One dramatic year later

My last post was about attending an Arsenal game at the Emirates sitting in the away section watching us lose 2-0 to Liverpool last season.

We bounced back well and looked on course to getting back in the Champions League until injuries, a thin squad and fatigue took its toll. Losing to Spurs to give up 4th spot was the nadir of the campaign. It was progress from 8th the previous season but it was a really disappointing end.

The Amazon documentary on the campaign that came out a few months later brought back the exhilarating highs for most of our campaign, and the depressing lows that ended the season. It was a good watch though. It was a good insight into Arteta and only the most idiotic of fans would fail to be moved by his passion for the game. I fear he may not last long if he keeps this up. Like Pep who had to step away from the game.

What a difference 12 months have made!

This season has been a revelation for the youngest (or second youngest) squad in the league. It's easy to win when you play good football - which they did for the first half of the season. 50 points! Better than the Invincibles. We were playing stuff that exceeded the best of last season. Top of the table before the World Cup, top of the table at the halfway mark, even with Jesus injured. Eddie showed what he was made of until the minutes took their toll and then came what might even have surpassed the transformative signing of Jesus. We were chasing players with big price tags that ultimately did not pan out, and in the end went for experienced Premier League players like Trossard and Jorginho that paid off immediately.

We then hit a slight wobble, losing to Everton and City, and only drawing with Brentford at home. The obituaries for our campaign were written. The last 3 games have been huge! Coming from behind to beat Villa and today, Bournemouth by scoring winners in injury time. Payback for Everton at the Emirates to the tune of a 4-0 win.

Very few teams win the league at a canter, and hence my comment about winning being easy when you play well. Most league-winning campaigns feature wobbles, slumps, nerves being shot, but above all, resilience.

Today we showed it in spades. Spotting Bournemouth a 2-0 lead at the Emirates, the game seemed one of those destined to be lost on a day when we simply were not firing at all. And there were many like this last season and there wasn't much we could do. We had nothing off the bench to change things around.

This time round, the subs made a huge difference. White came on for Tomi at halftime, and scored the equalizer. Tomi was simply not on the same wavelength and it was a good call by Arteta to change things around. ESR replaced Trossard in the first half when he got injured and while you could see the rust in his game, he made a telling contribution by providing the assist for Partey's goal that started the comeback.

You knew that ESR wasn't meant to play so much because he was then subbed and replaced by Nelson, who only went on to score the winner. In the 97th minute. Karmic justice for all the time wasting by Bournemouth.

There have been so many incredible storylines this season but one thing has stood out for me. We are a team. So many different players have chipped in at crucial moments with goals being spread all around the team. I think today when White scored, all of our main starting outfield players (bar Ramsdale) have scored at least one. Zinchenko scored his first EPL goal by getting the equalizer at Villa. Huge moments. 

Before today, I thought of the cliche - there were 13 cup finals to go. This really felt like one. We may not get so lucky next time we give away silly goals but at least when things go against us, we have this in the bank to remind us to never stop fighting. United teams were famous for winning in "Fergie time". Feels like we are starting to develop this same mentality.

The mentality of champions.