The Long Wait Is Over

The long wait is over, finally. It has been 9 long years since we had anything to do with silverware. It wasn’t the league title and sure wasn’t the Champions League this time, but the FA Cup became our salvation and we can finally breathe more easily now. The end of this painful streak really means a lot to every Gooner. Looking back to our glory years from 2001 to 2005, you would have never thought things could unfold like this. We would have thought the Champions League was close (It was actually very close in 2006) and we would get our fair share of silverware in the coming years. It has been 10 years since we were called the Invincibles. I am very proud of that moment, but time has gone too long for us to be looking back at that to recall our last league title, which still is today.

If you are celebrating like this one day later, this is how much it means.

We have endured a very challenging period with the big reforms in this club from losing captain after captain, managing our debt from the Emirates Stadium and failures from countless trial and errors with players. When Patrick Vieira slotted in the winning spot kick and hoisted the FA Cup in 2005, you would never have imagined we had to wait so long for a trophy again. Things changed at the club, the Invincibles were practically at their peak of their games. Players like Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, Sol Campbell, Fredrik Ljungberg, Lauren, Robert Pires, Edu and Dennis Bergkamp were at the trough of their careers and we were definitely unprepared for the massive exodus that followed in the coming years. The transition period, as I call it, started in 2005 when little known Cesc Fabregas burst into the scene after the departure of Patrick Vieira and effectively assumed the role as ‘the’ central midfielder. It was an exciting period as we tried to blend the team with experienced players and youth, all with the aim of playing with a highly restricted transfer budget. Just a year later, the riches of Abramovich finally made its mark and really tipped the balance for the first time since the inception of the Premier League. Chelsea were Champions for the first time since 1955, we dropped out of the top 2 for the first time since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996 and barely qualified for the Champions League, with help from the mysterious food poisoning that hit Spurs on the final day. The following years saw even more takeovers and new money pumped into the game and that changed the landscape of the game forever. It has been a rough ride for this club and winning this trophy hopefully sets us on an ascendancy for more success.

This was our best chance for the title in years and in February we were one of the top 3 contenders to win the title. We had to get through March, a period where we would play matches that decided our fate. March defined our season and the outcome didn’t match our hopes. In fact, March was such a bad month that we needed to slug it out with Everton in the run in to claim 4th place. We have been in pole position two similar times to win the title in recent years and they share a common theme; a major injury. We were huge contenders in the 2007-2008 season. But that one faithful afternoon in February which I still remember clearly, Eduardo broke his leg from a nasty tackle at Birmingham and we drew that game. William Gallas sitting on pitch after game was a reflection of our season where this very match really screwed us. From then on, we were hit so bad psychologically that we never quite recovered. That curse happened again in 2010 when we had a good chance at the title with the most favourable run in of all the top teams. Another day which I remember very well, Aaron Ramsey broke his leg from a heavy tackle from Shawcross at Stoke. We did go on to win that day, but another dark day at Birmingham a few games later ruined our season in heart-breaking fashion.

This was a season of hope for us to finally win the title and here’s how it could have worked for us and where it failed.

Signs that we could have won it

1) Midfield prowess
We had one of the most exciting team of midfielders in years. Our midfield consisting of Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Walcott, Arteta Rosicky and Flamini gave us so much versatility and options in our game. Their contributions in terms of goals were also something we were really lacked in the past. Aaron Ramsey was playing the best football in his life which was fantastic to see, considering the circumstances he's been through.

2) Defence partnership
Putting aside the weakness they showed when they first arrived, Koscielny and Mertesacker formed a formidable partnership in the middle, a very unlikely event a few years ago. There were some lapses in some games but this partnership was much better than previous seasons.

3) Putting away the weaker teams
Our record against the teams outside the top 5 was pretty much impeccable, that type of consistency that champions have.

4) Quick recovery from defeats
After the 6-3 hammering against Manchester City, our following results were nothing less than impressive. We then completed the calendar with a good streak of wins. A characteristic of champions; they bounce back quickly.

5) Inconsistency of our rivals
Manchester United was pretty much out of the picture for the first time as long as I can remember. Manchester City was giving every visitor to the Etihad a lesson in football, but their away form was nothing short of the opposite. Chelsea too was playing some strange football. They manage to end the great streak at the Etihad but played out some very weak matches against the lower teams. Before their great resurgence in February, Liverpool also had a mediocre season. The title was there for the taking, but…

6) The last minute goal from Bendtner
This guy shouldn’t even be here in the first place, but nobody in this world would meet our valuation for a player who “should be playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona and is worth every penny of his fifty two thousand quid a week salary” (Quoted from him). During the frustrating game against Cardiff, we couldn’t find a breakthrough all day. Guess what, he pops up and smashes in the winner, the sort of event that makes you think that God is indicating to you that the title might be yours.

Where it was lost

1) Poor record against our rivals
A one line summary should sum it up. Record against Manchester United, City, Liverpool and Everton. One win.

2) Huge losses against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton
You don’t get thrashed if you are going to be champions and definitely not four times in one season. The mauling at Anfield was the biggest sign at that time and when Chelsea hit six past us, our worst fears were crystallised.

3) Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott’s injury
When Ramsey held his thigh and signalled that something was wrong at Upton Park,  I almost knew it was going to happen considering the hectic fixtures he just went through. His prolonged absence cost us the title. Theo’s major injury also cost us a great deal as he was having a very fine season.

4) We couldn’t beat Manchester United in their worst state
The game against them at the Emirates was one that we were favourites to win, something of a rarity even on our home ground in the past few years. Instead, we played out a goalless draw.

5) Last minute goal conceded against Swansea
Flamini’s late own goal compounded our misery and summed up our season; all our hard work throughout the season undone by the month of March.

6) Defensive midfield frailties
Wenger hasn’t replaced Alex Song and it cost us especially in the big games when more protection to the back four was needed.

7) Kim Kallstrom being our only signing in January
Bringing in a quality player in January could have made this team even better and provided the extra oomph in a season where we needed to sustain that level of quality in our game. Instead, we brought in this guy who “was going to be injured for 2 months” after signing for us. One of the poorer judgements in Monsieur Wenger’s illustrious career. Kim’s stint however had a silver lining, his conversion in the penalty shootout in the FA Cup semifinal played a part en route to the final.

If you would to look at this season positively, it would be the big improvement compared to the previous season. We did better defensively and were consistent in good parts of the season. There are still several shortfalls we need to look into like over-stretching the squad too much especially in November and December, the injuries that hit us and the need to further strengthen our defence. We have taken some huge strides this season, so let's continue building on this.

~deyao~