Arsenal: A Season Preview - 08/09
Can Arsene Wenger Challenge for Premier League 2008 - 2009
Aug 11, 2008
Year after year Arsenal are written off before the short shrill blast of a whistle signifies the start of another enduring premiership campaign. We’ve seen it all before in previous campaigns; after selling Vieira Arsenal were presumed to return to the doldrums of fighting out the UEFA cup spots. Next went Henry and the assumed outcome was mid-table obscurity. However on both occasions Arsenal went on to prove their doubters wrong. Here we will look at why this season should be no different.
Summer Sales
Once again the Gunners big guns have joined the weaponry of European rivals. Mathieu Flamini waved a two fingered Au Revoir to the red side of North London as he moved to AC Milan with no money changing hands. Alexander Hlebs persistent attempts to leave London proved successful as he followed the tracks of Thierry Henry to Barcelona. Jens Lehmann and Gilberto Silva have also departed, although their loss will be neither pivotal nor noticeable.
When analyzing these transfers, one wonders why Arsenal are once again considered the lame horse in this seasons title race. Although great players in their time, Gilberto and Lehmann have chosen the right time in their careers to move to pastures new. The Belarusian Alexander Hleb is also a top class player but is the attacking equivalent to the Royal Mail - fails to deliver (or delivers too late).
Flamini represents Wenger’s greatest loss as he was the steel in midfield Arsenal are so often accused of lacking. That said, anyone watching Arsenal since the Frenchman’s regime will know that their success is not based upon hard tackling “ugly” football but their percentage passing and free flowing football. Besides, one good season does not warrant the term irreplaceable.
Summer Signings
Summer arrivals this year have come in the shape of Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri and Amaury Bischoff, although Nasri is the only player likely to threaten the first team. Despite an apparent lack of quality signings, Arsenal fans must remember that old money will start to pay dividends this season.
For instance, Theo Walcott whose credentials were sprawled out on the Anfield turf last season in the shape of Sammi Hypia, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio, who all failed to keep pace with his rapid charge at goal.
Like a vintage wine, Walcott will get better with time, and this season may well be when Theo bursts on to the scene (at a great pace undoubtedly). Although signed two years ago, Walcott can breathe fresh air into Arsenals wing play which has been apparently lacking since the wizardry of Pires moved on.
Forwards
Eduardo is another player easily forgotten. Out of sight and out of mind in recent months but his impending return should prove timely as the front line is led this year by the injury prone Robin Van Persie and the self proclaimed superstar Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Dutchman will more than likely see part of his body wrapped up well before the gift wrapping season begins and fans will surely need a breath of fresh air from Adebayor’s awkward lack of composure in front of goal. Contrastingly Eduardo’s unnerving calmness in front of goal may well be the mid-season boost that Arsenal needs this year.
Defense
Alas, it is defensively that Arsenal truly lack cover. The defense is sandwiched well by top class full backs such as last seasons right back of the year Bacary Sagna, the ever impressive Gael Clichy, up and coming Armand Traore and the frustrating yet talented Emmanuel Eboue.
It is the ‘fillings’ however where Arsenal will struggle if injury hits. Kolo Toure and William Gallas, although passionate and over eager at times, are still widely renowned as quality central defenders. The same cannot be said of their cover. Phillipe Senderos displays a good positional sense but unfortunately has agility and movement that rivals any articulated lorry on the M25 at rush hour.
His fellow country man Johan Djourou fairs better in the agility column but contrastingly has the positional sense of the average football fan at about 1am on a Saturday night. Alexandre Song can step into the position but always looks like a midfielder playing 20 yards deeper rather than an accomplished defender. To be successful this term Arsenal will have to hope that Gallas and Toure can stay clear of the physio table else we will see a repeat of last years faded efforts.
Delivery Time
Although last season ended with Ashburton Grove’s trophy cabinet noticeably empty, the North London side did no disservice over a season which saw them challenge for the title until the final few games and could have seen them into the Champions league semi finals if not for the most indiscrete and unpunished attempt of Dirk Kuyt to unceremoniously swap shirts with Alexander Hleb in the penalty area.
Therefore, write Arsenal off at your peril. It was done so last year before they proved the critics wrong by opening the season with 15 games unbeaten. With their driving force, Cesc Fabregas, given the taste of glory on the international scene this summer, Arsenal are likely to come out the traps hungrier than ever this year. The time has come for Wenger to deliver trophies for the longest standing Premiership side, if not then he himself could be the star of the familiar summer transfer “will he, wont he?” fiasco next year.
