The return of Robert Pires to these shores this week should be a source of warm nostalgia for all Arsenal supporters. One of the 2004 Invincibles is back in their midst and ahead of today's north London derby, in which a win would send the current team to the top of the table for a couple of hours at least, they may perceive it to be an omen too – that, finally, the league title is heading back their way.
Three defeats already this season means there can be no repeat of the staggering impregnability of seven seasons ago, the last time Arsenal were champions, and given that two of those losses came against West Bromwich and Newcastle, at home, the fans would be wise not to get carried away, even if they were to witness a victory over the enemy this lunchtime.
But sitting second in the table, sandwiched between Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal are well placed in this most open of title hunts and there is a belief from even the most unlikely sources that their trophy drought, which stretches back to 2005, could be nearing an end.
"They seem more resilient now," said the Everton captain, Phil Neville, following his team's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal last Sunday. "You always fancy yourself to rough them up. But we couldn't do it and that is where they have improved."
Such sturdiness could prove decisive for a team who have displayed mental brittleness ever since they last ruled the Premier League. The last time Arsenal looked like genuine title contenders, during the final months of the 2007-08 season, a collapse in confidence and form came swiftly after Eduardo da Silva suffered his leg break in the draw at Birmingham.
How Arsenal would react should something similar happen this season is a question everyone associated with the club hopes they will not have to answer but, echoing Neville, Perry Groves, who played for the club when they won the 1989 and 1991 titles, believes the wins at Wolves and Everton which followed the defeat by Newcastle are proof that they have developed a fresh resilience.
"The Newcastle game was the worst Arsenal performance I've seen at the Emirates. After that there was no way I could see them winning the championship," said Groves. "But I have been impressed with how they responded instantly at Wolves and then at Everton; 18 months ago that would not have happened."
"Arsenal also definitely played differently at Goodison. They were tighter as a unit and looked more prepared to defend, which hasn't always been the case away from home. They fought for the win, which was pleasing to see."
Arsenal's fortitude is also noticeable in the statistics, which show they have gathered more disciplinary points than any other team this season (270), and in Alex Song have a player who has committed 30 fouls in his 12 games, the third highest in the top flight.
But what is startling, and should perhaps please Arsenal fans as much as recent results, is the team's domination of the figures, which show that along with the brawn remains the usual brains and craft.
Arsenal have scored the most goals from open play this season (21), had the most shots on target (83), the highest shooting accuracy (47.7%), the highest dribble success rate (50.6%), and gathered the most points away from home (14). Little wonder that Arsène Wenger yesterday described the squad as his strongest since arriving in north London 14 years ago.
"Number-wise we are not short and when everybody's fit it's difficult to keep everybody happy," said Wenger. "Certainly [it is my strongest squad] and that allows me to rotate naturally."
Responding to Neville's assessment, he added: "That is a compliment because people felt we couldn't do that. It's part of maturing, becoming a man."
Indeed the average age of the team who beat Everton was 24.7, which compares favourably to the side who won the Double in 2002 at the same stage of the season – 24.3. And while Wenger continues to fill his team with young players, most notably the 18-year-old Jack Wilshere, it is the inclusion of a player reaching his peak that may make the difference this season. Marouane Chamakh arrived from Bordeaux this summer aged 26 and, in the absence of the injured Robin van Persie, has shone, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
"He gives Arsenal a different dimension," said Groves. "If the intricate stuff isn't working the ball can now be played more directly because Chamakh is a great target man. His pace also stretches teams, which gives the likes of Wilshere and [Cesc] Fábregas more space to play in."
Others have been equally influential, among them Samir Nasri – "he's been Arsenal's best performer this season," added Groves – and Fábregas, who must be pleased he did not join Barcelona last summer after all. But for Nigel Winterburn, a member of Arsenal's 1998 Double-winning team, the current side are still some way from proving their championship credentials.
"What's important is that this team wins a trophy, and fast," said the former left-back. "Until they do that it is hard to put them in the same bracket as Chelsea and Manchester United, because their players are proven winners who know what it takes to go the distance."
"In that sense the Carling Cup could be massive for Arsenal. If they won it this season I feel sure it would instil in the players that drive to win another trophy, and that then could be the title."
For now, the focus is on Tottenham. The hosts will be boosted ahead of a fixture they have not lost since 1993 by the return of Laurent Koscielny from suspension and a possible start for Van Persie after the Dutchman featured for 45 minutes in his country's midweek victory over Turkey.
Beating Spurs is motivation in itself for any Arsenal side but the fact that such a result would put them top, and keep them there should Chelsea lose to Birmingham later in the day, adds to the significance of the conflict. We will soon know if it also proves to be the moment when a team deemed by many to be all hype and no heart grasp the initiative.
"It is a big motivation [to go top]," said Wenger, "Doing that will allow us to be respected and taken seriously, which is what we want."
Source: Sachin Nakrani, The Guardian on 20 Nov 10
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