The Value Of Finding A Way

Twelve months ago, Liverpool were pushing Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race while Arsenal were sweating on bringing an end to a nine-year wait for major silverware and facing criticism over a supposed lack of ambition as they prepared to finish fourth for the sixth time in nine seasons.

The Gunners, though, were to taste FA Cup success, while Brendan Rodgers’ side ended the campaign empty-handed. So, who enjoyed the more productive campaign in the grand scheme of things?

Fast forward to the present and those on the red half of Merseyside have regressed at an alarming rate – not for the first time – with an early exit suffered in the Champions League group stage, a return in 2015/16 now realistically beyond them and any dreams of lifting a trophy dashed by semi-final defeats to top-flight foes Chelsea and Aston Villa in domestic cup competitions.

Meanwhile, over in the red half of north London, Arsene Wenger has gone quietly about his business, cementing Arsenal back inside the top four and moving to within 90/120 minutes of a successful defence of a prestigious prize – with FA Cup betting markets pricing Arsenal at 1/3 at the time of writing to beat Aston Villa.

In contrast to the struggles Liverpool have endured when the going gets tough – both last season and this – the Gunners continue to find a way of getting the job done.

In the 18 years spent under Wenger’s watchful eye, a seat at European football’s top table has been secured each and every time, with a tick in box number 19 now a foregone conclusion.

Nobody among the Premier League elite can claim to match that record, never mind better it – with Manchester City’s riches having lifted them away from mediocrity, Chelsea slipping up after conquering the continent and Manchester United having suffered a humbling fall from grace in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

Success may be measured on titles – of which the Gunners remain stuck on three – but there is a lot to be said for consistency and the long-term rewards, both in a sporting and financial sense, that will be delivered on the back of that.

The ‘Wenger way’ may not be to everyone’s liking, but there is no questioning that his approach has made Arsenal a greater force than many of their so-called rivals, with a sustainable model helping to remove the risk element and put down the sturdiest of foundations.

There have been wobbles along the way, with questions often asked of the managerial philosophy and recruitment policy, but, to reiterate, Arsenal have found a way of getting the job done. That has to be applauded.

The Premier League is an unforgiving, relentless beast that can only be tamed with persistence and perseverance, while the Champions League will always deliver shocks and highlight the slightest flaws under the brightest of spotlights.

Arsenal and Wenger keep coming back for more, though, which is more than can be said for Liverpool and those lurking at White Hart Lane. There is also nothing to suggest – looking forward with optimism – that the tide will turn any time soon.

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