Arsenal: The Two Things That Make Them So Dangerous

Arsene Wenger has revealed the two reasons why his Arsenal side are so dangerous late in games this season: spirit and quality.

There is a different feeling around the Emirates this season. There have been numerous occasions in which the side of the past would have crumbled under the pressure, buckling, unable to drag themselves out of the grave that they had dug for themselves. Not this Arsenal side, though.

After the 1-1 draw which was rescued thanks to a later Olivier Giroud header, yet another sign that the towering Frenchman is the perfect plan B for the Gunners, Arsene Wenger has now had the pleasure of seeing his side score three very late goals, a Santi Cazorla penalty against Southampton, a Laurent Koscielny bundle against Burnley and now Giroud’s thumping header, which have secured him an extra five points.

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That is significant in what is shaping up to be one of the tightest title races in many years. When asked about his side’s success late in games, Wenger highlighted two key characteristics of his players and his squad as a whole that he has not been able to cultivate in past teams:

"“Maybe a few years ago but I think we have the quality and the spirit on the bench. The two together makes us remarkably dangerous until the last minute. Since the start of the season, look at the number of goals we’ve scored in the final five minutes. That is not a coincidence.”"

Arsenal’s results this season do bear out those facts. They are far more resilient late in games, boast the never-say-die attitude that epitomised the great Sir Alex Ferguson sides at the home in which Wenger and his men undertook their latest Houdini impression and now possess an alternative to their tight, intricate passing that has come to be synonymous with their style.

In Giroud, Wenger can turn to an old-fashioned, bruising centre-forward. He is far different to the smaller, sharper Alexis Sanchez. His aerial dominance is a real threat late in games, he provides a focal point to the attack and is very much an established weapon off the bench for the North London title chasers.

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It is this far improved quality in his replacement, along with a new-found spirit and determination, that Wenger can bask in the success of. Not since the days of the Invincibles has Wenger had as many options, with such ability and talent, to turn to when the game is turning sour. It has served him well thus far and could well become a key component of their title challenge this year.

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