Why Now?

Arsenal's transformation from top four side to serious title contenders can be compared to the rise of Aaron Ramsey. I've watched my beloved team limp through the last few years and with great resolve we've somehow managed to finish in a European spot, but now we're healed, patched up and ready to fire on all cylinders. For most of last season I struggled to watch us find our rhythm, now I'm screaming and shouting at Ramsey and co. to take another shot from range, another master class run because they've found a whole new gear. Not just Ramsey, all of the boys. But why now? 

Our performance last Saturday was a joy, the culmination of several months of steady improvement and here are some stats to compare our start with that of our last truly great side.

A comparison to the Invincibles seems appropriate even if a little early, but hey we've put up with enough in recent seasons to merit a bit of optimism now. After 8 games in 2003 Arsenal had claimed 20 points, the Wunderbars (my name för the current squad based mainly ön my öbsessiön för Serge Gnabry) have claimed 19. The 'vincibles had put away 16 goals and conceded 6 beating Liverpool away and Chelsea at home (actually their 9th fixture) and draw at Old Trafford. The 'bars have netted 18 and conceded 9 but have only faced a tough test in the form of our North London rivals. Where does that leave us in the shadow of the best Arsenal side I have known? 

Personally I think detailed analysis from the outside-in is futile and as Ramsey said yesterday speaking on winning the season, let's just take every game as it comes. This time in 2003 Henry had scored 6 followed by Pires, Gilberto and Wiltord on 2 a piece. From our current squad Ramsey has netted 5, Giroud 4 with Wilshere, Özil and Podolski also on 2 a piece. What we can see is a greater depth in our attacking options; whereas in the past we would have relied on the form of an individual say Van Persie or Fabregas we can now look across the midfield for inspiration.

Re-watching the Invincibles' run, a big difference is that a lot of our goals back then were scored from following up parried shots and of course nowadays the average defensive quality of the league has gone up. We have to work a good deal harder to break down teams that come to the Emirates with the specific tactic of sititing deep and frustrating us. In the past we have lacked the skill and confidence to find a way through, but now we appear to offer a threat with Giroud's strength and deftness of touch creating space for players to run into, and the vision of players like our mesmerizing German to make those inch perfect passes in behind. Similarly the outstanding individual quality of Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, Viera… and so on is being echoed in Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Özil. The intuitive harmony and understanding of our midfielders and forward players is the product of growing a squad organically, particularly our spine of young players who are now reaching maturity. Wenger has not disturbed his squad with loads of signings and has now strengthened with our marquee signing which seems to be tipping the balance. Maybe Özil has inspired the rest, maybe Aaron Ramsey took up meditation and followed it through like the engine he is, found his inner peace and now schools heads who left puberty long after he did. Maybe, maybe, maybe. 

All I know is we're top the league, we've demonstrated our world class ability versus top sides like Napoli and against teams that set out to be disruptive and defend. Let's hope that despite yesterday's hiccup against Dortmund we can surge on in the league, and take some points back off ze Germans.