Humiliation is something that has been present in our game over the past few seasons. A humbling 8-2 defeat to Manchester United, struggling to snatch a 4th place finish on the final day of the season, Spurs finally ending out unbeaten streak against them and really believing they could finish above us, – recent years haven’t been the best of times for Arsenal fans. But in my opinion, that has finally changed. Since our 3-1 loss on the opening day of the season, that humiliation has slowly snuck out of our play. However, during Saturdays game against Liverpool it finally returned – but in the right way this time.
At one point during our game against Brendan Rodgers’ side, a large portion of Liverpool players stood completely still. As the trio of Nacho Monreal, Ozil and Ramsey flicked the ball to each other; the Liverpool players gave up on closing them down. In that moment, they had accepted they were being outclassed, that resistance was futile, and that if Arsenal wanted to pass the ball around them – there was nothing they could do to stop them. It was humiliating. To see a side so proud of their new found possession game being passed of the pitch was both humbling and eye opening for them. This is no longer the Arsenal side of seasons gone by – this is the Arsenal side we all know and love; one which opens up teams for fun, reduces world class strikers to Sunday league hoofers, and one that keeps possession when they want and where they want.
It is a sight we have seen before this season. Against Norwich, Jack Wilshere scored a goal from a pass and move no team in world football could have stopped. Flicks, tricks, pinpoint passing, exquisite finishing – it was all there for all to see. Against Napoli, Arsenal made the current top team in Italian football chase shadows for the first 30 minutes of the game. Two strikes later and Napoli were left deflated, desperate for the final whistle to blow. And this was a game which bookies such as Bwin predicted would be a closely fought affair.
Not only do we have attacking flair, but also defensive solidarity. In the games against Spurs, Napoli and Liverpool we concede no goals at all. Against Napoli and Liverpool, we hardly even conceded a chance! This season’s star strikers Suarez and Sturridge were left arguing over missed chances and poor passes. They had a torrid game, and were clearly unhappy throughout the 90 minutes. If defenders fear going up against us, midfielders can’t get anywhere near us, and strikers are left in a strop after our back four essentially mark them out of the game; what do we have to fear? In short: nothing.
It is starting to feel like this season could be ours. That trademark swagger is back around The Emirates. It isn’t just the moments of brilliance we’ve seen this season; it’s the sheer consistency of them. It doesn’t feel like we ever go through a game without something incredible happening – and long may it continue! The ability to humiliate – to tease and mentally break down even the best of teams to tatters is one Arsenal fans should not underestimate. The lack of a “fear factor” has been a criticism aimed at Arsenal in recent times, but now we finally have it back.
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Photo by nicksarebi