Good News Arsenal Fans; Everyone Has Forgotten About the 8-2!

It was former British Prime Minster Harold Wilson who once said that ‘a week is a long time in politics’. Indeed, the Labour leader was correct but if one week is a long time in politics, than two weeks is an eternity in footballing terms.

It is a statement that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger can vouchsafe to entirely as the Gunners seek to get their 2011/2012 campaign finally up and running after a poor showing in August.

One week ago the North London club were in the midst of a perpetual crisis after an 8-2 thrashing at the hands of eternal rivals Manchester United. The blackest day in Arsenal’s much celebrated 198-year history? Perhaps, but in and amongst the denizens and the excoriating pieces which battered the club and a downtrodden Arsene Wenger, something good appears to have emerged from it!

The defeat (forget the scoreline; a defeat is a defeat and a win – no matter how big is still only worth three points) finally opened the eyes of an often myopic Arsene Wenger and the Frenchman went out and made some shrewd signings. So it was hello Andre Santos, guten tag Per Mertesacker, shalom Yossi Benayoun and hola Mikel Arteta. Four new Gunners and quality ones at that as time will surely. Also throw in the fact that Robin Van Persie is looking particularly sharp and you have the sowings of a side much capable of wedging themselves firmly into the top four.

“We were very disappointed and we were absolutely down after the [United] game but putting things into perspective, we were really weakened on the day,” Wenger was quoted as saying by talksport.

“We had a very demanding [Champions League] game on the Wednesday against Udinese and then conceded four goals in the last 20 minutes when we were down to ten men.

“Of course it was difficult, but maybe the international break came at a good time. In between we could buy some players and could get some

players back from injury. The real start of the season, where we can get the whole squad together, is now,” the Frenchman added.

Yes the 8-2 loss was painful – no Gooner would disagree, but as Sky Sports’ very own Mancunian pundit Gary Neville insinuated the best thing which emerged from that regretful afternoon was the immediate two-week international break. Refreshed, regrouped and re-awoken, the Gunners are ready to kick-on as with the Champions League and league campaign set to wade along.