5 Signs That Arsenal Are The Real Deal This Season – Part 1

In my last article I explained how the media set up Arsenal’s season in their own minds and that they didn’t expect much to happen. Exit from the Champions League, struggle early but a late pick up in form lands them in the Champions League but the minimal squad depth made some journalists jump to conclusions that the Gunners may not even make the Champions League next season. At the moment, they are defying the odds and are having a great season. But what’s important to know is that this is no fluke – Arsene Wenger has found a tactic, a team, and a balance that can help Arsenal win the league. Here are five reasons why I think Arsenal can win the league. Hindsight will tell me not to do this just in case, but this is my opinion now and it’s not likely to change soon.

1. Returning quality

In the first few weeks of the season Arsenal lost Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo, Santiago Cazorla and Theo Walcott to long terms injuries. They’ve also had to deal with Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini, Thomas Vermaelen, Ryo Miyaichi, Tomas Rosicky, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna, Nacho Monreal and Mikel Arteta suffering short layoffs as well.

Yet the Gunners still climbed to the top of the Premier League in the absence of some of these players. However, they gained Theo Walcott a couple of weeks ago, Lukas Podolski should be in the squad for the Manchester City game on Saturday while Chamberlain and Sanogo will be back in early January. Arsenal are close to be up to full compliment so depth will be incredible at the Gunners if everyone’s available.

2. Momentum

 Whenever Arsenal have suffered a setback, they’ve achieved something that will give them momentum once again. If they lose in the league, they beat a team in the Champions League. If they lose in the Champions League, they beat a team in the league convincingly – something which has allowed them to go to their next few games and come away with a win or at least a point. They haven’t suffered back-to-back defeats in any competitions this season and in any run of matches.

When Arsenal pick up momentum they can be extremely dangerous and they have a chance to pick up a lot of momentum in their next two games as they’ll be facing City and Chelsea, and should they win both, who knows what they’ll be able to achieve.

3. Tactics are working

 Arsene Wenger is a tactician. He’d rather set up the team in such a fashion and if it’s not working then he’ll change it up and, if all else fails, he’s upon his feet barking out orders at his players. This season, Wenger’s tactic is to use three attacking midfielders rather than two outlets and one attacking midfielder.

It allows for Arsenal to dominate the midfield, it also allows them to press further up the pitch and with more players because we haven’t got those outlet players hugging the touchline. In terms of an attacking force, Wenger has trained these players to not stick to their position but rather float across the frontline.

It confuses defenders because they don’t know who to mark or who to defend against because every player is different. It’s effect is obvious – Arsenal are winning games and comfortably as well.

4. Injuries drying up

Have you noticed that the minor injuries that Arsenal players suffered at the start of the season have dried up in recent weeks? No? Well if you look closely, you’ll realise that they have. Bacary Sagna will be back for the Manchester City game but apart from that, who else is suffering a minor injury that will keep them out for a couple of games? No one. If Arsenal can keep it that way then they’ll hsve every chance to succeed in the Premier League.

5. Rotation

This point links in with my last because one of the reasons why Arsenal are suffering less injuries now is because of squad depth which has allowed for squad rotation. The Gunners have five midfield positions to fill – Flamini, Wilshere, Arteta, Ramsey and Rosicky can fill play in central midfield. Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Serge Gnabry, Lukas Podolski and Rosicky can all play in the attacking midfield role as well as on the wing.

They can field two different midfields if they should choose to. Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla and Walcott can be one midfield set up. The other could be Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky, Podolski and Gnabry. Both have high amounts of quality that can win games. Depth equals rotation which in turn means reduced injuries.