Arsenal On Track To Emulate Predecessors?
Oct 15th, 2007 by 'holic
I remember having a discussion with a good friend as this season was about to start. The gist of his argument was that this version of ‘Wengerball’, the third, is in roughly the same stage of formation as the second was in 2001-2002.
The similarities are there for sure. As then, this season began with the last three Premiership titles ending up elsewhere. As then we are just over a year from the disappointment of defeat in a European Final.
I have to confess I argued that the similarities were hugely coincidental, and that this team was not ready to achieve on the same scale as their predecessors. You win no prizes for reminding me that Wengerball mark 2 went on to lift the double that season, before retaining the FA Cup a year later, then producing the surely never to be equalled ‘invincible’ season of 2003-2004.
As luck would have it on Tuesday 16th October 2001 Arsenal met Panathinaikos in the Champions League. I thought I would have a look at the team that played that night. Just how superior to the current side were they, or was my memory playing tricks?
The 2001 Gunners faced a problem or two. First choice keeper David Seaman was ruled out by injury, as was captain Tony Adams. Hang on a minute, the same fate that has befallen Jens Lehmann and William Gallas this term? The parallels are quite astonishing.
Indeed the defence that night, which we would regard as extremely strong today, was very experimental. In front of new goalkeeper Richard Wright were midfielder Lauren, playing at right-back as Lee Dixon was also injured, and a young Matthew Upson replaced Adams alongside another new signing, Sol Campbell, in the centre. A young and inexperienced Ashley Cole completed the four.
I would have to say I would take Almunia over Wright any day, and would probably only take Campbell from that back four to accompany Sagna, Toure, and Clichy from the modern day version. Interesting, but I must stress I am considering the relative inexperience of Lauren, and youth of Cole, on that night.
The balance would be restored in midfield, I think, given that three of the four that night were Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires, all of them approaching their peak. For me only Cesc would have infiltrated that side, replacing Gio Van Bronckhorst alongside Vieira. Surprisingly Ray Parlour, the Romford Pele, was only a substitute against the Greeks.
I doubt there is anything too controversial thus far, but what of the front two? Back in 2001 the mercurial Bergkamp was ruled out leaving Sylvain Wiltord to partner Thierry Henry. I would have to plump for either Robin Van Persie or Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of Wiltord. Does that seem so unkind to a player who finished the season by scoring the goal at Old Trafford that clinched the title?
Now I look back on the discussion I had that night. ‘No way can you expect this side to challenge on all fronts as that team did’, I remember saying. Hang on though, the more I look at it, the more I realise how right he could well have been, that friend of mine.
There is a long way to go before this side achieves anything. The big tests remain in the future. I can tell you this much though, I’m pretty sure that on October 16th., 2001, I wasn’t expecting to be celebrating a double just seven months later.
Food for thought, wouldn’t you agree?
12 Responses to “Arsenal On Track To Emulate Predecessors?”
The only minus this time is Almunia, who I think can’t handle the big games and remain in doubt to help us win the title.
I think Hleb maybe the equal to Freddie in midfield too
its a long way to go, but if they do i believe just coz they are winning the games rather than drawin them they just be better… and a bunch of kids doing it..
I wish for it too..
You could be right. This side is special. I’m hoping for the best.
Wenger must go!! and SSOONN!! Its cold at the bottom of the pile
The big tests are around the corner.If Arsenal get it right and the refs and linesmen are spot on I have absolutely no doubt Arsenal will prevail.
This brings me back to the 50th match of the 2004-2005 season.As some our gooners rightly pointed out it was one balding eagel of a red whose decisons caused us to lose the match.Yes I know such decisions have a rendency to even themselves over the season but the damage had been done. It was the same ref ref whos Campbell off in the 2-2 drwa aagainst MU the previous season.
All fans want the match to be settled by the players and not refs who you may never know makes a dodgy decsion.
Rosicky and Hleb are anytime matching the 2001/02 midfield, even Diaby and Diarra can be swopped in and will do their job – there is great depth in that side. The so-called youngsters are actually all quite experienced already.
Upfront we have enough firepower with no. 4 (Bendtner) moaning, midfield scoring regurlarly and routinely, Clichy and Sagna as good as their caompatriots few seasons earlier, and Gallas/Toure a world class central defense.
I fully agree that the ‘loophole’ in that side is Almunia. He is indeed not a keeper for the great games, and by nowhere has the class of Lehmann, not even now, Lehmann having made those mistakes or not.
Watch out Fabianski ! … He’s the future man.
I’m sure this lot is going somewhere, even if they do not go top this season, they’ll be the contenders for years to come, provided that they stay together.
Hey hi there 2 al d gunners and i 2 m a gunner by heart .yes i do belive v have not had 2 much luck wit d goalkeepers.but al round v ve had d most special of players name them n they ve been good thanx 2 arsen hey lukas is good but i ve just herd of it v have been linked with a guy from norway hope he comes in and is good hope v can sign a few youngsters in jan and have more quality and strength.bentner is 1 4 d future n he should be patient d way robin was he ll surely get his chance sooner than later.hope we can emulate our past n be the best this season.hale gunners
Great article, interesting stuff and definitely makes me look at this team differently. The 2001 team has managed to be looked upon as one of the best of all time, and maybe they are. But if you look at it player for player, the team we have now really does have immense potential. Am going to put a link article to this on my site if that’s ok with you?
Cusop – What are you on about? Your Spurs aren’t bottom. You’re clear of the relegation zone on goal difference, well-placed for survival. The mood among Spurs fans must be upbeat, you’ve got enough in the tank to avoid the drop.
Nice read there, ‘holic. Certainly some tasty food for thought :). Its tough to tell myself to keep my feet firmly on the ground when I read such articles.
Things are very different now, than it was in 2001, more so with other teams and the rest of the Premiership. So its a tough call. But if this team can lift just the FA Cup, it would be good enough this season.