The return of The Arsenal — by Chris Adetayo

When Arsenal won the EPL in 2004, few would have bet that the same club will not win the title for another 22 years. That team had it all – top players, great coach, and an effervescent playing style. They had been champions twice in 3 seasons. In one of the title runs (2001-2002), they went unbeaten away from home all season. In the other, they went unbeaten all through the season.

But after the heights of 2004, things fell apart. First, Arsenal decided to build a new Stadium. To do so, investment in top players stopped. Instead, focus shifted to acquiring young players with potential. So as the Stars of the Invincibles got older, players like Robert Pires, Patrick Vierra, Dennis Bergkamp etc, their replacements were little known academy graduates and cheap European buys. Naturally, standards fell.

Around the same time, a Russian Billionaire by the name of Roman Abrahamovic put his money behind Chelsea. He brought in a new coach who saw himself as the Special One, and went about buying up top players from across Europe. The combination of a “money na water” strategy, brilliant players and exceptional coaching quickly pushed Arsenal off the top. Chelsea become the new darlings of the EPL.

But Chelsea only had it for 2 years before the Original Landlords woke up from their slumber. Manchester United, serial winners of the EPL since its inception in 1992, had struggled for 3 years. By 2006, its investment in youth finally paid of as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney broke loose. Over 7 seasons, that team won 5 EPL and lost the other 2 by the crazy margin of only 1 point.

Then came the Cityzens. Manchester City, a yo-yo club that was in and out of the EPL, was bought by the oil-rich UAE. They spent money crazily yet wisely. For what a Russian can do, an Arabian can do better. In time, the trophies started to pile in, further shutting out Arsenal from the spoils.

To further drive home how far Arsenal had fallen, Liverpool and Leicester managed to win the EPL too. One a legendary club recovering from 30 years of failure, the other winning it for the first time in its history.

In frustration, Arsenal fans finally hounded out their long serving Manager, Arsene Wenger. The man who changed Arsenal from the boring “Catenaccio” team of the 1980s and early 1990s to a fluid passing attacking team was no longer trusted to deliver the goods. His replacement, Unai Emery, lasted a couple of seasons and was soon shifted out too.

Then came Mikel Arteta. Recruited from Manchester City where he had been learning the ropes from Pep Guadiola, he started with a bang by winning the FA Cup. But mediocrity soon followed. However, the Owners refused to sack him. Instead, they went about reinforcing the team. For the first time in over 2 decades, Arsenal started to compete at the top end of the transfer market.

In time, the results stated to get better. For 3 straight seasons, Arsenal came in 2nd in the EPL. But the failure to reach the Promised Land continued to gnaw at the soul of the fans.

Until nature smiled on Arsenal this season. Make no mistake, it is well deserved. Over the course of the season, no team has played better. No team has been as consistent. From goalkeeper to defenders to midfielders to attackers, all have played their part.

It took 22 years for the EPL to return to Arsenal. Guess what also took 22 years? Yes, that was the entire tenure of Arsene Wenger, the Spiritual Father of the modern Arsenal. Clearly, it was written in the stars!!!

Congratulations, The Arsenal!