The season, Pundits and Title Tilt
It has been a while and in that time, Arsenal fans have been through many emotions. We sat top of the league for what seemed like an eternity last season and then tailed off to finish second. It was a disappointing end but in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't a "disappointment".
Spurs fans like @blanchy are quick to troll but it would have been funnier if they were doing better than us. Right now, all the people making jokes are far below us and if anything, most of the jokes are borne out of pure, uncut and unadulterated jealousy.
I wish I could say things were different this season for my rivals' sake but that's not the case. After last season's "fluke", according to Blanchy, we have followed that up with some incredible signings that have us in pretty much the same position we were in last season. However, this season feels different.
Somewhere at this point last season we started falling off and dropping points. An injury to William Saliba was enough to destroy our season, as all we had was the hapless Holding who couldn't even make it into a struggling Crystal Palace squad.
These days, we're picking up points in incredible fashion. After what was understandably described as a slow start to the season, we have picked up the pace, found synergy and have been swatting teams aside. We are now the highest goal scorers in the league while also having the stingiest defence to boot.
All the metrics indicate that we have been the best team in the league this season and that's saying something, considering that we are going up against Manchester City and a Liverpool side that have found their rhythm after last season's blip.
Yesterday, we played a dramatic game against Brentford, who have proven to be a bogey team for us over the years. We eeked out a 2-1 victory that I reckon broke the hearts of rivals who were rubbing their palms together with intentions to mock us.
Today, we have the luxury of sitting back and (hate) watching the Liverpool-City game, knowing that regardless of how things turn out, we will be climbing up the ladder. Naturally, a draw would favour our plight, more so because we face Manchester City at the Etihad in the coming weeks.
Biased Punditry
Something that has been a theme of Arteta's reign is the biased punditry. For what it's worth, none of their opinions have any bearing on our season but at the same time, it is very annoying to see these guys that are supposed to be objective prioritise club sentiment.
Everything about Arsenal is viewed in extremes by pundits and so-called analysts. People like Gary Neville, Carragher and the like are always so quick to pass judgement on anything that pertains to Arsenal without any tactical insight.
For example, the signing of Kai Havertz was met with so much apathy. Adding Raya, a goalkeeper who has clearly improved our squad was regarded as a disruptive decision. Declan Rice was "too expensive" despite other teams splashing similar amounts for less effective players.
Fast forward to today and every signing except Timber, who was ironically regarded as our best signing has been effective. Every single player brought in has delivered and Arteta's talent ID proves to be better than every single pundit out there.
Another thing that's been fascinating about the analysis of Arsenal's football is the whole "win a trophy or failure" gimmick that's been pedalled. People make it seem like it is so easy to win the said trophy. As if their darling Liverpool didn't win just ONE title in seven years of competing with Manchester City.
Arsenal only just got on the competitive scene with a rookie manager and we're somehow supposed to magically usurp this well-drilled Manchester City team with the best manager in the world and probably the best to have ever existed.
I think we will win the title under Arteta. We have shown that we have what it takes to compete and I believe we can take the next step in our hunt for glory. It has been 20 long years since we won and that's something that people never fail to remind me of.
They also forget it took their darling Liverpool over 30 years to get theirs. it is only a matter of time and if we continue being in the title conversations, we will eventually win it. Until we meet again, up the Arsenal.
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