The Beautiful Game
11.Nov.09
Premier League is big news here in Oz. The game is catching on. It’s a pity therefore that recently much about the news has been frankly depressing. Incessant talk about the plight of Liverpool and the future of Rafa Benitez, refereeing errors, players cheating and Alex Ferguson ranting have filled many of the column inches this season. But amongst them there has been one consistent bright spark, one reason why I for one look forward to the latest action. It's Arsenal. Watching them take apart a plucky Wolves team at the weekend I was reminded that football was once described as "the beautiful game".
Whenever an Arsenal player has the ball, no matter what the situation he will look to do something positive with it. Obviously this can lead to mistakes that cost goals, but it is almost as if this season Arsene Wenger's philosophy is that attack is the best form of defence, that he believes his team can outscore any opponent. Everyone of them seems comfortable on the ball and that includes the young British players such as Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, who Wenger has allowed to gradually grow into the team. He has also bought well with Thomas Vermaelen increasingly looking like the bargain of the decade.
There was much talk before the start of the season that Arsene Wenger's future at the Emirates may be under threat if he fails to win some silverware this season. Sadly in the perverse world of the Premier League that could well be true but if he sporting gods have any romance in their soul how about Arsenal lifting the UEFA Champions League after a 5-4 defeat of Real Madrid. Now that would be a match worth watching.