Was it just me, or did you also get the feeling that yesterday night's win over Cardiff City would be a turning point in our season? There was so much that was different and fresh in the match: it felt like the beginning of the season. It was great.Our passing and flowing football was back, and for the first time since probably Bolton or Blackburn in September we dominated the match, recording an easy victory. The stats don't lie: whilst Cardiff recorded only four substantial shots, we had over 20. And with 60% possession, this was the Arsenal of old.
There will be the pessimists who will say that it was only Cardiff: the win means nothing as it was against such an "easy" team. But was it not Cardiff who, just a few weeks ago, held us to a draw in Wales? And is this not the same Arsenal team, albeit with one new and inspirational player, who lost 3-0 to Manchester City? Yes, it is.
What could have changed so much as to let us be so dominant last night? I can come to only one conclusion: this is a turning point in our season.
Eduardo has returned triumphantly, scoring two goals in his first match back from such a terrible injury, and surely his story of recovery and his amazing return to football has and will continue to inspire the team for the rest of the season. Just as his loss to injury so shook the team so as to ruin our season last campaign, his return from injury may inspire us to silverware this.
The F.A. Cup is within our sights now. We have two home ties in a row to teams that, if we play like we did yesterday, will be fairly easy to beat. Of course, don't tell the players this, because we all know what happens when they think they don't need to put in 100% to beat a team (e.g. Hull City at the Emirates). But in all seriousness, we should have no problems making it to the semifinals, and once we do that, surely there will then be the hunger and desire necessary to make it to the final and maybe even with the thing.
But with Eduardo back, Arshavin ready (maybe he'll play against Sunderland), Walcott only a week or so away from returning, and Fabregas apparently ready to start kicking a ball again next week, who can help but be optimistic about our chances this season? Maybe our long run of bad luck, injuries, and spotty form are behind us. Remember, we now have not lost a game of competitive football since our exit to Burnley in the League Cup the first week of December.
So having gone two months unbeaten and seeing our best players inspirationally returning to the side, I think we have finally rounded a corner this season. I think from here on out we will be back to the force we were last season, or at least the force that we all knew we could have been all season long. And remember, if we have rounded a corner and set ourselves on a path of good fortune this season, you saw it here first.
Watch this space, because I think last night was the start of something amazing. Here's hoping for all the best,
Fab 4
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I totally agree with what your saying, it was like the old arsenal back. It seems we dipped in form when eduardo break his ankle, and his return has changed the team. Come on Arsenal....
ReplyDeletethe main difference i saw was everyone looked to be enjoying themselves on the pitch, lets bring the fa cup back home.
ReplyDeletecumoonn arrsenall
mate it was cardiff and a very poor cardiff but yeah we did play alot better was impressed with vela and dudu , nasri was immense on the right hopefully he'll start with vela , dudu and van then i think we will be ok please no bendtner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletenow i think arsenal is back with full force ..but what i am concerned is walcott is back , fabregas is back , we have arshavin , eduardo ,
ReplyDeletewe goona have little selection in the mid field ..i sugges walcott-- fabrega-- arshavin-nasri
eduardo - v.p
let me know what u think guys
what was amazing y'day, was the way Song played. Even though we haven't been playing free flowing football and goals have been hard to come, our defense has been strong. Gallas and Toure are doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteFabianski
ReplyDeleteSagna Gallas Djourou CLichy
Denilson Fab
Asharvin/Walcott Nasri/Rosicky
RVP Dudu
SICK !
hopefully this will be a start of a long winning streak!:)
ReplyDeletewith dudu back from injury soon followed by walcott/fabregas and eventually rosicky, a new exciting signing in arshavin, AND the positive development of denilson and vela wenger now has a luxury problem when it comes to the starting XI! yay
the fa cup is there for the taking, and we have a great chance in the cl. and despite what some may say, i think we have a fair chance to finish 2nd or 3rd in the pl too!
with all the players set to come back from injury I wonder what will happen to Song he is playing very well. But hopefuly we get a match fit Cesc and Wilcott and what a game will have. We hope the season ends well and we still remain in the champions league.
ReplyDeleteAll said and done I miss Adebayor up front he is very intelligent off and on the ball his vision is exceptional no other center forward I've seen has his ability Bentner tries but is not up to per he even plays better as a midfielder on the flanks. With the likes of Wilcott, Nasri, Fabregas feeding adebayor we can score more goals because he is always there to get the ball. As for Van Persie he is a good finisher but he looses alot of balls for that I'd rather have him compete for first team place with Eduador they are both good finishers but poor at holding the ball enough for the midfielders to assist them up front (Adebayor can do this).
ReplyDelete