After the Invincibles season of 2003-04, Arsenal have been a shadow of themselves. It has been a difficult three seasons for Arsenal fans as we've had to endure watching our team lose (with a considerable amount of bad luck) in the Champions League final, lose in a Carling Cup final and last season was well, the biggest heart break of them all.
But this is the season where Arsene Wenger and Arsenal will have to win something—be it the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, or more preferably the Champions League or the Premier League.
After losing Alexander Hleb, Gilberto Silva, and Mathieu Flamini, many would be asking—can Arsenal sustain a title challenge?
I think the answer to that is Arsenal can. The only thing that nobody can predict is when injuries will arrive, when the players would get suspended, and so on. Arsenal, over the past couple of seasons have had pretty awful luck with injuries to key players coming at inopportune times.
It can be argued that Arsenal don't have the squad depth of Chelsea, but Manchester United didn't have the "deepest" of squads and were able to do a double last year. It's about keeping your cool when the going gets tough. That's where Arsenal faltered last season.
Like any other season, this year's success or failure will be determined by the start that Arsenal have. Arsenal cannot afford to lose the first six to seven games in the Premier League and such a start will provide the confidence and the momentum to carry forward throughout the season. The start to a season cannot be underestimated in any way, especially with the quality of the top-four improving year-on-year.
Arsenal have signed Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey but many people forget that Carlos Vela has also bolstered the squad. Theo Walcott has a lot to prove and with Arsene Wenger having indicated a more prominent role for the 19-year-old, we can expect better performances from him.
Nasri will provide goals from midfield, something that Hleb could never do. If Arsenal get Tomas Rosicky back relatively quickly, and more importantly, keep him fit, he can also contribute towards the goals from midfield.
Wenger has also suggested that he will bring in an experienced midfielder to partner Cesc Fabregas, so one can expect the likes of Abou Diaby and Denilson Neves to be squad players yet again this season.
Ramsey will most probably be used in the Carling Cup games. His lack of experience at the top-flight might be a deterrent for Wenger to pick him from the start but as the season progresses, we can see him getting more involved.
Arsenal will have a difficult season without a doubt, but everybody wrote us off at the beginning of last season and it's not as if anybody expects anything great from us this season either.
The pressure of expectation will always be there at Arsenal, but I think that this team will cope with it better than last season due to the disappointments experienced on all fronts in the last campaign.
Realistically, I see Arsenal challenging for the title but the question still remains whether we can last the marathon—and that is something which nobody can definitively answer.
With respect to the Carling Cup and F.A. Cup, I think that Arsenal will fare very well - the F.A. Cup represents a fabulous opportunity for winning a trophy. As far as the Champions League is concerned, all I can say is that getting to the knock-out stages is imperative but beyond that, making any predictions as of now, is impossible.
All in all, I feel that winning some silverware this season will be imperative and can be perceived as success because today, winning is everything.
And it is now time for Arsenal to win some trophies.
9 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Edward Dennehy 11 months ago
I agree that its time for us to do something, and until a few days ago I was really upbeat about it, but over the last couple of days i have seen some familiar stories cropping up... Rosicky is still injured and is set to miss at least the first few games of the season, Eduardo has had a setback in his recovery and won't be starting full training until at least late september, and kolo toure has contracted malaria. I dont want to be pessimistic, but with the luck we have had the last 3 seasons, it is already looking like we might have another injury ravished season...and a ball hasn't even been kicked yet, I really hope i'm wrong.
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SALTUK OZERTURK 11 months ago
We all seem to forget that what we really needed to bolster is not attack but the central defender position...
...That was the idea when the transfer season started, yet after the departures of Flam, Hleb and Gilberto Silva the focus shifted towards the midfield again...A tough minded central defender is a MUST....we cannot keep relying on Senderos and Djorou as cover and we need Song in the midfield...I would use Diaby and Song as possible partners of Cesc and would spend the money on a tall defender...without that extra CB we might be grilled again in away fixtures in the North.
Also when Clichy or Sagna are injured or suspended our cover is so inadequate that it is a shame...and do not tell me that Traore is good cover for Clichy..Traore is no defender and Justin Hoyte for RB does not make the cut either...
....and a goalkeeper.....Almunia makes no big mistakes but he does not save the team on a bad day either as Van Der Saar saves Man U on days that they suck...
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Nige Benson 11 months ago
We'll be right, fellow Gooners. Wenger undoubtedly has a rabbit or two to pull out of the hat yet. I expect two more signings before the new season. Nasri will prove a great acquisition and the likes of Walcott, Vela, Denilson et al are going to be champing at the bit. Van Persie, Eduardo and Rosicky are also going to be highly motivated to do well. I do hope we pick up a "Rock of Gibralter" keeper, though. Look back over the Premier League champion teams and every one had a top shelf keeper.
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Lee Cleary 11 months ago
Am I missing something here? The most naturally gifted footballer that we have is Van Persie, and yet he seems to feature little in our plans. Gallas is not and never will be a gooner. I would also be glad to eat my hat if Walcott becomes even a shadow of Thierry. I feel that this one is down to Arsen's bull-mindedness to make this kid a star....I just don't see it happening. Let him go. We have seen stars leave us before and will again. If Adebayor does not want to play for us....I'll pay for his ticket.
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Luckey Tooriez 11 months ago
To be honest... I really do think that walcott will develope into becoming a star... I am not saying that he's the next henry... But a very big star.. He just needs some time and guidance from some worldclass player,that is why arsene should bring in at least one big name this season so that walcott can look up at the player and learn... Dont forget henry was a main influence walcott joining arsenal... I am a all time henry fan.. Walcott cant be henry but is surely a future star...
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Saraswathi Siriginia 11 months ago
Arsenal has to deliver this season, let's hope Wenger has more than a rabbit or 2 to pull out of his hat!
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Anthony Chong 11 months ago
Ya, i'm sure hope that arsene wenger would buy more useful players. Because i think two is still not good enough because if the same injury problem struck arsenal again this season we will be over. So, i sure hope that arsene wenger will use the money that has been given, for arsenal glory. People need to change sometime when we need to.
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illya mclellan 11 months ago
you guys are talking about wenger here. the guys undoubtedly management master class. he always puts it together. look at the financial situation he is dealing with. there is no doubt in my mind that come kick off time he will be prepared. i will be shocked if Arsenal go another season without a trophy of note.
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Anthony Chong 11 months ago
Yes, he was very good in money management for the club to stay ok but without trophy.
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