I’ve always reiterated that while results are infinitely superior to performances, it’s the performance that sets the scaffolding of future results. Unless, of course, you beat the league leaders with a minute to go.
No Arsenal fan can ever look at that game with cynicism (except perhaps at the referee). No one could possibly scorn at Danny Welbeck losing himself among the people and think, “Come on mate, it’s only February.” We know the seismic impact of that result. Regardless of whatever good or bad yesterday highlighted amount Arsenal, this week cannot possibly be the time to over-analyze the latter.
Sure, sometimes it felt like old habits weren’t dying at all. Leicester’s well-documented plan of attacking on the break seemed to be working, and they grew into the game after we didn’t capitalize on some neat openings. And sure, Jamie Vardy with his dodgy penalty made us rue our wastefulness by giving Leicester the lead.
Even though we won, there were some causes for concern. Alexis Sánchez and Aaron Ramsey typified our lackadaisical attitude in front of goal. Taking Francis Coquelin off perhaps showed lesser foresight than one might have liked. And beating a 10-man team, almost any 10-man team, ought not to be as difficult as we made it out to be.
But frankly, who gives a shit? It’s irrelevant or what might have, simply because it ended in a bed of roses. If you would have offered me a 2-1 win at the beginning of the day I’d have taken it, no questions asked. The fact that we took it in such cinematic fashion inundates the euphoria of the moment.
Why ruin the moment by critiquing it? (and believe me, it will). I’ve heard people say we won’t beat Barcelona with that performance. Well – we’re not defeating a team like them over two legs anyway, and we’re not winning the Champions League. Europe does not even matter this season. 2015/16 will always be remembered for the Premier League, and the Premier League alone. Yesterday was a massive step into reminiscing this campaign in fond memory.
It’s been twelve years since we’ve won the league. Think about that for a moment. And think about how talented our squad is, and how flawed are our competitors. Our record in big games this season has been exemplary. Aside from overturning top teams in the league, we’ve also beaten Bayern Munich and Olympiacos when it has really, really mattered.
And get this – toward the end, we employed a 4-4-2 and beat Leicester City. If that isn’t one of the ironies of the season, I don’t know what is.
Aside from the emotional impacts of the win and the frightening thought of what that might do for our confidence, yesterday’s win had practical purposes too. N’Golo Kante looked visibly unnerved after he was booked. Claudio Ranieri’s irate and butthurt post-match presser showed a glimpse into the current psychology of his team. They’ve been flying for a while, but losing to Arsenal might hit hard to them their sense of inferiority.
We’ve killed their spirit – the same spirit which had propelled them to the opposite end of the league. Leicester’s confidence has been the highlight of the season, but if we’ve halted that for good, it’s probably the achievement of our season.
What a day.
-Santi [Follow me on Twitter @ArsenalBlogz ]
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