Got Our Arsenal Back
The roar went up from the Arsenal fans at the demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday – “We’ve got our Arsenal back”. Whilst it is undeniable that the past two seasons have been trying for fans to say the least, it would be a shame to write off the previous regime, suggesting that excellent winning streaks and world class football was not possible under Wenger.
When Ramsey started and finished the goal of the season (so far) against Fulham, there was a justified sense of excitement around the club and fans. This is the style football that Wenger set out to achieve week in week out, and although he may well have still had the tactical know-how and gameplan to do so with the current crop of players, it is the fresh initiatives and ideas from the increasingly more comfortable Unai Emery that is getting this talented bunch of footballers to prove it on the pitch.
Lethal In Attack
What certainly appears to be improving under the Spaniard at this stage is the efficiency in front of goal. Last season, Arsenal took 594 shots throughout the course of the season. Given the side’s current shooting rate, that number will reach only 460 in May.
This seems surprising given the potent attacking threat that the team offer, and the relatively weak sides encountered in recent weeks. However, the goals per game ratio so far this season is 2.38, whereas last year that reached only 1.95.
Arsenal Globetrotters
That is one of the more notable drop-offs in the last five years of Wenger’s reign. While only in the last two did Arsenal visit opposition grounds expecting to get beaten, even in the excellent FA Cup winning seasons, Arsenal struggled to put teams to the sword and dismantle them.
Henry, Viera and co, managed this every week, but lately it has become a rare occurrence. But, with this level of ruthlessness in front of goal, a rapidly maturing side and an injection of exuberance from Emery on the touchline, we may have our Arsenal back, and the top four may well become our home once more.
