Amidst all the arguments of what our best line up and formation should be, amidst the clamour to drop certain “donkeys” what has unfolded is almost poetic. We are witnessing for the first time in a long time, real honest to God competition
Unai Emery has stumbled his way to creating an environment where players who have defined roles are either fighting to keep them or fighting to improve on them. Nobody on the bench is content with just being on the bench, everyone seems to be eager to show what they can do with a smile on their face. Similarly, nobody that starts regularly is comfortable in their role
The beauty doesn’t just start and end with the players willingness to compete with the right attitudes, the real beauty is that the “donkeys” are actually trotting about their business like stallions.
Players that we have written off due to past performances, are showing and proving. The likes of Welbeck and Iwobi are staking a real claim for superstars like Özil and Auba to be dropped. Players like Mkhitaryan and Holding are seizing their opportunities when given a chance. Their energy is consistent whether or not they find themselves on the bench the next game despite playing a blinder the week before
There are players like Guendouzi who have displayed more ability than the current occupiers of their role, and forced the likes of Xhaka to step up their game. And there are quality back ups like Elneny, Litchenstiener and exciting young talents like Smith-Rowe, Mavraponos etc that haven’t disappointed when given an opportunity
If you squint and focus real hard you might see a semblance of an Arsenal we used to know
I’m not trying to get carried away given the level of opposition we have faced thus far, but I think that the Clown that decided to get rid of Jack, is beginning to show himself capable.
The future is now!!!!!!!