The matches are coming fast and furious now. FA Cup, EPL, Champs League…
I feel very confident that Arsenal can weather the storm though. A couple of key factors:
The team has been amazingly focused this season. Where last season they seemed to let teams back in games, this year, at least recently, the team has managed to kill off games - or in the case of the two Chelsea matches, come back from being down.
They have won nine of their last 12 EPL matches, though it should be noted that in the other three, Everton, Bolton and Leicester City (all 1-1 draws) Arsenal held the lead and let it slip. But with six EPL wins since then, plus two FA Cup wins and the Champs League win on the road in Spain, Arsenal have been focused like a laser beam.
The other big factor is the consistent play of ’secondary players.’ Edu, Clichy, Kolo Toure, Lehmann, Cygan, Gilberto and Bergkamp have all made significant contributions this year. Certainly above what some would have expected/hoped for.
Arsenal will need both focus and balanced contributions to continue what has been an amazing season. I wasn’t around for the ‘91 season and I don’t think any of us saw the great Herb Chapman sides of the ’30s, but I’ve got to believe that this right here is one of the great runs in Arsenal history.
As our rivals crumble around us — problems in the boardroom, lack of heart despite huge coffers, incredible mismanagement, poor coaching — Arsenal continue to lead as a shining example of what can be achieved with brains, heart, desire, skill and commitment. Commitment to fiscal responsibility, commitment to a system, commitment to teammates, commitment to players, to coaches, to fans.
5 Responses to “Arsenal’s Success Built On Focus, Balance and Commitment”
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February 26th, 2004 at 10:19 am
Well said! As a long standing supporter I’ve seen a few great Arsenal teams along with some mediocre ones. Teamwork and commitment, along with all the other reasons you’ve mentioned have taken us through to the position we are in this right now. There are few teams that come even close to the skill level that the boys are showing and none that have the fierce loyalty that our team shows to the club and fans. We have so much to smile about these days while most of our opponents have so little! Think positive, we have still have a long way to go but I for one think we can get there!
February 26th, 2004 at 11:48 am
If anyone hasn’t noticed, in every competitive match that we have scored more than one goal we have not lost or even tied. i say competitive matches because we tied two friendlies 2-2 and one friendly 3-3. i just think it’s interesting that if go for the kill instead of sitting back after one goal, we win 100% of the time. at least up until the time of this writing
February 26th, 2004 at 1:42 pm
focus, balance, commitment?… you missed out quality. most professional teams have the first three, but our second and third goals on tuesday were world class, edu walzing through the spanish defence and scoring one of the goals of the season, and a bit of crisp one touch magic from the two musketeers.
our defending did not look as focused, balanced or commited as chelsea last night though. thats a worry, (im not complaining mind)
February 26th, 2004 at 2:06 pm
missed quality, but did say skill, which is about the same.
February 26th, 2004 at 7:48 pm
Firstly I’d like to say hello to the fellow gooners in usa. Being a gooner in eng i had never seen your site before until i saw it on arsenal-mania.com and i have to say i’m impressed. The boys have been playing great at the minute and unstoppable at times; particularly the 2nd and 3rd goals against vigo as someone mentioned. Those goals could have been scored in any game in the world and shows how well we’re playing at the mo. I disagree on the original statment made about the second string players with particular reference to bergkamp. He has been brilliant during his entire time at arsenal and is now has the most app. for any epl team. Anyway, great to see that your keeping the faith over there. See you at the next game. Gooners here, gooners there, gooners every f****** where!