Arsenal haven’t won a trophy in 8 years but probably, the Gunners shouldn’t have come this long without a trophy in their trophy cabinet. Arsenal have had chances to win trophies most notably in the2011 Carling Cup (now Capital One Cup) where they got to the final where they
were expected to beat Birmingham, a team that were battling for their Premier League status which they eventually lost that season.
Arsenal found them difficult to beat but could have at least forced a penalty until a mix-up in Arsenal’s box between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny gifted Birmingham a late winner.
But between then and now, the Arsenal ‘guilty’duo have come a long way and labelling them one of the best in the EPL in their position won’t be out of place.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger resonates this.
Hear him, “I was questioned on that, especially on Wojciech because there was pressure
there, “the Frenchman said on keeping faith with both.
“The goalkeeper is 24 and that’s still very young for a goalkeeper at that level. Since this season he has proven that it was the right decision.”
“Since this [cup final] incident between Wojciech and Koscielny they are certainly two of the most improved players and at that stage you could have questioned the two,” he said.
“That shows you always have to be open-minded because they were, at the time, two inexperienced players and they have improved tremendously since.”
Wenger had huge words for the French defender Laurent Koscielny.
“He has a combination of qualities; a good reading of the game, good anticipation, great commitment and speed, good on the turn, good on the ball and he has improved a lot on his control of himself.
“He’s more serene, has gained a lot of confidence and for me he is one of the better defenders in the Premier League.
“He had a tough spell. Last year I took him out of the team for a while but that’s where I give him credit.
“He came back, took it in a positive way and came back in a very convincing way.”
Well said Wenger and I can’t agree more, as this is one area where I give Wenger the
credit.
Most managers would have jumped to ditch both in favour of more experienced ones but keeping faith with them has yielded dividends as they have gone on to prove themselves at the top level.
This season, Szczesny has been an absolute rock at the back for Arsenal keeping 11 clean sheets in 24 EPL games so far this season, while Koscielny has been ever present at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, helping the team to stay in the hunt for the Premier League title.
If the Gunners are to win the Premier League this season, they will have to keep
both men fit and should Arsenal emerge Premier League champions at the end of the
season, I believe both men should take their place in the Premier League team
of the season.
