Getting It Done

Arsenal continue to fly under most people’s radar in their two-pronged trophy attack. Quietly and efficiently, they are going about their work and getting the results they need. Porto; job done. City away; job done. Luton; job done. 

There’s been nothing spectacular about it - not, anyway, since the successive 5-1, 2-1, 3-1, 6-0, 5-0, 4-1, 6-0, 2-1 sequence of Premier League wins since the turn of the year that transformed the goal difference situation, that is...

They’re not getting much credit for being top of the table and for reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, but they’re currently right in the mix for both trophies. In fact, most pundits are expecting them to finish third in the Premier League, and to fail to reach the Champions League Final. And, if that's the case, that does not mean that progress has not been made this season. There has. They're a better side, and have more squad depth, than last season. And they are moving in the right direction, and at a rate that we couldn't have anticipated when Mikel Arteta took over the reins.

Now, I’m not saying with any sense of anything but a gently growing sense of hope that they might win either or both trophies. And I’m not sure whether to be disappointed that our team are still not being taken as seriously as they should be, or pleased that they’re evading the media spotlight. Under the radar, and out of the spotlight, is probably better than having pressure heaped upon them. 

After all, there's the whole Klopp's Last Stand scenario. And the City Always Come Good At This Time Of Year scenario. In Europe, there's the approaching spectre of Harry Kane. But one step at a time. Do the business. Move on. 10 (up to 13) matches to go. The next one is the most important.

Let's look back at the different ways that Arsenal have gone about their business. Against Porto, they 'scraped through’ on penalties; all the subtleties of the tie, and the trickiness of the opposition, were apparently irrelevant. What they did in fact do was stay compact and work away until they got their reward. None of this 'gung ho' nonsense. Goals conceded; zero. And they held their nerve in the shoot-out (flowers for David Raya, of course).

After that nonsensical and interminable international break, the performance in a 0-0 draw at The Etihad was apparently a sign that Manchester City remain a far better side than Arsenal (look; they’re very good indeed, and whilst Arsenal couldn’t really impose themselves on the match, they held City off reasonably comfortably, in hindsight). I was there, by the way, thanks to a very kind gesture from my cousin, and whilst it made for a very long day, accompanied by a great deal of tension in the ground itself, it was worth every minute of the 14-hour round trip, and the two hours of increased blood pressure. 

 

But Arsenal can't win. Instead of getting praise for being the first team in 58 matches to prevent City from scoring at home, they get accused of 'parking the bus'. Look, I suppose they did; but they had little choice - they were hemmed in for long periods. But a) the bus was parked beautifully - City had a single effort on target - and b) arguably had more and better chances than City. I'd have taken a draw beforehand. I'm sure we all would have. But, once more - goals conceded; zero. Erling Who?

Yet they left with a tinge of regret about not managing to leave with all three points, and that's progress. They've taken 4 points from both Liverpool and City this season; that's remarkable. However, if the 5 points dropped against Fulham end up costing them the title that will be extremely disappointing.

Two entirely different types of performance in those two games. And a third different type against Luton. In a game that everyone expected them to win comfortably, Arteta took the opportunity to rotate. The squad players took their chances, which can only be good. Just Jurrien Timber to come back now and the squad will be as healthy as it can possibly be in April. 

I was particularly pleased to see ESR performing so well. He helped set up the first goal by robbing Mpenzu (superb assist by Havertz and finish by Odegaard, by the way), and having ghosted into space took the assist for the second and decisive goal. He got tired in the second half, but showed that he can be relied upon if called upon going forward. As did Thomas Partey. The team then held Luton at arm's length for the second half to take the three points. Goals conceded, by the way; zero.

There's been some moaning about a flat atmosphere at the Luton game. I'd say this; firstly, it's Easter; loads of regulars are away. Secondly, it was Luton; once a lead was secured there was no need to get excited - we'll save that for the likes of Chelsea. And finally, the tube was f*cked; no wonder so many left early. Nothing to be read into it, frankly.

Anyway... Job done. Job done. Job done. In different ways, but done nonetheless. We move on to Brighton on Saturday evening; the first of several tricky-looking away games. But by all current metrics Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League at the moment. Most goals scored. Fewest goals conceded. Highest Xg. Lowest Xg against. I could go on... so whilst the likes of Brighton are tricky fixtures, don't you think that they might be a little bit worried about having to play The Arsenal?

Three points, please. And a nice lead to take to Germany after Tuesday evening, please. Move on up.

COYG!