With our editor-in-chief, DAG on an international break holiday, we know you might like to read something, anything. So I thought I’d give my firsthand experience from my travelling up to West Brom last Sunday, discussing the away day itself for those who haven’t gone to one before, and some thoughts about the game itself.
Over the last few years I have looked forward to away days more than I have home ones. The simple reason for this – the support we take away from home. It is quite simply fantastic. No negativity, just full on support for the team through good and bad. Remember getting thumped at OT and that 20 minute song that just went on and on? Our away fans at their absolute best showing the level and intensity of the travelling support at away games.
At home over recent seasons, there has always been a propensity for serious negativity from the stands. Only recently have we started to see the level of positive atmosphere the Emirates can produce. In my view, results often dictate that. That is not the case on the road.
Anyway, the thought of another trip to the Hawthorns had been getting me through the 9-5 during the few days before. I love it as an away ground. Easy to get to, fans on the train, many having a few beers in good spirits, all hoping we go back to the top of the league.
At the Hawthorns, there is a pub close by with a mixture of home fans and away fans. This made for quite a good atmosphere between the fans, with Arsenal fans in really good spirits. It was dissappointing to hear some clearly racist chants added in but it was a small minority, drowned out by others very quickly.
So then it was off to the ground where the atmosphere on the concourse was unbelievable. There are many videos of some of the chants song, in particular the one that involves tottenham being small, selling Bale and us buying Özil. Very enjoyable that one. This was the kind of atmosphere I expect when I go away from home. I’ve only seen something similar once before at the Emirates: after Giroud had put us 3-1 up in the derby and the singing spilled over to the bars.
The first thing I will say about the game specifically relates to the fans and the players. Arteta said that players respond to fans reactions, whether it be leaving early or specifically negative feelings. When Arsenal were under pressure, and some players were struggling, there was very little of this. Prime example? Jack Wilshere. Yes, there were some frustrated fans, complaining about Jack. However, most realised he was trying hard, was playing out of position and receiving no protection despite some robust challenges. Credit to him though, he came out 2nd half and improved vastly. The fans who sung his name even when he struggled were rewarded when Jack got the vital goal. Cue the moshpit. There seems to be extra fervour when one of our own scored. Just hope Jack can add more goals to his game now.
The next thing I want to mention is Mathieu Flamini. Many people lauding the primary attributes visibile only on TV – his tackling, pressing, and energy which are always on display and there in technocolor glory. But there are also a few things he is doing off camera that bear mentioning as well. When WBA scored, most of our players wondered what had happened with heads down. Flamini however grabbed the ball immediately and took it to the halfway line, encouraging his team mates and trying to make sure we could get going again and not become susceptible to another West Brom attack which would’ve been the potential killer blow. I love this from Flamini. A small thing to be sure but showing his value well beyond his ability to clog up the middle of the pitch. He was also the first player to come over to the Arsenal fans at the end of the match end and it really does seem that he is trying to make up up for unfinished business.
For me, Flamini has ousted Arteta as the DM in our side. He simply covers the ground much quicker and adds more bite to the side. Having one player who can do that role, rather than needing a double pivot, provides much more freedom for our attacking players. The culmination of this has been in our recent performances. I’m a fan of Arteta, but I just feel at the moment that others are surpassing him performance-wise and when Cazorla/Theo/Poldi are back, Ramsey is the more likely choice to to play alongside Flamini. Arteta keeps the ball well but Sunday’s game passed him by as he was pressed out of it early in the match.
I’ve also now gotten to see the majesty and near perfection that is Mesut Özil. One thing that strikes me about the German is how easily he finds space. It’s probably unnoticed on TV but his movment is so clever that although he is clearly our danger man, the opposition find it tough to mark him. He is always making himself available, even in tight areas, which is why he has so much of the ball to make assists. We’re all just drooling at the prospect of Cazorla and Özil playing together. Defenses are going to have a tough job covering both players and as such it likely will create more space for either player and hopefully lead to assists galore.
I was surprised to hear people critical of a 1-1 draw at Hawthorns. Whilst everyone wanted and wants our winning ways to continue, perhaps some people need a bit of perspective. The Arsenal side have navigated a conjested fixture list without the luxury of capable reinforcements. We currently sit top of the table and took a hard fought draw at a ground where others will drop points especially if WBA continue like to play like they did against us and Manchester United on a consistent basis. West Brom are no fluke. After the international break the squad should start to take shape (barring no more injuries please Bergkamp) with the return of key players. This should allow us to start being selective about the roster and start being able to have more fresh bodies for our run of matches.
I for one am looking forward to many more away games this year. If we keep doing well I am sure I will enjoy the atmosphere at the Emirates as well even more.
Up the Arsenal!
