Then something changed, something clicked. Ramsey, Arteta and Song played a few games together, adapted to eachother, they became the cogs of the Arsenal clock, constantly keeping us ticking, like a well oiled machine. Arteta has the most passes per game ratio in the Premier League and is in the top 10 of all of Europe, not to be overlooked. His purchase, people assumed was panic

The word, “Exaggeration”, defined as “To represent (something) as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is.” This can apply to the demise of Arsenal FC. We were 17th, hovering dangerously over the relegation zone, couldn’t score a goal to save our lives, couldn’t keep a clean sheet to save our lives. Corners were being turned against Shrewsbury, Swansea, Bolton, but around every corner, was another monster task that knocked us back. Where was our form? Who could step up and be counted for?

Then something changed, something clicked. Ramsey, Arteta and Song played a few games together, adapted to each other, they became the cogs of the Arsenal clock, constantly keeping us ticking, like a well oiled machine. Arteta has the most passes per game ratio in the Premier League and is in the top 10 of all of Europe, not to be overlooked. His purchase, people assumed was panic buying, if this is how panic buys are, I’d hope we have more every season, great talent to have. Song has calmed his Zinedine Songdan moments too, he’s been controlling every aspect of defence, protecting his back four with consummate ease and breaking away for attacks [See his pass for Santos’s goal vs Chelsea]. Ramsey, what an improvement. I’ll admit he was critisised by me during August, saying he lacked focus, was dawdling too much, but he has shut me up and a lot of others too, he slowly eased into it but now he is a real difference maker, has a wonderful eye for passing and is always in the box trying to score or assist, will be the future of Arsenal in him one day.

Now onto the back 4 and Szczesny. Our full backs are wonderful attacking, Santos and Jenkinson has stepped up admirably since injuries hampered Sagna and Gibbs. Both are delivering crosses that Winterburn would be proud of, that Dixon would be jealous off. But defensively, yes, they’re suspect, but that will improve in time. Plus, do you have to worry when you have defensive machines in Koscienly (Or Bosscienly, as I like him to be called) and Vermaelen, not to forget Mertesacker. All 3 have improved as the seasons gone on, we have great cover now and any of the 3 put together, height, vision, awareness, it’s all covered so well. Have to give fair play to Mertesacker for adapting as quick as he did, Bundesliga is a lot slower in majority of games, not as high octane as the Premier League, but he has positioned himself time and again in perfect places to intercept, odd lapses of concentration but ultimately, he deserves praise for his spirit shown in getting stuck in. Szczesny, what can you say that hasn’t been said? For me, not even with a bias, he is the best keeper in the premier league. 18 clean sheets in 41 starts, at such a tender age, you can’t even hate his ego, because it just winds up every other fan. Plus he’s taken out Bale and Cole already, legendary status given.

Onto the forwards, not much can be said that hasn’t been said by millions. Robin Van Persie is the best striker in the premier league in this moment in time. 29 goals in 28 PL games of 2011. 77 goals and 33 assists in 122 starts. He’s responsible for a goal in every bar 12 games he’s started in, that is a phenomenon in itself and why he is so important to Arsenal. Gervinho is a work horse that does tricks, like a circus pet. He is absolutely great to watch, the runs he makes, the awareness, and his non-selfish play to set up other players, great great buy. Now onto Walcott, wow he has shut up a lot of people. I critisised his petulance at first, saying he should work hard and earn his spot. It’s like he’s heard me, he’s playing like an actual winger now, instead of trying to take Robins role. He’s crossing more, making more decisive runs and is even torturing full backs for fun.

All in all, you can see just from this and from Arsenals performances, it’s not one man improving the team, as stated by newspapers calling us a one man team, it’s everyone. Collectively we have improved, a LOT since August. We have gradually improved game by game, and now, we genuinely do look like we can beat anyone on any given day. With so many youngsters to step up, players to return, the future is really red and white.

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Thanks for reading

Mean Lean’s Response

It was certainly a tough start for us this season after a very difficult and busy summer. I think what made it worse was the end of last season and the speed of which we fell. So I can understand the concern around the club, we all had our concerns to varying degrees. But the exaggeration as you say was just ridiculous.

When the media are repeating that Arsenal are in crisis every day then unfortunately it becomes fact. The reality was that we were never in crisis, we had taken a backwards step due to such a large amount of changes to the squad.

While we were far from perfect, we managed to get ourselves in contention to win the title until February and the spine of the team (minus Cesc) is still at the club. That is why I couldn’t accept that we were in a crisis or ridiculously, a relegation battle.

It is great that the team is finally starting to click now and even better is that we are showing glimpses of our flowing football, we haven’t seen that for a while now and I certainly have missed it.

Minus Cesc, I think we are a better team this season. Stronger mentally and have more maturity. Hopefully the boys can keep their feet on the ground and keep improving. If we can do that then I see no reason why we couldn’t have a successful campaign.