Arsenal Disappointments Always Come Full Circle

Arsenal’s disappointments seem to be cyclical in nature, and after another disappointment to West Ham, they seem to have come full circle again.

Every year I find myself believing that the same old Arsenal is a dead concept. That, somehow, things will be different. I believe I can be forgiven for such hopes these past three years, as each year Arsenal made a massive signing solely on the premise that Arsene Wenger is a great coach.

From Mesut Ozil to Alexis Sanchez to Petr Cech, confidence grew that it was getting better and that Arsenal were realistic title contenders (again!).

But somehow, Arsenal always proves me wrong. It was the same this year. It’s like every single chunk of letdown and disappointment returns to face Arsenal again, in the exact same way.

We’ll start in 2013/14. After signing Mesut Ozil, there were high hopes. Arsenal led the league for the longest time of any other team, but they couldn’t hold on. Aaron Ramsey’s heroics were unable to support a title run and the team ended up falling flat.

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Then there was last season. Arsenal got off to a rough start due to injuries, but Alexis Sanchez kept the team alive and Arsenal was able to finish with the best record in the league in the second half. But it wasn’t enough. The theme started to develop that Arsenal operate in half-season successes.

These cycles are getting more than coincidental. Last year the major turning point was a major collapse that happened on New Years Day against Southampton. It prompted major changes and those changes spurred Arsenal into their fantastic closing run.

This year, there was a major turning point on Boxing Day against… Southampton. Arsenal was destroyed, but that destruction was the culmination of a positive run, rather than the start of a positive run. It was in the second half that Arsenal lost the title charge this year.

West Ham made the cycle even more solidified. The season began with so much hope at home to West Ham. Arsenal lost 2-0 and the cries were echoing again that this was the same old Arsenal. But they fought back and convinced the naive that it was different. As the season slowly slipped away, they faced West Ham again and lo and behold, the Hammers put the finishing touch on what they began back in September.

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Arsenal have far too much quality and far too much intelligence to continue to only be capable of producing half seasons of beauty. Combine any two half seasons of success and they win the league. Combine any two half seasons of collapses and they flirt with relegation. It is a cruel reality that feels likes a curse.

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