1998 - Memories Are Made Of This

Arsenal doubling United moments got me thinking back "doubles" and specifically to a moment in time where Arsenal came back from 12 points behind the leaders to win the league. We won 10 matches on the trot to win the league and win the double.

Back to that in a second.

Down a goal to a cagey Manchester United today, we recovered from Rooney scoring the only United chance in the second half to press on to victory. Manu Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas would simply not give up the fight in spite of Manchester United's cynical "professional" time wasting (i.e. second half *injury crisis) and their desire persevered in finding firstly Robin Van Persie on the far post and then the previously anonymous Thierry Henry in front of goal to win the match.

The best moment of the match had to be MoM (for me) Cesc Fabregas out fighting Paul Scholes just outside the area in the build up to the Van Persie goal. This boy pulled strings all day and was by miles the best player on display.

I also found that United's vaunted width was found wanting today. Ronaldo was rather easily dealt with by both Clichy and Eboue and while Rooney scored running in from the right, his overall contribution was neglibile. I note also that when Rooney was ever played anywhere but striker for England, Sven was ripped as having no tactical nous... but Fergie does the same and is lauded for his tactics. I digress. Either way... it didnt work.

One more thing to add. Manchester United's side today was at least 5 years older than the Arsenal on average. They may be currently topping the table but clearly Arsenal are a side on the rise. In spite of Fergie's patronising comments about Arsenal playing above their weight to get to the Champions League final last year, the fact of the matter is that we have played United twice and won both matches, we have run Chelsea very close at Stamford Bridge and had our way with Liverpool on way too many occassions to count. In the table of "top four clubs" Arsenal are king. By quite some distance.

And this today without William Gallas and Gilberto.

This leaves us 12 points behind Manchester United in the league. Unlike United, we are still in all competitions and with two full blooded derbies against sp*rs next, we must make full use of the depth that killed off United today and rotate our forwards and midfielders effectively.

12 points left. 1998. This is a very young side but they know their history.

And Fergie... dont ever get patronising about the Arsenal again. Ta