The Arsenal Way !

The Chess board is in Play now, as significant pieces will move on Sunday November 5th, 2017
One of the main topics of discussion with the approaching match against Manchester City is how should Arsenal play?. It is an indication of change of fortunes because a decade ago the question would have been how should City play? Anyways, that’s how things change
Man City are in top form, and are scoring willingly. Wenger comes with a similar philosophy to dominate possession and move the ball around, Guardiola likes players to play the ball, last year he went to great extents to implement his philosophy, including replacing the goal keeper.
Looking at Arsenal’s form, many are saying that Arsenal should play more defensive, with a back five, and defend, otherwise Man City will run through it’s defense. But the key question is can Arsenal play like that !
This brings me back to the question of identity of football, what is important in football, trophies, winning, or having an identity. Winning no doubt is important and the ultimate aim of the game, but then every club has a character. Arsenal were famous for their packed defense, “one nil to the arsenal”, but then Wenger has transformed them, and brought attractive football to the fore, intricate passing, and making runs is the hallmark of an Arsenal side. The dilemma is similar to what Klopp said after the Manchester United game, that as a manager of Liverpool, he cannot park the bus and play a packed defense, and more importantly a sole attacker upfront, his allusion was the Liverpool faithful might not accept it, The fan has come to expect a certain game from Liverpool. And this very fact is

accentuated in the manner in which ‘winning’ manager Murhinio was booed by United fans, showing a displeasure in the kind of football  on display. The ultimate argument that is being made is that, winning a trophy will appease the crows and they will come around, and in fact celebrate Murhinio in the end. The jury is out on that, and we will know at the end of the season.
Similar is Arsenal’s conundrum, as a fan, I would like to see Arsenal outplay Man City, if might seem wishful thinking for the realist within me, who knows Man City on current form and can repeat a Bayern on Arsenal if they are allowed to run through. So what should be done, listen to the realist and there might be a result, a draw, but then the fan in me would be disappointed, and try to match City, and be run over with 6-0 type insult. What should it be?
But again, just imagine, what if, Arsenal play the Arsenal way, and go toe to toe with Man City, and ultimately just over run City and nick a win. Just imagine the ecstasy it would bring, the joy, and the celebration it would warrant. Maybe, and maybe it would just change the mood, and make things more pleasant. Digressing here, in cricketing terms, I remember a similar situation, when Pakistan went on to win the World Cup in 92, but somehow as an Indian fan, it did not matter, because in that World Cup, India has beaten them in a thrilling encounter, It is similar to that famous Indian win at Kolkata which stopped the Australian unbeaten test run, A thriller, but more importantly it changed the outlook of Indian cricket, attitudes changed, and ultimately India went on to defeat the Aussies in Australia, which a few years earlier was unthinkable
So, I think Arsenal should try for three points, and play their game, rather than change character. A few adjustments, focus and discipline is needed, But if you look from an analyst perspective, the upside is huge, not just three points, it will change the atmosphere, the attitude, the belief of everyone at the club, and the downside is limited, already the Liverpool result is there, so it will not be a shocker, if there is a loss, what will happen, calls of ‘Wenger Out’ may just increase by another decibel.
Hence all in all, I feel the right call is not to abandon the Arsenal way, but to embrace it, and enjoy the game, what I would like to see is effort, an exciting game, and hopefully the fan in me would have a chance to rejoice!

Collective destinies, Shared History,Commnal hope and dreams
of Dignity in Defeat,
of Class in Victory
of Pure redemptive moments, making you believe
And Magical Memories soothing aching hearts
Hearts that beat to the tune of red, white and gold
One love one arsenal

excerpt from “The Arsenal Way” by Anushree Nande