Arsenal Vs Spurs: For once, I’m confident… ish

Arsenal travel to Wembley to face Spurs at Saturday lunchtime. Usually, I am not confident ahead of the ‘big games’. But this time, I am… kind of.

Arsenal are historically bad in the big games. Arsenal, this season, at least, are historically bad away from home. Arsenal are, even with their win in the return fixture earlier in the season, are in a historically bad North London rut during the Arsene Wenger era. And it is in this context, as well as a four-point deficit that leaves both sides very much in the balance as the climax of the top-four race surges into the forefront of focus, that they now travel to Wembley to take on their great North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

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Traditionally, I do not trust this team in the so-called ‘big games’. There is a reason that their record in them is so poor. It leads me to doubt them whenever they face those fighting at the top of the table, especially away from the Emirates where there has only been one home loss all season. But in the lead up to this titanic clash, I am strangely confident… ish. And here’s why.

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Rarely are Arsenal buoyed by the goings-on off the field. Usually, they are bridled with doubt and uncertainty, transfer speculation and rumour, conjecture and controversy. They do not provide inspiration through recruitment; they are not encouraged by the philosophies and behaviour of the board, the fans, and sometimes even the manager. Currently, though, that could not be more false.

After the deadline-day acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemingly revolutionised the Gunners’ attack from a patient prodding to a quick-strike stab, it was perhaps the locking down of Mesut Ozil that filtered the positive atmosphere into the halls of London Colney. It was utterly unexpected. Alexis Sanchez had just recently departed. Another season of Champions League-less football loomed. Now 29, Ozil was readying himself for the final years of his prime. Why waste them here? But, admirably, he swallowed his alleged desire to leave, accepted his responsibility in the club’s recent failings, and dutifully committed to turning them around. That has left an indelibly positive imprint on this team.

The self-belief aspect of sports is something that is so often overlooked and understated. The media talk about these people as heroes, unflinching and unwavering, never dented by the pressures that us mere mortals must suffer through. Scouting reports focus on ability, talent, technique, skill and potential. Rarely do they touch on character, personality, self-confidence and fortitude. But, arguably, they are equally as important — they at least play a major factor in determining the outcome of a sporting event.

And in this case, not only are Arsenal confident, but they are free from the pressures and uncertainties of recent months. They are unshackled. They have been provided license. They now have the power to feel, experiment and play, not just trudge through 90 minutes because of their duty.

Next: Arsenal Vs Spurs: Predicted starting XI

When this team has the joyous, unbridled freedom of football running through them, often times, they carve out their opposition and unpick their very best intentions to resile and reject. That is what I am expecting [read: hoping] on Saturday lunchtime. Only time will tell if that is what I will find.