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Arsenal have travelled this path before
Written by Sawyer | 21st December 2005 | 0 Comment(s)
Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea at the weekend wasn’t entirely unexpected. In truth, had it not been for a couple of extremely poor decisions in the first half the outcome may have been different, but as the game wore on many inside Highbury were probably accepting that this may be a trend that would continue for a few years.
Particularly poignant would be the fact that Arsenal’s last victory over The Blues came courtesy of goals by the now departed Patrick Vieira and Edu.
However, football often revolves in cycles and no-one lasts at the top for ever. During the late seventies and throughout the eighties it was difficult to see an end to Liverpool’s domination (although Everton did win the League twice, before returning to being second citizens), but the fact remains they have now been unable to win the League since 1990 (as also funnily enough have Everton!!).
The financial clout of Manchester United was the driving force of the nineties, and even though money flowed in to football in general, but more so to the commercially viable Man Utd, quicker than water into Niagara Falls they were still eventually ousted from their lofty perch.
Arsenal were at the forefront of both changes, breaking Liverpool’s hearts while enthralling the nation in 1989, and then casting the Merseysiders out to seed in 1991.
Many will remember how the Gunners went to Old Trafford to put themselves back into the successful 1998 Championship campaign, via Marc Overmars, eventually culminating in that wonderful Tony Adams goal against Everton.
However, United continued to dominate, but when Arsene Wenger truly found his feet under the Highbury table the Arsenal fans were treated to three seasons of absolutely sublime football, only spoilt by the finish to the 2003 season (a ‘double’ and ‘the unbeatables’ either side of that).
What will be frustrating to Arsenal supporters is the fact that when their team has raised their level to oust the era’s dominating team, their own side hasn’t enjoyed as lengthy a period as the side they deposed.
Of course Arsenal themselves has enjoyed a dominating period in the 30’s, and are the only club of the three in the last century (Liverpool and Man Utd being the aforementioned others) to have their supremacy halted by matters other than those on the field of play, as Adolf Hitler inadvertently intervened.
Obviously greater issues were afoot at this time rather than football, but who knows quite what the future of Arsenal may have been if it was not for World War II. Furthermore, had the European Cup been invented in that era, it is quite probable that Arsenal would now possess a few of those in their trophy room.
Since the thirties Arsenal has managed to win the League in every decade bar the 60’s, which demonstrates the endeavour, and history, that exists within the club. However, over the previous forty years or so, it would appear that Gunners teams have been broken up prematurely.
The double side of ’71 would automatically spring to mind. The sales of George Graham and Ray Kennedy to Liverpool and Man Utd respectively took many goals out of the team. Frank Mclintock clearly had several years left at the top which became evidenced by his time at QPR (they finished 2nd in ’76). By the time Charlie George had left for Derby County in ’75 the team had already fallen into decline.
Nevertheless, at least that side stayed more or less together for a couple of years, and who’s to say that if it wasn’t for the great Johan Cruyff inspired Ajax, they could have hoisted the European Cup in ’72.
The worrying aspect of the present could be the few parallels that could be drawn from the aftermath of defeating Man Utd in the two Cup Finals in which the clubs have met.
Following the 3-2 victory in ’79, only a year passed until midfield lynchpin Liam Brady departed, strangely enough like Vieira to Juventus. As with all great players he was never really replaced, and Arsenal suffered accordingly.
A further season later and centre forward Frank Stapleton was plying his trade at Man Utd. Should Thierry Henry depart in the summer (with probably Barcelona the destination), it is not difficult to begin to see the parallel.
Pat Jennings didn’t last too much longer following that Cup Final, due to age, and with Wenger’s tendency to dabble in unproven keepers there is another position of uncertainty that would require immediate attention. Jens Lehmann is proving consistent at present, but he is 36.
A young David O’Leary had cemented his place in the side and would continue for many years to come. Kolo Toure and to a certain extent Philippe Senderos draw comparison here, but neither are as good.
Sammy Nelson was nearing the end at the time, but in a different way Ashley Cole may depart for pastures new which could present another change.
Manager Terry Neill was relieved of his duties in ’83, but Arsene Wenger is surely immune to that indignity. Furthermore, the he will be hoping that the youth policy that he has put in place bares fruit, however only time will tell on that score.
Of more immediate concern, will be whether Arsenal can qualify for next season’s Champions League. Falling behind Chelsea is one thing, but finishing behind Tottenham (who hold 4th place at present) would certainly be another. Failure would only evidence how the mighty have fallen, which considering some of the football Highbury has witnessed it resent seasons would be something of a shame.
Many supporters will muse over the two, three, four, five or even six signings that are required to make Arsenal great again, but in reality finances decree that a ‘Roman Abramovich’ is the only way to obtain a ‘quick fix’ solution these days. Realising how long Sir Alex Ferguson was at Man Utd before success was attained bares testament to that.
As the saying goes, ‘you have to endure the bitterness of defeat, before you can enjoy the sweet taste of victory’. Maybe Arsenal has had their decade and will never again enjoy prolonged success on that scale, but history would suggest that if Chelsea is sustaining their present achievements for a while to come then it may well be Arsenal that halts their progress.
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