Winds of change at Arsenal or just a false alarm?

So it's the FA cup fifth round tonight. It will be a late kick-off for the Gunners, after the distant and humiliating trip to Milan. Sunderland away is never an easy game, and especially after what we saw from the pitch last weekend, it becomes even more frightening. Win and the confidence meter rockets up, lose and the anti-Wenger circus is out in the sun again! Being an Arsenal fan has never been easy in the past 6-7 years, but the air of discontent has never been stronger. 


The wheels of change have been set in motion, and with every dismal performance, you sense that the mist on Arsene’s glasses is getting clearer. He has put not only his faith behind the current bunch, but also his reputation and I can’t help but think he feels betrayed now. It has been painful to see how he has gone from being ice-cool on the bench, to the irritated and completely hapless figure in the technical area. So it’s a welcome yet jolting change, that the boss vented his dissatisfaction not only in the media, but also at the training ground. You can only wonder what’s in store for Arshavin, who seems to have overstayed his welcome at the club. 


Theo also seems to be on the chopping block, just two weeks after arguably his most productive performance in the red and white. What happens from now on to the end of the season, irrespective of finishing fourth in the table, must be like an audition for some of the players. Some might not even get that chance. 


With murmurs about offers for Persie already started, it’s going to be another testing six months or so, for the fans, the management, the manager, the players and the club as a whole. How would the club justify the next hike in ticket prices? Will Real Madrid poach not only our best player but also our manager? Will Eden Hazard arrive in London, and if so, would it be London Colney? It isn’t all doom and gloom yet, we can progress into the quarters with a win tonight, and then who knows! In the league, it has to be one game at a time. 


We need to start by beating our forever loud and irritating neighbours next weekend, and then go on a mazy run till the end of the season, and we might even go on to celebrate St.Totteringham’s day on the final day of the season just like in 2006.... It takes just one big performance to change both the mood and the momentum in football. Bring that performance tonight, just a glimpse. 


Save the big one for another day, like March 6th maybe?! ;)




Written by Debarshee Mitra
Follow him on Twitter @goonerstar_deb


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