Arsenal FC: 10 Keys for Gunners Success in 2012

Arsenal Football Club will be hoping that 2012 is the year that it can finally end its trophy drought. 

2011 was a roller coaster of a year for Arsenal. The Gunners crashed out of four competitions, then endured a horrible start to the season, before finding their form to close out 2011.

Looking ahead to 2012, there is a lot that Arsenal can do to ensure its success in the upcoming year. 

So what exactly do Arsene Wenger and his squad have to do in 2012 to help secure a trophy or two?

Stay Healthy

If Arsenal is going to have success in 2012, it is going to have to maintain a healthy squad. Injuries seem to hit the Gunners hard every season. 

In 2011, Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby all suffered extended stays on the sidelines. Gooners don't have to go too far back to recall lengthy injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Robin van Persie as well. 

If Arsenal is to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea without splashing the cash, it is going to have maintain a healthy squad.

By limiting injuries, Arsenal will improve its consistency and team chemistry.

A healthy squad would be invaluable to the Gunners in 2012.  

Rebound Quickly

It is no secret that Arsenal's League Cup devastation last season led to the demise of the 2010-2011 season.

Birmingham City overcame the Gunners with a late goal. From there on, Arsenal went on a terrible run of form that followed it to September.  

Arsenal needs to forget faster. After losses in 2012, the Gunners have to rebound quickly. They have to come back and win, no matter how devastated their last match leaves them. 

If Arsene Wenger allows his men to dwell and slump as he did in 2011, the Gunners are going to have a lot of problems in 2012. 

Develop the Bench

It's fair to say that every Arsenal fan has been frustrated with the play of the Arsenal bench. 

Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh have both been in terrible form for the entirety of 2011. Their poor form has resulted in the Arsenal bench being extremely unhelpful.

Players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have a lot to provide the team off of the bench.

If Arsene Wenger starts to develop the bench play, Arsenal will start winning games that it would have otherwise drawn or lost.

A strong bench will help improve Arsenal's point total over the course of the season, which will put them in contention for trophies in the upcoming year.  

Retain Key Players

It was a common consensus that Arsenal was entering a downfall once the club lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but Arsene Wenger has steadied the ship. 

However, if Arsenal is going to compete for top honours, the Gunners are going to have to hold on to their top-quality players. 

Players like Robin van Persie and Jack Wilshere need to stay at the club to help the Gunners find success in 2012. 

If Wenger loses his best players, there is a legitimate danger of Arsenal being labeled as a feeder-club. In other words, a club that breeds talent only to sell that talent to other clubs. 

Retaining key players is huge for the Gunners in 2012.

Turn Draws into Wins

Arsenal needs to learn how to turn draws into wins. Last season's Premier League campaign saw the Gunners forfeit a number of three-pointers and come away with just one point. 

Teams like this will never win trophies. 

Manchester United finds ways to win. "Fergie Time" has seen the Red Devils go on to win a number of titles, turning would-be draws into last-minute wins. 

Arsenal needs to master this art in order to secure a trophy in 2012. 

Bring Through the Younger Players

Arsenal spent quite a few pounds this last summer bringing in young talent. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Park Chu Young are two of the players that come to mind. 

On top of those two, Arsenal already has the likes of Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong. 

These young players all have a lot to offer the Gunners. Unfortunately they're not being used to their fullest potential.

By bringing these players through, the Gunners will add a significant amount of depth to their squad. A deeper squad results in a fitter squad, and a fitter squad results in more favorable results.  

Limit the Fixture List

By finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Arsenal added some unneeded stress to the beginning of its season.

This increased amount of fixtures exhausted the Arsenal squad and led to an increased chance of injuries.

By finishing third, and decreasing the amount of fixtures they have to play, the Gunners will be able to keep their squad fit and fresh.

Arsenal also has to limit the number of Cup replays. Lower opposition drawing with the Gunners in cup competition adds needless fixtures. 

A congested fixture lists starts to take a strain by the end of the season. It is a problem that the Gunners can ill afford to have in 2012. 

Sign Some New Players

There is no debating that Arsenal's current squad is talented. Mikel Arteta, Gervinho and Andre Santos are all summer signings that have impressed in the first few months of this most recent campaign.

Regardless, Gooners want signings. Arsenal is going to be losing Gervinho and Alex Song to the African Cup of Nations at the beginning of 2012. 

While Song has a long line of suitable replacements, Gervinho has not been allotted that luxury.

Arsenal needs to get rid of the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin and bring in some fresh new blood.

Signings may very well play a key role in the Gunners success in 2012.

Win Ugly

If Arsenal can learn to win ugly, there is no limit on the potential of the Gunners. The inability to do so has been one of the main criticisms of Arsene Wenger's men in recent years. 

The end of 2011 has seen the Gunners demonstrate a slight ability to achieve this. Games against Aston Villa and Sunderland prove this.

Winning ugly is something that all great trophy-winning teams must learn how to do. 

Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal in solidifying its defense. So, too, has Laurent Koscielny, who has been one of the Gunners' best defenders this season. 

Winning ugly will propel Arsenal from a team warranting consideration to a team that warrants the status as contenders. 

Players Performing to Their Potential

Aaron Ramsey is just one of the players that seems to have trouble consistently performing to his potential.

Per Mertesacker is another name that comes to mind. Arsenal players need to perform at the highest level week in and week out in order for the Gunners to have a successful 2012. 

Upon returning from injury Jack Wilshere needs to hit the ground running and maintain the talent that earned him such high praise in 2011. 

Each Arsenal player needs to bring a winning mentality and a desire in order for the Gunners to have a shot at bringing home a trophy in 2012.