Was this Super Saturday? First to reach 50 and 60
Balloons popped
By Boris Mellor
February 2 2008
The experts keep predicting, or hoping for an Arsenal implosion, even the intelligent, and not at all anti – Gunner, Kevin McCarra thinks it is likely. Some of the predictions are based on hubris, having predicted that Arsenal would not make the top four they anxiously look for any sign of decline that will prove them right.
Thus the feeding frenzy when Wenger refused to see any importance in the Carling Cup exit. They have seen the turning point but Wenger is deluded in not recognising it.
First to reach 50 goals and 60 points
In McCarra’s case, it is based on a more reasonable supposition that the Arsenal squad is overstretched, and that Manchester United and Chelsea have more strength in depth. Indeed Wenger is cutting it fine, he was down to 15 outfield players this weekend, yet he stubbornly refused to buy anyone new in the transfer window. It could be seen as a gamble, but now that Arsenal are the first team to score 50 goals (52 in total) and the first to achieve 60 points it does not look so risky. Surely, these figures prove that Arsenal are more than pretenders in the title race, that an implosion is not that likely.
Africa Cup not the disaster expected?
In addition, the cavalry could just be over the horizon as the Africa Cup finishes on February 10th and Arsenal do not play again until 11 February. Of course it is unlikely that the Africans will be ready to play by then, but hopefully a few of the injuries will have cleared up by then. In addition, reinforcements should be available by the 20 th of February.
This squad only has to hold the fort for two more games at the most. It was feared that the loss of players to Africa would affect Arsenal badly, but during the four games that Kolo, Eboue, and Song have been away the Gunners have won three and drawn one. The dropping of the two points was due to stupidity rather than absences. However, in the same period Man U and Chelsea, with more substantial squad, and spending power, have fared no better.
So was this Super Saturday?
It is only in comic books, and Sky promos that everything hangs on one game in February, yet ironically, and with no TV coverage, this may prove to be the most important weekend of the Premiership. For if Arsenal can go on a 12 match run, and that is a big if, then no one can stop them. If they can win, or draw, at Manchester Utd, and Chelsea, then 11 wins would probably do. Now this is tempting fate, but this team has only lost one game in 25, and now has 13 to go.
City Victory so Important
What is important about the victory at City is that this was probably the toughest test they could face. A freezing day against a team unbeaten at home, and in the North West to boot. A test passed with flying colours. Added to this is that Adebayor proved he is the best striker in the Premiership, and that he has a partner who is also entering the elite. Ronaldo does not have the Golden Boot or Football Writers awards yet.
No wonder Wenger can let RvP have as long as he wants to recover. It might not be Super Saturday yet, but it could be the weekend that saw Arsenal become the favourites, and Adebayor finally bury the myth that Arsenal still need a striker.
United really are very good, as are Chelsea. WE have done very well but please let's not expect anything. Third would still be a good finish, from the point of view of the start of the season.
If we win the title it will nbe a fantastic achievement, but lets not start getting carried away and EXPECTING it.
Let the media doubt us-its when we are at our best.
Teams will fear Arsenal now
as padre said, we are the better team!
Since the end of WW1, 1919, when the FA restarted its 4 tier football league, with Arsenal fc in the 1st div, there’s only ever been one club to have never been relegated from Div 1/ EPL.
Arsenal fc
Let’s keep making history
I'm sorry but I don't think today "proves" anything, except that we played a team desperately out of form and Man U and Chelsea were in the opposite situation.
Even if it was certain that we were the best team, and it is certainly far from that, that is not everything in football. We may run out of luck, the fixtures may not be kind to us, injuries etc are an issue.
we cant slip up anymore..no more missing golden oppurtunities (like the rosicky one against pompey) and no more soft goals
this is the final stretch...cant depend on the other teams
its our time to prove to everyone that we are the best
As for player of the season - well Ronaldo will win it no matter who deserves it, just look at all the bull about his free kick last week, media want him and utd to win.
we need to win our own games,
wether manu or chelsea will slip up , is out of our control,
we need our injured players and african cup players back,
need to concentrate every game
and we can't afford a mistake like yesterday against
our opponent especially when playing manu and chelsea
(the mistake i mentioned is the Clichy's mistake yesterday)
but i am not critise him, i just want to say in general
any silly mistake/careless mistake of any players that
lead to goals shouldn't happened..
We got Blackburn and Brum in our target sight.
we got to win on 12-Feb and 23-Feb to keep our title challenge on teh boil...and make teams fear us, and ManLeeds and Chelski keep chasing in despair.
That is the key to inning the title now...ONE GAME AT A TIME!!
as I can bet you that Young Gunnes will be getting more and nervous as the finsihing line is getting closer and closer.
We need cooler head like Gallas, Kolo, Gilberto, Van Persie to calm down those nervous and hyper-active youngsters from committing unforced error now....like slipping against Pompey and brum.
We have t stop whipping and running cricket score against one of teh team now to put the fear into all teams.....that is, a physcological batte to ingrain thsi message into all team:
"You will lose, it is a matter of by what margin".
One game at a time, people, grinding out victories till we suddenly realise that we had string togetehr a run of 12 victories like in 1998...
The bonus is that by 10-Feb-08, EBoue, Kolo and Song are coming back.
And Rosicky, Denilson and Van Persie are also cming back in 2 weeks time.
Forget about cup competition now.
Just concentrate on what is wihtin our grasp now...as premeirship title is actually our first priority and will give a tremendous mental boost t our yougnsters for 2008/09 wher we will challenge seriosuly on ALL FRONTS....
As they said:
"A bird in hand is worth TWO in the bushes"....
Forget FAC and CL Cup...these two are really bonus to winning premiership title.
"It might not be Super Saturday yet, but it could be the weekend that saw Arsenal become the favourites, and Adebayor finally bury the myth that Arsenal still need a striker."
It does say we are possibly favourites, thats a reality we might have to live with. Its also saying we have best striking partnership in the league, surely thats true
No talk of titles please Padre!
Remember, at the begining of the season, we weren't suppose to be in this position according to the pundits. Despite injuries and a hectic schedule, I'd say we passed the test with flying colors but nobody is opening the champaign bottle just yet.
Wenger has struck the right ballance between youth and experience and I'm sure he'll keep the team focus on the task at hand.