Arsenal are far better than people think
Last summer, everyone was talking about how Arsenal were in crisis. They way I saw it, they had missed a few tricks in the Premiership but as a whole Wenger would have learned from it. Learn he did, as Arsenal improved in the next season, and ended comfortably ahead of 5th placed Tottenham.
So why the negativity this summer? It could be Henry’s departure, it could be Tottenham’s splurge to bring in Bent, Kaboul et al, or it could just be a desire to see some change in the top 4.
In any case, Arsenal are a better team hands down and it’s to Wenger’s credit that despite all that has happened in the past two seasons at the club it’s unspoken knowledge that as long as Wenger is at Arsenal the Gunners will not fall out of the top 4.
Whether Arsenal can push on to challenge for the title is a different story – if Arsenal sign 1-2 more players between now and the end of the season, and if Wenger can adapt Arsenal’s playing strategy to cope with the likes of Man City and Blackburn (remember last season?), then it will be a 4-way race, or 3-way at least.
Manager Status: Arsene Wenger is smart enough to not make any misleading statements about his future. He is god at Arsenal but if he wants to leave he will leave, and Arsenal will still survive and grow as a club, no questions about that. He is perhaps the only manager along with Ferguson and Benitez who are untouchable at the moment, so his future is secure at Arsenal. The players know that, so speculation about the manager, which is expected to be rampant this season (with Henry gone the focus will be solely on Wenger until he signs a new contract), should not bother them.
Transfer Analysis: Till now, Arsenal are still short of 1-2 players, especially an experienced wide player. They have bought good players in Da Silva and Sagna, but you get the feeling that they missed a trick by not landing Ribery or Malouda.
Players to watch: Robin van Persie looks to be the next big star for Arsenal, but keep your eyes peeled for Walcott and Adebayor to make a splash this season as well. And if Gallas walks the talk, so to speak, Arsenal have a great chance at the title, or at least at one trophy.
August Fixtures: Arsenal play Fulham at home, Sparta Prague away, Blackburn away, Manchester City home and Sparta Prague home in August – of these 5 fixtures the two back-to-back away fixtures could prove a bit tricky – while you don’t expect Arsenal to lose to Blackburn a draw there will peg Arsenal back and after the last two seasons, a perfect start is very necessary.
Expectations: Arsenal fans will expect their side to challenge for the title every season and this year will be no different.
Predictions: Top 4 for sure and possibly top 2 if they are flexible enough in away games to change gears and beat defensive teams.
One thing is certain – Arsenal are sure to be a lot closer to the top this season than they have been in the last two. This Arsenal team has the caliber to answer the questions asked of them.
Also Read:
- Play SL Fantasy Football, win $1,000
- Premiership Summer 07 Transfer List
- All 07/08 Prem Season Previews
Topics: Arsenal, English Premier League
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i agree with u 100%,last time it was ManU reason they played as a team,the last two previous sean was chelsea reason they also played as a team .This time around am warning teams like ManU chelsea and the so called SPURS and liverpool that, let them put thier legs on the ground farm.last time mistakes might have been corrected of losing to small teams reason ,arsenal now play as one team with a moto of DO OR DIE,BEAT ME AND I WILL BEAT YOU ALSO.Let me hope that our manager has been watching arsenal in the pre-season ,this team is not a jock ,it might stat beating small teams and captalise on that am warried poeple might not see that .so pliz Fagie keep an ayee on that sir.pliz dont mind about the langauge am still a student of this languge
August 9th, 2007 @ 18:01I’m truly fed up with all this will they or wont they finish in the top 4 crap. Leave us alone and let us play the beautiful game then come back at the end of the season and see!
August 9th, 2007 @ 18:41I think its a fair assessment, but the big spanner in the works could be injuries. I hope Wenger has a back-up plan this time round if disaster strikes again.
Fingers crossed. Go Gunners!
August 9th, 2007 @ 21:23We’ve shown good form in the pre-season games and I think all Arsenal fans have got a lot to look forward to. When Thierry left I was gutted but now I feel a lot more optimistic about our chances. I also want to see us shut all the doubters up who throughout this summer have knocked Arsenal and Arsene Wenger especially.
August 9th, 2007 @ 21:46You can now see that we Arsenal funs have decide to keep silent by not posting any more comments. We are just wating to see how many team will be trying to force points out of us again,let them come.
We have the muscles, I strongly believe in my thinking, those are no longer weaklings any more.
August 9th, 2007 @ 17:52Not sure I agree with this. Liverpool and Man U have strengthened considerably. Chelsea are still Chelsea. All that Arsenal can say is that their young team have had another season behind them and this may be the season they fulfill their considerable promise. But I still think they have far too few world class players compared to their rivals.
August 10th, 2007 @ 05:32One more wide player and i think we’re in for a shout. A left footed or preferably both footed wide player. 23-24 years of age, international experience and a good goalscoring record is what we need
August 10th, 2007 @ 06:52Agree with you SA – injuries could be a problem, but the way I see it Arsenal are 2 players short of a balanced squad that can handle anything but the most Newcastle-like predicament.
Arseblogger mentioned the other day of the need for a striker. I think that with Theo on the books Arsenal are good strikers-wise, although they ‘would’ benefit from an experienced head.
Then again, Wenger just made Gallas captain, which throws all the rules out of the window, so I don’t know what to think
August 10th, 2007 @ 11:45When i read the news, i spilt my szechuan chicken all over my keyboard (well maybe only a little).
I don’t know what Wenger sees in Gallas but on the face of it, it looks like a very strange decision to me. I just hope he (Wenger, not Gallas) knows what he’s doing & that he (Gallas, not Wenger) does the job instead of being a whiney little bitch.
I have no idea how the players will respond to this. The Arsenal dressing room is such a secret society nowadays. Any ideas people?
August 10th, 2007 @ 13:58I agree with the injuries thing, also i think Toure and Eboue at the african nations will be a massive part of our season. Im a little bit worried about Wenger allowing Djourou to go on loan to Birmingham.
Ive got faith in Gallas, I think he feels this is his season and the good thing is he will be out to prove that. One thing is for sure! he’s a fighter!
August 10th, 2007 @ 14:39I wish they’d move that stupid tournament to the end of the European season almost every player in it plays in Europe! Also more people would watch it if they put it on the odd year when theres no Euro or World Cup. We just have to hope Ivory Coast and Togo get knocked out early, or they pick up a mysterios injury like what normally happens to the Chelsea players!!
August 10th, 2007 @ 14:50Big ‘Phew!’ after watching the first match. Was on the edge of my seat for the Fulham opener. Lehmann neads to get it together! He’s our first choice keeper for God’s sake! After that performance i’d rather Almunia in the box!
All praise to Alex Hleb. He needs a new nickname. Could boost team morale if they all just called each other by their nicknames all the time with the fans chanting them in the background. How’s ‘Hlebinator’? ‘Super-Hleb’? ‘Up-up and away Hleb’? ‘Hlebbie’? ‘Hlebmeister’?
August 12th, 2007 @ 22:30May the Gods bless your current form & dazzle us with more goals (you can reach 10! I know you can!). Actually i don’t give a fuck what your form is like. Just keep those goals coming!
The win was good. And equally important was the perfomance of Bendtner………..
August 13th, 2007 @ 03:33Possible nicknames for Hleb.
‘Sandy’Hleb – Manu Petit style.
August 15th, 2007 @ 18:58or Super Sandy