Two points dropped or one point gained? As the dust settles on what was a majestic Arsenal performance at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Gunners fans have been agonizing over the end result. Delighted in the knowledge that another hurdle has been successfully jumped, while pained by the thoughts of what might have been. And while these contrasting emotions are not without their merit, the most satisfying thought for the Emirates faithful should be that they are experiencing them at all.
It is a sign of the high standards now in place at the club, that all those involved - the players and the fans - are unable to fully rejoice in the point gained on Sunday.
Such was the footballing lesson handed out by Arsene Wenger’s men to an expensively assembled, ambitious Liverpool side, that one point seemed inadequate. Unjust rewards for a ninety minute masterpiece. Not many teams leave the red half of Merseyside cursing their misfortune after gaining a draw through a late second half equalizer. Yet such is the swagger and class of this young Arsenal side, such is their self belief and confidence, that they are left disappointed after obtaining a truly excellent result. Arsenal’s early season form surprised most; fans, pundits and perhaps even Arsene Wenger himself. Yet the magnificence of 12 straight wins was countered by the claims that the opposition in question were weak. The one sided events of Sunday afternoon have most certainly silenced the critics and doubters. It has opened the eyes of people who were already seeing, but not quite believing.
Yet with the raising of standards comes a new pressure in the form of expectation. This young, gifted side has taken everything in their stride to date, however it is the stressful demands of expectancy which will prove to be their toughest challenge so far. There is nothing to suggest however that Arsene’s young guns won’t overcome the ensuing test. Safe in the knowledge of their own ability and masterfully directed by an experienced, ingenious manager, at this moment in time, the Arsenal squad will be thinking that there is nothing that they can’t achieve.
Arsenal have a tendency of "arriving" as title contenders at Anfield, and Sunday was no different. Robert Pires’ wonderful goal there in 2003 rubber stamped the soon to be "Invincibles" title credentials, while in 2001, having gone down to ten men early on the in the first half, Freddie Ljungberg’s close range strike provided the moment when fans and players alike realized, that the title was there for the taking. On Sunday that same inkling was present once more, as our latest magician of a midfielder immersed himself in the traveling faithful, much like his French and Swedish predecessors had done in the past. There is no getting away from it now, Arsenal are now many peoples favorites, something that could be hard to get used to.
And the players are not the only ones who will need to adapt to this change in status and perception. Arsenal fans have been enjoying their poetic start to the season in a relaxed state-of-mind, a mind set only afforded to football fans living without pressure or fear - the type of emotions brought on by being involved in a title race. On Sunday, for the first time in too long, Arsenal fans experienced once more the dread, tension and exhaustion of being contestants in a game where every kick and every moment mattered, not only in terms of the sprint which ended when the full time whistle blew, but in terms of the marathon that is an arduous league campaign.
The life of a fan with hopes and dreams of glory is often terrifying and un-enjoyable. Yet the terror and anxiety evoked by the fear of missing out on the spoils has not been present amongst Arsenal fans for a few years now and is something they will be welcoming back with open arms. |
發表於 2007-10-30 10:37 AM
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