An international break is always a good time to pause for breath and reflect on how the season is panning out.
So, now we have the time, what would you give Arsenal in their spring term report? Well, for me it’s a B+ Much improved (finally!)
It’s amazing how quickly things can change. After the disappointing home draws with Fulham and Sunderland, Villa’s great form, and a tricky Champions League tie against Roma on the horizon, it was easy to look on the rest of the season with a feeling of dread. Even Wenger himself had to calm the fans’ nerves – reassuring us that we could cope without the riches that come with Champions League qualification. I would rather not find out whether he is telling the truth however!
But in a season full of twists and turns I feel we reached another turning point in the Italian capital the other week. The stalling Arsenal engine finally coughed and spluttered back into life that night, and we approached something like top gear in the North-East on Saturday.
Yes, Newcastle are suffering at the bottom, but we have struggled against other teams at the foot of the Premier League this year so to see us brush them aside so comfortably, with three quality goals thrown in, was a relief.
I always felt we were just a couple of injured players away from being back to our best (don’t forget we haven’t lost in the league since November) and now we are back we can get fourth sewn up in the coming weeks and have a real go at the cups. Villa’s luck and form was never going to last the pace, especially since they have used the same, small group of players all season.
When the pressure is on, at, to use a manager’s cliché, the “business end” of the season, the cream always rises to the top. This may not have been a vintage campaign for the Gunners so far, but the ability of our big name, big game players to deliver when it counts means we can end the season on a high – perhaps even with a trophy or two?
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I hate you so much. I really rhink you need to go for a bi polar check wanker
I think your slightly jumping the gun here. we have been awful all season and there is still a way’s to go.Ask yourself the question is it our good form or the fact that villa have not won in 7 or 8 games and they’re still only 3 points behind.We have liverpool, united and chelsea still to play.Fourth place is a very long way off yet i’m afraid
Idiots just come onto blogs and abuse the aithor for having an opinion. Its amazing. Keep up the good work scott!
were we ever worried? the answer is a firm yes! let’s not pretend here. we had even reached a point where many fans were asking to arsene to be replaced! while i could never condone that, i did somewhat understand their frustration. and now that we have managed to grab fourth place, let’s not get too smug. fourth place is still up for grabs and we haven’t won anything yet. i have always maintained that we need 5 out out the possible 9 points against the liv, manu and chelsea to secure 4th position. last year we managed 1. it’s important to have a positive mentality going into these games, but a little humility will do all of us some good.
This article was written by Tom Mallows. Tom will continue to write articles for Arsenal Opinion, taking over from Thomas Rooney.
Nice article Tom, if I must say.