Blazing Cannons Season Preview 2013/2014 BY GATHU SAMUEL a closer look at the club, players, and what the season holds for us Arsenal fans. Let’s start with the players. GOALKEEPERS Wojciech Szczesny Szczesny had a mixed campaign last time around, and apart from a couple of Fabianski howlers, and a Fabianski injury, there was nothing else going for him to keep him in the first team. He is a quality young keeper, with the potential to be the world’s best, but complacency could creep in due to lack of competition for places at Arsenal. This is an important season for him, and he knows it. About time he pull his socks up and put in consistent displays. Lukasz Fabianski Despite his training ground prowess, Fabianski has never showed the kind of quality required for a goalkeeper of a top club. His consistency in making howlers, bad decisions and errors overlooks his rare solid performances. Decent backup, but not first choice for the coming season. The club need to make another solid goalkeeping signing in order to push Szczesny, but with just 2 weeks to go before the transfer window shuts, it is more likely that we will be signing a goalkeeper with the soul of Manuel Almunia, instead of a real quality goalkeeper. DEFENDERS Kieran Gibbs Gibbs was pretty solid last season, but his progress has been hampered by his injuries. A quick and tenacious player, he often struggles when balls are played behind him. However, with a Spanish international challenging for his place in the first team, you can expect Gibbs to put in more solid performances through the season. Nacho Monreal Monreal has had a few niggles here and there since joining the club in January. A solid professional, he will provide fierce competition to Kieran Gibbs, and that can only be good for the side. Needs to stay fit, as the club cannot really afford defensive crisis’. Thomas Vermaelen Make or break season for the, er, captain. Ever since Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have forged a solid centre back partnership, Vermaelen has failed to take a berth in the first team. A fan favorite for his aggressive style, Vermaelen had a shocking season last time round, and when given chances in the first team, needs to put in solid performances. Laurent Koscielny One of the best players at the club at the current moment. His transformation from a rag tag Ligue 2 player to an accomplished Premier League and international defender is nothing short of applause. Koscielny has managed to forge a solid partnership with Mertesacker, and needs to maintain his levels of consistency throughout the season. Per Mertesacker The German international has steadily built a strong reputation for himself at the club with some mature and reliable performances. Now an integral part of the squad, and one of the first names on the team sheet, Mertesacker has all the ingredients to have a successful season. Carl Jenkinson Jenkinson had an impressive second season at the club, and will look to build on it. An Arsenal lad through and through, one can expect nothing short of 100% from him, but he still has a lot to learn to become an accomplished defender. Needs to put in strong displays when called into the squad, to provide real competition for the right back slot. Bacary Sagna Sagna’s recent seasons have been hampered by injury. However, he has proved to be a notch above Carl Jenkinson. Last season was a bit of a struggle, as Sagna’s form came under scrutiny, and amidst rumors that he was looking for a move away from the Emirates, he remains Arsenal’s first choice right back. The side is still short of a versatile defender, who can play at center back and one of the flanks. There are 3 world class central defenders, but two injuries and there would be a shuffling of the pack, something which hasn’t really gotten the desired results. Another defensive signing is a must. MIDFIELDERS Santi Cazorla Cazorla was by far the outstanding performer for Arsenal last season, and big things will again be expected from the Spanish maestro. He featured in all 38 games last season, and Arsenal fans will hope he retains the same levels of fitness this season as well. A big season required from him, if Arsenal are to land any silverware. Mikel Arteta Arteta featured prominently in a deeper role last season, and flourished, retaining his discipline playing more defensively. There were moments, however, where he was caught out, and even injured himself in the process of a taxing season. His leadership and experience will be vital for the club this season. Jack Wilshere Arsenal’will rely heavily on Jack Wilshere’s shoulders in the coming season, as they look for a spark in midfield. Having returned from a lengthy layoff last season, Wilshere impressed everyone with his tenacious and skillful play in midfield. Another big season expected of the future Arsenal skipper. Tomas Rosicky In a career blighted by injury, Tomas Rosicky finally starts a season in the squad, rather than in the treatment room. He played his role well last season, helping the club finish 4th, and he will again be required as Arsenal look to challenge for trophies. His quick passing and movement will be vital towards the second half of the season. Aaron Ramsey Aaron Ramsey came from the wilderness to being one of the standout performers in the team, towards the end of the season. Having moved on from being erratic, he put in energetic and highly disciplined performances. More of the same, please. Emmanuel Frimpong Is he really Arsenal class? This season could tell. With the spate of injuries, he could get a run out in the first team. Abou Diaby It would be great if we could get 3 games out of him this season. Anything more than that would be a bonus. Ryo Miyaichi Another player untested at the top level, despite his spells at Bolton and Wigan. Thomas Eisfeld A promising young player, and surely expected to shine if given the chance. However, still too young and raw to be thrown to the lions. Arsenal need to address several issues in midfield, which looks utterly lightweight and devoid of options. Moreover, some of the options available are injury prone. A defensive midfielder is a must, and so is a versatile winger, and while we are about it an attacking one too. FORWARDS Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Having suffered the second season syndrome, after a much hyped about first season at the Emirates, Chamberlain knows he has his work cut out. Needs to be more aggressive, selfish and dogged for his own and Arsenal’s good. More likely to be deployed as a winger than in a central role. Theo Walcott Walcott ended up being Arsenal’s top scorer with 21 goals last season, after at one stage he seemed all set to leave. Apart from his incredible pace and good finishing ability, he needs to develop a more rounded game to become a leading striker in the league. Another goal scoring season expected out of him. Lukas Podolski The German had a mixed first season, and became the most substituted player in a season in Premier League history. His haul of 16 goals and 11 assists, however is impressive enough and he needs to build on it, to fire Arsenal to glory. Olivier Giroud After a tough start to life in London, including many close misses, Giroud slowly became a fans favorite for his persistent attitude on the field. He finished the season with 17 goals and 12 assists, and is expected to lead the line for the coming season. Arsenal will require him to deliver in huge proportions. Yaya Sanogo Arsenal’s only signing this transfer window, Sanogo will most probably be used as a sub or in cup games. Will be expected to have a tough start to life in the Premier League. Park Chu Young Hopefully, the club will send a letter to the Korean government, asking them to take back Park so he can resume military training. Niklas Bendtner Er… Atleast one striker short. After the fruitless pursuits of Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez, Arsene Wenger may have to pump in for a cheaper option. As long as it delivers goals, who that is shouldn’t really matter. MANAGERS Arsene Wenger Into the last year of his contract, and facing a 9th season without silverware, Arsene Wenger knows it is now or never. Despite being strongly placed at the end of the season, to launch a proper title challenge, he did not make the required signings to strengthen the squad. Has however managed to get rid of a lot of deadwood. All eyes will be on him between now and the end of the season, if he can deliver silverware. His new contract too will depend on it. Steve Bould Praised widely by the media for Arsenal’s defensively resurgent performances at the start of the season, he was supposedly put in a blind spot by Arsene Wenger as the defensive shape was affecting the offensive shape. However, his work was prominent again as he managed to combine Koscielny and Mertesacker into an effective partnership as Arsenal sealed 4th place. FINAL WORD To be brutally honest, the squad lacks the depth to challenge for the Premier League. Unfortunately, the manager has failed to address the situation by making signings to strengthen the squad, and a last day transfer trolley dash is more than expected. Even with the cash reserves we have, the club has been extremely miserly, and the recent spate of injuries has reduced the squad to its bare bones. I cannot see further than another top 4 scrap. Chelsea already have an excellent squad, and have been bolstered by the arrival of Andre Schurrle. Plus, they have the Mourinho factor. Manchester City have made some strong additions as well in Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas, Fernandinho and Alvaro Negredo. Manchester United, despite losing their long serving manager, have momentum on their side. The Champions League will be a big ask, especially with PSG and Barcelona making some major signings this summer. Real Madrid, if they manage to snap up Gareth Bale would be front runners. It would be great to have another Champions League run, but I, for now, cannot see that happening.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 09:57:03 +0000
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