Arsenal: Pragmatic Analysis of Their Title Aspirations

Arsenal’s young team produced a valiant performance last season, but were hampered by injuries to some of their key personnel. The main reason why they could not sustain their title challenge was due to lack of quality depth.

Arsenal's fans had reasons for optimism early in the transfer market as Arsenal signed striker Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer and completed the signing of defender Laurent Koscielny before the World Cup ended. Recently though, both Eduardo and Sol Campbell have moved on, and Arsenal might, again, not possess enough depth to make a sustained challenge for the trophy.

Arsenal have been reluctant to invest in the transfer market and this might hurt their title aspirations.

They do not have enough depth/quality in some departments and Arsene Wenger would do well to address some of these shortcomings in the remainder of the transfer market.

If Wenger can provide quality depth in these areas, expect Arsenal to end their trophy drought with style.

Goalkeeping Crisis

Arsenal’s goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski were among the worst keepers in the Premier League last season.

A glimpse at Arsenal’s competitors, and we find that they all do possess at least safe goalkeepers. And Petr Cech, Edwin Van Der Sar, and Pepe Reina are more than just safe keepers; they are world-class keepers and match-winners for their clubs.

Arsenal haven’t had a world-class keeper for some time now, and Arsene Wenger is all set to dethrone Almunia from his top spot after a poor season. Though Fabianski has made some high profile blunders, he retains the faith of the manager.

Arsenal have been linked to a plethora of goalkeepers, including Frederico Marchetti and Igor Akinfeev, but it is Fulham’s 37-year-old Mark Schwarzer who is most likely to be between the sticks for Arsenal if Wenger decides to sign a goalkeeper.

Wenger also has immense faith in youngsters Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny and does not want to block their path by signing a young goalkeeper.

No Cover for Alex Song

Song was one of Arsenal’s most improved performers.

He was phenomenal last season and made the holding midfielder role his own. However, when he was injured in the latter stages of the season, Arsenal struggled to break down attacks from the opposition and the already shaky defence was cruelly exposed at times.

Song is the only one in the Arsenal squad at present who can fill that defensive midfielder role with panache. Denilson and youngster Craig Eastmond filled in last season, but both could not shield the defence effectively. Frimpong has been impressive in the pre-season friendlies and might get the chance to make his mark this year.

The defence will be shielded effectively if Song can stay fit for the better part of the season, but an injury could really hamper them as they do not have quality replacements who can seamlessly slot into his role.

Will Arsenal Face Another Striker Crisis?

With the sad departure of Eduardo, it leaves Arsenal having only three accomplished centre-forwards in their squad: Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh, and Robin Van Persie.

Chamakh has arrived on a free transfer from Bordeaux and is vastly experienced, but it will be his first season in the Premier League, and he might find it difficult to adjust immediately to the attacking Arsenal setup.

Van Persie has undeniable quality, but has never had a season without injuries, which has contributed to Arsenal’s woes for the past few seasons. A fit Van Persie is essential to their success this season.

Bendtner has had injury troubles in the past, and has been ruled out of the season opener against Liverpool due to a groin strain. He missed a large chunk of the last season due to injuries, but has shown glimpses of his talent.

However, there is a good possibility that Arsenal might have to face another striker crisis if Van Persie or Bendtner are injured for large parts of the season, which could be costly in a Premier League which boasts of more than eight teams of high quality.

Can Laurent Koscielny Prove To Be the Difference?

Arsene Wenger admitted that his team’s defence was culpable for leaking too many goals for a team challenging for the Premier League. Since then, William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, and Sol Campbell have been allowed to leave Arsenal on a free transfer.

Arsenal have signed defender Laurent Koscielny from Lorient FC, a Ligue 1 club and Wenger described him as a strong and impressive defender. Koscielny was playing in the lower divisions of French football not so long ago, but his impressive performances catapulted him to an Arsenal transfer target this season.

Koscielny looks to be the first choice centre half to partner with Thomas Vermaelen, and the onus is on him to prove himself to be an adept partner. Besides that, he needs to adjust to the physicality and pace of the game in the EPL.

If Arsenal are to improve, the pair will have to share a good rapport.

Nevertheless, they are in the midst of a serious defensive crisis with only the injury-prone Johan Djourou as cover for Koscielny and Vermaelen.

Djourou pulled up his hamstring during a preseason friendly, but it is stated to be a minor injury, and he is expected to play a part in the Emirates Cup.

Campbell has signed with Newcastle United for a one-year deal, snubbing an offer from Arsenal. William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre remain unsigned leaving Arsenal short of defenders.

Arsenal are, reportedly, set to promote youngster Havard Nordveit to the senior team to make up the numbers, but they would still be short of quality depth.

Arsenal have been linked to a host of defenders including Per Mertesacker and Phil Jagielka.

Arsenal fans will be pleased if Wenger goes for a quality defender who has the experience to deal with pressure.

Is This the Breakthrough Season for Young Gunners?

In spite of all the frailties highlighted in this article, Arsenal will start, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, as the title favourites. They have quality all over the pitch and it is up to them to make it count.

Some of the young Gunners like Samir Nasri are just realising their immense potential, and it is up to these guys to put in some game-changing performances. Youngsters like Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and Emmanuel Frimpong are ready to challenge for first team places.

This is as much a time for being pragmatic as it is for being optimistic about title aspirations. Arsenal do have the talent and quality to demolish any opposition, but they must not underestimate their opposition and prepare adequately for each game.

If they do the groundwork that is necessary and play to their potential, it is hard to envision that they could be beaten to the title by any other team. It is time for Arsenal to be more aggressive, show the right attitude, and silence millions of critics.