When Arsenal fans hear positive things about the current incarnation of the Gunners from Arsene Wenger or former players that are now working in the football media it is one thing, but when we hear it from someone who has no reason to give us any credit and who traditionally has been down on us as a club and a team, I think it strikes a chord.
The former boss of Manchester United certainly fits into the latter category of people, so when I read the comments of Sir Alex Ferguson on the Sky Sports website about our chances this season of finally ending the long wait for another league title it was definitely welcome.
The Scotsman did not say that we are favourites to win it, with that honour going to Man City under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, but he did put us in the running and reserved some special praise for the performances of our young Nigerian international star Alex Iwobi.
The reason Ferguson gave for believing that Arsenal could do better this time than in recent years is the same thing we keep hearing, that the current side has more steel added to the usual silk of our play. He also described as as a more sturdy unit, probably due to the resilience we have shown in games like the ones against PSG, Burnley and Southampton which in other seasons we may well have lost.
He said, “You shouldn’t forget Arsenal. The team is more sturdy. They’ve got better and more aggressive. I’m impressed with the young boy Alex Iwobi.”
This is not exactly glowing praise I know but I reckon it must have hurt him to admit it. The question is can we keep showing the traits that has made Fergie feel that the season could belong to Arsenal?
Bob.