Can Arsenal Realistically Win the EPL This Season?

Arsenal's two main problems in the past has been closing narrow games out (such as when they are winning 1-0 and they concede a last minute equaliser) and beating the more physical teams in away games (such as Bolton, Blackburn and Stoke).

The problem with these highly physical teams is that they tend to bully the Arsenal players (it is no secret that Arsenal's team is compromised mainly of young talent as their average age is only 22). Arsenal and Arsene Wenger's philosophy is all about getting the ball down on the floor and playing exquisite football. Most teams try (and fail) to stop them playing their passing game, but it seems like the teams from the North-West of the country are just a little bit better than most.

So can The Gunners actually lift the Premier League trophy this year? Arsenal's season relies on a lot of big 'ifs'. If they can get Robin Van Persie (arguably their best player and certainly their best striker) back fit and firing on all cylinders, as well as the currently injured Cesc Fabregas, then they certainly have a chance.

It was only around a month ago that it seems like they were out of the title race for good (after they lost so convincingly to Chelsea and opened up an 11 point gap). Now, however, it seems that if they win their game-in-hand tomorrow that they'll only be 1 point behind the league leaders. This is partly due to Arsenal's revitalised form as well as Chelsea and Man Utd's recent dip in form.

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Arsenal FC - A Club and Its Trophies

Arsenal football club founded in 1886 is one of the most successful football club in the entire united kingdom. Starting from 1930-31 football season when the club won its first trophy, the team have won all the domestic titles in English football.

FIRST DIVISION LEAGUE
It recorded a total of 10 trophies in the formal English first division league (1930-31, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1937-38, 1947-48 1952-53, 1970-71, 1988-89, 1990-91).

Arsenal was also runners-up on 3 football seasons during the period of first division league (1925-26, 1931-32, 1972-73).

PREMIER LEAGUE
Since 1992 when the present money spinning Barclays premier league started as F.A premier league Arsenal has won the competition for 3 seasons (1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04).Which placed them second to Man United who has won the competition on 10 occasion with Chelsea 2 times and Blackburn Rovers once. The club has been runners -up for a record 5 times (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05}

THE F.A CUP.
Arsenal success story also extends to the prestigious F.A CUP where it has won the title on 10 occasions (1929-30, 1935-36, 1949-50, 1970-71, 1978-79, 1992-93, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05). Runners-up 7times (1926-27, 1931-32, 1951-52, 1971-72, 1977-78, 1979-80, 2000-01).

LEAGUE CUP.

The league is now called the Carling cup based on sponsorship is not left out on the silver ware stable of Arsenal were there 2 of the trophy.(1986-87, 1992-93). Runners-up 4 times (1967-68, 1968-69, 1987-88, 2006-07).

COMMUNITY SHIELD.
This is another competition in which Arsenal has made tremendous impact by winning the trophy on 12 occasions (1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004). Runners-up 7 times (1935, 1936, 1979, 1989, 1993,2003, 2005)

In Europe arsenal has not fare so well, appearing once in the Uefa champion league final in 2005-06 and finishing as runners-up to Barcelona f.c of spain who won by 2-1 in Monaco. Arsenal was the winner of Uefa cup winners cup champions (1993-94) and 2 times runner-up (1979-80, 1994-95) football seasons. Uefa cup runners-up in 1999-2000, runners-up Uefa super cup 1994.

Arsenal hold some significant records which includes
The club was the second club to win double in the twentieth century(1970-71) which they have repeated on two different seasons (2003-04, 2005-06).Arsenal is also the first london based club to reach the Uefa champions league final.

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Arsenal - 5 Injuries in One Game!

English Premier League club Arsenal has halted its streak of three straight losses with a 2-0 victory over Stoke City on Saturday at the Emirates stadium. The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has blamed the injury crisis for such a poor show in the Premier League during the past few weeks.

Even the win on Saturday came at a price. A staggering five players of the Arsenal team picked up injuries during the game! William Gallas (hamstring), Emmanuel Eboue (muscle), Armand Traore (hamstring), Andrey Arshavin (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (groin) were the players who could not end the game in the state they started in.

Perhaps the Czech Republic midfielder Rosicky's injury was the cruelest of all. Even before the season began, the 29-year old had spent previous eight months sidelined with a knee injury. Arsene Wenger will now have to do without the Cech player.

On the fact that Arsenal players have so far proved more injury-prone than other Premier League clubs, Wenger said: "We pick up more injuries than the other big teams, that is true. You cannot say there is not a reason for it but we have not found it yet." He also said: "It's the worst season for injuries for us. And they are all in the same area - in the offensive side. Last year it was in the defensive side."

Arsenal have so far scored the most goals by a side this season. It remains to be seen however whether they are able to challenge the might of Chelsea at the top of the table or not.

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Arsenal Football Club - The Pride of London

Arsenal football club is one of the best sides in the English Premier League and indeed the world. Based in North London and Nicknamed 'the Gunners' they are renowned for playing beautiful football. There isn't a team in Europe that plays the same style of football as Arsenal. They play the passing came and are masters at maintaining possession. They work the ball to the goal rather than long balls and play a game that really annoys other sides. The club was founded in 1886 by workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory. The side turned professional just 5 years later and shortened their name to Woolwich Arsenal. They joined the Football League in 1893 but had to then wait 30 years before winning their first major title. Now their trophy cabinet contains 5 League titles and 2 FA Cups.

Arsenal is managed by Frenchman Arsene Wenger. The cool collected character is a master tactician and is well respected in the world of football. Arsenal have been somewhat criticised in recent times for fielding no Englishmen. A full squad of foreign players has upset a number of neutral supporters who believe that it is not good for the game. Originally based in Woolwich in 1913 Arsenal moved to a new stadium in London known as Highbury. Highbury became a fortress to Arsenal and they enjoyed numerous irreplaceable years there. In 2006 they moved to their current home at the Emirates stadium. The Emirates was the first of its kind in England and seats 60,432 people. Arsenal have had a high degree of success at the Emirates but are yet to win a Premier League title there. Arsenal did however make the Champions League final in 2006 narrowly losing to Barcelona in the dying minutes.

Arsenal's last top flight title came in the 2003/2004 season when they went through the whole campaign without losing a single game. Arsenal have fallen behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent times. They have the players and the right manager at the helm. They have just lacked that killer instinct that resides in their rivals. Arsenal's biggest rival in the Premier League is Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Spurs have had countless unforgettable derby matches always resulting in entertaining drama. Many believe that with the current Arsenal line up it is only a matter of time before they win the Premier League title again and only time will tell if this is their season.

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