Arsenal’s second team is preparing to face Cologne in Germany tonight hoping to secure top place in our qualifying group, and it is fair to say that if our reserves play with the same heart that the First XI did on Saturday then they will win this match very easily indeed.
But our captain Per Mertesacker admitted before the game that the Gunners raised their game by 20% against Tottenham, and he would like to see us play like that every week. “I think it was a brilliant example of us bringing it all – fans and players together,” our BFG said.
“It was a great atmosphere and lovely to see how we were together in every single situation. Even in the stands, on the bench or actually on the field, we seemed to be together.
“The intensity was great from the start and I think it is human on those occasions that we give 20 per cent more. I think it is like that.
“But we want to reproduce, especially on Thursday. They set a good example for us, those players who came in. We saw that intensity and to repeat that tomorrow and Sunday will be a big, big challenge for us. But we embrace it.”
But my original question remains; Why can’t we do this every week? Do you just want to win some games but don’t care about the others?
As I said the other day, this anomaly in our players attitudes is what makes Arsenal fans so frustrated every season!
Seriously if we played like that every week, we would win the League in a canter…
Darren N