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What is the difference between Arsenal and Tottenham in 2009? Two transfers.
 Arsenal are two transfers away from becoming as familiar as they’ll ever be to fierce north London rivals Tottenham. Should Cesc Fabregas and Arsene Wenger realise they are too big for the club and seek recognition on a stage more befitting of their respective talents, then the Emirates could become an even quieter stadium come Saturday afternoons (and they will see a great deal more of their games on a Saturday afternoon what with Sky picking big games for Super Sunday shows). What’s worse is the club will resemble closest their most hated of footballing enemies - Tottenham.
Critics and pundits in the footballing world pointed to the Arsenal side of 2007/08 that threw away a points lead over Man Utd as lightweight, literally men against boys. The fact is, the analysis has proven more correct than they possibly realised. Beyond the physical gulf between Arsenal and their ‘big four’ rivals when the sides line up alongside each other is the gap in attitude and mental capacity between the groups of players. Manchester United’s hunger and desire as a team has driven them to snatch back the Premier League trophy and hold on to it powerfully, in a wilful trait shown similarly by the team they were ‘claiming’ the title back from, Chelsea. Both these sides have immensely talented individuals but as groups are unified in representing their respective clubs - clubs that have a winning mentality. Either instilled in their club’s history or crucial to a risky business plan, clubs like these across Europe drive forward their players, reminding them every step of the way - the club means business and will win, with or without the individual.
Unfortunately, Arsenal’s lads have an air of individuality about their performances. Sometimes, the creative freedom and lax attitude allows for the group of players to find their feet, even each others, and pass the ball around so effortlessly that fans and neutrals alike rue the fact a game lasts just 90 minutes, just as opponents bless it. But where do these players in Arsenal shirts go with the ball? Wenger’s philosophy, once a specific, psychological and scientific approach to winning games, league titles and cups has become warped by his latest wave of players into a free-for-all kickabout with goals more of a luxury than a necessity. His side is now famed as one of beauty, petulance and impotence.
This is by no means a critique of the great man himself, more a reflection of the group of players he has to work with currently - Wenger has worked wonders in his years in England, revolutionising the Premier League and providing a credible long-term opponent to Manchester United. Currently though, the players at his disposal play for themselves, not for Arsenal, not for the fans. The club and its fans may have the desire to win big again, but it is not within the players on the pitch to do so. They have the ability to win and the oft-overused and reserved only for Arsenal players post Thierry Henry - potential - to win but they lack the ambition and unity a winning formula needs. The players play as individuals, for a club they view as an achievement to turn out for every week. An achievement to play for the Gunners it certainly is, but did a young Tony Adams spend each week believing he had made it simply by turning out for the Arsenal? Adams, much like many of the stars of past Arsenal sides, went out each week to win for his club. He acknowledged the standing of the club and whilst privately perhaps sitting back and taking pride in the fact he was playing for them, kept perspective, with the foresight that big clubs win big trophies. Although there were trophyless years at Highbury, the club came out in following campaigns with the same hunger and intensity to go 12 rounds with United on all fronts. The current side, both physically and mentally lack the knowledge or education of what it means to win as a club, for the club.
Tottenham, the club Arsenal are closest to becoming, is a side full of talented (overpaid) stars, content to play each week for the sake of playing. The dressing room seems in a state of constant disruption (albeit for endless ins and outs of management and teammates, as opposed…William Gallas) and the club as a whole has lost its way over the past decade. Spurs are by no means a small club, but its targets each September are far more modest than those of title-chasers. The fans and board, frustrated by the ‘mystery’ of their serialist underachievers, set realistic sights each year on cup glory and a push for European qualification. If in Europe for the coming year, then all the better for the adventure.
The fans don’t expect miracles at the club, but have become increasingly irate at the displays. Juande Ramos was ousted from the hotseat after a dismal start to the season saw the fans jump on his back. Frustrated by the lack of direction and fluidity shown by the players, the fans turned on the team and voiced their concerns. Remembering the history of their beloved Spurs back to the days of Waddle and Hoddle, they were faced with another season of disappointment, seemingly ended even earlier than the season before.
Arsenal began the 2008/09 season under similar pressure as their close neighbours, with expectations still set a bar higher than Tottenham, at ‘title challenge and European run.’ however, with some poor results and at times, frustrating displays that saw the ‘Arsenal style’ of play begin to erode away to a more laborious drudgery and results fail to materialise, fans began - albeit quietly - to voice their concerns with audible booing at full-time.
When any club goes through a phase without winning silverware, pressure and history begins to build up on the players’ and staff’s shoulders. The breed of individuals that set Arsenal apart from Spurs at the moment, the ones that can guarantee the club finishes points and positions ahead of their rivals (and merely, coincidentally qualify for the Champions League) are the Henrys, Fabregas’ and Wengers of this world. Without these people to guide the team forward, the starting XI of Arsenal can begin to closely resemble that of Tottenham. Unpredictable, inconsistent and with lowered expectations.
Perfect case in point is Sol Campbell. At Tottenham everyone could see the player was a talented defender, rock-solid and assured in possession. He earned England caps and won a League Cup playing for the White side of north London. But in a team of nearly-made-its and underachievers, Campbell never came close to fulfilling his potential as a professional, or slotting into a team capable of picking up major honours. A hop, skip and jump later to Highbury and Campbell celebrated winning the League and Cup double as well as both honours again in the following years. He was no longer one outstanding footballer in a team of mediocre stillborns, he was part of a great side full of world-beaters. He had gone to Arsenal to win as he saw simply playing for a big club as the beginning of personal and team glory. Had Spurs reflected his ambitions, surrounded him with players of similar ilk and attitude, who knows how far Tottenham could have gone.
Fabregas is the current star of an Arsenal team that has won just the one honour during his tenure - the FA Cup of 2005. The Spaniard is the reported transfer target of former employers Barcelona and rebuilding Italian giants Milan and should he leave, he would abandon a side resembling the Tottenham team Campbell left in 2001 - lost, leaderless and abject. And should Wenger walk away or even be forced out of the club (unlikely scenario until a dreadful start to the 2009/10 campaign drags reality back into perspective), then Arsenal can look to a decade of replacing the irreplaceable Manager - expect any number of names attempt to fill the Frenchman’s boots as well as oversee a group of players currently playing for themselves first
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