Arsenal fans have learned (oftentimes the hard way) not to count your chickens, but things are looking very positive for the club right now.
Mathematically Chelsea and Man United still have a shot, but by their displays on the pitch it seems that Arsenal have said, “Nine games to go or 90 games to go, it doesn’t matter.”
The squad seemed to have reached a mental tipping point where they are so focused that many things just don’t matter. Player out with an injury? Doesn’t matter, just slot Clichy, Edu or whoever in and keep rolling. Other team scores? Doesn’t matter, Arsenal just bangs in another one. Today they announced their intentions with two goals in the first five minutes. But Charlton, to their credit, hung tough. Was this going to be a game like last year where Arsenal failed to kill a team off. No chance. It’s more like the last Double Year where teams were put away early.
This type of mentality doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from a tight-knit squad that has played together and has learned painful lessons.
Yes, Arsenal has talent coming out of their ears, but Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have plenty of talent as well. I really can’t say enought about the job that Arsene Wenger has done this year. And kudos to the players, who down to a man have bought in to his philosophy.
Onward and upward, as they squad looks to close out the season strong!
10 Responses to “Is It All Over?”
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February 28th, 2004 at 3:20 pm
Nine points is quite a lead and there’s still eleven more games to go… so we could yet develop an even larger one. While things went a bit pear shaped for us last season, I’m pleased to see that jinx has moved over to the Man Ure camp in the shape of suspensions etc.
They really do have an uphill battle now, just to keep up…not to catch up! As we inch ever closer to end of the season and hopefully the title, I cannot help but think more records wil be broken by this outstanding team. Yes, it is too soon to start celebrating but we’re over two thirds of way into the season and still undefeated. Anything is possible this season!
February 28th, 2004 at 3:38 pm
I hate to ask, but what was our lead last year at this time?
February 28th, 2004 at 5:08 pm
I’m fearing the worst until we mathematically clinch the title. I have just seen teams I hate (ManUre,Yankees,Eagles) come back too many times when it seems as though they are down and out. We are playing well, but we still have dates with some strong sides.
February 28th, 2004 at 5:21 pm
I don’t think it’s over. I thought today, Arsenal were going to kill off the game really early . . . I’ve haven’t seen them zip the ball around in the early stages of the game for a long time . . . however, they didn’t go for the kill - they let Charlton back in especially in the second half. However, given the CL fixtures - I think the lads handled the pressure well. The Lauren foul was a little harsh but I’ll give kudos to Jensen - that was a fantastic free kick. Then our boys stepped it up a bit and looked like they could score at will but didn’t and ended up being lucky in the end with the Charlton shot hitting the post.
For me, this game was good in that: a) the players were reminded that anything could happen and they need to kill of a game when given the chance, b) our defense looked pretty dang good considering the presuure in the second half, and c) our lads are stepping up and committing themselves to team defense - a good sign when Reyes is tracking back and fighting for the ball - ARSENAL TEAM SPIRIT!!!!
February 28th, 2004 at 6:03 pm
I think we should all toast Wes Brown. Since he came back he has given nothing but stellar service to the Gooner cause. His slip caused Miller to get the winner in the Wolves game. Pint sized Juninho got two headers for Boro prompting his substitution at half time. Alan Smith got the header that tied the game for Leeds ? not sure if he was at fault, but see the pattern of ManU conceding headers with Brown - and today Boa Morte beat him to slot home the equalizer. Mid week Benni Mc Carthy embarrassed him ? another header - to pop in Porto?s? winner.
He is doing us the kind of favors that Cygan did for Man U last year. ManU is looking very ordinary, I only see that point gap widening, but then with football you never can tell?
February 28th, 2004 at 11:35 pm
It’ll be over when we spank ManUre on our pitch.
What a time to be a Gooner…
February 29th, 2004 at 3:01 am
> This type of mentality doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from a tight-knit squad that has played together and has learned painful lessons.
Well, yes. This article right here cements that: http://www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=2184146
Or, to make a long story short, Arsene Wenger refused the offer to replace Vicente del Bosque as Real Madrid boss.
Here, let’s make this even more clear: Arsene Wenger refused the offer to replace Vicente del Bosque as Real Madrid boss.
Here’s more from the man himself:
“I refused Real because, on the playing front, the project lacked a bit of spice,” Wenger told The Sun.
“Also, becoming a national coach does not interest me. What does, is trying to win the Champions League against 20 clubs - 18 of which have bigger budgets.”
Here’s today’s word — COMMITMENT. Whereas most would have leapt at the chance to go to what some consider to be THEE football club, Le Boss stayed in London, where he hopes to *build* a dynasty rather than take over someone else’s. He considers Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp, Ljungberg, adn the rest to be more appealing than Ronaldo, Beckham, Carlos, Figo and Zidane.
If THAT lure wasn’t enough to sway Wenger from leaving Highbury, nothing will shake his commitment to Arsenal.
And yes we’ve learned — we’ve learned to finish off teams (well, more or less) when we can. We’ve learned not to anger the football gods by talking sh!t in the press, unlike SOME managers of championship clubs.
And we’ve learned that revenge CAN be pretty sweet. In moderation.
— Geoff
February 29th, 2004 at 2:42 pm
Well let’s look at the mathematics of this. 11 games equals 33 points possible. Let’s just assume that Man Utd win all 11, Arsenal only have to win 8 of the final 11 (assuming they still have a better goal differential). Or they can draw 3 times and lose once and still top Man U. Arsenal could lose 2 of the remaining 11 and draw once and win the league.
Though anything is possible, I don’t see Man U winning all 33 points, and I don’t see Arsenal losing more than 3 times or drawing more than 4 times.
It’s probably more important to look at the faces of Van Nistlerooy, Keane, Giggs and Ferguson. Do they look like a defeated team? Do they think it’s over?
March 1st, 2004 at 3:07 am
At this stage last season ManUre were eight points behind us. It ain’t over until the fat lady sings. But she’s in the wings loosening her tonsils.
March 3rd, 2004 at 8:27 am
with a game in hand dont forget.
Last season a ManUre mate conceded the title around this time. I was never so sure, it didn’t feel right. This year feels different. You can almost sense the feeling when it’s all gonna work and thats how it seems now. I would say put your money on but you won’t win much.