Are we better?

The last time we, talent-wise, had a team capable of seriously challenging for the title was 10-11, when for a long time we looked every bit as good as United, before the CC final started that horrible collapse of our season. It still hurts.

It was accepted by most people that going forward we were the best team in the league. Defensively we weren't great, but even with our sloppy rearguard we pushed United for a long time. It was only after that horrific moment at Wembley that things started to go off the rails. Therefore we can safely deduce that what stopped us from success that season was a lack of mental fortitude, basic tactical organisation and a propensity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by conceding phenomenally stupid goals. We simply couldn't hold to onto or overturn leads like title challengers should really be able to, like United have been doing for years.

Now however, I think things are different. Not only have we, perhaps due to the trials and tribulations of last season, found resilience, belief and mental fortitude that I don't think we've had since the days of Henry, Vieira and all, we also have a much better blend of youthful energy, which we've always had, and experience/leadership, which has really started to become noticeable since the arrivals of Arteta and Mertesacker. All those comebacks, both over 90 minutes and several games, showed that we never give, and now we have the natural leaders, who can cajole and calm in equal measure, that any title challengers need, and that which we lacked in 10-11 when we had the brilliant but sulky Cesc as our captain.

Think back to 10-11. Our most experienced players were the likes of Almunia and Squillaci. Being nice, they didn't exactly instill confidence in their teammates or the fans. Being harsh, they were bloody awful. Either way, our current most experienced players, including Merte, Arteta, Podolski and Sagna, are a huge in movement both in quantity and quality. Moreover, we have young players who are not only eager and talented but are genuinely capable. The likes of Wilshere and the OX are genuinely fearless on the big stage. Ramsey, Gibbs and Jenkinson have taken plenty of stick but they are all young players of high quality, as is Coquelin, maybe even Frimpong as well.

So, with our improved mentality, now it really comes down to whether we can translate that toughness to the medium of a title race or a cup final, and whether we have enough talent and depth in our squad. I personally believe we have a better side than in 10-11, fewer stars, but more quality overall. Here is my combined XI from the two seasons:

-------------------------------Szczesny 12/13---------------------------------

Sagna 10/11--Koscielny 12/13--Vermaelen 12/13-----Gibbs 12/13

-------------------Wilshere 10/11----Cesc 10/11-----------------------------

-Nasri 10/11----------------Cazorla 12/13------------------Podolski 12/13

----------------------------------RvP 10/11-------------------------------------------------