Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons to be positive at the moment, but the media would have us believe we're right up there with Chelsea competing for the title, when the reality is that we're still 7 points behind having played one game more. The moment we start believing that the hard work is done and we've arrived, is the moment we go to Burnley thinking we've already won just by turning up. There are, however, no easy games in the Premier League and, as Wenger stated recently, we need to match Burnley's work rate if we are to win this game.
It has been an absolute delight to see Özil and Alexis both able to be effective in the same team, but other players that have been vital to our improved performances also include Giroud (10 goals in 10 games), Coquelin, Cazorla and Koscielny. Against Burnley though, we have a slightly different test, in that we need to start using the whole squad and giving some of our key players a rest. I suspect that Koscielny and Cazorla may be given a well-earned break, and that Welbeck will be involved to give us more physical presence, along with Giroud.
Predicted line-up: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Welbeck, Özil, Alexis; Giroud.
Last seven games:
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
QPR 1-2 Arsenal
Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Monaco 0-2 Arsenal (Champion's League - we lose on away goals)
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
While we went out of the Champion's League, our performance against Monaco in the second leg was nothing to be ashamed of, with all the damage having been done in the first leg. In the other games we have managed to successfully negotiate some tricky looking fixtures. In an effort to avoid being swayed this way and that by the latest media trends, I wrote an article, earlier in the season (have a look here), trying to be as objective as possible about what might constitute a successful for Arsenal in 2014/15. My main conclusions were as follows:
'To improve on last season, we need to achieve more than 79 points in the league and get 3rd place or better. We also need to win something again, be it the FA Cup, Premier League or Champions League. And, most importantly (for me), we also need to eliminate the humiliating results. With our improved financial strength and resources, the expectations of Arsenal fans has rightly increased, meaning that just finishing 4th is no longer good enough, and the pressure on Wenger to deliver success is much greater.'
In these terms, this season is beginning to look like it could be a success. We're now averaging over two points per game, but our current form will need to continue if we're to reach 79 points or more. Having said that, this season is looking like 79 points would win us 2nd place, as it would have done in every Premier League season apart from the one just gone. We're in with a good shout of retaining the FA Cup, although Liverpool will no doubt be a tougher proposition at Wembley, as they will do anything not to lose to us for the third time this season (assuming we make it to the final). I think what is most pleasing is that we're finally showing ourselves to be more capable against the bigger teams, and we're miles away from taking the beatings of last season. A sterner test against Chelsea awaits, however.
It's been great to see the likes of Coquelin and Bellerin emerging over the past few months and establishing themselves in the team. A recent article in the Telegraph re-hashed some old news confirming that Bellerin is now our quickest player over 40m, but there was also an interesting quote from Wenger about why he selected Bellerin to play against Sterling:
“I picked Bellerin for his pace and low centre of gravity,” the manager said. “Raheem Sterling changes direction very quickly and Hector is short as well.”
I find this particularly interesting in terms of the debate about whether Debuchy should get back in the first team when he returns from injury. The surprise here is that Wenger chooses which full-backs to play based on the opposition they are to face. So, rather than having first and second choice full-backs, we have Gibbs and Bellerin who are quick enough to cope with fast opposition wingers, but we also have Monreal and Debuchy, who are more robust and positionally aware. I thought that we looked a lot more solid defensively, particularly aerially, when Debuchy came back into the team, yet against a fast and tricky winger like Sterling, I'd feel much more comfortable with Bellerin's pace in the team.
Aside from Bellerin, the article also invites the question as to who in the squad is slower than Mertesacker (over 40m)?! My initial thoughts were that it has to be either Ospina or Szczesny, but now I'm thinking perhaps Arteta?! There really aren't many other candidates!
While on the subject of pace, I feel I should briefly offer some thoughts on the Walcott situation. And how different it is to the last time he came to sign a new contract, when he was able to hold us to ransom somewhat. This time round, I feel it is the club who hold most of the cards. Personally I would like Walcott to stay, based on the glimpses of potential we've seen in the Özil-Walcott combination. If that ever gains consistency then there's no doubt that Walcott's runs off the ball, combined with his pace, could see him become a World-class goal scorer, provided he improves his finishing.
On the other hand, there are some very big ifs in there. We've been waiting for almost 10 years for Walcott to deliver on his potential, gain consistency and improve his finishing. If we consider the situation from Walcott's point of view then there is now doubt that this is the best club for him to develop. Nowhere else would have supported him through so many injuries, given him so many chances and so much game to improve while also offering Champion's League football every year. Also, no other club has Özil to spot his runs and put so many chances on a plate for him.
Should Walcott decide otherwise, I won't be too concerned. Wenger now has the funds to buy a World-class replacement, with Brahimi, Sterling and Pedro all possible candidates. Or, dare I say it, how about Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gnabry, or even Wellington Silva (!)
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