Skip to main content

From Invincible To Laughable: The Story of Arsenal FC

Despite being the 2nd most successful football club in English football for over 100 years, times have never looked bleaker for the once invincible Gunners. A 2-0 loss to Brentford, a side that has not appeared in the English top-flight since 1947, has certainly got Arsenal off to a shaky start in this seasons Premier League campaign, and unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if any kind of improvement is on the horizon. 


Arsenal vs Brentford - bleacherreport.com

In the early 2000s, Arsenal was the number one name in English football, and with managerial legend Arsene Wenger at the helm, the North London side was truly unbeatable. From 2003-2004, Arsenal went unbeaten during their 38 game Premier League season, a feat not accomplished by any other side in the competition's history. With a star stud-studded lineup that included Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera, and Sol Cambell, it’s easy to see why this side was such a success both in England and abroad, capturing the Premier League crown and finishing 11 points clear of London rivals Chelsea. 


Arsenal 2003/04 “The Invincibles” - goal.com

Fast forward to the present day, and Arsenal could not be further apart from their predecessors. After the departure of Arsene Wenger in 2018, Arsenal has failed to finish inside the top 4, despite employing three different managers over a three year period. Actions both on and off the pitch have thrown the club into utter disarray, resulting in the laughing stock that Arsenal has become. Unlike other ‘Big Six’ clubs, Arsenal’s focus will not be adding silverware to the trophy cabinet or acquiring big-name signings in upcoming transfer windows. Like the runt of the Premier League litter, Mikel Arteta’s young Gunners will be in pure survival mode until the season concludes in May and must do anything they can to avoid further embarrassment. 


Mikel Arteta - vbetnews.com

It’s a spectacular fall from grace for the North London side, and it’s a fall that has most football fans either scratching their heads or rolling around the floor in a fit of laughter. With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kieren Tireny, and Emile Smith-Rowe all coming up through the ranks and onto the forefront of Arsenal’s starting lineup, the future looks bright(ish) and there are at least some signs that point toward a resurgence back to the top of the Premier League - just not in 2021. 


Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe (left) and Bukayo Saka (right) - acefootball.com

With Champions League winners Chelsea next and Premier League champions Manchester City soon after, a 0-3 start to this seasons campaign is almost certain. However, if anything, 2021 will at least provide a chance for Arsenal’s young players to showcase their elite sense of character and determination. This years’ Premier League season may bring the Gunners to their knee’s and keep them their permenantly, but how they get back up will be what defines them moving forward into their unknown future. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Extending the Possible - The Introduction of the 4-point line in the NBA

Since 1951, the NBA has undergone many era-defining changes. Through the evolution of its players, we have seen greatly different play styles ranging from the overly physical approach of the '80s and '90s to the rise of small ball. Remarkably, since the introduction of the 3-point line in 1979, no significant change has been made to the NBA that has made such a notable difference in how the game of basketball is played. So what's next? Well, with the likes of Steph Curry, Trae Young and Damian Lillard extending the limits of shooting ability with every passing season, something new is on the horizon; the introduction of the 4-point line. Since it's an introduction in 2018, the discussion over the addition of a 4-point line in the NBA is something that has been highly controversial. It is no question that the 3-point shot is at the centre of every NBA coaches gameplan in 2021 and is a tool that, if used effectively, can be the very difference between winning and losing a...
1 comment
Read more

"Pistol Pete" Maravich - The Most Underrated NBA Legend of All Time

When people talk about inventors that were ahead of their time, some might say Leonardo Da Vinci, Plato, or Hero of Alexandria. But if you ever want to find a man that was born into the wrong era, look no further than "Pistol Pete" Maravich.  Now, I'll admit, Pete Maravich isn't exactly a household name in today's NBA and I doubt you'll find him on any all-time lists. However, in the basketball world, there are two main things that Maravich is known for:  1. Having very bad knees. 2. Being one of the best NBA guards of all time.  As the son of a tough basketball coach, Press Maravich, Pete was sculpted into the mould of a great basketball player. The legend of "Pistol Pete" started at Louisiana State University from 1967-1970 and he immediately set the college basketball scene alight. Over 3 seasons, he averaged 44.2 points per game, an NCAA record that still stands to this day and is a stat that arguably makes him the greatest college basketball pla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Time’s Up For Arteta - Conte or Zidane To Follow?

The position of manager at Arsenal has been a cursed one ever since Arsene Wenger’s retirement. Those who have followed the great Frenchman have seen nothing but mediocre performances and mid table finishes behind the likes of West Ham. Despite initial excitement, the addition of Mikel Arteta hasn’t brought any additional glory to London’s north end and has managed only two 8th place finishes and a FA cup trophy. Now for a mid-table team this would be acceptable, but for a side who is supposedly within the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, it hardly stands up against the achievements of Arsenal’s rival clubs. The need for change is severe, but the next manager to run through the gauntlet will certainly have their hands full.  As of now, there are two big name managers on the market, Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane. Both men have had great success in their managerial careers, combining for 15 trophies between them, but in terms of style and philosophy they couldn’t be more different....
Post a Comment
Read more