YAMACAST S2E10: the one about perspective

In this week’s installment of the You Are My Arsenal podcast we use music by Bastille called Pompeii.  In the song, they say “if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing has changed at all.” Given the response of some of pundits, some Arsenal supporters and other pickets of those who want to have an opinion, you’d have thought we were right back to where we were before.

But is that really the case? When you look at the loss to United, it needs to be viewed with a little perspective. First lets look at the facts as they stand today:

• Arsenal are still top of the table with 2 points clearance.
• Arsenal are heading into a flight of fixtures that are winnable – right up until their next challenging spell against Manchester City on 14 Dec.
• Arsenal have come through one of the most difficult runs of matches with all competitions facing the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, United and Dortmund twice. While they are out of the Capital One Cup, they still sit atop the table in the Premier League and their Champion’s League group.
• For all the plaudits being thrown United’s way, they only managed a goal from a set piece. Outside of some not so clear cut chances, there was very little for either team to hold up and say we were the better side. True only the result matters but United clearly aren’t a dominating force.
• Arsenal weren’t going to keep up their pace setting forever.

In other words, the title race is still very much open with all to play for.

And that’s crux of the feeling we should all have. Ignore the people who have an agenda. Be it, beating Wenger for not having a quality back up to Giroud, that Arsenal don’t look like a top 4 side, and other drivel that has been bandied about without so much thought as to balancing those arguments.

As good as Arsenal have been there was always going to be a moment when we came back down to earth. We’re enjoying the ride and that’s fine. But we have to have perspective. We have to realize that there will be moments like this past Sunday. The team will come out flat. What really matters is what happens after those moments. How does the team respond?

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, Arsenal go into a much needed break, forced upon us by another interlull. Outside of the key French players in our squad, everyone has a friendly to play. That is why I think we are seeing so many players coming down with “illnesses.” They just need a break – it looks like they will get it.

Also let’s remember this, the glorious run we have been on has been without key cogs for long periods of time. Santi is finally looking the deal as he gets back to fitness. Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain – are all set to return shortly from long layoffs. They will only make this squad better. Theo Walcott is likely the one many are salivating over to see as he showed some real promise in the first match with Mesut Özil when they first played together.

The point is, there is still room for improvement. This squad can get better. That should be a scary thought. Yes, it could very well go the opposite direction. I don’t think it will. There will be further hiccups but I do believe we have a mentally tougher side than we have had in past years.

But let’s not spoil it all for you with some rambling writing. Let me ramble and rant live (or recorded actually) for you. This week I am joined in the podcast by another good friend of the blog and podcast FK known on twitter as @fkhanage. FK is part of the group that produces the Bergkamp Wonderland Podcast and we’re glad he could join us for this podcast. We talk about the perspective we all need to maintain as we reflect on Sunday. And in the end we both feel Arsenal CAN win the title but ask, WILL they?

What’s your thoughts on today’s subject matter? Let us know.

All episodes of the YAMACAST can be accessed on iTunes via the following link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/you-are-my-arsenal-yamacast/id615279052