Are the so-called pundits finally accepting how good Arsenal are these days?
It has come as a bit of a surprise to wake up the day after we reclaim North London bragging rights and move into third place in the Premier League to find the so-called pundits actually saying something positive about us.
Lets be honest, the pundits are rather negative about Arsenal, we have become their whipping boys down the years and to be fair, on occasions it has been deserved but only on occasions, when Tottenham finish top four it is great, when we do we get ripped to be pieces for not winning the title and so on, you all know what it has been like.
But today, two of the well known Arsenal haters Jamie Carragher and Chris Sutton have had no choice but to say something positive through gritted teeth.
“I think I said on first show of the season that at times they’re going to have to adapt, do different things,” Carragher said. “We’ve seen that change of system, change of players, personnel a lot.
“You’re never quite sure what the Arsenal team will be.
“But, I’ve said before, I think the squad he was left with was probably No 6 in the Premier League.
“And if he can go on to get this team in the top four this season, I think that’s a hell of a job that he’s done.
“If he can go into third position and above Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea, all these other teams around there, with the squad that he’s got, and the injuries he’s got don’t forget, I think he’s done a great job.”
That must have really hurt Carragher to say that, he did, of course, have a dig at our away record and conceding goals in every away game but even so, it does make a change for him to not actually criticise our manager and instead say something positive.
Then we have the failed former England international Chris Sutton, always a man that likes to say something to provoke but even he could not help himself.
“Arsenal were really, really impressive,” Sutton said on BBC 5Live.
“They have been flying at the Emirates all season.
“When you think about it, the top four looked too far away at the start of the season but it’s in their hands now.
“Five (wins) out of the last seven are away now for them.
“They limited Newcastle to very few chances.
“You feel Arsenal fans are right behind Emery. In some ways they are overachieving this season.”
As to be expected he caveats his positive words with the overachieving line but as with Carragher, he had no choice but to admit how impressive we were and what we have achieved this season against the odds.
You never know, even Paul Merson may have something good to say next.
Martin