We really should've seen it coming. Written off against Manchester United - best performance of the season followed. Written off against Chelsea - an incredibly valuable three points secured. Arsenal now lie 7 behind Scolari's side - a truly magnificent riposte to the damning criticisms Arsene Wenger has had to deal with this season. The fixture list appears to be kind to them too over the next few games - next Saturday, it's Wigan at the Emirates. Following that, they're away to Middlesbrough. That should be another 6 points in the bag before heading into a tricky Christmas period that involves a home clash with Liverpool followed by a trip to Villa Park.
It's funny though that the majority of Arsenal supporters will be peering at the Wigan and Boro games from behind the sofa - these matches are exactly where Arsenal drop points. They have lost a staggering five games already this season, including two at home. Clubs like Wigan no longer feel intimidated heading to the Emirates and whereas Highbury was tight, compact and 'anti-away side' in every aspect of its design template, Arsenal's new home doesn't force the same palpitations upon walking out of the tunnel. Steve Bruce might just fancy nicking a point.
What Wenger needs to sort out is his sides' failure to build on a superb and against-the-odds performance - the 2-1 victory over Manchester United was followed by a lukewarm and lacklustre defeat at home to Villa. The mentality of this seems to hint at a lack of motivation and psychological failings. It's easy for Wenger and Arsenal to deliver a high-octane performance against United - the soap-opera past make team talks write themselves while Wenger's personal crusade against Ferguson makes him want it more too. The question is, does that personal crusade cost Arsenal dear in lower-profile matches? Does the ethical vendetta Wenger stirs up against the likes of United, Chelsea and Liverpool damage Arsenal's overall championship credentials? The vendetta comes in the form of Wenger having to work within a rigid budgetry system while these other clubs are involved in soul-less ownership and seem detached from the real world. Take, for example, the transfer costs of the players involved in yesterday's game - Arsenal's side cost the club 36.6million to assemble while Chelsea's lineup cost 95.2million - startling, isn't it?
The upshot is however that in the last four years, Chelsea have won the league twice, finishing second on the other two occasions. They've lost out on the Champions League crown by the width of a goal-post and have reached the semi-finals twice and lifted the Carling Cup twice too. In the same time-span, Arsenal have finished runners-up in the Premier and Champions League and won the Carling Cup. One trophy in four years. Consistency is what's lacking in Arsenal. Maybe it's about time they found some.
