Wenger does it again
Posted on 18th March 2009 at 18:18
You have to take your hat off to Arsene Wenger as he's done it again. Like Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, the Frenchman has reinvented his team's image more times than Madonna - and his latest crop look like they'll be in the thick of the race for the Premier League crown next season.
Arsenal fans have been a lucky bunch during Wenger's reign in North London, first seeing a team built around the skills of Bergkamp, pace of Anelka and creativity of Overmars. Then we had the class of Henry, Pires, Ljungberg and Vieira - arguably the best of the lot after doing the Double in unbelievable and breathtaking style.
This season has seen some Gunners fans call for Wenger's head, which is sheer madness, as is being shown by Arsenal's rich vein of form when it really matters.
The Gunners always come good as the season enters the final bend, and are in contention for the FA Cup and Champions League - the title is beyond them this season, but I reckon they'll be contenders next term.
Everyone was urging Wenger to recruit a midfield enforcer in January, but he went out and splashed a wad of cash on Andrey Arshavin.
Most pundits were scratching their heads at how he would fit into their already attack-minded set-up, but the Russian has made a seamless transition to Premier League life and looks a class act already.
Spain showed at the Euros that a swift, passing game can also achieve the top honours - and you have to admire Wenger's stubbornness in sticking to his principles.
Next season the likes of Nasri, Denilson and Arshavin will have bags of Premier League experience - and when you add them to a team also including Adebayor, van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott, you can see why the Emirates Stadium is packed to the rafters every game.
The midfield and attack get most of the credit, but Wenger has also assembled a defensive back four which could play together for the next 3 years, meaning Sagna, Gallas, Toure and Clichy will provide the foundations from which Wenger's boys can build waves of attacking play.
Chelsea may ultimately push United closer for the title this season, but in Drogba, Ballack and Carvalho they have thirtysomethings who will soon need replacing.
Sir Alex could well retire this summer if he wins the Quintuple, but if he does plough on in search of more silverware I think he'll view Arsenal as his biggest rivals.
Arsenal fans have been a lucky bunch during Wenger's reign in North London, first seeing a team built around the skills of Bergkamp, pace of Anelka and creativity of Overmars. Then we had the class of Henry, Pires, Ljungberg and Vieira - arguably the best of the lot after doing the Double in unbelievable and breathtaking style.
This season has seen some Gunners fans call for Wenger's head, which is sheer madness, as is being shown by Arsenal's rich vein of form when it really matters.
The Gunners always come good as the season enters the final bend, and are in contention for the FA Cup and Champions League - the title is beyond them this season, but I reckon they'll be contenders next term.
Everyone was urging Wenger to recruit a midfield enforcer in January, but he went out and splashed a wad of cash on Andrey Arshavin.
Most pundits were scratching their heads at how he would fit into their already attack-minded set-up, but the Russian has made a seamless transition to Premier League life and looks a class act already.
Spain showed at the Euros that a swift, passing game can also achieve the top honours - and you have to admire Wenger's stubbornness in sticking to his principles.
Next season the likes of Nasri, Denilson and Arshavin will have bags of Premier League experience - and when you add them to a team also including Adebayor, van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott, you can see why the Emirates Stadium is packed to the rafters every game.
The midfield and attack get most of the credit, but Wenger has also assembled a defensive back four which could play together for the next 3 years, meaning Sagna, Gallas, Toure and Clichy will provide the foundations from which Wenger's boys can build waves of attacking play.
Chelsea may ultimately push United closer for the title this season, but in Drogba, Ballack and Carvalho they have thirtysomethings who will soon need replacing.
Sir Alex could well retire this summer if he wins the Quintuple, but if he does plough on in search of more silverware I think he'll view Arsenal as his biggest rivals.
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