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10 wins on the trot, a heady feeling for an Arsenal fan. Not since the exciting class of 2007-2008 (in what some are terming as the Alexander Hleb era!) has Arsenal gone on a double figure victory run. And just as the case was in that squad, the current team is also not dependent on any one single player to bring home the points.
True, the focus is on Ozil for the most part and deservedly so. The record signing for Arsenal has lifted the spirits of fans all over the world and can even be seen in the stadium as well, as supporters vociferously show their support as the match goes on. And Ozil has not disappointed either. 15 minutes into his first game, he brought out a casual first touch, which was anything but lazy.
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Bringing down the long ball from Gibbs with such ease was something the fans haven’t seen a player in an Arsenal shirt do. To top it, he provided the assist that made Giroud’s goal, making the debut truly memorable. All this while he was supposedly not up to the mark in terms of fitness, as a result of a sickness while playing for Germany.
Another focus point in these matches has been the blinding form of Ramsey, who has not stopped scoring ever since the season has started. For all the brick bats he received upon his return from the horrific injury, he is getting extraordinary support from the fans, who acknowledge the tremendous comeback he has made. Who knows, if he continues this brilliant form, he might even pip the galaxy of strikers in the Premier League and bag the golden boot! I kid, of course. (Or do I?)
Then there’s Olivier Giroud, who has been on a run of his own, showing a killer instinct that did not seem to be present last season. He is, of course, being ably assisted by Ozil. But how many times have we not seen last season when most of his attempts ended with him looking pleadingly towards the sky.
Not only that, the striker has become a very important player in defence as well. His tall stature allows him to tower over the opposition players, giving Arsenal a better chance at not conceding from set-pieces. While this was a regular feature which was seen in the second half of last season, this time Giroud is actively participating in getting the ball back during open play as well. Therefore, it is not really a surprise to see him playing on both ends of the field throughout the game.
Mathieu Flamini, the free signing no one really got excited about, has now become one of the most important cogs of the team, so much so that he’s been able to convince fans that he should be started ahead of a returning Mikel Arteta. Flamini is the out and out defensive midfielder that Arsenal have been crying out for, one who will make those hard tackles and shield the back four too.
He also does a lot of pointing and screaming, always keeping the others on their toes. It’s not to say that Arteta doesn’t do all that. There have been many a times when Arteta and Rosicky took one for the team and made that tactical foul that earned them a yellow card, just so that they could stop a counter attack from turning dangerous. But Flamini brings a certain hardness into the team that has been missing for quite some time.
With the defence no longer giving nightmares, it has all started working well for Arsenal and the results are there to see. The best part about this season is the fact that the start has been brilliant, and not the usual dropping of points and falling too far back in the race scenario that fans have been dished for close to five years.
And yet, it still feels that the fans are not fully convinced that they are actually in a position of dominance. It is almost as if the fans believe that it is all a dream, and they would be given a rude awakening, bringing them down, once again having to face disappointment. It seems as if they prefer to guardedly enjoy the wins and even as rival fans grudgingly acknowledge the good position that Arsenal find themselves in, the fans themselves don’t want to make any big claims of winning the league or any of the trophies.
Which is a shame really. For years together, Arsenal fans have had to put up with the goading of millions of Manchester United fans as they continued to rack up the league titles while the Gunners only had an empty cabinet to show. With clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City flexing their financial muscles, Arsenal fans have had to make do with bargain buys, hoping they would miraculously come good and win them a trophy. And so, perhaps it is not so surprising that the Gunners are playing the wait and watch game before they start rubbing it in on rivals.
And perhaps, one can’t blame them too. Too often they have had to face the ridicule of rival fans, and the fear is ever present that if and when it all this early season goes down the drain, the insults they would have to hear would be a hundred times more painful.
But games like the one against Napoli are proof that this Arsenal side has turned a corner. A late implosion seems unlikely, especially with the amount of experience the team carries in the team.
So rejoice, ye gooners, your time is now!
