Arsenal’s come a long way baby!
Report on Arsenal’s seriously good win at Brighton by Stef – The North Bank Podcast
Seminal 90s album 'You've come a long way baby', by Brighton's favourite son Fatboy Slim, sums up the culture
of that time perhaps more than any of your run-of-the-mill Britpop classics. Like Fatboy Slim's Big Beat classic, Arteta is taking the old but creating something new. This team defends like George Graham's Arsenal, attacks like Wenger's but balances it all with Arteta's intelligence and focus. Arsenal's current transformation is perfectly encapsulated in the album's title. From where we were a few years ago to now is difficult to process but easy to appreciate. When he came in, Arteta had to tear it down and build it up.
His weapon of choice is the defence. Arsenal have kept 5 away clean sheets in a row. They are only the second team to inflict defeat upon Brighton at the Amex stadium this season. As nervous as it was to watch, there was a period in the second half where Arsenal had no out ball. No target man or winger who could somehow relieve Brighton's increasing possession. You wonder if it might have been by design. It seemed like a defence v attack training session. Arsenal conducted themselves through this period with confidence and swagger. We had the lead. We seemed to basically tell Brighton to give us their best shot. We backed ourselves. This culminated in an injury time block by Gabriel who celebrated like peak-Chiellini.
It isn't all steel though. Going forward, Arsenal werestill able to weave some silk. Havertz eye-catching performance was worthy to praise you with the man of the match trophy. His anticipation and determination to get on the end of Jorginho's cross alone was worthy of deciding any match. His relentlessness and movement all game was exceptional.
I know all this seems gushing but it is only right. The levels Arsenal are now playing at (in terms of quality and commitment) is something we haven't seen since The Invincibles era. This isn't hyperbole. We shut out the treble winners last week then classily dealt with a really difficult Brighton side this week. Both away from home. Given the wilderness years since we last won the premier league, lots of demons are being laid to rest. This is reflected in the fan base too. The away end at Brighton was rocking. The divisions that once divided Gooners are long gone. Arteta has made us drop the hate and created positive vibes right here, right now.
Next, Bayern in the Champions League quarter finals. You've come a long way baby!
