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- Written by Theo Andrew
The month of December is one for the football purest, the period of the year where there seems to be a game every other day, and mixed in with the festive cheer, for many a football fan, it can make or break their Christmas holiday. With no lacklustre European winter break, the Premier League hits full throttle, where some will thrive, and others, bottle.
After a November in which many, including me, had declared an assessment of Arsenal’s title credentials, December poses a different kind of test for The Gunners. A month where the games come faster than Jesus Navas first goal against Spurs last week, it will be important for Arsenal to gain the momentum, that will catapult us into the new year on top of the table.
Not for the first time Wenger has gone against his critics, annoyed by the fact that his team have to prove themselves title contenders. ‘November is not a time to prove our quality, but to show how strong we are’ the boss said. Two resolute displays against Liverpool and Dortmund respectively, both games in which we put in a strong defensive performance, has meant many ‘experts’ have seen us in a different light.
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- Written by Thomas Griffiths
“I don’t think he’ll ever be a goal scorer,” remarked Arsene Wenger about Jack Wilshere after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away at West Brom. The comment followed a week in which Wilshere had caused controversy for being pictured having a sneaky fag outside a nightclub.
Now, I am firm believer that footballers should not smoke, they are paid obscene amounts of money and are paid that money to be at the top of their game which smoking obviously hampers.
However, Wilshere is still only 21 and every young person makes mistakes every now and again. I bet there is only a small majority of us that could say they didn’t try a quick cigarette behind the bike shed at some point in our early years. It was literally a case of a tiny bit of smoke turning into a roaring bonfire and it has been dealt with. The club, the player and the fans have moved on.
The reaction
What is far more important as a footballer is how you react to situations like that and the circumstances surrounding his smoking, that occurred over a month ago, has shown the absolute ‘mental strength’ (an Arsene classic) that Wilshere possess.
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- Written by Tomé Morrissy-Swan
For much of Wednesday night’s Champions League encounter with Borussia Dortmund, Arsene Wenger’s orchestra was in danger of being drowned out by the German side’s raucous, frenetic, heavy metal.
The first sixty minutes of the encounter highlighted two completely different footballing philosophies. In one corner was the youthful, energetic Dortmund, pressing higher up the pitch than Barcelona in their Guardiola heyday, resembling a labrador puppy chasing a rabbit: full of eagerness, tenacity and indeed ability, neglecting the consequences.
On the other side was Wenger’s Arsenal, unrecognisable from the Arsenal of a year ago. In contrast to the sprightly Dortmund, Arsenal were controlled, patient, technical and composed. This is not to say that Arsenal did not ride their luck, they did. Dortmund had fifteen shots compared to Arsenal’s four.
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- Written by Guest Author
Written by Ross Baxter
Stan Collymore is one in a line of football pundits currently voicing their opinion that this Arsenal team are simply not equipped to win the title this year. There are three key factors that form this viewpoint, which will be examined.
We don’t have the defensive cover
A view that has long existed when examining the Arsenal squad over the past 4/5 years is that there simply isn’t the defensive quality and quantity to challenge for the title while also competing in numerous other competitions throughout the season.
The current squad only has 3 recognised centre-backs and although it can be said all 3 are of international standard, it is worrying that there are not more options available, even from the youth squad. Miguel and Djourou were deemed surplus to requirements this season and so have been farmed out on loan, leaving only Vermaelen as cover with the unorthodox option of Sagna as fourth choice.
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- Written by Theo Andrew
Arsenal’s twelve game unbeaten run came to an end against Dortmund, two defeats and a victory means in the past week means The Gunners will have their resilience tested quickly, as November promises to deliver a tough list of fixtures.
With three fixtures either side of an international break, for those players who will be involved for their respected national team as well their club fixtures, it is sure to be a challenging period.
Although we are expecting the return of Walcott, Podolski and Chamberlain throughout the month, the loss of Flamini is likely to be a big one. If we find Arsenal entering into the most salivating period of the footballing calendar, without our key players and a questionable run of form, then things might not look so pretty for the league leaders.
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