Joining a club like Arsenal is an achievement for any player. As a youngster, taking your first steps in the world of professional football, it’s one of the best clubs you can join, as Arsene Wenger is an advocate for bleeding fresh blood into his side. Not only will he give you a chance, he’s gives you his faith and trust that you can become one of the best players on the planet.
A scenario where there is two positive outcomes? In the world of football it’s a common that is experienced by clubs and fans alike. But, when you do experience it, you’ll always feel better internally. When was the last time you experienced such an emotion?
It goes without saying that the summer of 2014 will be one of the best ever as the World Cup takes centre stage followed by the transfer window. Any player that shines at the World Cup has every manager, coach and scout compiling dossiers on them for the domestic clubs.
Strikers? Who’d want to be one? Well, apparently most children these days. Chelsea are one of the most dominant clubs in England and have supporters up and down the country but they haven’t really been inspiring the children to shout their names when kicking a ball around a field. As a football coach myself, I find it quite surprising how little I hear Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba or Fernando Torres screamed at the top of their little lungs. There was a time when all you could hear was ‘Drogba’.
It’s a common aspiration of many children across the world to become a professional footballer. Arsenal have an illustrious history, rich with trophies and success. Despite going nearly nine seasons without such glory, they are still a hugely attractive club due to the stars that they have in their ranks and the fact that they are always in the Champions League.
The striker situation at Chelsea is a rather dire one. They haven’t yet found a man that will consistently score goals for them in every competition. The fact is that Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o have managed just four goals between them in the Premier League. The form of Oscar and Eden Hazard is the basis of their attacking prowess. Mourinho needs to seriously address this situation in January because the Blues are a consistent striker short of being serious title contenders.
It’s never easy replacing a player that has been consistently brilliant at the club for a number of years. You get so used to seeing that player on the team sheet and what they bring to the team, the kind of things that make you go ‘Wow, we’re so lucky to have him’. Patrice Evra is one of those players because he combines attacking and defending excellently to make him one of a special breed of left-back. Not many can combine the two well and often a player excels in just one of the areas.
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.