Season Preview - Arsenal

Manager – Arsene Wenger

Stadium – Emirates Stadium 60,355

2010/2011 – 4^th

Despite fighting for four trophies towards the end of last season, a terrible run of results saw Arsene Wenger’s men lose to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final at Wembley, before facing possibly the greatest footballing side of all time, in Spanish giants Barcelona, in the Champions League second round. Despite winning 2-1 at the Emirates, Arsenal then lost 3-1 at the Nou Camp, ending their Champions League hopes, no thanks to referee Massimo Bussacca, who sent striker Robin Van Persie off in the 55^th minute, in which what was considered a controversial decision. This loss was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in the F.A cup quarter finals, which inevitably left Arsenal with only the league to focus on. Although a serious title challenge was possible, two victories in their final 10 games, including defeats against  Bolton, Stoke and Villa saw them finish a disappointing 4^th place.

Highlights of 2010/2011 – Emergence of Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Sczcesny.

Lowlights of 2010/2011 – Yet another season without silverware and a serious title challenge.

What to expect in 2011/2012.

As most Arsenal fans anticipated, Barcelona have yet again been linked with a return for Cesc Fabregas, with bids in the excess of £30 million rumoured to have been made, and rejected. Many believe Arsene Wenger will cut his losses, selling his captain, which could be seen to create a fire sale at Arsenal, with Clichy already jumping ship to Manchester City, despite previously slating Man City’s transfer policy, Nasri, on the back of his finest season in a Arsenal shirt caused controversy when admitting he won’t sign a new contract with only 12 months left on his contract. Queue links with every ‘top 4’ club and bids in excess of £20 million. Despite two star players expressing their desire to leave, Wenger seems adamant that neither will be leaving, thus risking losing them for nothing down the line. One bright note so far sees the signing of the Ivory Coast striker Gervinho from Lille for an undisclosed fee, thought to be above £10million. Not content with just one signing, Wenger has seen a £10 million bid rejected for Evertons Phil Jagielka, as he looks to strengthen his defence, with Boltons Gary Cahill also a target.

 

Signings –

Gervinho , Lille – Undisclosed

Carl Jenkinson, Charlton – Undisclosed

Other potential transfer targets –

Phil Jagielka, Everton - £12million

Gary Cahill, Bolton - £12million

Chris Samba, Blackburn - £6million

Juan Mata, Valencia - £22million

Departures –

Denilson – Sao Paulo, loan

Gael Clichy – Man City, £7million

Francis Coquelin – FC Lorient, Undisclosed

Other potential departures -

Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona - £35million

Samir Nasri, Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd - £22million

Andrey Arshavin, Zenit St Petersburg - £7million

Nicklas Bendtner, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg - £12million

Ryo Michaichi - loan

Possible Starting XI

(4-3-3)

Sczcesney

Sagna; Samba/Cahill/Jagielka; Vermaelen; Gibbs

Fabregas; Song; Wilshere

Walcott/Gervinho; Van Persie; Nasri

If Nasri and Fabregas leave -

4-3-3

Sczcesney

Sagna; Samba/Cahill/Jagielka; Vermaelen; Gibbs

Ramsey; Song; Wilshere

Walcott; Gervinho; Van Persie/Juan Mata

Formation Change

4-4-2

Sczcesney

Sagna; Samba/Cahill/Jagielka; Vermaelen; Gibbs

Walcott; Song; Wilshere; Juan Mata

Gervinho; Van Persie

Prediction

^5th place finish.

This season has the potential to be the first in almost a decade, in which Arsenal fail to finish in the top 4, qualifying for the Champion’s League. All those years focusing on youth seem to have failed to pay off for Arsene Wenger, with the fans demanding silverware for the first time in 6 years. With Wenger’s job rarely considered vulnerable or unstable, this season could really test the patience of the Arsenal board. His reluctance to spend big, especially in this current financial climate could see Arsenal left behind, especially with the exploits of rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. Domestic cup runs could be Arsenals best chance of success, with a Premier League title push out of their reach and Champions League triumph beyond their young, inexperienced squad.