Arsenal Grind Out Victory, Could Lead To Seasonal Success
Arsenal squeezed past Southampton on Saturday with a 2-1 victory. It was a hard fought win, uncharacteristic and one that could lead to seasonal success.
They say that champions win games without playing well. It was the archetypal three points of Sir Alex Ferguson for all those successful seasons with Manchester United, a dynasty built on the grind, rather than the beauty. Arsenal emulated their great rivals on Saturday afternoon.
Late into Fergie time, with desperation levels reaching crisis point, a frantic Arsenal side pushded forward for the equaliser with little cutting edge. Possession, as always, was won, but chances were few and far between as Arsene Wenger’s men lacked the incisive, quick-paced, intricate passing that is synonymous with their success in years gone by.
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Nonetheless, push on they did, and after a clipped in pass drifted towards a wriggling and wrestling Olivier Giroud in the penalty area, with Laurent Koscielny sprayed across the ground just outside the six yard box waiting for treatment, Jose Fonte, with a twisted leg and fist full of shirt hauled down Giroud, conceding a dramatic and rather controversial penalty with only moments remaining.
Due to Koscielny’s aforementioned treatment, a natural pause came, with Santi Cazorla staring down the opportunity to secure a crucial three points after Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the table in an impressive 2-1 Manchester derby win. It was a nerve-tangling, heart-pounding, leg-trembling pause, until Cazorla swept home the resultant spot kick, bringing avid celebrations full of fist-pumping optimism and relief.
The result combined with the underwhelming performance is uncharacteristic of this side, a side that is often criticised for a lack of fight. The mentality of this side has been called into question repeatedly. They have an unheralded ability to play well and lose, the exact opposite of the nature of champions, play poorly and win.
Saturday, though, was a diversion from the norm. The Gunners did not faulter under pressure early in the game, responded excellently to an unfortunate goal thanks to an incredible Koscielny overhead kick and snook through come full time. Now, Rome was not built in a day. Similarly, champions are not built in a day, but a series of days, a series of wins, regardless of performance.
Arsenal have a long way to even be considered as genuine title contenders, especially considering the early season form of Chelsea and City, but if they can learn to and repeat wins like Saturday’s, then dreams of a title are step closer to becoming a reality.
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