While Arsenal got off to s slow start to the current Premier League campaign, a lot of people’s pre-season favourites Manchester City hit the ground running and seemed to have instantly adapted to the ways of their new manager Pep Guardiola, which was certainly not what Arsenal fans wanted to see.
Despite the fact that Arsenal dropped points at home to Middlesborough recently, we still find ourselves neck and neck with Man City, as their early promise had disappeared and been replaced with the longest winless run of the Spaniard’s career as a coach.
That run included a heavy 4-0 pasting against Pep’s former side Barcelona and I for one was hoping that all this would have a very negative effect on their confidence and morale, which would be a big boost to our own hopes of winning the EPL title.
But the chances of Arsenal being crowned champions of England next May could now be looking slimmer after Man City followed on from the heavy league win over West Brom with an outstanding European victory over Pep’s former club. Now we are hearing from buzzing City players who sound brimming with confidence again.
Zabaleta said, “We had started the season really well, winning all the games in the Premier League and the Champions League, until we had a small blip.
“Perhaps people were talking about a crisis or saying we doubted our style of play a little bit, but we responded well in the last couple of games.
“Obviously Pep’s way is to believe in hard work, believe in what we’re doing, what we’re working towards, and that’s the best way to go.”
Aguero said, “I’ve experienced many different important nights, and this was another one that not only me but the whole team enjoyed.
“We also could feel the support from the fans and that was important for our confidence. It was a nice game for the memories.”
And Guardiola said, “It is a good step to say that once in our lives we played against the best team in the world and we beat them.
“If you talk about the whole performance then, for the first 38 minutes, we were still not able to compete with the best clubs in the world,” said Guardiola.
“But, in the second half, it was different. I saw my players were upbeat – they knew they had gone through their bad moment. That sureness Barca had in the first half, we were able to turn that around.
“Now they will realise that they have beaten the best team. Future generations will see that and know they have to do that again. That is a process.
“It was the same with the group of players with Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany who won the title twice in five or six years together. The players arriving at the club now understand they have to do that, or try to do that too.”
The Arsenal players have to focus on their own performances, of course, and it remains to be seen if City will power on after this result but I cannot help but feel it will give them all a huge boost and will help the new manager to get the players doing what he wants.
Will that make them too strong for Arsenal or have the Gunners got enough to finish above any other team in the league? A win over Tottenham in the derby would certainly make me feel a lot better about our chances…
D.N.
Alexis Sanchez 32 million,Moussa Sissoko 30 million. What.A.Laugh. ?????
alot of arsenal fan not going like what im about to say but giroud is our most valuable player. you don’t realize because you don’t understand the game he does alot that go on recognize for instant he won the ball on gave it to elneny but goes on notice. ozil goals was beautiful but alot of other players would finish it easily
Not our most valuable player, but definitely one of our most underrated players, like Coquelin. Most people are mesmerized by expensive and stylish players, like Ozil and Xhaka, but it is the underrated players that won us the physical battle in the field and made us dominant.
so winning the ball and giving to Elneny makes him the most valuable player? I’ve seen Coq winning balls ugly and passing it to teammates who go on and score, never heard anyone call him the MVP of Arsenal.
anyone could finish that Ozil’s goal easily but non could think the way he thought.. could have been just one of Arsenal goals but not one of the best goals ever scored in the UCL
I can’t wait to see the team that we put out against the spuds + our bench (ramsay/giroud/ox) to come off the bench… my word!
Yeah they’d have to be feeling confident after beating Barca so convincingly. I think Caballero coming in for Bravo helped, Bravo was worrying his players and gifting chances. Kompany is back and he’d be a huge loss to any side. Aguero is his ruthless best so yeah it’s not great timing for us esp if you believe the November!!!! bwahahaha!
If we can deal spu a lethal blow by taking these next points I think it could be us brimming with confidence before the week is out. Spu fans actually believe they not only belong in the CL but they are a big club too, much to big to be seeking an equalizer against a decent German side which actually holds more CL experience than they do. I’d love for us to take them down a peg or two, they need it doing. Last seasons plaudits went to their head a bit, new signings, then they expected to be among the big boys from here on out. Really hope we show up with a killer performance, if we can do that it’ll be a major blow at a very good time.
I’ll finish by saying the competition in our team is looking very healthy right now. Ramsey back from injury nowhere near his best but two games two assists. Giroud the same only back played two or three games got three goals. Gibbs should be and maybe is a little rusty but he himself got an assist even though not up to speed yet. Holding comes into the side and you see no signs of lacking any experience. Xhaka missed some games recently and is new to his teammates but amongst the goals already, and some important ones at that. Elneny a DM comes on and makes a pass that the man who controlled it would’ve been proud of. The competition in our team is making even players who are rusty or not quite there yet to try their damnedest at making an impression.
All the same I’m eager to get Santi Bellerin Walcott and Monreal back playing today.
Yes, the high competition has made the players fought with their hearts now. All players are very valuable, including the infamous ones, like Mertesacker, Debuchy, Sanogo, etc. They can push the first team squad to reach their maximum potentials. Just be patient with the outcasts. With this level of competition, expect some of them to wake up from their graves, like Walcott (used to be deemed unworthy for playing with the first team squad) and Coquelin (used to be loaned out and was about to be released).
Mertesacker, Debuchy, Sanogo; these 3 cannot push anyone. having them waiting cannot make anyone scared that one of them could take his position and make it his. they are a waste of space and salary
Ozils goal was like Messy-
He’s had a mental barrier in front of goal, seems he is overcoming that this season – and that’s fantastic for Arsenal and any football fans
He’s already brilliant. But he can really become one of the worlds best if he starts adding goals to his Arsenal
maybe, but I don’t see how beating Barca help them find a solution to their main weakness- bus parking.