Arsenal developing winning mentality

After the performances of both Arsenal and Manchester United this past week, you certainly saw two teams that have full guns blazing towards a collision clash for supremacy in the English Premier League.

The Bleacher Report writes that despite popular opinion, perhaps it is Arsenal that has developed a winning mentality, and not United.

On Tuesday night, as Arsenal FC turned on the style in a rampant second-half performance against Ipswich, Manchester United struggled and stuttered to 3-2 win against newly-promoted Blackpool, thanks largely to the referee and Dimitar Berbatov.

Manchester United have suffered only one defeat this season, which came in the Carling Cup to West Ham. They are unbeaten in the league and now lead the table by five points with 15 games still to go.

In second place is Arsenal FC, who have managed 46 points from their 23 games. But, Arsenal FC slowly seems to be coming to its best and are almost fit as a squad.

There seems to be a lot of talk about Manchester United having developed the mentality of a champion and potentially maintaining their unblemished record.

However, it is a sin to compare the current Manchester United squad to the Invincibles.

The Arsenal FC squad of 2003-04 was a cut above the rest. They dominated sides and won convincingly. They could win matches away or at home.

This Manchester United squad has won just three of their away games and drawn the remaining nine. They have looked sloppy and have struggled to impose themselves on opponents.

Two of their away wins came against Blackpool and West Brom. In both matches, opponents were denied clear penalties, and Manchester United's Gary Neville should have been sent off versus West Brom.

Manchester United has failed to dominate teams and has often had to depend on late goals to get the win.

The present Arsenal squad has struggled at times, too. It has thrown away leads and has lost at home to weaker opposition.

Yet I believe that Arsenal FC, not Manchester United, has the mentality to win the league.

Why?

Arsenal FC has suffered from injuries. Thomas Vermaelen has been out since August and has been featured in only three Premier League games this season. Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has played close to 500 minutes more than Arsenal FC's Robin Van Persie. Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has missed matches, as well.

Hampered by injuries and a hectic fixture list, Arsenal FC is competing in all four fronts, and have even progresed to the finals of the Carling Cup. Without Fabregas and Van Persie, Aresenal FC has scored 48 goals, three more than the healthier Manchester United squad.

Manchester United has had a fully fit defense for large parts of the season, as well. Yet Arsenal FC has conceded just one goal more than Manchester United this year.

Arsenal FC has won consistently and comfortably away from home, something that Manchester United has struggled to do. Arsenal FC has taken three points from Goodison Park, St. Andrews, Villa Park and Eastlands.

Away matches test the mental fortitude of a team. Manchester United is a scrappy side that tends to struggle away from home, despite good luck and fortuitous officiating; Arsenal creates chances and dominates.

Manchester United's home form has kept it at the top, though they have struggled to victory against the likes of Stoke and Wolves. Meanwhile, Arsenal's home form seems to be improving.

With a fully fit squad, Arsenal FC is unbeaten in six matches, including run-ins with Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as three away fixtures. They have won convincingly, scoring 14 goals and conceding just three, none during the last four games.

Arsenal FC is also capable of grinding out wins, as championship teams often do.

Manchester United is a good squad, and would deserve to win the league. But they are not playing like champions, and I do not believe that they are invincible.

However, Arsenal FC has overcome pressure, injures and a chaotic schedule to display the qualities of a real champion.