Champions League Exit : Where Now for Arsenal?

Last week Arsenal were dumped unceremoniously out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion, following their 4-1 defeat by Barcelona.

The Camp Nou is a great stadium, and Barcelona widely regarded as one of, if not the, best team in the world. Reading interviews and comments from the Arsenal team after the events of the two legs against Barcelona, it could seem that they were intimidated by the reputation of their opponents. Certainly the 6-3 aggregate score accurately reflected the balance of play and the teams' respective performances.

Their performances aside however, Arsenal's exit from the worlds greatest club competition—some disrespect clearly intended to the world club championship—has left them in a precarious position.

With only the league title to aim for, and that not in their control, it would be tempting to write-off Arsenals season. The Premier League title is not completely out of their reach—provided the other two contenders, Man Utd and Chelsea, slip-up. The lack of control over those results however leaves Arsenal regretting missed opportunities during the season—in particular recently at Birmingham.

That Arsenal are challenging for trophies and titles given the lack of spending on big name players, and their season-long injury crisis, says much of Arsene Wengers management.

Wengers current contract runs out at the end of next season and, widely courted by Real Madrid, he has been quoted as saying his contract renewal at Arsenal will depend upon the teams ability to challenge for honours.

Where next?

The long term plan to bring younger players through and build a footballing dynasty is definitely showing the first green shoots of success. To be still challenging in two major competitions at this stage of the season with a team largely populated by squad players, is nothing short of astonishing.

This season, the next step would appear to be to continue fighting for each win, whilst hoping other clubs favour them with their poor results. At worst, it would appear that third position in the best league in the world is Arsenals—and that cannot be seen as failure.

One can hardly be forgiven though for looking ahead to next season.

Player development has been often slow, but inexorable, and a quicker maturing for some squad players would be welcome. Grit and determination are the two qualities that seem to have been developed more than any other this season—both extremely welcome additions to a young team of burgeoning quality.

Injuries too could receive a large portion of blame for the failure to win trophies this season, and whilst the club itself cannot offer any reasonable explanation—and speculation elsewhere is rife—long term fitness must be a priority.

Player fitness however, like so many other factors, is not entirely within the clubs control with most of the team featuring for their countries in the World Cup this summer. Players who need a rest, or have been injured most of the season thus far, will stretch themselves to their limits, instead of taking that well earned break.

One aspect of the World Cup to beware of is the "shop window" effect—that certain players will demonstrate their abilities on the world stage, and be lured away with unmatchable offers. That is inevitable, and Arsenal, like any other top club, will have to deal with that effect. It should be understood however, that the wider squad has learned this season above any other, to cope with the loss of one or two "key" players. That lesson most of all may help the team next season.

Onwards and Upwards

On balance this season, whilst not the unqualified success many Arsenal fans were hoping for, has not entirely been a failure. Success of a sort has been achieved, and qualities developed which will serve the club and individual players, for years to come.

Wenger has maintained for some time that keeping this young team together in the longer term will reap great rewards. Next season is the first where this can and must be proved true.