Why Arsenal the 'one man team' is just a myth

By Steve Stammers

Published 17:57 30/11/11

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By some distance it is the biggest - and most annoying - myth in football. I am talking about the One Man Team.

It doesn't exist and never has existed and the most high profile example of late comes with Arsenal.

Yes, Robin van Persie is on a hot streak of form. Yes, his goals are invaluable. Yes, with one shimmy he can send half the opposing defence for a taxi and the other for a hot dog. But a one man team? A joke.

Arsenal have not lost in the Premier League since the defeat at Tottenham in early October and the flow of goals from Van Persie have played a huge part in that run that has taken Arsenal into the top half of the division and with distinct prospects of a top four finish.

But was the turning point Van Persie's winner against Sunderland in one of the most turgid matches seen at The Emirates? I would suggest not. That accolade belongs to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Half-time was approaching and the score was 1-1 in what can be best described as a shaky Arsenal performance.

From six yards out, a goalbound header was somehow tipped away by the Pole. Instead of a disaffected Emirates crowd jeering the team off at 2-1 down, there was an air of relief that Arsenal were still level. Arsene Wenger's men re-grouped and Van Persie scored the winner instead of what might have well been an equaliser but for Szczesny's heroics.

One man team? Look at the impact made by Thomas Vermaelen since he regained fitness. Not only has his steel and resolve given the Arsenal back line a more solid look, the Belgian has also brought the best from Per Mertersacker who looked distinctly uneasy earlier in the season.

Go a couple of miles down the Seven Sisters Road and there lies Tottenham.

It had been argued they are a two-man team which is just as ridiculous. Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric have been in exceptional form. Neither started at West Bromwich Albion but Tottenham won 3-1 because they have one of the most lethal strikers in the business in Jermain Defoe.

Barcelona? Lionel Messi is the example at the Camp Nou. Really? Just have look at the work rate and contribution of Sergio Busquets. Different class. Messi might make the difference, as they say, but it is the unselfish work of the Busquets of this world that provide the platform.

History teaches the same lesson. Naturally the World Cup final of 1966 goes down as the Geoff Hurst final because of his hat-trick. But the match was in the pre-substitute days and a look at a video replay of that final will show the sheer work rate and selfless running of Hurst's under-rated strike partner Roger Hunt and the unbelievable energy and enthusiasm of the late and much-missed Alan Ball.

The one man team has never existed. Just the one man headline.

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