Chelsea and Manchester City are more fancied to win the title than Arsenal, but the former England striker thinks they have what it takes
Main man: Olivier Giroud staying fit is essential to Arsenal's Premier League title bid Photo: GETTY
If we are judging solely on depth of squad, on title-winning experience and
the ability to roll over opponents with sheer power and know-how, then, yes, Manchester
City and Chelsea
hold the upper hand. Both teams, on paper, look better equipped to
go the full distance.
But you simply cannot ignore Arsenal’s
achievement in arriving at this point. With over half the season gone,
having already faced their rivals once, Arsène Wenger’s team deservedly sit
at the top of the table.
Say what you will about that thrashing at City or that disappointing defeat at
Manchester United, Arsenal have shown themselves capable of dealing with the
pressure to keep their noses in front.
To maintain this, though, so much depends on the back four staying together,
particularly the centre-halves who have built up such a great understanding.
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been sensational so far in
providing a solid platform that has allowed the boys further forward to do
their thing.
The best defence in the Premier League: who would have thought that in recent
seasons when Arsenal were shipping too many soft goals? As it is, they have
worked very hard on organisation and shape to cut out the errors that were
holding them back. No longer does that rearguard find itself exposed by a
gung-ho approach that would leave the side stretched when they lost the
ball.
If they can carry on in this vein, then, and there is no reason to think they
cannot, Arsenal are well capable of sustaining a challenge to end up on top
on May 11. That would be fitting reward for players of the quality of Jack
Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Özil, who help make up the
most technically gifted creative unit in this division.
No fear here of coming up short. Wenger can rotate his midfielders to keep everyone fresh without suffering any dip in quality. Theo Walcott’s injury is a blow of course, but the emergence of Serge Gnabry, the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the talent of Tomas Rosicky might be enough to plug the gap. Factor in the defensive instincts of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini and you are looking at a group difficult to better.
The only concern is the much-discussed lack of cover for Olivier Giroud. If the centre-forward were to get injured, Arsenal would lose so much of their threat, given how the Frenchman’s back-to-goal style dovetails perfectly with those around. No wonder Mirko Vucinic has been mentioned as a target. If captured on loan, the Juventus striker could perhaps answer this crucial call.
But whoever plays, Arsenal must know that the toughest tests are yet to come. With Liverpool and United awaiting next month, a hellish-looking March will make or break their title tilt. Trips to Tottenham and Chelsea precede the visit of City. Come through that little run intact and the players will really start to believe.
And I do think they need a good victory against one of the heavyweights to make an emphatic statement. They have not managed that yet, hence all the doubts. But were they, for instance, to win at Stamford Bridge or beat City at home, the psychological impact would be huge.
Source: Telegraph
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