Ranking the Highs and Lows of Arsenal's 2016
2016 appears to finishing on something of a diminuendo for Arsenal, as high-profile defeats to Everton and Manchester City have seen their title hopes suffer a major blow.
However, there have been plenty of highs in the calendar year, too. It’s been another topsy-turvy 12 months for Gunners supporters, and in this piece, we look back at some of the peaks and troughs of Arsenal’s 2016, identifying the three best and three worst moments from the past year.
Let us know what moments and matches from 2016 you’ll cherish and which you’ll be in a hurry to forget by using the comments section below.
Go to the next slide to begin the countdown of Arsenal’s lowest points of 2016.
Low Point No. 3: West Ham 3-3 Arsenal, April 9
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A hat-trick from West Ham United's Andy Carroll put paid to Arsenal’s slender title hopes in a 3-3 draw back in April.
What made this result all the more galling was that the Gunners led 2-0 as late as the last minute of the first half. What followed was a capitulation so infuriating that even a Laurent Koscielny equaliser could not appease the Arsenal supporters.
Arsenal ought to have known plenty about the threat of Carroll, yet they seemed completely incapable of dealing with him.
Arsene Wenger’s decision to leave both Petr Cech and Per Mertesacker on the bench was baffling, and their aerial presence was badly missed as Carroll ran amok.
Low Point No. 2: Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal, January 13
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It’s interesting that in a season when Arsenal suffered plenty of defeats, it’s two draws that figure in this countdown of the three worst moments of their campaign.
It’s the nature of the results that makes them particularly painful memories. Arsenal twice came from behind to lead 3-2 against Liverpool at Anfield, with Olivier Giroud adding an excellent brace to an early Aaron Ramsey strike.
However, a last-minute goal from Joe Allen pegged Arsenal back and snatched a point for Jurgen Klopp’s men. At 3-2, Arsenal had chances to extend their lead but didn’t take them, and they were ultimately punished.
The result had major consequences for Arsenal’s season. They failed to win any of their next three league games—a run that ultimately cost them in the title race.
Low Point No. 1: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal, February 28
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All of the worst parts of Arsenal’s season seemed to come to the fore in their diabolical performance at Old Trafford.
Although the match finished 3-2 to Manchester United, the gulf between the two sides was significantly bigger than that scoreline implies.
Arsenal had gone to Old Trafford with real hope of securing a positive result. They had recently beaten eventual champions Leicester City, and United were struggling under unpopular coach Louis van Gaal. However, Arsenal produced a limp display and were swatted aside with relative ease.
The performance of Theo Walcott at centre-forward was particularly frustrating to watch. In fact, this was effectively the death knell for his time as a central striker—ever since this match, Wenger has been reluctant to use him regularly through the middle.
Given his impressive performances on the wing this season, that’s the one positive Arsenal can take from this atrocious showing.
High Point No. 3: Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea, September 24
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Earlier this season, Arsenal dispatched Chelsea with such consummate ease that it appeared to signal their emergence as champions elect.
There’s been quite a turnaround since then. In fact, at half-time in this match, Antonio Conte switched his team to line up with a back three rather than the four they started with. Ever since then, his Blues have been unbeatable. Arsenal, meanwhile, haven’t quite delivered on the promise they showed in dismantling Chelsea.
Nevertheless, there was plenty to savour in this 3-0 victory. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil were particularly good, cementing their partnership as centre-forward and No. 10, respectively, with a dazzling display.
London derby victories are always exhilarating, but to beat a rival so emphatically made this a particularly special occasion.
High Point No. 2: The Final Day, May 15
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As much as Arsenal supporters enjoy celebrating their own victories, they also love laughing at Tottenham Hotspur’s expense. The final day of the 2015/16 Premier League season enabled Gunners fans to do both.
For their part, Arsenal dispatched relegated Aston Villa 4-0 thanks in large part to a Giroud hat-trick. The Frenchman had been enduring a poor run of form, so his spurt of goals was particularly welcome.
The real satisfaction came from events at St James’ Park. Newcastle United, managed by Rafa Benitez, were also already condemned to the Championship. Tottenham knew that a draw ought to be enough to secure second place and crucially finish above Arsenal.
It was not to be. Against all expectations, Newcastle rallied to hammer Spurs 5-1. As each goal went in, cheers went up as the score was relayed at the Emirates Stadium. Tottenham’s humiliating defeat allowed Arsenal to continue their remarkable record of consistently finishing above their neighbours.
Even in Tottenham’s best season in a generation, they could not best Arsenal.
High Point No. 1: Arsenal 2-1 Leicester, February 14
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When Danny Welbeck flicked home a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory against Leicester, it felt like anything was possible.
It was a goal that reignited Arsenal’s ailing title challenge. It was made all the more special by the fact that it was scored by a player making his first appearance after 10 months on the sidelines.
As Welbeck’s header nestled in the net, a deafening roar reverberated around the Emirates Stadium. Few goals have been celebrated with such fervour since Arsenal moved to the venue in 2006.
At that stage, it seemed like Arsenal might have what it took to overhaul Leicester, Spurs and others and claim the league for themselves. In the immediate aftermath of the game, Claudio Ranieri’s side looked broken.
However, this was a false dawn for Arsenal. Ultimately, it was Leicester who prevailed and finished the season as champions, upsetting the odds and the traditional Premier League hierarchy to claim an unlikely triumph.
How Arsenal need a result like this in 2016/17 to kick their season back into gear. All eyes will be on their meeting with Chelsea in February, as a positive result there would offer a timely fillip to their campaign.
If Arsenal are handed a route back into the title race, they must ensure they don’t let it slip as they did in 2016.
