#360view: Arsenal EPL contenders again

Alam Khan - Reporter 03:19 13/04/2015
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  • On a high: Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal.

    After eight Premier League victories on the trot and in contention for the double, there is talk of invincibility at Arsenal again as they stand just one shy of the fabulous winning run of the greats who swept to the title unbeaten in 2004.

    But let’s forget any comparisons as they would be unfair. Just as it was when Chelsea started the season brilliantly and there was the suggestion they too were unstoppable and could remain undefeated.

    That vintage Arsenal team, commanded in defence by Sol Campbell, motivated in midfield by Patrick Vieira and blessed by the brilliance of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in attack, was built over years and will have no equals through their domestic dominance.

    They had the winning mentality and winning desire in every game and every competition and football has changed significantly since then, particularly with clubs having to adapt to the introduction of Financial Fair Play and curb their spending.

    Invincible: Arsenal's 2003-04 title winning side.

    Arsene Wenger’s current charges do not have the power or supreme confidence of their 2004 counterparts, nor do they have the aura. Perhaps that will come, though, as there is clearly potential that they can become a force to be feared again.

    With the skill and sublime touches and link-up play of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud in attack, they possess the artistic attacking brilliance to open up any side. Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey are not bad support guys either.

    But they have also shown a more dependable side of their defence, a valiant rearguard upon which the best sides often win the biggest trophies.

    As they have continually faltered in trying to win the championship that has eluded them since that memorable 2004 campaign, questions have been asked about their character and commitment, and whether they could dig deep and front up against relegation battlers like Burnley, or their more imposing top-four rivals.

    They have gone some way to answering that this season, with a notable win at champions Manchester City and four points from two games with Liverpool, as well as grinding out successes like the one at Turf Moor on Saturday.

    If they can do the same at home to Chelsea and then at Manchester United in their remaining six games, then Wenger may well have a new dream team at his disposal.

    He will be reluctant to put them under too much pressure, nor label them, but he too senses a spirit and positive attitude in the quest for success, rather than a fear of failure. They seem free of their burden of expectation and constant criticism that they should do better.

    With players such as England pair Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott and new centre-back signing Gabriel on the bench, there is depth too to compete wth the squads of City and Chelsea and push the starters to perform to keep their place. Competition produces consistency.

    This fabulous end-of-season form should give them belief, and their fans hope that they are finally out of the doldrums. In Arsene they trusted and now first, not fourth place, should always be their target.

    This season has come too soon for them, their winning run probably too late. But there is no doubt they have the makings of a championship-winning side.

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