Top 10 Moments from Arsenal's 2014/15 Premier League Season
The Premier League season is over, leaving Arsenal to reflect on a mixed campaign. They started dreadfully, winning just two of their opening eight fixtures. However, they recovered superbly in the second half of the season, enabling them to finish in third place and achieve automatic qualification for the Champions League.
Although it was a season with some definite low points—the booing of Arsene Wenger at a train station following the defeat to Stoke City stands out—there were also some tremendous highlights. This was a campaign in which Arsenal showed a hitherto unseen mental fortitude and a newfound capacity to deal with fixtures against the biggest teams
In this piece, we count down the top 10 moments of Arsenal's 2014/15 Premier League season.
10. Jack Wilshere's Solo Goal at Home to Manchester City
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Once again, Jack Wilshere's season was cruelly interrupted by injury. However, in the home match against Manchester City, he delivered a wonderful demonstration of what he's capable of producing.
His slaloming solo goal capped a magnificent individual display. If he can produce moments of this dazzling quality next season, he will be well on the path toward fulfilling his undoubted potential.
9. The Massacre of Aston Villa
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While Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final may come to be their most memorable result of the season, it should not be forgotten that they actually went one better in the Premier League.
Their 5-0 win over the Midlands side at the Emirates Stadium would prove to be their biggest of the whole season. Most encouragingly of all, it was achieved without Alexis Sanchez in the side and with five separate goalscorers.
8. Jack Wilshere's Strike Against West Brom
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Jack Wilshere’s stunning strike against West Bromwich Albion was voted the Goal of the Season by the viewers of Match of the Day and ensured that Arsenal finished the campaign on a high.
When a cross was headed away to the edge of the box, he unleashed a superb left-footed volley that gave goalkeeper Boaz Myhill absolutely no chance. It may have come on the final day, but it was still one of the most memorable moments of Arsenal’s Premier League season.
7. Alexis' 1st Premier League Goal
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It was vitally important to Arsenal’s chances of success this season that Alexis Sanchez settled quickly. That's why his first Premier League goal, against Leicester City in August, was such a positive moment for the Gunners.
Alexis finished the campaign with 16 Premier league goals in 35 games—a superb tally for a player in his first season of English football.
6. The Ox Equalises Against Spurs
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Although Arsenal will have been extremely disappointed to have lost to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, losing at home remains unthinkable. That's why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's late equaliser in September's 1-1 draw with Spurs is such a highlight.
Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoyed a strong first half of the season, but the familiar problem of injuries slowed his progress after the turn of the year. If he is to be a major player for Arsenal next season, he must produce more decisive moments such as this.
5. Arsene Wenger's Fight with Jose Mourinho
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Yes, it may have been a little undignified, but Arsenal fans will still have been thrilled to see Arsene Wenger go toe-to-toe with his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho.
Although the two were separated before things got too violent, Wenger did manage to shove his foe before anyone could intervene. Gunners fans will doubtless chalk that up as a resounding victory for the Frenchman.
4. The Old Trafford Equaliser
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Having won at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, it would have been a bit of a backward step to lose there in the Premier league. That's why the late equaliser in May's 1-1 draw was so important.
Although the goal was ultimately credited to Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett, it was Theo Walcott who provided the telling cross to force the error.
3. Thumping Liverpool at Home
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Back in April, Arsenal recorded a resounding victory over Liverpool to effectively end Brendan Rodgers' team's hopes of Champions League qualification.
This thumping win underlined the gap between Liverpool and Arsenal. The manner of Alexis Sanchez's goal was every bit as emphatic as the 4-1 scoreline.
2. 8 Consecutive Wins
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After suffering a defeat in the north London Derby in February, Arsenal responded superbly with a run of eight consecutive Premier league victories.
The last in this run of wins came against Burnley at Turf Moor, with Aaron Ramsey grabbing the vital goal. This superb run of form was absolutely crucial in Arsenal's breaking back into the top four.
1. Victory at the Etihad
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Winning away to Manchester city was a landmark for this Arsenal team. It showed they could cope with the opposition and win the six-pointers that are so crucial in any title race.
This match was particularly memorable, and midfielder Santi Cazorla, who played in a deep-lying midfield role, delivered an extraordinary performance. After his starring display at the Etihad Stadium, he remained in that position for the rest of the season.
This 2-0 victory was certainly the most important of Arsenal’s 2014/15 campaign. It instilled in them a belief that they could climb the table and secure Champions League qualification.
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