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| Santi Cazorla and Podolski celebrates |
The Premier League may still be at its infant stages with
only five matches played at the time of writing this article but Arsenal’s
start has been far more impressive than the sorry start they had last season.
In five matches last season, Wenger’s men were sitting 17th, a point
shy of the relegation zone, having lost three matches, won one and drawn the
other one. They had a -8 goal difference having conceded a massive 14 goals, 8
of them against Manchester United and 4 against Blackburn Rovers who were to be
relegated come season end.
The Emirates seat had never been hotter for manager Arsene
Wenger with many pundits declaring his time to end his 16 year spell in the
club had come. The inevitable loss of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona was compounded
by the departure of Gael Clichy to Manchester City and it was no surprise then
that many voices were calling for his departure including Rwanda President Paul
Kagame, an ardent Gunners supporter.
But little by little, they got right back in, thanks mainly
to the 30-goal man Robin Van Persie. That Arsenal had rallied back from
relegation candidates to Champions League qualifiers come end of the season
called for celebration. No one would refer to the fact that they had finished
yet another season, the 7th in a row, without a trophy.
But could this be the season when Arsenal finally put a
trophy to that Emirates cabinet which has been empty since the 2004-05 FA Cup
was added? And just which trophy will that be?
The Champions League, which the London side has never won, may
still be a long shot considering that you have clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid,
Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all gunning for
it. Methinks they are still some light years behind those clubs to topple any
of them if, and only if, they reach the final which will be played at Wembley
on May 25, 2013.
That leaves them with the domestic cups. Their start to the Premier
League this season has been good enough. They have gotten off the blocks with
the form or real title contenders. With two wins (including a 2-0 victory away to Liverpool), three draws (one of them against Champions Manchester City) and no loss, they
are sitting comfortably in 5th place with 9 points, four behind leaders
Chelsea who they tackle on matchday 6.
Summer signings Santi Carzola and Lukas Podolski are fast
making the departure of Van Persie to Manchester United forgettable. Gervinho
is improving, Theo Walcott looks ready to commit his football career to Arsenal, Oxlade Chamberlin continues to mature
and Abou Diaby is fitting well into Alex Song’s boots. The return of Jack Wilshere will be tantamount to a new signing. These players will be key if Arsenal are to put a serious title charge.
The comfortable 6-1 win over Coventry City in the League Cup
which was largely expected earned them a date away to Reading in the fourth
round. A win for the Gunners against the team that conquered Everton in the
third round will take them to the last eight, and ever closer to a trophy.
The FA Cup doesn’t start for them until 5th January
2013, a time in which the league would have started to take shape. Where will
Arsenal be?
There is no doubt that this season might as well be Arsene
Wenger’s last chance to bring a trophy to the Emirates after a seven-year – and
counting – drought. Judging by the start they have had in all competitions, it
may be advisable not to bet against that happening.
Failure to bring silverware will see the club’s owners and
fans run out patience and resolve that Le Professeur’s departure is indeed in
the best interest of all the parties. Or better yet, Mr. Wenger himself may
decide to end his 16-year relationship with club, at least for now. A return for
a man who has won 3 Premier League and 4 FA Cup titles is always more likely
than not.
And That's thesteifmastertake!!
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