Arsenal; Of Complacency, Interchangeability and Self Sustenance.

Contributor Written on July 09, 2009

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger looks on after the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Stoke City at Emirates Stadium on May 24, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

We are about to be ushered into a new season. The rumours this season have been worse than Nicklas Bendtner’s chance to goal ratio (sorry Nicklas). Let us today see beyond the possible transfers and the so-called midfield problem. There are three issues that have popped up around Arsenal FC this month.

Issue No. 1 as pointed out by ‘bleach blonde haired beach ball’ Manuel Almunia; “Arsenal needs a good start.” WOW! As if we did not know it. If there is one word to describe last seasons biggest downfall of Arsenal it’s ‘COMPLACENCY’.

When the fixtures were announced, Arsenal fans were feeling lucky. First five games of season where you can easily take away all three points from all of them; result, we ended up losing the very second game away at Fulham. Clearly, the team was not focused enough. Result was we ended up losing 5 of our first 14 games. Fast-forward to the new season, a tough fixture list for the start of season and Christmas period.

I think this would be good for Arsenal. The team would be focused from the word go, and if the interviews are to be believed, the hunger has increased many folds. We will also have players fighting for positions and that too world class players, young, experienced and looking to prove themselves.

This brings me to point number two on my list of issues; players signing contracts. In a recent interview to www.arseblog.com, Ivan Gazidis said that, “the club's priority this season is to tie down young players for long term contracts to ensure the stability of the squad.” Well said. With players like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, and most importantly Robin Van Persie extending their contracts and one or two more signings to come, coupled with Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky hopefully returning fresh from 18 months break we will have a tussle for starting places.

The best part of the current squad, as it stands, is the flexibility. Let me give you a possible midfield and attack line up. Rosicky/Nasri, Walcott, Fabregas, Denillson/Song/Diaby, Arshavin,Van Persie, Adebayor/Vela/Eduardo/Bendtner. They all can play in any attacking midfield position. I believe Wenger was experimenting this last season and did click in one or two games; it was a 4-2-1-2-1 line up.

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written on July 09, 2009 Opinion

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