Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal. Three points. Top of the league. More poignantly, a near-flawless performance.
Unpredictability in football is rife. Nobody knows what’s around the corner, and getting ahead of yourself as a fan is a dangerous game. For us Arsenal fans, though, I think it’s time we play.
Born in 2002, I was far too young to be involved in the celebrations of our glory days – but I’ve heard all about them, and felt disappointed to have missed out on that jubilation.
Us young fans have dreamed of feeling that joy. We’ve seen a few FA Cups, some particularly memorable games, but nothing to really get us excited. Nothing close to comparable to the legends we’ve been told.
For the first time in my life, I can confidently say that the future of this football club is incandescently bright, and doesn’t it just feel great to say.
Today’s win against Chelsea was nothing short of a statement. It’s fantastic to pick up another three points and launch ourselves back to the top of the table - but me personally, I’m more overjoyed by two things: the performance and the character.
It was full of personality, heart, and togetherness. It was men against boys in their own backyard. Men who knew what they had to do, and did it better than anybody could’ve wanted.
I’m running out of superlatives to describe William Saliba. 21 years of age, and doesn’t boast a single notable weakness to his game.
He is a champagne footballer. A defender with the technical ability, confidence, composure, swagger, and physical prowess of a midfielder who’s seen it all. The kid is a gem, and one of many in this Arsenal collective.
Ben White had another incredible match, proving once again why he, in my opinion, has been the best player under Mikel Arteta this season.
No, he’s not playing out of position. He is just as competent on the right as he is in the middle, and he was involved in just about everything this afternoon. Build-up play in one half of the pitch, defensive heroics in the other.
The consistency in his performances is leaving Gareth Southgate little to no choice. If Ben White isn’t on the plane to Qatar in a few weeks' time, eyebrows will be more than raised.
With another big chance missed, it’s easy for some to dismiss Gabriel Jesus’ performance, as many have been doing throughout his dry spell in front of goal – but I refuse to take that route.
The man is special, and what he brings to this Arsenal side is imperative to our success. Stats don’t do his
impact justice. He lights up the football pitch and always finds a way to make somethings out of nothings.
Whether it’s his tricky feet and immaculate ball control, his physical strength and hold-up play, or simply his lungs and willingness to put in one heck of a shift, he contributes. I’d love for him to score more, of course. Everybody would. But I’m far from alarmed.
As for Gabriel Magalhaes, well it was nothing personal. For somebody who supposedly struggles playing out from the back, he was more than on the ball in West London, with 6/7 accurate long passes.
He was a brick in the wall, too. Four clearances, two interceptions, one tackle and three aerial duels won. Providing the finishing touch to cement the three points is a nice cherry on top, too.
I could talk about individual players all day, but nobody has the time or patience for that. What I will emphasise, though, is the togetherness of this group, because it’s something I’ve never seen before as an Arsenal fan.
This is a group of lads that play for the badge, and play for each other, with all their heart. They know what it means – not only to an institution with such a rich and fruitful history, but to the fans who have stuck around over the last 15 years.
We need to believe. Will we see the success we’re all dreaming of this season? We’re certainly keeping our name in the mix, but this Manchester City team have an inevitability about them.
This season aside, we are young. The players are growing alongside the manager with every passing week, and we are setting ourselves up for a very enticing future.
It should be acceptable to say that for us Arsenal fans, it’s time to believe.
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