Not many of us would have foreseen our recent upturn in fortune following that Aston Villa debacle on the opening day. Make no mistake,that horrible result made it seem like doom awaited us in the 2013/2014 season. At that time the transfer window was on its last legs, we had only made the grand total of 1 signing in the form of YaYa Sanogo and the entire goonerverse was threatening to crumble before our very eyes. The indignation on the part of the fans was justified in the sense that it seemed inconceivable that Arsene would allow this summer peter out without strengthening the obviously deficient areas of our team. But fast forward 4 weeks and what do we have? a 360 turn around in affairs. A team in form, fans happy and a manager who isn't afraid to admit his surprise at the exploits of some of his players.
So how did it come to this..id be the first to attribute this to the impressive harmony and team spirit in this Arsenal team.They look like a bunch who have absolute mutual respect and value for each other. And why not? They have been through hell together and have stood behind each other and their manager when the results have not been positive. Now i don't want to tempt fate, but right now these guys seem to have somehow devised a steely interior of grit and resolve to grind out results no matter what or whom they encounter. The fans have observed this and have rallied behind them 100% to form this seemingly unstoppable Red and White force we have before us. Very little is being murmured about the paucity of options in the squad amongst fans right now. Few still moan but in their hearts they know now isn't the time for that. Its instead time to get behind the guys and push them on from strength to strength. Its the best moment in the club we have had for some time. Fans and Team in one united front. Long may it continue.
We face Stoke city on Sunday lunch time. And if you ask me, they are another scalp we need to add to our collection. I have a particular dislike for stoke city. Why? i really cant say. Maybe it was the personality of their erstwhile manager, or their style of play, or their players even or hell maybe all of the above. But i just don't like them and if there's any team i take immense joy defeating in this league its those chaps from Stoke.
They have a new man at the helm of affairs now in Mark Hughes (a man who lets be honest hates us too so, no chance of that hate cycle ending anytime soon),and he's begun his tenure quite well. They've only lost to Liverpool and have only recently earned a fine point against Mancity. I saw that game and was surprised at the industry and guile in their play. it was very Unstoke-like shall we say. Mancity were very lucky to escape the Brittania with something and if the finishing was better Stoke should have won comfortably with the kind of chances they got. Its always a clash of opposing styles when these two sides meet but in their last six meetings we have the upper hand having won 3times drawn twice and ended on the losing side just once. It wont be easy, Hughes has a good record against us but if we keep doing what we've been doing recently they will stand no chance. The better side technically we may be but they have their strengths also. They'll look to get us into conceding set pieces in dangerous areas so that they can hoof it high up in our box for their giant players to make hay. Here's where we have to exhibit a high degree of concentration and communication. We must win the 1st balls or at worst contest for them whilst absolutely making sure rebounds and 2nd balls are promptly cleared. Szcesney isn't new to Stoke and their tactics, therefore a lot will depend on his command of the penalty box and his defenders. Arteta has been reported to be back in training but it remains to be seen if he'll be selected. Having said that its great news for the team he is available as he is as Wenger described one of the ''Leaders'' of the bunch. Mesut Ozil will be making his home debut and will experience the joys/pressures of playing in front of the gunner faithfuls. Arsene says he still needs time to adapt, but as far as the Sunderland game went he seemed quite fine. Here's hoping he has a great home debut spiced with assists and dare i say a goal to get us the three points?
So it'll probably be the same line up vs Marseille and we will all be looking for the same result as that Night. three points will be great for squad confidence, and will keep us in this dreamland none of us wants to wake up from. So best of luck to the lads! and of course Mike Dean better behave...laterfolks
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