All is not lost for Arsenal

An animated face, a nervous look and an ever increasingly frustrated figure isn’t how exactly you would have described Arsene Wenger some years back when he was enjoying great success with Arsenal. But over the years, this has been a constant and glaring visual in the Arsenal dugout. The victory smile and the appreciation applause have been replaced by throwing water bottles in frustration and by constant nagging on the touchline along with the above mentioned antics.

A frustrated Arsene Wenger has been a constant image in the Arsenal dugout in recent years

He has become a frustrated old man after seeing his hand-picked and well-groomed Arsenal squad throw away leads/titles on a regular basis.

“I’m to blame for frustrating year”

This was the immediate reaction of Arsene Wenger when asked about whether the players are to be blamed for a poor run of form that leaves Arsenal without any silverware for the 6^th season running.

It’s high time the players stand up and take more responsibility because even though Wenger chooses to defend them time and again, it has been their fault too and it’s unfair on the part of Le Professeur to accept all the blame. The Frenchman, over the years, has become an increasingly frustrated figure on the sidelines. His team, in which he had massive belief and trust, is not standing up to his expectations and always crumbles when it matters the most. Still Wenger has not given up faith in boys and is standing by the very crop of players because of whom he has had to face much criticism.

This Sunday sees Arsenal take on leaders Manchester United at The Emirates Stadium; a match which was to be of immense significance for the Gunners a couple of weeks back is now being touted as a mere formality. But take away nothing from the match. Even though Arsenal’s title challenge is over, they would be looking for the 3pts and look to prove the doubters that they are a capable bunch of lifting silverware in the foreseeable future. This was clearly evident in Arsene Wenger’s pre-match media briefing where he discussed how Arsenal have closed the gap on Manchester United and what the game on Sunday means to him:

“I feel we have made up a lot of ground and we have a good opportunity to show that on Sunday,”

“The game was targeted as being a decider for the championship [but] it certainly will not be. We still have to give absolutely everything and you never know, if we beat Man United, it would come back to six points.

“You never know. It is important for us to show some fighting spirit, some fighting attitude and some pride. There is more at stake on Sunday than just the mathematics.

“We will never give up as long as there is a mathematical chance because if that is [not] the case we have not the right to be at Arsenal Football Club.”

Will the Gods smile at Wenger ?? Or will it be Sir Alex with the last laugh again ??

A win on Sunday will definitely help the team regain the lost confidence and will also to an extent prove that Arsenal are strong mentally and do not lack character. It will, in the long term, prove decisive as it may mean that they can win against the big guns and it will install new self-belief in the players that they can one day lift a trophy come what may. A win can also convince players like Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy etc that Arsenal mean business and by no means are happy with only finishing in the Top4. It might also pave way for any superstar additions, if required.

For much of Arsene Wenger’s hard work and dedication, a solid reply from the players after the defeat to Bolton is the least the man deserves. After the return of Thomas Vermaelen against Man United Reserves in midweek, he has a nearly full strength squad at his disposal to choose from. Although recent results against his old rival Sir Alex have not been great, he will look to take massive advantage of Man United’s away form which is the poorest amongst the teams in the Top4.

Arsene Wenger needs to issue a massive war-cry to his players in order to get a favourable result and if his players respond to that in a positive manner, that might prove decisive at the end of the season.