An Arsenal fan would tell you it has been forever since we last saw any silverware. Season after season with a few cup semi-finals and finals along the way, it has been the story in short. For the past few years, having even a little sniff at the League would be an overstatement. Yes we have not been close enough to make a decent challenge. The memories come pilling in when we were winless after Eduardo had that horror injury. We were top of the league on that day, but we surrendered everything as if we were held at gun point. Then came some form of redemption earlier this year when we were in two cup finals. We were beaten quite comprehensively by Chelsea and Man Utd. But they were the team with all the good foundations and stability and the result was predictable. Arsenal just got back captain Fabregas and the now departed Adebayor for a handful of games before the encounters, and when it came to defining the best to second best, Arsenal were declared the pretenders.
Summer's gone and we are well into the new season, we lost two of our top players and only brought in one replacement. When a person sees such "progress" at the beginning of the season, there would be more reasons to write us off. "In Wenger we Trust", even I was getting a bit agitated by the lack of signings and was starting to lose confidence. However, I knew the team we have was a lot stronger that what people would have imagined. Without the injuries to this current team, we might have saw a much stronger campaign last season. I looked into the team again, Fabregas,Diaby,Van Persie, Arshavin, Eduardo, Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott, Bendtner and a few that are not far away. I saw each and every one of them being signed and playing their first senior games . Not all of them are world-class as people would put it, but they formed a team which is like no other. When you watch this group of players with that much of talent waiting to explode on the training ground everyday, you just couldn't betray what you just saw. Thats Arsene Wenger for you. He believes that the waiting is over and he just might get it right this season.
Crossing my fingers on more injuries after Van Persie's, if the team stays fit, the challenge this seasons turns a lot more serious. We are in a pretty good position right now, but November and December will be the biggest acid test on our resolve. We've lost points to Man Utd and potential top four team Man City. We've passed a somehow large test of Spurs but it comes to Chelsea in the fortnight, who are regarded as the biggest threat this season. We also got Liverpool who must return to the top four spots in a hurry. With Ronaldo departed, Man Utd are having a bit of a problem trying to recreate what he has done. The star-man Rooney desperately needs support and they need something in January or else they just might find themselves in an uncomfortable position.
Chelsea are the top team with all guns blazing, but they just might be slightly battered for the game against Arsenal. Terry, Lampard and Drogba might miss the crucial tie. Arsenal are battered as well, missing Van Persie and Bendtner. So who comes out on top of "Battle of the Battered"? Chelsea are still not short of firepower with Anelka, Ballack Joe Cole, Essien, Malouda and Kalou. Arsenal have the rest of the team back. A win would be a boost to both teams in a very significant way, Chelsea extending their lead on top or......a new leader on top of the league? The game is worth 3 points like any other game, but both teams are desperate to get one over the other. Both managers have everything to prove especially Wenger. With the position both teams have put themselves in this season, fans might get to see their team reclaim the title back to London. A win would give more than just a morale boosting or bragging rights, it could that little stepping stone along the way to once again bring back the trophy Chelsea has not seen for 3 years and Arsenal for 5 years!
Chelsea inflicted the heaviest defeat on Arsenal in the new stadium last season and you bet Arsenal would have every incentive to win this one.
~deyao~
