CanadaGooner
We are slowly getting to that point in the season where one wonders what on earth the £multi-billion machinery that is the English Premier League is about, when pundits start talking about players being tired or playing too many matches etc. Surely with the squad size, spending power and the flexibility to mix youth in, every now and again (and not to mention the scandalous salaries these players and managers earn), it shouldn't be too much to ask, for teams to maintain some semblance of focus?
Recent results tell us that something isn't quite as it was a few weeks back for the Arsenal. Injuries notwithstanding, the win against Bournemouth was laboured and the last minute gesture at Liverpool and goalless draw at Stoke (which was probably not a bad result in itself, given our woeful record at Stoke) doesn't look like the hallmark of a champion-elect. It's now been over 10 years since we won the league, do we still know how to close the deal? Does Wenger remember how to close the deal?
Many believe Arsenal will win the league this season, myself included, but of those believers, most of us are hoping our boys won't be required to show what they're made of, as we all dread to answer that question. We are hoping none of the teams around us suddenly pull a string of wins together, like Man City did at the beginning of the season, when the league was supposed to be a forgone conclusion. I am hoping West Ham will take some points off Citeh this weekend and that at some point, Leicester begin to behave! But the question is: should we leave this to luck or chance? Are our wise ones (Wenger and his cronies) doing what they need to do, to instil some discipline and belief in the players? Surely, this is the best time to surround our players with ex-players who have won the league in recent years and sports psychologists or anything else they need to do, to drum home the fact that this could be our best chance to win the league for some time!!!
When Fergie left United in turmoil and every man and his dog was heading off to Old Trafford and getting results, our lot still couldn't manage it (losing to a Van Persie goal). With Wenger's nemesis gone, one would surely hope we can finally beat Chelsea in a meaningful match again? The weekend will tell, but I am not at all convinced. If their jobs or bonuses or wages depended on it, would our players continue to play with the same lackadaisical attitude?
We are at that stage in the season, where there’s no point moaning about wanting the manager off or buying this player or that player, as we know that at Arsenal, no such purchases will be made. So, we can only hope that our management will show some ambition by urging or forcing a change in attitude from the players as it is slowly starting to slip away yet again! I am still trying to recover from the 4 - 0 drubbing by a mid-table team (Southampton), knowing that we could have easily been 8 to 10 points ahead and rowing steady towards the finish line, but instead, we are now at the precarious point of our recent seasons, where most of us dread what we almost certainly know to be the eventuality, but we will have to live and hope!
Mr Wenger! Get the shrinks in and do not waste this golden opportunity!!!!
