This season is a defining one in the development of Arsene Wenger’s youthful side. For the past few seasons, after the departures of the influential Patrick Vieira and then the talismanic Thierry Henry, the Gunners have been spared the pressures of a demanding fanbase and expectant media frenzy.
Alternatively, Wenger often offers explanations on his youth philosophies: His illustration of "building a house" concerned with progress in the maturing an adolescent talents is shoved in our faces to distract from the failures of the first team.
We are bombarded with propaganda, from both within and outside the Emirates, reminding us that Arsenal is still a young side, but sure to flourish soon. But not this year, we are told. Maybe next season.
In actual fact, this is the time for the Arsenal to establish themselves as a consistent side. The unreliability of the team is becoming tedious and is threatening to permanently take the limelight away from the undoubted talent within the first-team squad.
Speaking of irregularity in performance levels, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has flapped at his last cross in this country after signing for Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart. Manuel Almunia is likely to continue between the sticks, with the promising Lukas Fabianski as backup.
Though unlikely, Wenger may be tempted to bring another goalkeeper into the side. It is believed he is a great admirer of Juventus stopper Gianluigi Buffon, but Juventus would be sure to demand an astronomical transfer fee if any deal were to be done.
Defensively, on paper Arsenal look very short. They certainly appear lacking a backline fit for Premier League champions. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are athletic and have enough stamina and pace to last for more than ninety minutes at a time, but their concentration levels were tested last season.
The Swiss duo of Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou look out of place in an Arsenal shirt. Djourou does not seem to have the physique to play centre half, and could perhaps be better suited to a central midfield berth. A case of square pegs in round holes?
Senderos, on the other hand, is a case of a special, undesirably shaped peg in a round hole. He is the complete antithesis of everything the Gunners have offered us on the pitch in the past few years; lacking composure, technique, and looking frankly dopey at times.
Although history tells us Wenger likes a bruiser of a defender in his squad—Igors Stepanovs, Pascal Cygan, et al—so he is likely to stay.
William Gallas’ inadequacies in the captaincy role were highlighted last season, with his sulking on the pitch after the disappointing trip to Birmingham the most telling example. The stand-out performer in the defensive setup at Arsenal is undoubtedly Kolo Toure, who suffered a slight dip in form last season, partly due to being shifted between right back and his preferred centre back position.
A cultured defender would undoubtedly improve the side as a whole, a Sergio Ramos or a Philippe Mexes type defender.
Enough doom and gloom for now.
There is cause for optimism in the centre of the pitch. In Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal have one of the finest players in the world at the moment, and he is certain to continue to his dazzling performances in the heart of the midfield.
14 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Shyam Parthasarathi 12 months ago
This is quite an interesting, but inaccurate article about Arsenal - can you please give me one instance of where Bacary Sagna "lost" his concentration last season? How much of Djourou have you seen to conclusively determine that he isn't a defender? To my recollection, he was the only half decent defender and Birmingham before he came back to Arsenal and got injured.
Gilberto Silva is leaving Arsenal - so I don't see him filling any sort of void left by Flamini.
Overall, you've given an "on the paper" preview, with nothing unexpected and perhaps you don't see anything like that happening, but I believe that Arsenal will finish higher than 4th - don't count us out just yet.
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Bradley King 12 months ago
Hi Shyam, thanks for the comment
All of my observations are based on what I saw of Arsenal last season, and I am without doubt that that is limited compared to what you have seen, as I presume you are an Arsenal fan.
Of course, I cannot recall any specific instances of Sagna last season, as you would be unable to do so for the club that I support. However, I do believe, from memory, that he is prone to the odd 'dawdle'. Admittedly, not so much as Clichy so I take your point.
With Djourou, he began as a midfielder and was he not converted into a central defender? I just feel that his composure and other qualities could be useful in the Arsenal midfield rather than at the back.
Maybe my article doesn't include anything unexpected but I don't know what you see happening?
By the way, I wouldn't count Arsenal out either, the same was being said last summer and look at the start that they had!
Cheers.
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Shyam Parthasarathi 12 months ago
From what I see, you have more bad things than good to say about Arsenal, which kind of undermines our position.
Sagna is the last player in Arsenal who is error-prone. Djourou may have been converted into a centre back, but I remember him a couple of seasons ago and he is a lot steadier than Senderos.
All I'm saying is that you're basically following the pack in terms of a prediction, which is kind of monotonous.
People said last year that we might finish 5th, so, I'm not entirely convinced that I should go by too many previews that are written anywhere.
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Bradley King 12 months ago
I'm not following the pack at all. These are my opinions. They may be similar to those of others but they aren't lifted by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not asking you to agree with my points and I wouldn't expect many people to, but this website gives the opportunity for different viewpoints and that is what I am putting across.
Cheers anyway! Good luck for the season.
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Darren Green 11 months ago
Well said Shyam, the review above is abit scrappy to be honest and highly negative.
Denilson or Diaby will do excellent in replacing Flamani - whom before last season on-one really expected him to be as consistant as he was. Sagna was simply outstanding, suprised Bradley pointed him out, out of everyone as if he lacked concentration Id like to see what he thinks of the other Right backs in the prem.
Also I find Bradleys Quote ''maturing an adolescent talents is shoved in our faces to distract from the failures of the first team.'' Well sorrrrry that we are not like other teams shoving big money into our faces all the time. To be honest though its been frustrating waiting for us to make progress, ive enjoyed seeing our club be known for unearthing some of the biggest names of today.
Still we are no doubt getting written off again, I hope and pray Wenger final pulls it off, then we can shove that in them critics faces!
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Matt Titman 12 months ago
I really don't feel that you did enough research before writing this. Sagna performed very well when he wasnt injured last season and Djourou has shown that he can secure a starting spot. This will be the year when Walcott really comes into himself and sees a lot of time, Rosicky can expect to play a lot, and Nasri is one of the most exciting new additions.
We'll see if Adebayor actually leaves, with the Berbatov to ManU news coming out of the news and Villa looking like he might just stay with Valencia, I'm not entirely sure Arsene is prepared to let Adebayor leave.
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aaron finn 12 months ago
arsenal 4th, lol. top 2 maybe even winners of the premiership
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Arsenal forever 12 months ago
I think that although Arsenal clearly lack some strength and depth-as was pointed out so often last season- i do think that, whether or not we strengthen the back four, Arsenal have the potential to go all the way (in at least one competition-may be even the premier league) next season. With the likes of Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Denilson, Diaby, Van Persie, Eduardo, Ramsey, Vela and not to mention the much-hyped Fran Merida, i think Arsenal make up for their lack of defensive quality in the the centre and attacking areas of the park. To strengthen that point, if rumours are true it seems as if Klass Jan Hunterlaar could be on his way over as well (amoung other names of course) and considering he already has a striking partnership with Robin that looks the pair to be beaten if you ask me. I mean, Kolo and Gallas are hardly the worst defensive pair in the league either, and so with maybe still one or two more extra's in Midfield and/or up front (hopefully the latter) i realisticly think that Arsenal have a decent shot at gaining at least some silverware next season. Lets bloody well hope so.
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Dave Saunders 12 months ago
Sagna had a superb season. His positional play could be better in certain situations but it was his first season in England he will learn.
Clichy hardly made a mistake until his high profile one in the Birmingham game. Who talks about Arsenal missing that greedy occasional England left back?
This Fabregas boy is really good is he? No shit sherlock.
Any preview should include the signing of Ramsey, even to say he'll probably be in the Carling Cup next year.
I'm surprised that Flamini moving on is glossed over so quickly - the vacant holding slot to partner Fabregas next year is the most urgent one to fill. Senna of Spain either played out of his skin in the Euros or he's the best at that in the world - but he's not available.
I'm afraid I can understand Shyam's point of view on this one.
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Bashkim Ahmeti 12 months ago
Adebayor will stay, or if he goes, then Wenger will have enough time to catch another skyscrapper. But do not forget, Bendtner will be more experienced next season. So I find very accurate if Eto'o comes as part of an Arsenal- Barca deal about Adebayor. With Eto'o, Gunner's attack will be more effective, because he has some abilities that Arsenal lacked some previous seasons.
Also Nasri could be a wise substitution to Hleb, even better than him. You recall maybe the hesitation of Hleb to shoot in goal from semi distances. Nasri has the ability to shoot and score, I have seen him often playing for Marseille and France.
So I don't see Arsenal next season weaker than the previous. Lucky Wenger if Eduardo will be recuperated in time for the next season.
Kosovo Gunner Fan
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Tunde O 12 months ago
Count Arsenal out at your own risk!!! Negative expectations are kinda common trend since Viera and Henry left, yet we have managed to put up a decent fight all the time inspite of limited resources.
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Dodo Small 11 months ago
I personally feel, that the young side played very well last season and they just lost one game which is very impressive.
Having watched the Euro 2008 and looking closely at the Arsenal players, especially Senderos, he has shown great evidence of improvement and defended very well throughout the tournament. It was unfortunate that Switzerland got knocked out, but this tournament was essential for Senderos.
I am very sure, that he will prove his critics wrong next season and fight for his place.
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Sam Adavba 11 months ago
We easily forget that Arsenal's young team have a consistent habit of throwing up suprises every season. Would anyone have predicted the influencial role Flamini played in the last campaign? Yet, by my reckoning, he was the most consistent player and the revelation of Arsenal's season.Toure was converted to the central defence during one of the pre-seasons and has remained solid ever since, Fabregas and RVP emerged from a pre-season to become pivotal players; talk about internal transfers!
I am expecting that, unlike the previous seasons when only one or two players really came to maturity, several young players will make the step up in the coming season; watch out for Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner, Song and Traore.
Remember also that with Henry and Freddie leaving and only Eduardo and Sagna coming in Arsenal managed to narrow the gap between them and Man U to only four point and in truth should have won the league but for the cruel hand of injuries to influencial members of the squad. I honestly don't think Man U would have won the league if they lost Ronaldo for as long as Arsenal lost RVP.
Wenger has been very calm even with so many departures and that should worry their rivals and calm the fans. The man is a genius, his project is almost done and I have a sneaky feeling that 2008/09 could be the season all the hardwork of patient rebuilding will bear dividend. Keep believing!
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XXX XXX 11 months ago
I'd wait more weeks before assessing the future season we do not know what the squad's final make-up will be, who will stay and who will go or transfers.
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