Flair and Firm Foundations

Arsene Wenger’s new and improved Gunners marched into a Champions league semi-final clash with Villareal after a 2-0 aggregate victory over the mighty Juventus and a record eighth clean sheet in the competition which has prompted comparisons with the Arsenal of Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Bould, Keown and Winterburn.

To achieve that kind of defensive stability while continuing to produce attacking football of such pace, flair and imagination marks yet another achievement in the extraordinary tenure of the Frenchman’s management.

The basis is whole team defending, as Juventus players would confirm, but inevitably the spotlight has fallen on the consistent brilliance of Jens Lehmann and the growing maturity of Eboue, Toure, Senderos and Flamini – a back four assembled in the light of formidable hardship brought about by the absence of Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole and Clichy.

Their remarkable success has given the whole team confidence and allowed the flair of players like Fabregas, Hleb and Henry to flourish, to the point where many good judges are predicting that Arsenal could succeed Liverpool as winners of the competition.

But first there is Villareal and the need for caution and utter professionalism, because a team accustomed to playing Barcelona and Real Madrid are unlikely to be fazed by a trip to London.