Arsenal Choking: "Common sense absolutely dictates that you do not play these games like you’re gutless men each with the spine of a jelly fish"

Sure you don't need some tissue Monsieur? 

                                                        

                                                            The Arsenal-Choke Syndrome

Warning: If you’re an Arsenal faithful who flares up easily, rather than throwing your tantrum in my direction, I suggest you stoke some fire under the backsides of your players, manager and Board members OR you may as well fry 60kg pieces of The Zuma Rock for Lunch. Thanks.

Previously on this rare series of actual serious Football: You got to know how excited I was about the impending arrival of Pep Guardiola to The English Premier League.

On this Episode: You get to dive with me into the world of Medicine and Patholo…Nah. The only patient we’re dealing with here is Arsenal FC

I’ve watched Arsenal and by extension, The English Premier League for quite a number of years to know and recognise by now, the symptoms of “The Arsenal-Choke Syndrome.” First let’s not pretend Arsenal’s show at Old Trafford wasn’t some screw up of some of the most historical proportions. It really was! Then the chance to ease the pains of the fans presented itself on Wednesday evening in the form of a Relegation-threatened, Managerless, sinking and Vulnerable Swansea City side. This was supposed to be an easy slam dunk business but no, Arsenal somehow scored first and decided to go and shamelessly lose that game right in front of their fans! You couldn’t have written such a script.

Pardon? 

In a season where the assist has been made by the inconsistencies of the other big clubs, the title placed on a platter, the neck set under the guillotine, execution seems to be the one enemy of The Gunners. In a season where there’s no Alex Ferguson, where Jose Mourinho somehow fumbled and then got his tail fired by a Chelsea team not on the first page of the Premier League Table, where Man City haven’t decided whether they really want to have a go at the Title, Arsenal have decided to choke. Very ridiculously. Take that excuse of a performance at Old Trafford for instance, a near full strength Arsenal against a team that has been so battered by injuries, Michael Carrick had to start as Centre Back while Schoolboy Marcus Rashford led the line on his own. (The Very first time he stepped onto the pitch for a Premier League game). 

It was so bad, even United fans expected a rain of goals against their team. Arsenal disappointed them. I’m a Man United fan but I still haven’t recovered from the shock of defeating Arsenal and neither has any Swansea fan I believe. Why? Because when you’re neck and neck in a title race like that of The English Premier League, common sense absolutely dictates that you do not play these games like you’re gutless men each with the spine of a jelly fish. Which, my friends, is exactly what Arsenal did.

They simply hate being champions don't they? Poor performance at Old Trafford

I wonder how difficult that must have been for those who have had the love of the club directly sewn to every fibre of their being. The horror of watching players with such jaw-dropping wages produce some of the most uninspiring and completely disgusting displays in two consecutive games. Reality, as the table now shows is that the Title race is quite an open race now (mathematically at least) much to the annoyance of any real Arsenal fan, knowing fully well his team blew it wide open.

Oh well

But I think I’m being too harsh on Arsenal aren’t I? Arsene Wenger obviously thinks so;

Arsene Wenger on the game against Man United

"Let’s not go overboard. They had a very experienced midfield and spent a lot of money."

Yeah right, Arsene. You were given Sanchez and Ozil for free. Marcus Rashford must have cost more than Gareth Bale I think.

But this is not the first time this is happening. It’s not the first time Arsenal is choking just near the finish line of the title race. It’s however the first time in over a decade that Arsenal have looked VERY likely to be Champions. It’s their best shot and the fans know it! Guardiola arrives Man City next season, Chelsea and probably Man United sort out their Managerial problems while Tottenham and Leicester get enough encouragement from a good run this season to give it another go next season. Arsenal would probably never have it easy for seasons to come.

Arsenal play Spurs over the weekend and I have a strong feeling the fans aren't very positive going into that game and do I blame them? No. For a title-chasing team one slip-up is natural. Two is terribly uncomfortable. But three? Absolute madness. Arsenal cannot afford to lose to Spurs (A direct City rival with as much stake as the gunners have in the title race)  

Debuting 18 year old Marcus Rashford (left) tearing Arsenal a new one

But maybe I'm just nuts and opportunistic, you know, taking advantage of Arsenal’s current choking Episodes. Let’s read what Arsenal fans really think (Spoiler Alert; they’re kinda pissed, NOT AT ME I hope)

Piers Morgan: Unofficial Band Leader of The #WengerOut brigade 

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@piersmorgan

If our players had half the drive, hunger & intensity of Leicester's team, we'd be 10pts clear. Bunch of overpaid chokers. #afc

@WelBeast 

Fourth is our destiny. It is our dream. Our curse. Our everything. It's our manager's goal.

@mrmuyiwa

In all fairness as an Arsenal fan, we don't deserve to win the league. Champions always fight like a CHAMP! #AFC

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@aanuadeoye

Now I firmly believe that the root cause of Alexis' travails is beyond the physical.

@__arsenalnews_

The time has come it's sad I know we can't stand still any longer I will always respect for what he had achieved in the past.. #WengerOut

@sndmwas 

Any fan that isn't tweeting #wengerout should be in the bible next to Judas and Delilah.

‏@leeryda

Ozil and Sanchez will soon realise what Nasri and Van Persie realised before leaving at all cost. #AFC #WengerOut

Oops, how weird is that? They actually do agree with me. Take a moment to imagine the meltdown if Spurs wins the title come May. That would be too disheartening, it’d be a blow directly to the Solar plexus followed swiftly by a Ray Mysterio “619” and a perfectly timed Randy Orton “RKO”

Have a great weekend ahead, even if you support Arsenal FC.

The Talisman.

Click below for the Previous Episode

NOW THAT PEP IS JOINING MAN CITY