Awhile back when 19 year old Neill Mellor scored the winner in the last minute against Arsenal, I was heart broken. My dad who sat beside me told me in a dialect, 'You can't win if you don't lose'. I have taken that quote with me since. In the last few years, Arsenal have lost big time and every year I would think, 'OK, next year will the year'. But... it has been such a huge disappointment. Since our last trophy, 3 cup finals and a couple of runner's up positions in the league is all we can show. Silverware? None at all.
Does Arsenal deserve to win anything? With Wenger's incredible belief in youth, a sound financial record and years of effort put in, isn't it about time?
Well, first of all the competitive world does not compensate losers by letting them win. Arsenal don't deserve a trophy just because they haven't won any for the past few years (I'm reluctant to state the number of years). Has Arsenal done enough to deserve a title?
The results are always a fair reflection overall on how a team has performed. Unfortunately, Arsenal have not come on top for a very long time. I can understand the frustration sometimes because of injuries and a tight budget. Injuries to key players over the past few years have dented chances of silverware. If Van Persie was fit last season, the outcome last season would have been so different. With so many injuries over the last few seasons, it's really tough to accept. Vermaelen has been injured this season, no doubt we would have done a better job defensively had he been at centre back. Blame it on luck? We should never, but it has been the case.
When the media suggested Arsenal were gunning for the trophies on four fronts, I knew realistically it would have been two, tops. The signs this season have been really mixed and there has been numerous poor performances. Being two goals up against Spurs at half time and losing the game was a terrible signal. Four goal lead squandered to Newcastle almost signaled the end of out title ambitions had another result a couple of hours later been the opposite. Although the poor performances in cup games didn't count as much, it showed the team were lacking the winning quality ; winning when you're not at your best. And when the crucial cup final came along, we had decent chances but we failed to earn our luck.
The story of a gooner for the past years have been a major letdown. This season hasn't been much different to the last. Last season we were on track to win the title with a very battered squad. With the determination and drive we were very close to making it. Although the end of the season league table did not depict how close it was, the killer blow was one Kevin Phillips goal right at the death. The run in meltdown has been a pattern for a long time and we absolutely can't afford another. The odds are again heavily stacked on us. The growing treatment table list is definitely not helping.
I don't believe in excuses although injuries have been hampering Arsenal for years. Right from the Henry, Pires, Diaby, Gilberto days we had them out for months on some occasions. As an Arsenal fan, you just fear the next injury because it has happened so many times. We've heard out for the season too many times so please gives us a break. Vermaelen just made the list yesterday.
I really don't care what is going on in the dressing room or the treatment table, the aim is to win. It's time for players to stand up and be counted. It's time for players to give it their all and play their best football until the end of the season. It's time for players to clear their heads and look forward. No team is a clear favourite this season so it is definitely one opportunity we cannot miss. There is still chance for salvation this season.
It's going to be a challenge but we really need this.
~deyao~
