Arsenal: Can everything come together, just once?

Arsenal have had flashes of brilliance from all theaters of play, but they have not all come together – not once. Isn’t it time for that to change?

It seems like there is always a lot of talk about how good Arsenal is “on paper.” You look at the talent they have across all positions and you see a tremendous collection of difference makers, movers, shakers, and dynamism.

This year, in particular, the Gunners have arguably the most talent they’ve had in years, going back to the title winning clubs of old. But we have not yet seen a match where everything really comes together all at once, from keeper to striker.

I would say the win against Tottenham would be one of the closest occurrences, but I’m thinking Manchester City beating Chelsea 6-0. Arsenal has that potential, it just hasn’t come together for them yet, even if they are getting closer than ever under Unai Emery.

There have been matches this year where a lot has gone right. Fulham, for one. Leicester City. There have been instances where the attack was ravishing, but the defense couldn’t stop a leak. There have been times the defense has kept us steady and the attack has been sloppy.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

The midfield has been the most consistent facet throughout the season, but even that has slackened at times, depending on who’s been available.

Against Southampton, we were so close to firing on all cylinders, the main downfall being a lack of precision with the final ball, as opportunities were squandered left and right.

I made the point not long ago that, with the return of injured players, things were coming together rather nicely, such that, if ever there was a time that we’d be clicking on all cylinders, it would likely be in the coming matches, perhaps against Bournemouth, perhaps (dare I say it) against Tottenham.

The point is, you’d think that, at some point, everything would go right, with all the talent that is here, and with Mesut Ozil on the up, Henrikh Mkhitaryan hitting his stride and the strikers as elite as ever, what better time to believe in a truly special performance than in the coming days at the club?

Maybe it’s just my optimism getting the best of me again, but it has to happen at some point, doesn’t it? There’s just too much talent here for it not to.