Every season, an Arsenal fan I know comes to me in the New Year to tell me how his team are going to win the title. Every year we place a small wager on the outcome of the championship race. Since the departure of Thierry Henry in the summer of 2007, his insistence that the North Londoners will stay the course has grown stronger, as has my bank balance.
Last weekend’s goalless draw with Blackburn was another nail in the title race coffin of a side that began February apparently confident of completing an unprecedented clean sweep of trophies.
Arsenal fans must be getting used to this feeling. Whilst they finished 11 points off the pace last season, this would be the second consecutive campaign where the side from North London have stumbled over what has appeared a straightforward title run in.
Last year it was throwing points away at Birmingham and losing to local rivals Tottenham before giving up a two goal lead against Wigan at the DW Stadium. This year it has been three consecutive league draws – two of which were home games against an out of form Sunderland and struggling Blackburn. Hardly the record of champions.
In fact, such was Arsenal’s lack of composure in the final weeks of last season that fans do not automatically consider the campaign as one they should have emerged from victorious. Whilst there has been so much cause for optimism, this year is dangerously close to going the same way.
If the 2007-08 season capitulation could be excused in the aftermath of the destabilising events at St Andrew’s in February, the demise of last year’s campaign, and stumbles this time around must lie squarely at the door of a side backed by many to cause problems at the top end of the division.
Wenger’s disciples are bored of stories about defensive frailties and a lack of leadership, and I don’t want to get into the debate as to whether the man at the helm should be shown the door in the summer.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman himself struggled to excuse the latest showing. Where the draw with Sunderland came in the shadow of a trip to the Nou Camp this performance followed Manchester United’s second half recovery against West Ham and left the North London club in dire need of a victory that never really looked like materialising.
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The prolonged failure must also be taken in context.
Since United and Chelsea went toe to toe for the top domestic and European prizes at the end of the 2007-08 season, the quality at the top end of the Premier League has certainly dipped. Liverpool were unfortunate to be competing against a still excellent United outfit two seasons ago, but since then the league’s top players have indulged in a period of disarmament.
United waved goodbye to Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst Chelsea have let Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Claude Makelele and Deco fly out of West London. Neither club have fully replaced any of these influential names.
All the while, Arsenal have kept the majority of their prize assets – Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb the only individuals to have moved on against Wenger’s wishes.
The North Londoners have fought themselves into contention three of the last four seasons before folding spectacularly in the closing weeks. This season’s chase is not yet over, but a win over the current league leaders will be absolutely vital to reignite even the slightest glimmer of hope.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be laughing all the way up the temporary steps of the Barclays sponsored platform to lift a record nineteenth league title for Manchester United in a few weeks, yet will know privately that this is one of his weakest squads. Chelsea and Arsenal have proved themselves completely incapable of capitalising.
I have read a lot in previous weeks about the need for a clear out at the Emirates this summer. Whether or not this supposed cull materialises, much will need to change if I’m to avoid putting my money on further title disappointment when I get a knock on my door next February.
To get involved in the running for the ‘Wii Boxing World Championship’ that appears to have taken off, please register your interest on my Twitter. Hopes of featuring on the Haye-W. Klitschko undercard in the summer hinge on protracted contract negotiations. Sign on the dotted line David!
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