If you would ask any Arsenal fan what their dream season would be, the answer would certainly be the Gunners winning the magic Treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League, a feat only ever achieved in England by the great Sir Alex Ferguson. Now that Arsenal’s traditional rival is out of the picture, Arsene Wenger also has that dream of emulating Man United’s achievement.
To do that, Wenger understands that you need practically two full teams in your squad to cope with the ever increasing fixture list as you progress in every competition. So yesterday’s decision to make 9 changes against Burnley was a calculated risk, to make sure you have a team out that is good enough to win, but also to have another full fresh team to dispose of Southampton in midweek.
This rotation will also have to come into play later this month, when we have the FA Cup Fifth Round on the weekend of the 20th, then we are at home to Barcelona on Tuesday the 23rd, then followed the following weekend by a crucial trip to Old Trafford to face Man United in the League.
That is a daunting prospect for any side, and Wenger admitted that we would need a friendly FA Cup draw to ease the rotation problems. “Let’s pray for the draw,” Wenger said. “If we can keep everybody fit, we can do it in three competitions. We have a chance to compete.”
Le Prof’s prayers were answered when we were given yet another home game against Lower League opposition in Hull City, the team we struggled against in the Final a couple of years ago. This gives us a real chance to continue chasing the dream. Let’s hope we are just as fortunate in future draws after we knock out Hull and Barcelona…..
Onwards and Upwards!