Arsenal wed new-found steel with typical brains and craft

THE RETURN of Robert Pires to these shores this week should be a source of warm nostalgia for all Arsenal supporters. One of the 2004 Invincibles is back in their midst and ahead of today's north London derby, in which a win would send the current team to the top of the table for a couple of hours at least, they may perceive it to be an omen too - that, finally, the league title is heading back their way.

Three defeats already this season means there can be no repeat of the staggering impregnability of seven seasons ago, the last time Arsenal were champions, and given that two of those losses came against West Bromwich and Newcastle, at home, the fans would be wise not to get carried away, even if they were to witness a victory over the enemy this lunchtime.

But sitting second in the table, sandwiched between Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal are well placed in this most open of title hunts and there is a belief from even the most unlikely sources that their trophy drought, which stretches back to 2005, could be nearing an end.

"They seem more resilient now," said Everton captain Phil Neville following his team's 2-1 defeat last Sunday. "You always fancy yourself to rough them up. But we couldn't do it and that is where they have improved."

Such sturdiness could prove decisive for a team who have displayed mental brittleness ever since they last ruled the Premier League. The last time Arsenal looked like genuine title contenders, during the final months of the 2007-'08 season, a collapse in confidence and form came swiftly after Eduardo da Silva suffered his leg break in draw at Birmingham.

How Arsenal would react should something similar happen this season is a question everyone associated with the club hopes they will not have to answer. But, echoing Neville, Perry Groves, who played for the club when they won the 1989 and 1991 titles, believes the wins at Wolves and Everton which followed the defeat by Newcastle is proof they have developed a fresh resilience.

"The Newcastle game was the worst Arsenal performance I've seen at the Emirates. After that there was no way I could see them winning the championship," said Groves. "But I have been impressed with how they responded instantly at Wolves and then at Everton; 18 months ago that would not have happened.

"Arsenal also definitely played differently at Goodison. They were tighter as a unit and looked more prepared to defend, which hasn't always been the case away from home. They fought for the win, which was pleasing to see."

Arsenal's fortitude is also noticeable in the statistics, which show that the club have gathered more disciplinary points than any other team this season (270), and in Alex Song have a player who has committed 30 fouls in 12 games, the third highest in the top flight.

But what is startling, and should please Arsenal fans as much as recent results, is the team's domination of the figures, which show that along with the brawn remains the usual brains and craft.

Arsenal have scored the most goals from open play this season (21), had the most shots on target (83), the highest shooting accuracy (47.7 per cent), the highest dribble success rate (50.6 per cent), and gathered the most points away from home (14).

Little wonder, then, that Arsene Wenger yesterday described the squad as his strongest since arriving in north London 14 years ago.

"Number-wise we are not short and when everybody's fit it's difficult to keep everybody happy," said the Frenchman. "Certainly (it is my strongest squad) and that allows me to rotate naturally."

While Wenger continues to fill his team with young players, most notably the 18-year-old Jack Wilshere, it is the inclusion of a player reaching his peak that may make the difference this season.

Marouane Chamakh arrived from Bordeaux this summer aged 26 and, in the absence of the Robin van Persie, has shone, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

"He gives Arsenal a different dimension," said Groves. "If the intricate stuff isn't working the ball can now be played more directly because Chamakh is a great target man. His pace also stretches teams, which gives the likes of Wilshere and (Cesc) Fabregas more space to play in."

But for Nigel Winterburn, a member of Arsenal's 1998 Double-winning team, the current side are still some way from proving their championship credentials.

"What's important is that this team wins a trophy, and fast," said the former left-back. "Until they do that it is hard to put them in the same bracket as Chelsea and Manchester United, because their players are proven winners who know what it takes to go the distance."

Guardian Service