Written by Azn Gooner on Sunday, 06 November 2011 12:40

The word, "Exaggeration", defined as "To represent (something) as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is." This can apply to the demise of Arsenal FC. We were 17th, hovering dangerously over the relegation zone, couldn't score a goal to save our lives, couldn't keep a clean sheet to save our lives. Corners were being turned against Shrewsbury, Swansea, Bolton, but around every corner, was another monster task that knocked us back. Where was our form? Who could step up and be counted for?

Then something changed, something clicked. Ramsey, Arteta and Song played a few games together, adapted to each other, they became the cogs of the Arsenal clock, constantly keeping us ticking, like a well oiled machine. Arteta has the most passes per game ratio in the Premier League and is in the top 10 of all of Europe, not to be overlooked. His purchase, people assumed was panic buying, if this is how panic buys are, I'd hope we have more every season, great talent to have. Song has calmed his Zinedine Songdan moments too, he's been controlling every aspect of defence, protecting his back four with consummate ease and breaking away for attacks [See his pass for Santos's goal vs Chelsea]. Ramsey, what an improvement. I'll admit he was critisised by me during August, saying he lacked focus, was dawdling too much, but he has shut me up and a lot of others too, he slowly eased into it but now he is a real difference maker, has a wonderful eye for passing and is always in the box trying to score or assist, will be the future of Arsenal in him one day.

Now onto the back 4 and Szczesny. Our full backs are wonderful attacking, Santos and Jenkinson has stepped up admirably since injuries hampered Sagna and Gibbs. Both are delivering crosses that Winterburn would be proud of, that Dixon would be jealous off. But defensively, yes, they're suspect, but that will improve in time. Plus, do you have to worry when you have defensive machines in Koscienly (Or Bosscienly, as I like him to be called) and Vermaelen, not to forget Mertesacker. All 3 have improved as the seasons gone on, we have great cover now and any of the 3 put together, height, vision, awareness, it's all covered so well. Have to give fair play to Mertesacker for adapting as quick as he did, Bundesliga is a lot slower in majority of games, not as high octane as the Premier League, but he has positioned himself time and again in perfect places to intercept, odd lapses of concentration but ultimately, he deserves praise for his spirit shown in getting stuck in. Szczesny, what can you say that hasn't been said? For me, not even with a bias, he is the best keeper in the premier league. 18 clean sheets in 41 starts, at such a tender age, you can't even hate his ego, because it just winds up every other fan. Plus he's taken out Bale and Cole already, legendary status given.

Onto the forwards, not much can be said that hasn't been said by millions. Robin Van Persie is the best striker in the premier league in this moment in time. 29 goals in 28 PL games of 2011. 77 goals and 33 assists in 122 starts. He's responsible for a goal in every bar 12 games he's started in, that is a phenomenon in itself and why he is so important to Arsenal. Gervinho is a work horse that does tricks, like a circus pet. He is absolutely great to watch, the runs he makes, the awareness, and his non-selfish play to set up other players, great great buy. Now onto Walcott, wow he has shut up a lot of people. I critisised his petulance at first, saying he should work hard and earn his spot. It's like he's heard me, he's playing like an actual winger now, instead of trying to take Robins role. He's crossing more, making more decisive runs and is even torturing full backs for fun.

All in all, you can see just from this and from Arsenals performances, it's not one man improving the team, as stated by newspapers calling us a one man team, it's everyone. Collectively we have improved, a LOT since August. We have gradually improved game by game, and now, we genuinely do look like we can beat anyone on any given day. With so many youngsters to step up, players to return, the future is really red and white.

For any questions or debates, go follow @AznGooner

Thanks for reading

Mean Lean's Response

It was certainly a tough start for us this season after a very difficult and busy summer. I think what made it worse was the end of last season and the speed of which we fell. So I can understand the concern around the club, we all had our concerns to varying degrees. But the exaggeration as you say was just ridiculous.

When the media are repeating that Arsenal are in crisis every day then unfortunately it becomes fact. The reality was that we were never in crisis, we had taken a backwards step due to such a large amount of changes to the squad.

While we were far from perfect, we managed to get ourselves in contention to win the title until February and the spine of the team (minus Cesc) is still at the club. That is why I couldn't accept that we were in a crisis or ridiculously, a relegation battle.

It is great that the team is finally starting to click now and even better is that we are showing glimpses of our flowing football, we haven't seen that for a while now and I certainly have missed it.

Minus Cesc, I think we are a better team this season. Stronger mentally and have more maturity. Hopefully the boys can keep their feet on the ground and keep improving. If we can do that then I see no reason why we couldn't have a successful campaign.

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Comments (9)

• 08-Nov-2011 11:27 | | Easterngooner
  

  I knew that....most of us knew that....Arsene definitely knew that....only a small bunch of fools so caught up in the media/pundits blitz against Arsenal couldn't see that. How many times does it need repeating.....Form is temporary, class is permanent.

• 08-Nov-2011 11:32 | | mr h
  

  without Cesc and Nasri we have less showboating and more honest graft, exactly what has been missing.
  
  Showboat after success, graft to earn success...

• 08-Nov-2011 11:58 | | jeff
  

  well said guys,we are actually doing better in NASRI'S and FABREGAS roles in there abscence,we can beat anyone at the moment,eagerly waiting 4 the epl return leg en have a few character`s pay back time.

• 08-Nov-2011 12:02 | | Ali kihobe  - Intresting article
  

  we 2nd powerful striker 2 back up v-persie

• 08-Nov-2011 12:32 | | GunnerPete  - Fools like La Grove and others.
  

  Their are a few sites that believe that they are genuine Gunners, and by that I mean who support THE ARSENAL through thick and thin. You read worse on these so called AFC sites than in the shockingly biased anti AFC press. If you have been a true Gunner as I have for over 61 years...you have see real rubbish with the occasional good season. Under Arsene Wenger our club has risen to great heights and will continue to do so, more and more in the next decade. So when these sites were murdering AW and the club every single day since last December, people like me were contering their attacks with advice like ' judge us when we have a full team back'. it is no coincidence that now with 90% of our real squad back we are shooting up the table and will continue to do so....maybe with the odd set back. Maybe not! I expect Arsene (who is God) to buy a couple of stars in January and this will make our squad the equal best in the UK if not Europe. I hope the knifers will have the grace to apologise then!

• 08-Nov-2011 13:26 | | Daniel Wong
  

  At that point in time,fans were really troubled and you can't blame them for the exaggerated demise. I still think nothing is cut and dried and Arsenal are still not out of the woods.
  I believe the most the gunners can aim for is a cl berth.The title as of Nov 8 is a steep mt to climb. Wait for MC to drop points and lose. The problem is when they drop points,the gunners must garner the points. If not if it will be an opportunity lost.
  By my reckoning ,MC are due a draw or loss before Xmas.Yeah I know their squad can cope but then you are fight ing against the law of probability.You can't win all the time.

• 09-Nov-2011 04:10 | | Sydney Gooner  - What crisis.
  

  We sold 2 players, one of which had quiet obviously agreed terms during the end of last season ($amir) hence the complete lose of form and interest in the title chase last year, and apparently this put us in crisis.
  
  Those that believe a word the papers write obviously can't think for themselves. At what point did those calling for Wengers head, forget the TV5, Ramsey, RvP, Wilshire, Gibbs, Song, Szsny, Wallcott, Ashvarin all became useless players over night due to a news paper article?
  
  I do worry for the level of intelligence in some fans, just because a news papers tells you something it doesn't make it true. If the whole News of the World scandal taught us anything it was News Papers have their own agenda, and will print what they like, facts are irrelivant.
  
  Most of us have been to games, then read the review and the two experiences are poles apart.... When the media claimed Gervinho wasn't good enough as he only cost 10 million, despite being the player of the year in France many fans bought it. soley because he only cost ten million.... and these small brained fans seem to think that a big price tag means quality, despite evidence being waved in their faces (Carroll, Jeffers, Veron, Shevchenko etc. etc.) almost on a daily basis.
  
  Wenger has done more for English football than any other manager (inc. Ferguson). he has consistently qualified for the Champions league more than any other manager - yet some what him sacked. Its madness. I have supported Arsenal for over 30 years and will continue to do so regardless of results. If your not intrested in supporting the team when things go a little off track, please do us all a favour and not bother turning up when things are going well.

• 09-Nov-2011 09:39 | | pika
  

  well said !
  
  what is puzzling me is whether this anti-arsenal stand from media and country is borne out of their hatred for the foreign influence wenger has installed or whether its usmanov people trying to present arsenal in trouble in order to get in....is it a matter of the english simply hating wenger;s ideology on football or a war from within the board members to gain control.
  
  however ..i find it very strange that people who call themselves arsenal fans advocate the sacking of the most important person in arsenal;s recent history. if this club has one chance of joining the big boys ( real bayern milan liverpool) its due to this alsatian;s work and vision. and the fact he does it without breaking the bank should give an extra pride to the arsenal fans.
  
  i agree 100% on wenger doing more for english football than the country gives him credit for. he has already created a nucleus of brittish players who could well help england achieve better positions in european/world tournaments for their education at arsenal has got nothing to do with the fear the traditional english academies and set ups give to youngsters.
  
  also with regards to ferguson and united...when the national team is so bad, the f.a needs a vessel to balance things out for english football...this vessel has been ferguson;s united for the last 15-20 year period. sure they are a capable team and ferguson is in fact a very good manager who knows 5 things and executes them to perfection, but this constant exposure of united as the nation;s honeys is in fact a "weapon" for the english f.a to counteract the embarassing acts of english national football in a world stage.

• 13-Apr-2012 07:06 | | Jay Gunz  - This Season has Shown Wenger What Experience Bring
  

  I love Wenger but lets not pretend that was not panic buying because it was. And next season will be a disaster if Wenger does not bring real quality to the club. If he buys more youngster i think most Arsenal fans like myself would have had enough and will be his last.
  
  This season the good thing is it forced Wenger to have to buy some experience we so badly needed over the years but kept selling on. If you look at United in particular their experienced players pass on their experience and love for the club onto their youngsters who look up to them. Hopefully this season has made Wenger wake up and appreciate what experience can bring to a squad.
  
  In the past it was impossible Wenger used to sell them on when we most needed them. Look at Theo why is it the season the man Thierry Henry comes back to the club is when he has upped his game drastically? its not a coincidence is it? same with Oxlade both those youngsters look up to the great one and i can imagine them following around in training with excitement to learn from him. Thierry helped out Theo and the rest of the youngsters which has played a big part in their development. Even Captain Vantastic looks up to Henry.
  
  Look at how Arteta has brought all is experience from Everton to Arsenal that fighting spirit we have lacked. The rest of the players been coming saying how vocal he is in the dressing room. Its not a coincidence we have been having alot more succesful winning 1 nils this season.
  
  Patrick Viera should have been brought back he should not have been allowed to end up at City. You know his heart is still at Arsenal but Wenger blocked it. Ian Wright, Sol Cambell, Lee Dixon, Ray Parlour all should be coaches of some capacity at the club. Imagine the buzz in those training sessions would be like. Do you think Wrighty would let Chamakh slack off? He would get it through to is head what it means to be an Arsenal forward. There is so much those youngsters can gain from all that experience from those club legends they used to watch on tv and look up to.

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