- So here we are, the final moments of a seasn never to be forgotten – and a statue.
- Palace v Arsenal: who cares what happens – it is just a fun afternoon out.
By Tony Attwood
Thank you to everyone who heard me do my bit on BBC Radio Five Live this morning, nattering about what made this championship so important. The answer of course was that we won the League in the 100th season of playing in the top division. A unique achievement, and I’m rather pleased the BBC gave me a platform to announce a 100-year celebration the club didn’t seem to care about.
But then I thought we all know Arsenal are champions and we are all rather happy about that. ‘Yet it is still worth asking the question: what sort of Champions? I mean, are Arsenal Champions in an easy-going season where anyone could have made it to the top because there was no standout team? Or have they been brilliant champions, performing at a level rarely seen in the Premier League across the years?
According to the media, this has been a so-so Arsenal campaign, mostly marked by the fact that Arsenal haven’t won the league in 22 years. As for what happened 22 years ago, and why 22 years ago was important, we don’t get any information. And now, since you are here, I shall reveal the reality.
So Arsenal won the league 22 years ago – but it wasn’t any old win of the league – it was something very, very special – which most commentators forget to tell us (or maybe the AFC researcher couldn’t be bothered to look it up, or maybe they didn’t want to say anything positive about Arsenal. One never knows.)
Anyway, I got my chance to talk about this anniversary on the BBC this morning, but of course I couldn’t do the whole story. But the fact is that 22 years ago – the last time Arsenal won the league, that was the UNBEATEN SEASON. Yes, that most amazing, most spectacular, most unbelievable season.
The fact is that Arsenal moved to the Emirates in May 2006 – just after the last time Arsenal won the Premier League (in 2003/4). And the reason that Arsenal didn’t then go on and repeat their extraordinary achievement of winning the league year after year is that the money that otherwise might have been spent buying players all went into paying off the debts incurred in creating the new stadium.
Of course, Arsenal did buy some new players, but mostly, Arsenal were looking to bring youngsters through. And other clubs in the league knew this, so if they saw Arsenal bidding for a player, they’d go in with a higher offer, just to stop Arsenal buying. Quite often, they would then pull out of the offer because of something mysterious revealed in the physical or mental assessment of the player, and by then, it would be too late for Arsenal.
The miracle was that for years thereafter Arsenal managed to come third and fourth in the league, meaning that the club got into Europe each season, while the anti-Wengerians, cheered on by their allies in the popular press, launched the “Fourth is not a trophy” campaign to try and get Wenger out.
But Wenger kept Arsenal in the Champions League and so kept the money flowing in, which in turn meant that Arsenal repaid the debts of building the stadium sooner than might otherwise have happened.
But now Arsenal are coming back to the front (as it were) with a vengeance. Because if you study any of the figures relating to Arsenal’s performances in recent years, you will see how the club is getting closer and closer to the figures of the unbeaten season.
This season, Arsenal are just four goals behind the total scored in the unbeaten season. The number of goals conceded this season has been the same as the number of goals conceded in the unbeaten season.
Now, yes, I do fully recognise that this season Arsenal are eight points behind the points tally of the unbeaten season, but I am not claiming that Arsenal are already there. I am saying Arsenal is pushing forward on the journey towards creating a side that becomes the equal of the unbeaten team, and which might well win the league not just this year but several times in the next few years.
The defence as noted, is already as good as the unbeaten defence in terms of goals conceded, and the attack is only four goals short of what was achieved in that magic campaign. So we are not far away.
My point overall is that the 22-year wait is irrelevant since, during this time, Arsenal has built a new stadium. We are scoring goals as before, and we are winning the league again. This team, I am suggesting, is getting close to the Invincibles.
Fortunately, none of the rest of the media has noticed, and even if they read this blog, they don’t take any notice of my ravings. So when I suggest we are on the edge of another astounding Arsenal run, they don’t care. I’m just this guy who pops up every now and then on BBC Radio 5 Live and who writes a blog. Which is fine by me.
So why did Arsenal not go on and win the league the following year and the year after that, and …. well, you know.
The reason was, of course, the cost of building the Emirates Stadium. But that is all over and done. So now we are free to look ahead to 2026/7 with the team that has just won the league. I think that could be rather good.
If you were able to catch my little chit chat on BBC Radio 5 this morning, thanks for listening. I know it wasn’t particularly profound, but it helps keep their attention on the club we all love.
Arsenal moved to Highbury in 1913 but the first trophy arrived in 1930 – the FA Cup. From moving to the Emirates in 2006, our first trophy was the 2014 FA Cup.
Therefore, it took us less time to win our first Emirates trophy than our first Highbury trophy (even including the First World War interruption); this season’s League title makes it 5 trophies in 20 years at the Emirates Stadium, or a trophy every 4 years.
When you consider that today will see a club in a new stadium get relegated YET AGAIN within the first 20 years of moving grounds, the Premier League title this season confirms that our move has been a resounding success!!
Great point Vikrant!
Thanks Tony for your truthful and factual comments this year on Untold Arsenal that is totally refreshing to gives us supporters a more unique aspect to intelligent reporting, rather than just the emotional click baiting headlines we get from other non factual disappointing media sites.
I always listen to 5 live in the morning before games, usually on a Saturday, but you did great this morning. I use to listen to Johnathan Pierce on Capital gold sport in the 80s whilst watching the games at Highbury, which gave me both commentary and atmosphere at the same time. I find that Radio gives more commentary details whilst watching the game.
You here other great managers linking this Arsenal to a more off the ball great side. There is nothing wrong with being a world class defensive team as long as we still have that individual brilliance to win the game by one nil to the Arsenal.
This team may not show the excitement style of play as which we had under Wenger, but we do show a more tactical approach as what we had under George Graham. There are similar traits with our great defensive set ups and set peice masterclass type of play. Our defensive level was the same but our style back then was slightly different, If you remember we had Steve Bould as the flick on master at the near post, and we had that chant of one nil to the Arsenal, with our back 4 offside precision catching teams out.
All great managers need to improve their team each year to go on a winning run and not just remain at the same winning level.
I was a fan of George Graham and I did a Sky TV interview on the day that he sadly got dismissed.
All great managers have a philosophy that they follow or try to reach or regret not doing so.
I have a shared opinion that a team needs to keep moving forward by making harsh decisions sometimes involving replacing fan favourite players. I am sorry if I upset some fans in the way that I had worded my opinion in wanting to improve the team for the future with unwarranted words used like crocks when I meant to say injured players that frequently get kicked without refereeing protection. It is not there fault, but still we must improve on our reserve players more than our first 11 to create this healthy competition all greatful loyalty aside. I am an old fool sometimes and a loyal season ticket holder for over 50 years and I respect all opinions and I never gaslight or pick on anyone else’s opinion unless I am defending their gaslighting so let’s all enjoy today’s as brother gooners who all love Arsenal and all the squad and appreciate their success this season.
To sum up my opinion on Tony’s great article my way of thinking old school style, here is what was said by George Graham who I think has a similar style and possibly philosophical approach as our new guru Arteta IMO, that also picks up on some off what Tony has said today in his above article.
This is what George Graham had said regarding his defensive style and his regrets.
Playing Style:
He openly admitted that he “never got the balance right” between defensive solidity and entertaining football, acknowledging criticisms that his teams became too narrow and defensive in his later years.
Squad Replacement (Later years):
Graham later criticized the club’s transfer policy in the early 2010s under Arsenal Wenger, noting that Arsenal had failed to adequately replace club legends.
The Sir Alex Contrast:
When evaluating managerial and winning longevity Graham frequently praised Sir Alex Ferguson for mastering the art of ” bringing in new players, building a team, but still winning trophies,” a standard he admired
This is why. despite loyalty and being thankful that IMO we still need to be wise, thankful and greatful and enjoy the fantastic moment, but also look to improve next year because other teams will also improve and close the gap. In my old foolish opinion and fellow gooner.
@daveg,
well I ain’t worried about the transfer windows that is coming up.
I believe Arsenal have proven since 2020 that they are adept at finding talent and keeping it.
Was happy to see Jesus score. I’m sure they have an idea for his replacement.
As for the rest of the team…I hope Martinelli, MLS and White stay.
Funny to see Sp*rs celebrate like they won a trophy….
When I think of all the ridicule thrown Mr Wenger’s way with 4th is not a trophy… I’d say 17th is a shame and nothing else…
On the other hand… their problem. I’m going to enjoy Arsenal receiving the trophy in a few minutes
It would have made it a great night if them Spuds were relegated , but alas it was not to be !