Background
Arsenal F.C. are a Football Club known throughout the world. Who can forget 'The Invincibles' of the 2003-04 season? Their record was outstanding, 26 wins, 12 draws and no losses. The unbeaten run continued into the following season, eventually ending after 49 games at the hands of Manchester United.
However, those days appear to be long gone, it has been eight years since Arsenal last won a trophy. 'Gooners' are hungry for silverware, but do they want to part ways with a manager, that brought them so much success a long time ago?
League Form
As you can see from the graph (Source: BBC Sport), Arsenal have had a very inconsistent season in terms of league position, that is until recently where they have spent most of 2013 in 5th or 6th place. Midway through September Arsenal were in 3rd place (a season high), that form did not last and around Christmas time they were as low as 10th. 'The Gunner's' recent form has not been too bad with only one loss in their last seven games and that was at the hands of fierce rivals Tottenham. Champions league qualification is well within Arsenal's reach, it would be hard for the fans to take if they missed out on a place through Spurs finishing above them. You could argue that the North London pendulum would swing spurs way were that to happen.
Transfer Market
This season has been a very dramatic one for Arsenal regarding the transfer market. The sale of star striker Robin Van Persie to Manchester United understandably upsetting the fans. Although there were some decent incomings too. A brief summary of important ins and outs is listed below.
Notable Incomings
Nacho Monreal Malaga £8,800,000
Santi Cazorla Malaga £16,720,000
Lukas Podolski Cologne £10,560,000
Olivier Giroud Montpellier £10,560,000
Notable Outgoing
Marouane Chamakh West Ham Loan
Nicklas Bendtner Juventus Undisclosed
Henri Lansbury Nottingham Forest £1,100,000
Alex Song Barcelona £16,720,000
Robin Van Persie Manchester United £27,016,000
Carlos Vela Real Sociedad £3,344,000
Manuel Almunia Watford Free
Firstly, lets talk about the incomings. The two signings from Malaga have already shown that they are quality players especially Cazorla. Cazorla's touch, technique and dribbling are excellent, he's nibble quick and has notched up 11 goals since his arrival. Olivier Giroud who I was initially unsure of, has now proven his worth with an impressive 15 goals since leaving France. Podolski is a proven goalscorer with plenty of international experience, a good signing by Arsenal.
However, some important players did leave Arsenal, the most important departure was obviously Robin Van Persie (pictured right). Arsenal may have been able to mount a serious title challenge had they kept RVP and still managed to fund their signings. The show must go on, I believe there is life after Van Persie, just like there was after Fabregas, another player will take up the mantle and I believe that to be Jack Wilshere. Wilshere has been excellent this season, he has shown that he is a great all-round midfielder, he can tackle, pass and attack with devastating effect.
Alex Song was another significant departure for Arsenal, I personally think they got a good price for him (£16.72 mill). However, next season I do not think Arsenal can afford to lose any more key players if they want to compete for the title. A few signings similar to those of Cazorla and Monreal I reckon they'll be right up there next season.
Key Players
The first key player of Arsenal's squad is Theo Walcott. Theo has been exceptional this season and has really flourished since being played down the middle. Arsenal have reaped the rewards from playing him in his favoured position, Theo has scored 18 goals in all competitions, making him Arsenal's top goalscorer for the season. I have a softspot for Walcott as he was produced by my hometown club Southampton, I saw him set the championship alight and knew he would go far at Arsenal. Hopefully, Chamberlain can emulate Walcott, I am sure he will do as he as already proven himself as a talented young Footballer.
The second key player I have chosen is Santi Cazorla. Since his arrival from Malaga he has been excellent, providing that creative spark and flair that Arsenal need in their methodical attacking game. 11 goals this season is an impressive total considering he is a midfielder playing his first season of Premier League Football. He is the sort signing Arsenal need to repeat next season in the transfer market, a player of Cazorla's quality in defence would be a brilliant addition, I think Matt Hummels from Dortmund would be a great centre back to sign.
Lastly, I have chosen Jack Wilshere. Wilshere has shown so far this season how talented a midfielder he is, a great all-rounder and showing promise for Arsenal's and England's future alike. Bastian Schweinsteiger puts Wilshere up there with Europe's best, he said "He is dynamic, has a good left foot and a good eye" (Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/19/jack-wilshere-europe-bayern-schweinsteiger ). At the age of 21 Wilshere is still developing his game, he has the potential to be a world class midfielder and could be instrumental in England's future.
Arsenal Fact-file
Founded: 1886 (as Dial Sqaure)
Ground: Emirates Stadium
Capacity: 60,361
Chairman: Peter Hill-Wood
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Nickname: The Gunners
Honours:
- First Division/Premier League, 13 Titles: 1930-31, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1937-38, 1947-48, 1952-53, 1970-71, 1988-89, 1990-91, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04.
- FA Cup, 10 cups: 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
- League Cup, 2 cups: 1987, 1993.
- FA Community Shield, 12 Shields: 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004.
- European Cup Winners Cup, 1 cup: 1993-94.
- Inter-cities Fairs Cup, 1 cup: 1969-70
Outlook: Wenger out?
The Wenger in, Wenger out debate is a frequent one among Arsenal fans and those interested in Premier League Football. Many were always supportive of Wenger, until the last few seasons where the wait for silverware has become too long for some. This season around December time Arsenal fans were calling for Wenger's head, they were 10th in the league and the fans could not handle another season of disappointment. Personally, I think that had Wenger not been so successful early on at Arsenal he would have been out the door a long time ago.
Arsenal could sack Wenger if the team failed to qualify for the champions league, but then where would they go? There are not many managers out there and available that are better than Arsene. The only man I can think of is Jose Mourinho, Jose is eagerly seeking a return to management in the Premier League but I can't see him in North London net season. Stability is very rare these days in the modern game and Arsenal are one of few clubs that are 'stable', sacking Wenger would disrupt this and without an excellent appointment it could be a big, big mistake. After seeing Arsenal's performance against Bayern Munich in Germany recently, I am certain Wenger is the right man to take Arsenal forward, all he needs to do is spend this alleged transfer 'Warchest' in the summer.
Investment, development and retaining key players are the three things that need to happen for Arsenal to have a successful season next year. Investing in a new centre back and maybe a new striker could make all the difference between finishing 4th and winning the league. Arsenal need to continue developing their talented young players such as Wilshere and Carl Jenkinson. Lastly, they need to retain and not sell key players. Wishere, Walcott, Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain are Arsenal's most important players at present and for the future, retaining these players could lead to the success that Arsenal deeply crave.
