28 Feb 2016 22:57:21
When we look to grasp ourselves right back into the title race, we yet again let ourselves fall at the next hurdle.

Today reminded me of our defeat to Southampton earlier in the season and the events surrounding both defeats today included were relatively the same. We had just beaten Manchester City in a crucial game that propelled us into a strong position in the title race when we were easily dispatched of by a incredibly beatable Saints side, we cited a lack of passion and a lack of focus that day, yet we easily brushed it off as a one off, maybe the euphoria at the time of leading the title race, being favourites and Ozil's form meant we were prepared to overlook how poorly we had responded to such a big win, yet the patterns are striking in relation to that game and our result today.

Following an incredible victory at home to Leicester, with a last gasp winner we propelled ourselves back into the title race and everyone yet again seemed convinced we would push on and that Leicester were going on to fall, yet lighting appears to have striked twice, our following league game yielded an incredible loss to what has to be considered one of the worst Utd teams in history, yes we played two other games in between but still our return to our championship fight which is our priority has yet again been abysmal.

Now what is it that can explain such repeated occurrences, our always sloppy February form? and our poor responses to seismic events? it is yet again persistent failings but why? Well looking at the two examples mentioned overconfidence and thinking we will just walk games seems to be the answer, both games we had pretty much our fist 11 yet we were easily dispatched of by teams whose majority of fielded players on the day would not get into our team. Where does this mentality come from, it must come from somewhere and judging by the arrogance AW exerts at times we can only look at one place. Do these players also want it enough? 'wanting it' is what Vardy and co have offered us all season, bundles of passion and work rate with a team that isn't the greatest but they ground out results like against Norwich because they are committed and never have a attitude of being beat and dying once they concede, yet once we do today it seems our overconfidence becomes shrouded in panic and fear and we result to how all arsenal teams since 2006 have been and that is to just commit to the attack, act carelessly and abandon simple instructions or roles. With such a mentality how can we ever win the league.

Secondly, I mentioned our poor february form and our lack of fight, WHERE ARE THE WARRIORS IN THIS TEAM? When the weather gets rough we seem to get a nosebleed heading up north and we never seem to want to fight tooth and nail for it, regardless of our opposition, we offer very little aggression! Only Coquelin who I absolutely love and probably Alexis Sanchez who is shocking at the moment put up any fight! We lack players with desire who don't mind getting hurt in order to win! Compare this team man for man based on hunger, passion and fight with our last winning championship winning team and today we look absolute melts! Lauren over Bellerin, Sol over Mert, Toure/ Keown over Kos, Cole over Monreal, Gilberto probably on par with Coq, Vieira over Ramsey, Pires on par with Sanchez, Ljungberg over Walcott, Bergkamp over Ozil and Henry over Giroud, these guys were tough, athletic and physical and knew what the badge meant. They bossed and scared teams yet today we are nowhere near in comparison, we are fairies who don't put themselves out there to win, only a minority do!

So why hasn't Wenger stuck to this blueprint? Yes football has changed but Leicester have that robustness about them, City do and even Spurs do, I hate to say it but fundamental changes are needed in our squad either mentally or personnel wise to recreate those days of not fearing anyone and being the feared, we are no longer a monster that can go to the Bernabeu and win 1-0 or go to Inter and win 5-1! And if that is the case and our bad form persists and we do not win the league for me Wenger has to go!

As a big lover of Arsenal FC I really hope I get proved wrong and this team can go on to great things starting with this season but i'm afraid the proof is in the pudding, today we were beaten by a b team, possibly even a c team with an 18 year old debutant and a LB AND CM paring at CB, as 'title challengers' that should never ever happen!

1.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 00:01:19
Cant really argue with GR that pretty much sums it up. Great post by the way.

2.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 00:18:29
Cheers steve, point is, I shouldn't be having to make posts like that, as suppossed title challengers in the easier premier league for a long time we should be killing such a utd team.

3.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 00:30:41
I think what has upset me is the players don't look like they want it. I think they are racked with fear, how else can you explain getting to the top of the league and then produce sterile, negative football. I really don't think they are of the mindset that champions have. We have stopped scoring and are letting goals in and that only spells one thing.

4.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 03:32:59
Didn't even deserve to beat Leicester truthfully. Papered over the cracks for one week.

5.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 07:01:00
Great points. And rooster you are correct.