ARSENE WENGER suggested after the victory over West Ham that Arsenal’s status as the least fancied of the three contenders in the Premier League title race would play into his side’s hands.
So it may, but not for much longer. For weeks Wenger’s has been a lone voice backing the title credentials of a team that has appeared flawed on too many occasions and, in their direct meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea, distinctly second tier.
Now, however, the Frenchman’s view appears to be less the stance of an over-optimistic manager displaying unswerving loyalty to his players and more a considered assessment of the tightest title battle for years.
A successful title challenge hinges on any number of factors, but no team has ever lifted the trophy without significant degrees of good fortune, self-belief and the emergence of unexpected heroes at decisive moments.
Currently Arsenal can boast all three.
And of those, it is perhaps the latter that has provided the most unexpected boost to the Gunners’ late charge. On Saturday the foundations for a crucial victory were laid by the goalkeeper, a stand-in centre back and a holding midfield player.
Manuel Almunia’s penalty save was, of course, decisive, and for once the keeper was cast in the role of match-winner and not liability. It’s fair to say the Spaniard would trail way back behind many in any supporters’ player of the year vote; for much of this season he has been seen as weak link who does nothing to encourage confidence among his defenders.
On Saturday, though, he appeared assured against an admittedly weak West Ham attack and his save from Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick could yet prove to be a turning point in Arsenal’s season.
Grateful for the rare opportunity to praise the player, Wenger conceded: "He has taken a lot of stick, not always justified I believe. He had a few problems at the start of the season but in the last two or three months I have found him to be outstanding and credit to him, he has silenced the critics."
That’s pushing it, but it’s clear Arsenal won’t get anywhere without a decent keeper and if this game instils Almunia with confidence, it will do their chances no harm.
Similarly, the display from Sol Campbell. It helped the veteran defender that he was facing Mido, a player whose arrival at Upton Park appears to have forced the West Ham kitman to dig out the over-sized shorts last worn by Neil Ruddock, but there is no doubt Campbell has suddenly become a key figure at Arsenal.
William Gallas remains sidelined with no return date and with Thomas Vermaelen now set to miss the next game at Birmingham, Campbell is suddenly the senior centre-back, in every respect.
It might be just one game, but at this stage of the season, titles are won and lost on the basis of one game and the former Notts County man has been well and truly thrust back into the big time.
The thought of him being tied in knots by Lionel Messi in the Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona may be wince-inducing, but Campbell should be up to handling Cameron Jerome. It will help that he will be partnered against Birming-ham by Alex Song, a player Wenger admitted could be the most improved in the Premier league.
"He’s not far off, certainly," said the manager. "I don’t have others in mind. But he has real quality."
Song was already Arsenal’s outstanding player in his role as holding midfielder, but the way he slotted into the backline after Vermaelen’s dismissal revealed his maturity and versatility.
That then just leaves the good fortune and self-belief.
Wenger has consistently provided the self-belief and his mind-set has clearly permeated his players who carried the air of genuine challengers. That approach is no doubt fuelled by the fortune of the fixture list that has provided the north London club with the most generous of run-ins which includes trips to Birmingham, Tottenham, Wigan and Blackburn and home meetings with Wolves, Manchester City and Fulham.
Suddenly that underdogs tag doesn’t look quite so convincing.
"A lot of people said we would not make it," said skipper Cesc Fabregas. "But, I was definitely not one of those people. I play football to win and enjoy and that is what I am doing here."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, March 22, 2010
