Captain Shows The Way 'IN'!

An average of 3.27 goals a game is something even the Invincibles would have been proud of. Its sounds amazing right from the onset, but what makes this all the more intriguing is the fact that the 55 goals we have scored this season, have come from the boots/heads of no less than 17 players.

11Gunners celebrates this ‘Goal-Fest‘ right now..

Every League game@the Emirates has seen atleast 3 goals being scored. The likes Fabregas and Van Persie lead the scoring charts with 9 and 8 goals respectively. Even Vermaelen and Gallas, centre-backs by profession, can’t out-do their tempt and often have found the back of the net. They have 5 and 4 between them, respectively! This proves why the Gunners are gunning like never before and why this is a football team which should be cherished more than criticized.

A target of 100 League goals looks realistic now, more than ever before. The fact that this has never been achieved in the Premier League era, and the last team to have breached that barrier were Tottenham in 1962-63, makes the challenge even more exciting. Wenger, on being asked, if that target was on, said this:

“I don’t know if that is possible. But what is possible is to play even better. The result shows the way we play suits the team. I enjoy the way we play. Different teams try different styles and we manage to find solutions. It’s very good for us because we are not destabilised by the physical style, or when a team drops back. Every time we manage to find a solution and to score goals.”

“We play with three strikers most of the time. We have kept our philosophy to pass the ball at a high pace in very tight areas. The basis of our philosophy has not changed.”

Captain Fabregas, the man who has been at the peak of his powers off-late, was a little circumspect, and cautioned that we don’t get too carried away with the bludgeoning form we are in goal-scoring wise. He said:

“There will be a time when we cannot score goals. It will be maybe not that easy and we will have to be patient. It is in that moment where we have to be strong. That’s why you are always cautious in football because it’s a very fragile sport.”

“We don’t look at what the Invincibles achieved, or whatever the name of that team was. We are Arsenal. We are young and trying to do our best. There will come a time when we cannot score. So we just have to keep going.”

Nice way to put it, I would say. We play the ‘Beautiful Game‘ beautifully, there is no two ways about that. But apart from the pleasure which very apparent at the sight, the effectiveness too must be considered. But as long as the spirit of ‘Joi de Vivre‘ is kept alive, we are not complaining! And didn’t the legendary Herbert Chapman say:

“The team that scores the most goals wins.”

PS: How the English FA didn’t ban Eduardo (for raising in jersey after scoring a goal against Wolves, and endorsing a social-cause pertaining to rise of drug-peddling in his place of birth i.e. Brazil), still baffles me. It seemed to me, those guys ban him for any and everything. All I can infer is, Justice Prevails! Keep Gunning for now..

Running For A 'Cause'

And That's A Goal..

With Arsenal having deployed a more attacking 4-3-3 formation for the 09-10′ Season, Goals, and loads of them, is something each Gunner can expect this term. Van Persie topped the charts last Season with 20 goals. For Arsenal to challenge for Top Honours, they’l need atleast two of the guys to score 20+ goals this term. If a 6 goal start is anything to go by, I’m sure we are in for a treat. A look into who the possible contendors are..

Robin VanPersie : He did it last term. No point why the Dutchman can’t repeat the feat this Season. He has the panache to better last season’s return if anything.

Eduardo DaSilva: The ace from Croatia is back after a horrific injury he suffered last term. His finishing composure is second to none and so is his finishing! Time to make-up for lost time maybe.

Andrie Arshavin : With 6 goals in 2 months that he played last season, he showed exactly why AW went out of the way and actually signed an established star for once. An attacking midfielder that he is, in his first full season with the Gunners, he can raise a few eyebrows alright.

Cesc Fabregas : Captain Cesc is back and how. 2 goals to start the season and we know his goal-scoring instincts are back. Is known to have scored heavily in his yet younger days, the Prof thinks, at 22-23 that he is now, history is about to be revisited. Touche’.

Niklas Bendtner : The Big Dane, despite all his critics, has a decent return of 15 goals last term. AW rates him very highly and we don’t question him over such matters, do we? I’m sure he is going to be the “Next Big Thing” the Professor has in store for us.

Theo Walcott : He dons the number 14 jersey alright. In the new 4-3-3 formation, he maybe finally handed a more direct role up front, something he always craved for. Injuries apart, this could be the season for the young Englishman to come off age. If nothing, maybe the spirit of number 14 can raise him to dizzying heights!

Others : Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky are the other prominent nams that come to mind. But lack of experience at top level and lack of match fitness may inhibit their prospects.

Let the Count begin..