Arsenal's Young Brigade Led by Cesc Fabregas Can Conquer EPL, Champions League

If there is a word to express how Arsenal played against Sporting Braga in the Champions League, sublime would seem a pretty apt description. The passing was crisp, the finishing was good and team chemistry was wonderful in the lineup. The Cesc Fabregas-led North London outfit showed to the world that they could be ruthless and are serious in their challenge for the elusive title.

Admittedly, Braga are not exactly a very strong outfit, but a team that beats Sevilla and Celtic over two legs are no minnows either. Arsenal proved that they were too strong for the Portuguese side, and with their remarkable passing and creativity, they plundered the newcomers from Portugal. This Arsenal side looks a lot better than the previous teams and can go a long way in Europe.

Last year, Arsenal struggled with injury problems and have already been hit hard by injuries in this season. However, the bench strength seems very promising and the Gunners have a lot more depth this time around.

In the previous season when Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were injured, Arsenal lost successive games to Sunderland and Chelsea, leaving themselves with a daunting task ahead of them.

Fast-forward to this season. "Van Persie injured? In-form Theo Walcott injured? Abou Diaby injured? No problem, we can manage without them," seems to be the message emanating from the Arsenal camp.

Marouane Chamakh has impressed in the role of a lone striker and he has blended well with the current squad and does not look out of sync playing besides fast paced, creative players around him. He is an excellent team player, who looks to be unfazed by the physicality of the Premier League. The experienced striker also has great aerial ability and has demonstrated good resilience.  

Theo Walcott, who was in great form, has been ruled out for around six weeks, but there are very capable replacements in that role. Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky are competing for that spot in the eleven, and since Rosicky is back to his best, the competition will bring out the best of both which can only be beneficial to the Gunners.

Andrei Arshavin has been inconsistent in this season, buthe provides real quality to the Gunners which can prove to be the difference in many games.

Jack Wilshere has been a revelation this season and it is clear that the manager, Arsene Wenger, has huge faith in the young England lad. he has started in four out of five games, and has shown appetite for a fight. Wilshere has improved a lot in those four games, and in the last two games, he has shown why he is so highly rated by the manager.

Diaby's injury will result in more playing time for Wilshere and Denilson, who is also a very capable youngster but has been affected by injuries in the previous season. 

Admittedly, Arsenal could not sign a goalkeeper, which could yet return to haunt them, but they did strengthen the defence, which will bolster the confidence of the under scrutiny Manuel Almunia. Almunia has shown strong resolve in this season and has performed solidly for the Gunners, including a tough fixture against the physical Blackburn Rovers at Ewood park.

Regarding defence, Sebastien Squillaci seems to be a real bargain at around four million and he has been calm and composed in his two appearance for the Gunners. He brings in a lot of experience to the squad, which will be helpful to the Gunners.

The other signing, Laurent Koscielny, does not have a lot of experience but he has a lot of talent and will only continue to learn from his previous errors and mistakes. Add to that the talented but injury-affected Johan Djourou and the Gunners surely have better defenders than Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell, and Philippe Senderos.

Vermaelen will, undoubtedly, be the key member of the defence but in his absence, Koscielny, Squillaci and Djourou can step up to the task. Also, Alex Song, who is excellent in his role as a defensive midfielder, is a competent centre back, and should injury bug hit more than one defender, Song can always play as a centre back.

Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are accomplished full backs, who have able replacements in Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs. This year's defence is surely better than last year's and should be more solid during the course of the season.

It is not only the arrival of Koscielny, Chamakh, and Squillaci that makes Arsenal genuine title contenders, but also the development of the youngsters in the Arsenal set up.

Aaron Ramsey, if fit, would surely have a role to play in this season. Theo Walcott has bounced back from his poor last season and the disappointment of his exclusion from the World Cup. Wilshere has come a long way since the beginning of the year, when he was loaned out to Bolton. Vela has already scored three goals in this season and is determined to make this his breakthrough season.

In the previous season, Denilson struggled due to a number of injuries, but this season, he will look to make the most of his opportunities. Rosicky, who has struggled with injuries, has had a complete preseason and has looked impressive in the games so far. Nasri has a point to prove after his exclusion from the French squad, and he will look to continue his marvellous preseason form.

Nicklas Bendtner was excellent in the latter stages of the last season, but has unfortunately been troubled by groin problems. He will develop further in this year, but will have to compete with the impressive Chamakh for a regular starting berth.

Song is only 23, but is already a regular in the Arsenal team and he will lend steel to the Gunners. He is a product of the Arsenal academy and Wenger's faith in the Cameroon International has been rewarded by strong performances from the African. Diaby has recovered from his horrific injury, and is starting to show what he is capable of.

Competition with the team will push the team to higher levels and they will have to show the world that they will not be happy with the title of "also-rans" in the Premier League. 

The Gunners have been starved by the lack of titles, and are determined to break their title drought. This may be Cesc Fabregas' last season, but he is surely committed to the Gunners, this season and will look to add a major club trophy to his list of achievements. The inspirational Gunners' captain will strive hard to attain a trophy for the club, which has done so much for him.

Chelsea might be the team to beat, and Manchester United might be the one of the most consistent teams in the recent past, but the Gunners will look to challenge them successfully for the title. This team certainly can beat anyone on their day, but belief in themselves is what is very important to their success.

There is a great team spirit in the camp and that is just what is needed to perform consistently over the course of the season. Fabregas and Wenger are winners and will not be contented with just another top four place in the EPL, and they will look to achieve success in England.

But it is the Champions League title that has eluded the brilliant manager, who will look to win the elite trophy with his young brigade. There are few reasons to doubt Arsenal's credentials as a genuine title challenger in England and Europe and confidence and belief will be the key to the Gunners in this season.