Having just watched Man United beat Arsenal 2-1, I can’t help but think there’s something quite tragic about Arsenal’s disappointing end to a season that had promised so much at the turn of the year. There is no denying they are a quality team, with world class talent (going forward anyway), so I have been scratching my head all week wondering why they have thrown away the Premiership after being in a winning position, and why they couldn’t beat Liverpool over two legs in the Champions League.
Whereas many people feel that the 4-0 humiliation Arsenal suffered at Old Trafford in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup was the ‘beginning of the end’ so to speak, I can’t help but feel that the season was lost the following weekend away to Birmingham. Being knocked out of the FA Cup was bad for Arsenal, very bad, but it was by no means disastrous. They were still in pole position and favourites for the Premiership title, and they were looking strong in their tie with A.C. Milan in Europe. But what became clear after James McFadden’s equaliser for Birmingham on 90 minutes, was that the Gunners needed a leader.
By moaning, and huffing and slumping to the ground in tears at St. Andrews, William Gallas illustrated to his team mates that he was incapable of leading them, showing himself to be an immature and incompetent team captain. The mere thought of the likes of John Terry or Steven Gerrard falling to the ground in tears à la Gallas is laughable. The symbolic importance of a team’s captain on the floor in despair after a couple of shaky results is huge. In doing this, Gallas was calling out to the likes of Terry and Ferdinand to rally their troops and prepare for a real title race, because it was apparent that Arsenal would not be up to the task. And so it has proven.
Two months after their last visit to Old Trafford, the Arsenal side that played United today was a different side. After Gallas needlessly handed (or handled as the case may be) the game back to United with a gift-wrapped Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, Sir Alex Ferguson threw on Anderson and Tevez as a sign of intent, knowing full well that Arsenal had neither the leadership nor the organisation to handle the United attack that would ensue. What happened next? Arsenal fell apart and reckless challenges followed, and after a clumsy foul from Gilberto Silva, the inevitable happened, Owen Hargreaves slotted away the free-kick as United claimed the lead, and with it probably a tenth Premier League title.
When they are allowed to attack and to play their unique brand of football, Arsenal are breathtaking to watch and capable of beating anyone in the world. At times, with Adebayor, supported by Fabregas and Hleb, anchored by the hugely underrated Flamini, Arsenal can be unplayable, unstoppable; just ask A.C. Milan. But their inability to grind out results, and see out games away at Birmingham for example, has cost them dearly. They are the same gremlins that have haunted Wenger ever since he arrived in North London. If he can just instil an ounce of discipline in his side, and if he can just somehow find a natural leader who is capable of grabbing 10 players by the scruff of the neck, then there will be no stopping this Arsenal side of undoubted potential.
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