Reflections of the match at Old Trafford: perspective required! 

10/11/13

This afternoon has been a bit of a frustrating one for Arsenal fans, to put it mildly. We always knew this week was going to be a very tough one, playing fixtures against Liverpool, Dortmund and Manchester United in quick succession, is never easy at the best of times. However we have finished this week with two wins out of the three, 3 goals scored and only 1 conceded, to "you know who"! I think if we were offered this scenario before we played Liverpool last Saturday, which was a game in itself which was approached with quite a lot of trepidation by Arsenal fans, I think we'd have taken it.

Looking more broadly, we have now reached the November international break, which represents a fair chunk of the season completed, and The Arsenal are top of the Premier league, two points clear of the nearest challengers, and also top of the pool, dubbed "The Group Of Death" in UEFA Champions League. This represents a fantastic turnaround in fortunes, and a significant improvement. I think if you'd have said to someone after the Aston Villa farce on the opening day, back in August, that we'd be in this position at this time of the season, after playing the teams we have in the last week especially, they'd would have thought you were insane, and probably suggested seeing a doctor or perhaps even checking into "rehab"!

Furthermore to put the teams' "achievements" so far into further perspective, this has all be done for the most part without a string of squad members what would fairly be classified as "key players". The likes of England Internationals: Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin, German 100 cap+ international: Lukas Podolski and treatment room regular: Abou Diaby, are all to return at some point to the squad.

Therefore I think the foundation has been laid for this season, and it is a very encouraging one. We have started very well, and I believe much more is to come. The team didn't play as they can today, but still caused The Champions of England (although slightly out of sorts Champions so far this season), significant problems, and forced them into quite a panic by the end. I think that was evident by the fact that fierce "whistles" could be heard loud and clear from the home fans in injury time, none more so than from "injury time specialist" himself, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was seen tapping his watch in his trademark manner up in the directors box! We made them panic. And that in itself is praise indeed. Furthermore the fact that the despicable individual that is Robin Van Persie, felt the need to celebrate as if he had invented a cure for cancer when scoring, illustrates just how seriously they are taking our challenge this season.

I guess my point here is the following. Football, as I often say, has a habit of seeming effortless and "easy" in victory and somewhat disastrous in defeat. Today's game must be put into some kind of perspective, with a clear head and open mind. We ARE in great shape, despite the fact that it is another defeat at Old Trafford. But considering everything together, there are many many reasons to be extremely cheerful, encouraged and excited about what is to come this season. Our run of 14 wins out of 15 away games has come to and end. But this record, despite the fact it has ended, illustrates further what great spirit, togetherness and quality this side has (as Jamie Redknapp, who we all know is not always particularly endearing towards The Arsenal, rightly pointed out on Sky Sports after the game). The team has come along way, and will continue to progress and make a serious challenge on all fronts.

Yes, today was disappointing. I am not getting away from that, in fact I was gutted at the result as I did wholeheartedly believe that we would get at the very least a draw out of the game. However as I said, perspective is needed. Credit to United, they won the battle, but I genuinely believe (as the old adage goes) we are winning the war! I believe we are in better shape, and considering how far we finished behind them last season, this is gives further belief that we can win things, and confirms that we have very much improved.

So, keep your chin up lads, fans keep believing, don't get disheartened. This season we can, and I believe we will, be very successful! We have a great team, a great manager, and they have showed great quality, heart and courage so far. Time now to regroup, get the players that are not fit, fit, and we will be absolutely fine!

UP THE ARSENAL!!!!!!!!

@Mr_arsenal_blog - tweet me your thoughts on the game, and indeed on the season as a whole. Remember bear in mind the "context" of the whole season, not just this game!