Arsenal: 10 Things I'm Most Looking Forward to in 2012

2011 will forever go down as one of the most trying years in recent memory for Arsenal supporters.

And considering that the club from Ashburton Grove hasn't won a trophy since 2005, meaning there's a veritable wealth of depressing material, it says something awfully significant that the year just done and dusted stands alone upon a pedestal of disrepute.

A Carling Cup final meltdown against Birmingham City (a match which reminded us that Obafemi Martins does, in fact, still exist and hasn't fallen into footballing oblivion), coupled with inglorious falterings in the FA Cup and Champions League (remember when Arsenal still had a chance at four trophies last season?) and enjoined by a disastrous run of form to close out the 2010-11 EPL season, meant that the first half of last year often had Gunners fans barreling towards the nearest pub in order to find some solace and liquid encouragement to wash away the iniquity of unabridged meltdowns (here's looking at you, 4-4 draw to Newcastle).

Yet as in any situation in this life we live, there were breaths of optimism interspersed within the doom and gloom.

The return of Aaron Ramsey from that horrific double-leg break, the sensational form of Robin van Persie—who set a Premier League record for most goals from Jan. 1 to the end of a season (18)—that unforgettable night at the Emirates against Barcelona. Some of my favorite memories as an Arsenal supporter, and reasons all for guarded optimism heading into 2011-12.

Then came summer. To say that those months plus August of the current season were disappointing would be the understatement of...well, 2012—and we're but four days into the new year.

Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas were sold to Manchester City and Barcelona, respectively. Arsenal endured a horrific start to their domestic season, falling as far as 15th in the table, losing to rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Thankfully, despite the clarion calls for manager Arsene Wenger's arrest—er, dismissal, but at the time, the vitriol directed at the French skipper had hit as unreasonable a point as that—Arsenal righted their ship and, with the help of a heaping of last-day transfer dealings (Mikel Arteta looking the best buy thus far), the Gunners currently sit in fifth place in the league standings, just a point removed from fourth-place Chelsea.

It's certainly not a position Gunners fans relish or expect to find themselves in come the end of the season, but it's an improvement nonetheless. Considering where we've been this season, that manner of concerted improvement cannot be discounted.

And the recent slip up to Fulham at Craven Cottage aside, there are reasons galore for optimism in this year to come—some of which may or may not have been influenced by an unhealthy amount of coffee consumed by yours truly today, which has catapulted me into a buoyant mood.

Here's what I'm most looking forward to in the first half of 2012 (besides more coffee, yum yum).

Robin Van Persie's Continued Run of Breathtaking Form

2011 was a watershed year for the Dutch mastermind, who very nearly overtook Alan Shearer as the top scorer in English Premier League play for a calendar year (His 35 tallies, while besting former/soon-to-be Gunner Thierry Henry's club-best 34, fell just short of Alan Shearer's record 36 in 1995 while with Blackburn.).

Finally healthy for a prolonged period, the Arsenal No. 10 showed that he belongs in the discussion of world's best strikers, as he added a ruthless streak to his already prodigious goal-scoring acumen. He'd always possessed the individual talent, but it was the consistency that was truly astounding and career-defining.

There were the majestic strikes (Everton, Barcelona) interspersed with a number of thoroughly opportunistic poaching efforts—the two goals against Bolton in September, for example, which saw him break 100 goals for Arsenal in his career, spring to mind.

There is little reason to believe that he will suddenly hit a wall when for so long, he has flown above and beyond all reasonable expectation for limitation.

Here's to another calendar year chock-full of goals for RVP. Now, for more coffee.

The Return of the King...er....Jack Wilshere

Forgive the classless Lord of the Rings allusion; it's quite the weak point of mine.

Easily one of the brightest surprises during Arsenal's 2010-11 campaign, the 20-year-old English starlet (he celebrated his birthday on New Year's Day) first triggered my LOTR propensity with this wondrous description by famed Gooner blogger Arseblog on Twitter back during the 2009 Emirates Cup. 

He's come an awfully long way since that day, when he transfixed Atletico Madrid with his wily ways. With Wilshere expected to make his return to first-team football by the end of the month, Gunners fans can only be chomping at the bit for more of the same.

Wilshere was spectacular in Arsenal's most important fixtures last season—he garnered widespread acclaim for his excellent performances against Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16 fixtures.

With the midfield struggling at times to recreate the fluid passing that was such an integral component of recent Gunners sides, his return can only be met with optimism. This kind of class, and impeccable technique, is always a welcome addition.

The question that must be posed now is not so much if Wilshere will play, but where.

Since arriving from Everton on the last day of the transfer window, Mikel Arteta has made the holding midfield role inhabited by Wilshere last season his own, garnering plaudits for his cool distribution and maintenance.

It would be unlikely that Wenger would drop the 29-year-old Spaniard to the bench, especially considering how his performances have progressed along with the season.

Thus, it appears that Wilshere could inhabit a more attack-minded role—one that many pundits believe he is best-suited for in the future, anyway.

With Welshman Aaron Ramsey struggling for consistency, Wenger may be tempted to slide Wilshere into that role.

We've already seen the young Englishman's quality, and it is exciting to think of him combining with Van Persie in the months to come.

The Continued Emergence of Wojciech Szczesny as a Top-Class Keeper

His gaffe against Fulham aside, which led to their first goal on the night (for which he accepted responsibility in an impressive display of humility on his Twitter account), Szczesny has been a revelation since his first-team unveiling against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Dec. '10.

He gave an impressive account of himself in that hellfire of a debut—how many others could handle the pressure of that cauldron?—and has only grown in stature since, becoming the No. 1 for Poland as well as for Arsenal.

The 21-year-old doesn't lack for confidence, but in many ways, that's to be both expected and applauded in a young, talented shot-stopper. He has solidified a position that seemed so long to be considered an area of weakness for the north Londoners.

His reflexes are sensational, and he is not afraid to be vocal with his defenders. All encouraging signs. I am expecting more of the same from Szczesny in the year to come.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Being Preferred to Theo Walcott on the Right Wing

That the former Southampton teenager possesses transcendent talent is undeniable. Arsene Wenger himself has alluded as much in a recent Soccernet article, saying that the 18-year-old is ready to be "unleashed" in Premier League play in 2012 after an adjustment period through the first half of the season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed when given the chance for first-team football these past months.

His goals in Carling Cup play against Shrewsbury Town and in the Champions League against Olympiakos have not gone unnoticed, particularly among Arsenal supporters, who have consistently voiced their displeasure over his lack of appearances thus far.

He will likely get a run-out in the upcoming FA Cup fixture against Leeds United (Jan. 9), and with fellow winger Gervinho set to miss most of January while away with Cote d'Ivoire at the African Cup of Nations, and with Theo Walcott struggling desperately for form as of late, it looks as if the starlet may finally get the opportunity to "shine" that Wenger tipped him for.

It wouldn't be unfair to say that the French manager—perhaps rightly so—has been holding Oxlade-Chamberlain back so as not to see him falter beneath the unfaltering glare of unrealistic expectations.

His star has grown exponentially in the past few months, resulting in media and fans alike singing his praises, and even bandying about his name as a potential option for England's Euro 2012 roster.

Should the "Ox" continue to wow audiences with his industry and ineffable skill in front of goal, he'll make quite the case to Capello for inclusion in the England squad come June.

The Return of Thierry Henry (if Only for Two Months)

The pace is not the blistering whirlwind of yesteryear, but the class and technique remain. At 34, the man who scored a record-setting 226 goals during an eight-year Arsenal career is still three years younger than Dennis Bergkamp was when he played his last match for the Gunners following the 2005-06 season.

Training with the club since the end of the MLS season, Henry did enough to convince Wenger that he could be an important asset while attackers Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho play in the African Cup of Nations: Chamakh with Morocco and Gervinho with Ivory Coast, respectively.

Henry has agreed in principle to a two-month loan deal with Arsenal, similar to the one enjoyed by Landon Donovan with Everton in 2010. Upon completion, he will return to New York Red Bulls for the start of the 2012 MLS season.

All that remains to be done is a hashing out of insurance agreements with Red Bulls. At the very least, a Soccernet article reported that Wojciech Szczesny is chomping at the bit to see the French legend back with the club that made him a star.

Like Sol Campbell in 2010, or Jens Lehmann a year ago, Wenger has gone against his policy of re-recruiting former players to the Arsenal cause. Henry is nowhere near the player that once sent opposing defenders into a tizzy with his spell-binding speed and cool finishing, but the leader remains. Like Campbell and Lehmann, Invincibles along with Henry, the former French international knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

That sort of leadership and guidance can only be welcomed at this stage, when Arsenal's roster shows a dearth of players who have won silverware with the club. This loan deal could prove a masterstroke from Wenger.

The Phasing out (or Transfer) of Andrei Arshavin

I hate to say this about the Russian, who wasted little time in becoming a personal favorite upon arrival from Zenit St. Petersburg in '09 winter transfer window, but his time at Arsenal has come crashing to a close.

The four-goal outburst at Anfield, which made him an immediate star, has long-since faded into memory, covered over by an unholy mess of moribund performances.

He simply hasn't looked the same player since returning from international duty with Russia in Nov. '09, when his side failed to gain entry to the 2010 World Cup by way of a playoff. He was distraught then, but that's certainly no excuse for what's now become more than two years of ineffectiveness.

At his best, Arshavin is a whirling dervish of attacking intent, befuddling opponents with guile and class. At his worst (which is what we've seen most often), he is lazy, inefficient and wasteful.

Time to say goodbye.

13:30 P.M., Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Emirates

With Tottenham looking to inform anyone and anything who will listen that they have surpassed Arsenal as the preeminent club in north London (never mind the barbarity inherent in that statement—a cursory glance at silverware is enough to refute any such allegation), the second North London derby of the 2011-12 season takes on an added significance for Arsenal.

That 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane back at the start of October remains a sore subject, reeking like rotten milk. And with Tottenham currently two spots ahead of the Gunners in the league table, this match promises to be a good one, with Arsenal looking to re-assert themselves as the superior club.

Gervinho Losing Himself in Death Cab's Famous

Forgive me for the cryptic title; I lose myself in allusions sometimes, but I am as of yet still waiting for Gervinho to embark upon a superb run of form. And I think it will come once he's "settled" into the English game.

Wenger has repeatedly called for patience with the Ivorian, noting that foreigners require time to adapt to the pace and rigor of the Premier League. It certainly is a far cry from Ligue 1, where Gervinho plied his trade in seasons past with Lille.

There have been glimpses of the impact Gervinho can exert. The at-times wondrous link-up play with Van Persie, coupled with impressive industry on the wing, where the lanky No. 27's unsettling dribbling makes defenders twist about like a ventriloquist, has showed his class.

But there has not been consistency. Too often does Gervinho lack quality in his final ball. Too often does he perform wondrous bits of skill, only to falter when a bit of quality is most required.

I peg Gervinho to settle more fully in the Arsenal system upon return from the African Cup of Nations. It may take a bit longer, given as how he is likely to be sapped of energy in the weeks following the end of his participation in the ill-scheduled event, but I believe that come the end of the season, we'll see the man Wenger hailed as one of the top summer signings in the league.

A Chance for Revenge Against United

The setback away to Blackburn in mid-September was distressing; the loss to Tottenham two weeks later was infuriating.

The 0-2 loss at home to Liverpool in August was somewhat understandable (suspensions, player departures, Samir Nasri providing next to nothing in terms of attacking industry in his joke of a "farewell" match for the club).

But that 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford remains for me the ultimate ebb of Arsenal's current season.

There have certainly been failings since (too many, in some instances), but Aug. 28 will forever remain one of the longest days in my tenure as a Gunners fan. The heckling from friends was incessant; my fury incessant. A team of Arsenal's stature should never endure such a horror show.

Jan. 22 cannot come quickly enough. Just as Arsenal were reeling in late August, Manchester United have hit their own rough patch of late; the jokes circling 'round Twitter today that Everton keeper Tim Howard, who scored an incredible goal tonight vs. Bolton (it's worth a watch if you haven't seen it), has outscored United so far in 2012, more than elicited a chuckle.

The Red Devils were poor against Newcastle United and endured their own inexplicable loss (Wayne Rooney excuses aside) to Blackburn at home this weekend past.

Arsenal, despite coming off a loss away to Fulham, are a thoroughly stronger and more resilient side than the one that slumped to defeat five months ago.

Eighteen days from now, that burgeoning character will be put to a stern test.

And oh, wouldn't revenge be sweet, served with a heavy helping of winter cold.

A Night at the Emirates

There are few images more enduring than that of the Emirates gleaming at dusk, silhouetted by the final, subtle rays of light before the sun's inevitable plunge into the west.

Most times, the quality of play exhibited by the Gunners is every bit as wondrous as that awe-inspiring relief.

And when is the sense of anticipation as pulsating as during the build-up to a Champions League match? The atmosphere—at Arsenal, often dismissed as too quiet—strikes me as electrifying. There is a palpable pulse to the air as that iconic CL anthem resounds about the ground, seeping through the television.

I have never personally visited the Emirates, but if I had to guess as to how one might feel entering into that hollowed ground, this video would more than do it justice.

Here's to 2012.