5 Things Fans Wish Went Differently for Arsenal

After a promising start, Arsenal's season seems to be imploding.

The team's Premier League title challenge has collapsed, and now even their hopes of Champions League qualification are under threat from Everton. The prospect of an FA Cup triumph is all that's stopping the Arsenal fans from abandoning hope.

Debate over where exactly it went wrong is rife among supporters. The causes are diffuse. Over the next few slides, we run through the five things that Arsenal fans will most wish had turned out differently. 

Gerard Deulofeu's Goal at the Emirates Stadium

Kirsty Wigglesworth

When Arsenal faced Everton at the Emirates Stadium in December, they had a chance to open a seven-point gap at the top of the Premier League.

Taking the lead with 10 minutes to go through Mesut Ozil, the hosts looked set to win the game. However, Gerard Deulofeu responded with a stunning late equaliser to peg Arsenal back.

It could be argued that they've never quite recovered. Not only did the result damage Arsenal's title chances, but it also ensured that Everton kept pace with the Gunners. The Toffees are now breathing down their neck as the season approaches its climax. 

The January Transfer Window

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If Arsenal were ever going to win the league, they needed to strengthen the squad in January.

All season long, Olivier Giroud has toiled as Arsenal's only real option at centre-forward. Inevitably, that strain has taken a toll. In the second half of the season, Giroud's form has dramatically dipped.

Arsenal needed to add a striker in January. Wenger may live to regret his inaction. 

Aaron Ramsey's Injury

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In the first half of the season, Aaron Ramsey was comfortably Arsenal's best player. The thigh injury he picked up against West Ham on Boxing Day has proved to be hugely costly.

Ramsey's contribution has been missed at both ends of the pitch. He is the epitome of a box-to-box midfielder, doing vital defensive work as well as adding invaluable goals.

Had Ramsey stayed fit all season, he'd certainly have been a contender for Footballer of the Year. What's more, Arsenal might still be in the title hunt.

Losing Theo Walcott

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Theo Walcott was arguably the one player Arsenal could not afford to lose.

His particular combination of attributes is almost unique in the Arsenal squad. No one else offers such explosive pace combined with clinical finishing.

The blow of Walcott's injury was compounded by Arsenal's failure to replace him in the January transfer window. 

Wojciech Szczesny's Sending off Against Bayern

Alastair Grant

Before Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the home leg of the clash with Bayern Munich, Arsenal had the European champions on the ropes. Only a poor penalty from Mesut Ozil had stopped them taking an early lead.

When Szczesny was shown a red card, the tie immediately swung in Bayern's favour. Had he stayed on the pitch, Arsenal might have had a chance of causing a real upset.

What do you wish had gone differently in Arsenal's season? Let us know below.