Written by Mean Lean on Saturday, 26 February 2011 15:24

What exactly is the point of this Saturday?

For the Gooners out there today, it is just about getting through today as quickly as possible so we can watch the boys strutting their stuff at Wembley. According to Jermaine Jenas, it will be the first time since 1998 that we have been to Wembley, somewhat longer than I thought it was but hey, he is the professional isn't he? Professional spud and that pretty much says it all I guess.

I keep wondering how I would be feeling if this was the Champions League final we were taking part in tomorrow. I am full of excitement, nerves and bullishness at the prospect of tomorrow's encounter. I must admit I feel somewhat hypocritical about my feelings. I have often ridiculed some of my mates who unfortunately for them, support other clubs. They have in the past celebrated Carling Cup victories and I have thrown the usual Mickey mouse comments their way. Over the last few weeks I have been keeping my thoughts under control in their presence whilst slightly wetting my pants at the thought of Van Persie and Cesc lifting the trophy, a first trophy for many of our squad members.

I have been wondering about the possible team selection in Cesc's and Theo's absence. In fact I seem to change my mind every couple of minutes. Wenger will choose Diaby, actually no, he will play like for like with Rosicky, in fact I am sure Bendtner's form will allow him to continue in the team. I really do not know, so it leaves me scratching my head on how to approach tomorrow's match preview of the game.

Arsene's quotes about Wilshere were very interesting:

“He’s had very good games," said Wenger. "His confidence has grown, his responsibility has grown, certainly.

"Our game goes naturally through Fabregas. When he’s not there, it will go more through Wilshere.

"The way of the game is simple: it goes always through the team’s strong points. So that the game goes through Wilshere is a good thing for him because it means the players around him have confidence in him. He will enjoy this game."

Does this mean that Wilshere will take on the same responsibility and position as our captain or does it just mean that Wilshere will have to step up and get on the ball more in Cesc's absence?

I have a good feeling about Wilshere tomorrow, he has played so far against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Chelsea home and away and Barcelona at the Emirates. He has never looked out of his depth, has always looked at least as good as his senior team mates. I would say that he is currently at his season's peak. He is looking confident and his ability is coming out more and more as each game passes by.

Jack the boy Wilshere could contribute considerably to our team tomorrow against a side that will no doubt try to frustrate and kill the game as much as possible.

Bacary Sagna, the worlds best right back.. ever! (something like that anyway) has spoken about the team's previous fear of losing but luckily for us, it is all a thing of the past.

"We were [scared], but we are not any more. We have grown up as a team, we are wiser and now in the final. It has taken time, but we are on a good way to being successful.” said the right back.

"We have been close to winning something but we got scared, we stopped playing and were waiting for the result to happen.

"I hope Sunday will be a good way to show people we can win, and go on to even more, to show we are very hungry."

No wonder we didn't win, when you stop playing then surely you will lose the game. Perhaps now that we play in every game we can win everything that is available.

Jokes aside, we certainly looked fearful in games in which we were winning and then the opposition pull one back. The team are growing and looking far more mature and solid defensively.

I think the next step for this team will be to defend for a length of time and look organised and unflustered. Easier said than done with a side built to play football, create chances and score goals.

To the main point of today's post, I have tried to articulate this in the past but I have not quite managed to explain myself properly.

I have spoken about Wenger finding the right balance and system to use for many years and I really believe that this team is ready to dominate domestically if we can keep our players together, keep the same hunger and keep improving. Someone pointed out on Twitter that from our first team squad we only have a few players who are unlikely to improve. Squillaci, Rosicky and perhaps Arshavin are probably rolling down the career hill while so many are still climbing up to reach their peak. Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri are currently sprinting up the hill at full pelt.

At the beginning of this season our talent and ability was allowing us to win a majority of our games but we were slipping up against certain sides who are clearly not as good as we are. West Brom, Newcastle and Tottenham have come to the Emirates and left with all the points. Whilst I do not expect us to win all of our games I would slap down a tenner on the table to say that we would win all those games at the Emirates today.

In my eyes our season changed after we lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. We came out the next Monday against Chelsea a totally different animal. Our work rate increased, our desire and commitment had shot through the roof. We no longer looked like a talented yet inconsistent side where you didn't know what to expect.

Since Old Trafford we have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 0 league games. To be frank we should have won two more of those draws against Wigan and Newcastle. The team have clicked half way through the season and know how to win games. We can grind out wins, we can put teams under pressure and we can defend as a team.

Imagine if we started the season in this way? How many points would we have under our belts?

I cross my fingers that we keep this up for here on in. Next season we will have a fit Vermaelen and Ramsey hopefully fit for pre season and around 90% of the squad will have progressed naturally.

There is room for the squad to score more goals and to concede less goals. I expect Wilshere and Song to continue to develop their partnership. Djourou and Koscielny are in their first season's either at the club or as a first team starter. Walcott has taken a massive step forward this season and is scoring and setting up goals for team mates.

We have plenty of trophies to play for this season but it is next season where I really expect the team and squad to show the world what Arsene has really been building since we last won a trophy.

If you didn't catch it earlier then you can find Iron Man's latest musings here: Stoke-ing the flames & Carling cup final - Iron Man's Arse Weekly

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Comments (26)

• 26-Feb-2011 16:22 | | MeanLean
  

  How on earth did I forget to mention Nasri's possible five year new contract!
  
  Apparently

• 26-Feb-2011 16:33 | | Double Dapper  - Jacky for captain
  

  Here here ML - I know you have championed this lad since Arsene changed his first nappy and let him loose in the Emirates cup and its great to see how he is currently exceeding his unrealistically high potential. Even if he stays as good as he is and doesn't get any better for the next key 5 years of his development (which is very unlikely) he would still walk into all of the prem teams and even the national team.
  
  I have been thinking your point about the potential of our team due to its age for about the last 4 years and each season I have thought... next year will be the start of our dominance of this league. I may have been a little over zealous in the past but now the only thing that can stop us is Money which most clubs have little of (for others it is growing on crooked trees)..... oh and holding on to key players that believe in the team is essential!
  
  Let’s hope Jack gets the goal he has long deserved as he drives our team to a comprehensive victory tomorrow.

• 26-Feb-2011 16:54 | | MeanLean
  

  Money from the likes of City will be something that we have to be aware of but I look towards the Barca vs Real comparison. Real have splashed out mega cash to keep up with their enemies but the truth is, they are still some way behind.
  
  Buying players does not have the same affect as developing players together for a number of years.
  
  We are not quite yet Barca but we are certainly heading in the right direction. The future and present looks very very positive.

• 26-Feb-2011 17:06 | | Alan  - Deluded fcuking gooner
  

  I love the fact you guys are so delighted to be in the Carling Cup final Confirmation if needed that Arsenal are hyprocriticals cnuts.
  
  Professional wanker.

• 26-Feb-2011 17:10 | | Double Dapper
  

  Good comparison and I think the same goes for Arsenal v Man C/Spuds/and currently Chavski. We currently look the better side to them all. I would also say Barca have still spent a fair few bucks compared to us. I think the key point is the togetherness in our current side. I feel getting rid of bad apples like Gallas and Ade has helped others develop and play for each other

• 26-Feb-2011 17:19 | | MeanLean
  

  Ooh Alan,
  
  You sound very upset and threatened. Reading Arsenal blogs and feeling rather insecure? You must support Tottenham. Don't worry, not everyone can support Arsenal. Try not to be too upset about it all.
  
  

• 26-Feb-2011 17:41 | | JonJon  - domination is on its way
  

  hey ML been a while
  i echo your opinions 100%
  this year has seen us finally progress as a fully fledged competitive force..
  we had a dodgy start to the season but our midfield is the best in the league..not one of the manu midfield could get into our side..
  not only this but AW has finally found his defensive/gk formula and no matter what happens this season this arsenal side is set to shine over the next few years at least...
  we are strong all over the park and no longer have any weaknesses..
  i think it will be two trophys minimum this year...starting with tomorrow..

• 26-Feb-2011 17:42 | | JonJon  - alans wierd
  

  nah mate..us guys are so delighted that we are in all four comps still...
  the cc is just the first of many

• 26-Feb-2011 21:33 | | Not Alan  - Alan the spud
  

  Keep taking the pills that make you so bitter Alan

• 26-Feb-2011 21:34 | | Goonern7
  

  Emmmm, Alan mate, lets just say the Carling cup is seen merely as a catalyst, kinda like a pre-cusor of greater things to come. Yes, we've been treading water for the past 5 years, its what happens when you spend 400m on a state-of-the stadium.

• 26-Feb-2011 21:41 | | thundertinygooner  - peter@lebeauvisage.co.uk
  

  Arsenal played at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final of 2009.
  Jermaine Jenas-what would he know!?

• 26-Feb-2011 22:11 | | chris  - maybe, maybe not
  

  I genearlly love your positive, patient approach and sort of agree that the squad is likely to get better naturally.
  
  Unfortunately that seems (to me) to ignore te obvious issue with the sqaud, which is tyhat the gap between the first teamers and the resrves has appeared to have grown into a chasm recently.
  
  Everyone knows the first team - and the first team is starting to look as if it could bear anyone on its day again - for the first time in a long time.
  
  BUT take 3 or 4 real first teamers out and the team is a lot worse.
  
  I think a lot of the squad have been flattered by chasing top4 with a slightly worse team rarther than top2, where standards are much higher
  
  The squad guys need to pick up or the Project Youth guys need to start coming through or else the team is going to be super vulnerable to injuries again.
  
  Best hopes seem to lie with:
  Vermaelen
  Diaby
  Ramsey
  Chamakh
  Bendtner
  Frimpong
  Coquelin
  
  Then maybe some of
  JET
  Lansbury
  Vela
  Bartley
  
  With maybe these guys the year after
  Miquel
  Afobe
  Aneke
  (I don't really have a lot of hope for the guys in Spain)
  
  I never generally think this but I'm starting to think the squad may need to buy full back and striker.
  
  On the other hand, if I'm right, that would seem to mean selling

• 26-Feb-2011 22:17 | | Mannix  - Nice word
  

  I must say nice words/ opinion,every Arsenal fun want this trophy more than anythng else including me. I came to believe this trophy is the key to success, I just remember it was the 1st trophy Chelsea won before they won double PL title then here comes manure who went three c'son trophiless bt after battling out for carling cup they went to win P.L title 3 consecutive c'son. So AW should give this trophy a serious thought.

• 26-Feb-2011 22:53 | | mikky  - mr alan
  

  What is a wigan fan looking 4 in arsenal blogs? or are u simply looking if there is a news linking charles n'zogbia with arsenal? Mr Alan,tell us the truth,u are 1 of d fews dat supports arsenal with style.Whichever club u're supporting,we'll give u Eboue 4 free in d summer.No! don't thank me,u av arsene wenger to thank.

• 27-Feb-2011 01:32 | | MeanLean
  

  It certainly is long time no hear JonJon, I hope you're well.
  
  I agree with you that our midfield is the best in the league, I also think our attack is the best, especially in terms of depth.
  
  Here is to some silverware tomorrow.

• 27-Feb-2011 05:35 | | Anonymous
  

  you are not in barcas class---they haven't won an away game thus far in the
  CL.
  3-1 barca at the Nou Camp
  
  Man U 2-1 at The Emirates...we have owned you at your ground for a few years now

• 27-Feb-2011 05:37 | | scooby
  

  Finally the pieces seem to be coming together,and as you so rightly pointed out, due to their age most of the players are only going to improve which is frightening prostect!
  
  Surely this development of the squad and the massive potential that's so clear for everyone to see will be enough to persuade cesc to stay.
  
  This is his team, and hopefully the thought of leading this team to dominate for years to come will be a bigger incentive than sloting in, (or maybe sitting on the bench) of admittedly the best team in the world

• 27-Feb-2011 12:15 | | dkgooner  - Missing person
  

  chris - you've missed Ryo Miyaichi off your list of potentials. I know he's still young and the Eredivisie is not the same standard as the Premiership, but his form must surely catch the eye of the Japanese manager and get him the required caps for a work permit in the UK. It's not just his play - it's also his attitude. He's been thrown in the deep end and just taken to it like a duck to water - gets on with the job. He looks a cert for the first team by 2013/14.
  And isn't it a bit early to write off Botelho, Silva and Galindo?

• 27-Feb-2011 13:23 | | George Wong  - Carling cup
  

  The gunner must win the cc before dominating the epl.

• 28-Feb-2011 00:09 | | Proud CC winner  - 1st trophey of many
  

  So how much did we smash Birmingham by today. W're gonna rule the world

• 28-Feb-2011 02:03 | | Bill  - hahahahahhah - Birmingham!
  

  You lost to Birmingham and will lose to Bareclona. Another year without silverware. Arsenal & Wenger suck

• 28-Feb-2011 07:08 | | Sidders  - Dominate?
  

  I think when you mention the word Dominate that it was a tad premature.....losers sums it up .....onwards and downwards, everyone is laughing at us now.

• 28-Feb-2011 07:35 | | George Wong  - Arsenal
  

  Feb says Arsenal have potential. Indeed Wenger has been using the word many times. I would rather trade all the potential to be a trophy winner. The trouble is Wenger is a stubborn old man.He only knows one way of playing and as far as tactics are concerned he is poor.
  When Arenal fail to score due to a stubborn defence and top gk,the players are at their wits end and are disheartened.
  In contrast it easier to score against the gunners because the som doesnt believe in a good defence. That is why the red faced and Chelea have been so successful these past seasons against the gunners.
  This defeat is a huge psychological blow.However a agood team does not become a poor one overnight.Beat orient and MU . It's a tall order aginst the red faced but nothing is impossible. If the players played like in the Barca game ,there is no reaon why the frf cant be beaten. Recall 1989. Liverpool were hot favourites and we won.

• 28-Feb-2011 10:11 | | mike
  

  haaaahaaaa wot a mug. you all feeling like f@ckin idiots now eh? feel sure you got more humiliation to come this season too... why not use this chance to set yourselves up for another fall....

• 28-Feb-2011 16:46 | | Gimps  - hahahahhaha
  

  
  
  Gooners gimps hahahahhahahhahahhahahhahahahh dominate errrrrr ok then hahahhahhahahahhahahahhaaahahahha

• 28-Feb-2011 16:56 | | MeanLean
  

  Losing a Carling cup final does not mean that we are not set up for the future. I am sure you are all supporters of clubs with no hope and no prospects.
  
  Enjoy this moment because I doubt you will have anything else to celebrate. Luckily I follow a side that has the foresight to look forward and not just the here and now.
  
  Keep posting no hopers. Remember my post when my prediction comes true.

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