more points than any other Premier League outfit and so far this season we have done the important part; we have continued to show this consistency.
We have been incredibly efficient and, although we may not have accumulated the colossal amount of goals that City have so far, we’re top of the league.
There is no doubt that the race for the title is going to go down to the wire, and there are three teams very much in the race.
I wouldn’t be surprised at the end of the season, if it is Arsène Wenger who is lifting the Premier League trophy, to see line of pundits and journalists with their phones at the ready, waiting to tweet that Pellegrini has nicked it from Arsène’s hands.
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Header photo via Kieran Clarke- http://www.flickr.com/photos/goonerpower/