Can Arsenal Win the English Premiership?
Arsenal FC Boast a Talent Filled Squad of Young Guns
Nov 8, 2009
Arsenal are certainly on a high at the moment. Third in the table, riding the crest of a thirteen game unbeaten run and the scorers of 36 goals in only 11 league fixtures. They are sitting pretty in their Champions League Group and through to the last eight of the Carling Cup. Yet it was not so long ago that Arsene Wenger was coming under heavy fire, his methods questioned and his obsession with youth derided as unworkable. So with everything coming together can Arsenal FC win the English Premiership?
So what has changed? Quite simply the team are winning regularly and winning well. The youngsters who struggled into fourth place last season have come of age this term. Arsenal's brand of silky, passing football has acquired a swagger born of the confidence that only winning brings. So can the team win something this year? There are a number of factors in Arsenal's favour that suggest they can.
The Manager
Arsene Wenger is a happy man. Recently turned sixty the Frenchman cuts an almost serene figure on the touchline these days. He is secure in his post, respected by his peers and idolised by the vast majority of the Arsenal fans. Having recently celebrated his 750th match in charge he wears the contented smile of a man who has been proved right after a period of doubt and uncertainty. He has never wavered in his appreciation of football as a game to be played with poise, flair and precision while his team of young guns(having been allowed time to mature) are finally beginning to flower into a team of genuine class.
Wenger has long proved himself to be a master assembler of sides and despite Arsenal’s four-year barren run, he has been given that most precious and rare of managerial gifts-time. The youngsters who were too prone to defensive lapses or liable to be over-run by the muscular physicality of their “Big Four” rivals in recent seasons have finally come into full bloom. Wenger has a managed to prune the troublesome elements of his squad, consequently lowering the wage bill, ending dressing room turmoil and providing space for new names to emerge or take centre stage. All these factors suggest his team are capable of challenging for the Premiership crown.
The Arsenal Squad
Arsenal’s current squad looks well capable of maintaining a concerted title challenge. Wenger has clipped away at the weeds infesting his team, while carefully cultivating the nascent young talent within the squad. Robin Van Persie has replaced Adebayor as the striking fulcrum. The Dutchman, hampered for so long by injury, has flourished as the main goal threat, notching seven goals and as many assists already this term. Wenger’s astute purchase of the mercurial Russian forward Andrey Arshavin has provided him with a partner of genuine flair and class.
Indeed In attack the team are spoilt for choice Van Persie and Arshavin are complimented by either the battering ram approach of Nicolas Bendtner or the predatory skills of the mobile and dangerous Eduardo. Theo Walcott, still only twenty years of age, is sure to feature when he returns to full fitness. The fifty-four goals the team have accrued already bears vivid testament to their potency in front of goal.
Thomas Vermaelen has made an excellent start to his Arsenal career, showing both bite in the tackle and a confident assurance on the ball. His four league goals have also added an element of set piece danger Arsenal have lacked in recent seasons. His partnership with the prickly William Gallas looks to have added much needed defensive stability to Arsenal’s back four.
Cesc Fabregas The Best Midfielder in The Premiership
In Cesc Fabregas Arsenal possess arguably the finest midfield player in the Premiership. His passing range, organisational abilities and eye for a goal (11 goals and counting) make him the creative fulcrum of Wenger’s young side. Denilson and Alexandre Song are willing and industrious foils for the young Spaniard and this season Arsenal finally appear to have strengthened their soft centre. They also have Tomas Rosicky and Sami Nasri to come back, which will add further depth and experience to the side; all factors that suggest a tilt at the Premiership title is not unfeasible.
Arsenal's Young Guns: Probably the Best Youth Team in the World
Wenger’s eye for a promising player and the club’s unparalleled network of youth scouts have allowed Arsenal FC to capture and develop a youth side the equal of any in world football. This season’s batch of burgeoning talents includes Fran Merida, Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela (who at twenty already has seven international goals for Mexico), Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshire (both tipped as potential England World Cup hopefuls). These youngsters possess the talent and temperament to walk straight into the side if required. Any side hoping to claim the Premiership title needs a well spring of quality young talent to call upon.
Champions Arsenal?
While Arsenal are currently sailing serenely on all fronts there are some troubling potential storm clouds on the horizon. They are sure to face renewed efforts by Barcelona in the future regarding Fabregas’ availability. Goalkeeper continues to be seen as something of a problem position. Should the somewhat erratic Spaniard Almunia succumb to injury Arsenal look short of quality replacements. The same could be said of centre-back where Philip Senderos appears to have been found wanting by Wenger. Arsenal, for all their poise, are still prone to lapses in concentration (as shown against both Manchester teams and away to Standard Liege in Europe). There will be blips from time to time as the youngsters continue to bed in.
Things look rosy in the Arsenal garden. The goals are flowing, the fans are happy and wins are being securely banked for the title run in. Should Wenger manage to keep his squad relatively injury free it is quite possible that class will finally tell this season. Can Arsenal win something this year? It will take quite an effort to stop them!
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