Arsenal: Have They Overcome Their Mental Barrier?

Arsenal are seemingly mentally more prepared to win this season. Not according to Alan Smith, though. So have they overcome their mental barrier or not?

There has long been a criticism hanging over Arsenal’s squad regarding their winning mentality. The great Sir Alex Ferguson sides had an undying, unquenchable desire to win. They could grind out the hard-earned, undeserved victories, the 1-0 wins which show as much grit and character as talent and skill.

Under Arsene Wenger, since the departure of much of the experienced, established members of the squad, the Gunners have not been able to cultivate the winning culture of their Manchester rivals. They have a soft underbelly, are frail when under pressure and buckle in the big games. And if some are to be believed, those same prevailing issues remain.

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Arsenal have scored numerous late goals this season, eeking out points in the Premier League that the performance does not merit. However, after letting a lead slip in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, likely resigning them to second place in the group and a far greater probability of a tougher draw come the knockout stages, former striker Alan Smith questioned whether the squad had overcome the mental barrier that has held them hostage in recent years:

"“We were hoping this year that they can go that extra step, but it’s that mental approach, that psychological barrier that prevents them from doing that. The problem at the moment is that because Arsenal think they are not losing games that they may have lost in the last few years, and are instead getting draws, they think that’s a mental achievement, but it’s not. Arsenal have to win football matches.”"

Such an assessment of the game, while perhaps fair for not being able to hold onto the lead, is disrespectful to PSG and is short-sighted in regards to numerous occasion on which Wenger’s men have shown great character late in games. PSG were by far the better side, not only on Wednesday but also all the way back in September when the two sides first faced each other.

Arsenal were extremely lucky to be in a leading position late in the game. If not for a contentious penalty decision and an extremely unusual Marco Verratti own goal, PSG would have deservedly led throughout the 90 minutes. However, let a lead slip they did, and in the current climate, with momentum seeping away and points hard to come by, conceding equalisers from set pieces is something the rightly brings the team’s mentality into question.

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The squad has shown has a steelier edge this season than in previous years. However, Wednesday was perhaps a sign that they cannot keep escaping from poor results thanks to sheer grit and determination. The team has shown glimpses of a winning mentality so far this season but they cannot keep relying on it.