Does it really matter that we drew to Southampton? Does it
really matter that we dropped points on Tuesday? Does it really matter that we
are now second in the EPL? No it does not since after all we are The Arsenal,
one of the greatest clubs to ever set foot on a football pitch.
I was thinking about the current status of the club a few
days ago and I came to a revelation. We are finally on our way to overcoming
the adversity that has surrounded us for the past 8 seasons. It’s quite amazing
actually; the fact that we are now considered a threat in the world of football
again. Seeing as we were once the joke of the English Premier League and the
Champions League, and now we have the chance to finally break the dreaded
trophy-less curse.
Before we can celebrate the taste of victory, let’s take a
look at where we’ve come from over the past 10 years. 10 years ago we were a
dominating EPL force; and would eventually advance to victory. The 2003/2004
squad earned the title of ‘The Invincibles’, after completing the 38 match
campaign without conceding a loss. The club was able to continue their run into
the following season by going another 11 games unbeaten. Just take that in for
a second; an unbeaten season in the English Premier League, arguably the most
competitive football competition around the globe. At that time Arsenal F.C was
untouchable and could not be broken.
The 2003/2004 campaign wasn’t even the end of The Gunners
successful run. The club later went on to win the 2004 Community Shield and
2004/2005 FA Cup; both against rivals Manchester United F.C. I would say the
club reached their peak when they made the 2006 Champions League Final in
Paris. This was the first time the club ever achieved such a feat. Now as we
all remember, playing FC Barcelona was no simple task. The loss, controversial
as it may be, is what I believe to be the spark of Arsenal’s downfall.
The seasons that followed were not glorious in the
slightest. Every single year something negative happened to the team, in term
hindering the squad. The sales of Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry, Marc Overmars,
Samir Nasri, Cèsc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, just to name a few, have overshadowed the realities facing the
club. No one has actually taken a look to see reasons behind the sale and
release of many quality players. The cost of building a brand new stadium is
not something that comes relatively cheap. It takes a large amount of resources
to get it started to completed; as well as to operate the stadium on a daily
basis.
The large amount of debt meant limited funds were available
for transfers; meaning the qualities of players had to be developed instead of
simply bought and deployed. The development of talent reflects a rebuilding
process, meaning that world class players would not join a club like Arsenal
simply for the history attraction. It would take trophies, sizeably difficult
with a rebuilding squad, or a large sum of money; neither of which Arsenal had
the luxury of possessing. Basically as each season went on, we were digging
ourselves into a hole that became increasingly tough to get out of; that is
until we finally signed our saviour, Mesut Özil.
I have written about Mesut many times now, so it’s pretty
clear to say that I enjoy seeing him as an Arsenal player. The fact that he
signed with us is still so surprising and amazing that at some moments I can’t
believe it to be true. I don’t want to go into too many details; but it should
be clear that having him as a part of the squad has led to one of our best
seasons in years.
If you’ve read this far and you want to know why we should
stand up for our club, it’s simple. Arsenal is finally overcoming the adversity
that has surrounded them for many seasons now. If we each take a moment to look
at what Arsenal and what Arsène Wenger have accomplished over the past 10
years, it’s incredible. We’ve been so limited in terms of financial and quality
resources available; especially in comparison to other teams, both in England
and Europe.
Let’s take a look at any of the big clubs in England for
example. Manchester City F.C has spent millions and millions on players and has
only amassed a few trophies; yet they should be capable of much more.
Manchester United F.C at one point had the luxury of money and management. If
Wenger were to be given funds after 2006, Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy would have
been altered slightly; as he would not have been able to accomplish as much as
he would of liked with a stronger Arsenal side in the mix. We can even take a
look at Chelsea F.C; a small club that was one day bought out by Russian oil
money and has good quality. Once again, if we take a look at their resources
available, they should be on top of the league every year, but they aren’t.
I should still give credit to where it is due; so I do
respect what Manchester United has accomplished over the past years; and no
matter how much I dislike them, it doesn’t change the fact that they have
accomplished many impressive goals. City and Chelsea on the other hand I don’t
think too highly of. City was once an unknown club for many years, as was
Chelsea and now that they both have money, they think they are the greatest
clubs to ever play the game. In my eyes, I see them as plastic clubs, using
money to solve their problems and forgetting about their troublesome past. Yes
they have come from bad times, yet they didn’t earn it, they simply bought
their success.
As I previously stated, I want everyone to take a look at
where Arsenal was at one point, where they have been and where they are now.
Sure we have a small gap in our trophy cabinet, but seeing as we had no money
for many years; and we were always counted out of every big opportunity, I
think we are doing well. Now I know this season isn’t over yet, but I have a
feeling that this is it. This is our year; the year where we can finally see
ourselves as champions once more.
@ZachAFC
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