It’s almost Saturday the 16th of August, the first day of Premier League action and the first game for Arsenal at the Emirates. I’m sure all you football fans just can’t wait for the new season to start, and I personally am more excited than ever because I plan on visiting London this season after six years away (my last being in 2008).
Anyhow, I was sitting down the other day thinking about Arsenal’s summer transfer windows and what usually happens to us Gooners on Twitter when August arrives and the start of the season nears. How we are usually linked to Salomon Kalou (almost every window), the heart breaking moments when we sold our best players year after year and our frustration towards Arsene Wenger and the board for not buying world-class players.
This year though was totally different than the last couple of years. After we signed Mesut Ozil, the whole team got that belief again and the club was buzzing for success. With the early additions of Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina, Calum Chambers and, of course, Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal have planned well and for the first time in many years we are aiming for more than just a top four finish.
Despite that, the media never disappoint and, as always, have predicted Arsenal to finish outside the top four. The amount of criticism the club got from all sorts of media outlets, along with former Premier League players was too punitive at times which caused uncertainty; with some even calling for Arsene Wenger to leave.
The funny thing is even with Arsenal really strengthening this summer and with players improving immensely, a lot of people and media outlets are still predicting we will finish outside the top four.
One thing is for sure though, and it’s that all the teams have strengthened and the competition is stronger than ever. With Chelsea being the main threat with very good players in their ranks, to Manchester City’s title defense and Louis van Gaal’s “magical” 3-5-2 formation according to all Manchester United fans, this season will go to the wire.
With that being said Arsenal have done well this summer, with the exception of a versatile holding midfielder being brought in, we are in a very strong position. We arguably have the best attacking midfielder in Mesut Ozil along with other very exciting and promising players with no contract issues. Throughout the years we have surprised many and Arsene Wenger will continue to show the world that he is currently the best manager in world football.
How do you guys feel this year compared to the years before?
Daniel Baz
Daniel is a 24 year-old Arsenal fan from Lebanon. He was born in Orlando, Florida, but grew up -and now resides – in war-torn Beirut. He has a degree in Business Marketing and is currently studying for a FIFA Sports Management Certificate.
Well do you think that Arteta/Flamini/Wilshire will be able to hold out some powerful big teams throughout the whole season? I don’t. That’s my opinion. So I agree we (desperately) need a sitting DM. I think Alexis will make us a very potent attacking team, as will the return of Theo Walcott. What I don’t understand is that Debuchy and Ospina are just replacements for players who left. They are not game changers at all. Chambers is a great buy. A future star, but not quite yet. We don’t want to over play him like we did to Jack. All in all the only major difference is Alexis. My worries are that many people get carried away with imaginations of how great we are now. I hope Wenger buys a replacement CB for Thomas Vermaelen, and then hopefully buy the game changer DM (William Carvalho hopefully). So Alexis and DM and Joel Campbell will be the true extra signings (not replacements). If we do get a DM and a CB. Then my imagination sees us battling for the Premier League to the last day of the season. Without a top DM I think we will collapse late in the season as Arteta/Flamini/Wilshire weaken or get injured.
arsenal-steve, I agree in part and disagree in part. Ospina is an upgrade on Fabianski (based on his performances and Nice fan testimonials); Debuchy is probably on par with Sagna. Agreed with Chambers being excellent FOR HIS AGE, but more for the future, and key signings now being a good CB, and an outstanding CDM – maybe a CF as well, but I have a feeling that Alexis Sanchez is going to excel in the CF position as well as wings.
In my opinion, most important signings are our new physios – guy from America, and German World Cup physio Shad Forsythe. In a nutshell, Wenger is fulfilling his promise to Ozil in building a team around him. Much to like.
Arsenal-Steve: you’re spot on! Only Alexis (and campbell) are true extra signings.
Clearly it’s hugely worrisome that arteta was made the new captain,
Meaning he’ll start.
A successful Window would have been:
Alexis — vidal — di Maria
(Plus, the necessary replacements:
Ospina, debuchy, 2 x CB)
There’s always too much focus on transfers. Look at Arsenal and Liverpool last season and it becomes clear that the training ground is also a powerful weapon, particularly with a young vibrant squad. Whilst there may be room to improve the window isn’t closed for a couple of weeks and the squad can take up some of that slack in organic improvements and maybe less injuries.
Every top team has question marks surrounding their season. Chelsea’s over reliance on Costa who’s new to the prem and has no real back up (see what happened to Giroud, who had perm experience, towards the end of the season)
Man City’s euro hangovers, and fatigue, due to the reduced squad size.
Man U, well where to start on them.
Liverpool, having a minimum of 6 CL games and one would imagine more than the 3 domestic cup games last season, without mentioning the upheaval. Everton are the most stable but need to really steer clear of injuries.
Perhaps if the negative fans gave 90 minutes of positivity each week it may help as well, although perhaps that may be overly wishful thinking.
Baz, I think you are spot on there. The media always have negative stuff to talk about Arsenal no matter what they do. Signings aren’t a major issue, if we work hard on the training ground and study our opponents well we are able to beat any team. Remember Arsenal can beat anyone when they are playing well.
I think we will definitely be top 2 if not the champions.
enjoying your weekly writing!
Current squad + 1 DM + 1 world class striker = minimum requirement to be a contender for EPL trophy . Not a guaranteed winner as some fans are expecting.
Current squad alone , fans should settle for 5-16 position come end of May