The Run For Glory!!!

Doing It Together

There were a couple times this year when you couldn’t blame Gooners if they were down in the dumps and feeling another trophyless season was inevitable (no I wasn’t one of them). Early in the season after a devastaing loss to Chelsea, Arsenal sat 11 points adrift of the leaders and more inline with the pack fighting for fourth place. But then arsenal went on an extended succesful run and Chelsea and United kept dropping points to where glory be – Arsenal actually were in first place for 1 day.

Then the table seemingly doomed them with 4 matches against hard oppoenents. Away to Villa, home to United, away to Chelsea and home to Liverpool. The first three matches left Arsenal adrift after a run of D L L. Only a late winner against Liverpool salvaged 3 points and kept the Gunners 9 points off of Chelsea.

Since that run of matches Arsenal have yet to lose. They have yet to draw and for the first time this season sit on a winning streak of 5 league matches. The only hiccup was the 2-1 Champion’s League loss at Porto that was immediately put to bed by an emphatic 5-0 win a fortnight after the loss.

Here we are with 8 games left and Arsenal are two points off leader, Manchester United. Their run of matches is more favorable to them than either United or Chelsea. Arsenal have been through the big 4 twice and while it wasn’t pretty (only two wins against Liverpool) they are still in it. And this all despite having a slew of injuries that would’ve crippled lesser teams.

I thought it would be interesting and look at the remaining matches for all three teams and see where they might all net out in terms of wins and points. This is all pure conjecture. If anything can be taken away from this season, it is  that nothing can be taken for granted and anything can happen.

So here we go:
[TABLE=3]

If this all plays out like this (again that’s a big if) – then the final point talley’s would be 90 Arsenal, 85 Chelsea, and 82 United. Again, that assumes all this plays out like it should. Figure if every team loses just one match and draws and wins are about even Arsenal could and should win the title.

Nothing scientific went into how I predicted wins, losses or draws. I tried to take into account where the match was played, this season’s history and what each team was fighting for. I really do see Sunderland and Stoke as stumbling blocks for United. Sunderland because they were unfortunate against United last time to come away with only a point and will be fighting to make sure they are safely out of the relegation zone and Stoke could be playing for that last Europa league spot.

For Chelsea I see Liverpool as the biggest stumbling block because Liverpool are coming into form and will likely be fighting for Champion’s League football.

There are hiccups for Arsenal as well. Spurs and City could be tough battles and Birmingham has been good this season. Finally Fulham while I have drawn up as a win could be a hard one. They are well coached and have played some really good matches. But I have to say as I see Arsenal being stronger at the end of the season, especially if Robin Van Persie makes his return to the squad.

Regardless of how this plays out the fact that Arsenal are here is slightly short of miraculous. Given their past point deficits and the lingering injury problems to key players. They have done this all because of their talent and even if the doubters don’t want to hear it – the prudence and management of Arsene Wenger. He has never doubted his squad nor their talent. He said at the beginning of the season he saw a lot potential in this squad. He said they were on the cusp of great things and would win silverware this year – all of which were greated with a loud resounding “YEAH RIGHT!!!” Arsene could very well have the last laugh.

Arsenal are now legitimate contenders for both the EPL title and Champion’s League title. Winning something would be astounding. Winning both? Would that surprise you given how this season has developed?