Benjamin Cullen
Szczesny, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott, Van Persie: Arsenal have probably their best eleven in years and even more surprisingly, they’re all fit and in form together.
Now, undoubtedly, there’ll be arguments over one or two of those.
Is Vermaelen ahead of the centre-backs? Arshavin or Chamakh ahead of Walcott? Will Gibbs pip Clichy to his place? Of course, Nicklas Bendtner would pick himself ahead of any of those, and even I felt that naming Szczesny was a slight betrayal of Lukasz Fabianski – who I think showed immense character to play and respond so well when he could easily have succumbed to the `Flapi-hand-ski’ brigade boos. But I just felt - as I’ve heard so often amongst Arsenal fans - ‘there’s just something about Szczesny’.
But there you go, that I feel is Arsenal’s best eleven right now (and by his team selection and rotation, it seems Arsene Wenger does too). Certainly their recent performances back that up in any case: their excellent 3-1 victory against Chelsea was followed by wins against Birmingham, West Ham and Wigan, all with the same resounding 3-0 scoreline – the only blip being the slightly frustrating draw against City. But again Arsenal dominated throughout.
Nevertheless - as important as it is to have those eleven fighting fit - it might just be the second string who will ultimately decide how successful this team will be this season.
Those eleven players listed above, right now, are Arsenal’s finest: and rather like we all do with our finest crockery - Arsenal must regulate their use carefully in order to keep them in mint condition. So that when those important guests or occasions come round, there they all are: sparkling, immaculate and ready to go.
But to do that you also need something sturdy and robust for the day to day stuff, nothing shabby, but not Xavi either. But decent stuff, the sort that you know won’t let you down.
Now earlier on in the season I’m afraid some of those ‘squad’ players did let the side down a little, in the latter stages of the Champions League, against Wigan and Ipswich away particularly. After drawing to Leeds and losing to Ipswich Arsene Wenger’s statement perhaps reflected that sentiment - “Our success depends on the way the whole squad can focus on the different competitions.” With the emphasis being on ‘the whole squad’ - not just the best 11.
I think the boss, and of course the fans, felt frustrated by the inability of players like Denilson, Bendtner, Eboue, Squillaci, (and even Arshavin and Chamakh recently) to step up to the plate when called upon. The Arsenal manager and fan base wanted a statement of intent from those players - one that says ‘I’m not first choice now but I want to be, and soon!’ rather than ‘I’m not first choice and here’s why’.
And in credit to them that’s exactly what they’ve made recently in defeating Leeds and Ipswich, obviously both were lower league opposition, but it was the performance and attitude that so impressed. Arshavin after the Leeds game gave some insight into this improved mentality
“Arsene instructed us to start the game in such a way so that it wouldn’t even cross our opponents’ minds that they can beat us"
And that’s exactly what they did, both against Leeds and against Ipswich.
But they’ll need to continue in that vein of form if Arsenal really are to go far this season.
Look at the Old Trafford game for example. Arsenal had had one day’s less rest after the final group game of the Champions League (one which - due to the aforementioned lacklustre displays - they, unlike United, needed a result from).
Injuries to Van Persie and Bendtner had forced Chamakh to play virtually every game up to that point and fatefully when the big game arrived the best chances all fell to the Moroccan, and unfortunately the fatigue showed.
Twice he turned back when seemingly put clear through, and that was before he failed to convert Arsenal’s best chance in the second half - a deflected shot from Nasri fell to him in the box - he hesitated - and Vidic was onto him in a flash. The chance was gone and United have been top ever since.
But Arsenal were far from outplayed that evening, but what United had more of was energy and sharpness. Precisely what good squad rotation with good application from those ‘squad players’ could guarantee Arsenal for the remainder of the season.
Immediately ahead we have a pertinent example, Huddersfield at home on Sunday is followed by an always tricky encounter with Everton just two days later.
Later on in the month we face Wolves just days before our crucial home tie with Barcelona, and then there’s a possible FA Cup 5th round encounter as well as Stoke awaiting in the six days after.
In March we host Sunderland at home three days before Barcelona away with a possible FA cup quarter -final directly after.
