Bonjour, Hola, Hello, although maybe bonjour is all that's necessary for this particular hot topic... MB here to talk a little about mental toughness and the enigma that is Arsenal FC.
Unlike TG(known for his mental fortitude and never-look-back mentality), I am not a mentally strong person. I find that minor changes or failings take me a while to recover from. Therefore, I can relate to Arsenal in their 5 year long thirst for silverware, which looks like it will last at least another season...
One thing that will obviously be called into question is the youth element. Arsenal are a young team and although they are incredibly talented youngsters, do they have the strength to push through when a team mate is horrifically injured (a la Eduardo? Aaron Ramsey?) or the belief that next time will be their time when losing a cup final (Birmingham 2011)?
It doesn't seem so, both incidents set Arsenal in a steady decline in which Arsene Wenger's oft-distracted eyes complained about wreckless challenges to most recently – fixture congestion and too many games on a Sunday!?
Could it possibly be the old man himself? Unlike the steely character of determination that is Sir Alex Ferguson, or the siege mentality master that is Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger is more an aloof intellectual, a man of witty remarks and at times great sarcastic actions (Think of him being sent to the stands at Old Trafford). But can you imagine him truly administering the hair dryer treatment or coming across as anything but a perverse old man if trying to pull the 'arm round the shoulder' trick?
Arsenal play fantastic football, without question, at times they have been criticised for too many short passes and too few long balls and long range shots. One dimensional. However, at the beginning of the season, we seem to see a refreshed, rejuvinated Arsenal, able to play the ball quickly and score goals. Beating some of the teams which we used to write Arsenal off against – The Stokes, Boltons and Blackburn's of the Premier League. Hell, they even beat Chelsea last year!
But still they fail against the likes of Newcastle and West Brom (at home)...
Arsenal's problems are long and numerous. Mental strength is clearly something which needs focusing on. I do not believe Cesc Fabregas to be a great leader, Arsenal need more of a Roy Keane or Patick Vieira type figure, not a lead by example man (not that Vieira or Roy didn't lead by example too!). Arsenal need a player to slap them round the face when their manager is unable to do so... unfortunately I fear the only slap Cesc will be delivering is his future transfer to Barcelona. But we shall see.
Having said all that about mental strength, if Arsenal could simply keep the majority of their team fit or use a more diverse set of tactics then maybe, just maybe, they might win some silverware again. But until that time, I guess we should thank them for beautiful football, 'Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home', and Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg (for the ladies). And finally for bringing back the beautiful, crazy, unashamed German that is Jens Lehmann
Yes. That is him pissing in the middle of a football match – It's ok – He's only the fucking goalkeeper!
MB
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