Whisper it quietly, but Arsenal were genuinely impressive in 2012/13. No it isn’t fashionable to say as much, and yes, they did only just squeeze into fourth position on the final day of the season. But as we look ahead to the new season, Arsenal are the only club in the top four not to change their manager, or looking to dramatically re-shape their squad. If they can build on the momentum that they enjoyed at the end of the season just gone, Arsenal will be strong title contenders. I've written a new article that I'm keen to engage Arsenal fans on setting out why I think the club could finally end it's silverware drought next season. It busts some of the myths surrounding the club, like "the squad is getting weaker", "the players are lacking psychologically", "Wenger is too stubborn". Please feel free to share, comment and feedback on it. Ben
If we win, I think it will be because it would be a low points scoring season - 78-82 points. I do not think we have the squad or team to accumulate 89+ points, that would make it a certainty regardless of what the others do. So, like many Arsenal fans I think we have a chance but by virtue of United minus Fergie, City in transition, chance of volatility at Chelsea. In that scenario SPurs could have a chance too. I say this about Arsenal in view of what our squad looks like now (speculation of possible transfers aside). I need to see significant strengthening with genuine quality before I am convinced. I would be disappointed if we don't buy 3 top quality players to really make our mark. If our manager/board were prepared to be bold, this would be an oportunity to build a squad that can be successful for 5-6 years ahead. Signs are though that we are letting our rivals get in with their signings ahead of us.
Add Higuain and a physical presence in front of the back four (such as Fellaini) and I think we will be ready to challenge. ( - Add a Rooney or Jovetic to the mix then I truely think we could more than match United & City) Our defence has improved massively and Carzorla is only going to be better next term. This could realistically be our line-up next Season.. -------------------------Sczezney------------------------ Sagna------Mertesacker-------Koscielney-------Monreal ----------------Arteta----------Fellaini-------------------- ------------------------Wilshere-------------------------- --Walcott-------------Higuain-----------------Carzorla-- Benchodolski, Giroud, Rosicky, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Chamberlain, Cesar. - That still leaves: Jenkisnon, Diaby, Ramsey, Gervinho - to fight it out for a place in the side. Not only is that a decent starting 11 its is strong squad. 1. Vermaelen is a very talented player and will push Kos and Mert for a starting place. 2. Rosicky has shown he still has alot to give. The guy is tenacious and technically skilled. Whats more he provides great cover across the midfiled. 3. Podolski had a decent first Season. He will be pushing hard for a starting place. 4. Giroud is a QUALITY impact sub and gives us something differernt upfront. There's a nice mix here of the 'type' of players we have.
Would you seek a new Goalkeeper to give Sczezney competition? I know Cesar has been rumoured so far...
I disagree with one thing here. Our improvement last seaon coincided with Ramsey improving in form. I genuinely thinj his workrate and willingness to cover 10km a game is one of the reasons we improved. To replace him with someone who I have seen accused of being lazy could be asking for trouble. I personally think Ramseys engine wareants him keeping his place, even ahead of Arteta.
Well he will get his chance. You need to consider though a fully fit Wilshere covers ALOT of ground and is in all likleyhood the player most like Ramsey in our lineup.(box to box) The guy can tackle, dribble and link with the attack. I personally think he will make it hard for Ramsey to keep his place.
Check this article - might change your mind about ramsey being the engine (running is not everything ) http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/w...showed-arsenals-arteta-is-best/#disqus_thread
Regardless, we need another central midfielder, so lets get a quality one. There will be injuries, suspensions, squad rotations... they will all still get plenty of chances.
I don't think we'll be title contenders, yet. Need a season to give signings a chance to bed in. Maybe the season after it. I can see us winning a trophy, given the right circumstances and the proper players.
I'd wait until end August before making sweeping statements about title challengers. As it stands our squad is currently weaker than it was last year with only a French 2nd div forward joining and the likes of Arshavin (amonst others) going. Of course if we get Hig and a decent centre back then we're much stronger, chuck in a possible Fellaini and Rooney and that really would make us a proper side, and whilst it has all gone quiet on the Cesc front that is only because of Spains Confed Cup involvement and the players holiday but don't be shocked if there is some movement in 2-3 weeks, I'm not convinced the player is entirely happy with his role at Barca, that's not to say that I think he'll re-join us but I think there could be discussions and that the deal is not as dead as reported. As for next season, City have spent big already, Chelsea too and with the possible arrival of Cavani they could be in for yet another big spending window, Utd were way better than the rest last year so us suddenly becoming title contenders is a little premature for me...
Not in the slightest, Id even say it proves my point when you look at the stats on the right per 90 mins played. And you didn't include anything showing how few tackles Ramsey makes either. Its not that he makes a lot of passes or wins the ball back that makes him so important. Its that he is always there. There where loads of times at the end of the season when he helped the attack when a player lost a ball that was played out and Ramsey picked it up, or the player was able to pass back to Ramsey who made himself available and at other times he helped the defence by slowing down attacks by getting in the way or forcing a back pass which allowed other players time to get back. And even so it shows Ramsey has the most touches per 90 mins and is 2nd in passes and successful passes per 90 mins. When you take into account how many games he played he had no chance of having the most over the season. So his running is important imo as he influences the game to allow other players to get stats to look good, for example, do you think Arteta would have had that many passes without Ramsey knocking the ball to him?
Was with you up until the last sentence. Arteta would have had that many passes without Ramsey... because whoever else was playing would have been knocking the ball to him too. He's both the `pivote' and the DM, the go to guy and the one who bails the rest out. I doubt anyone else in the team could play that role, and I don't think Fellaini is that sort of player either.
This is probably the best oppurtunity we will get to challenge with 3 new managers coming in, have a lot of money to spend on new players and have released quite a few players thus greatly lightening our wage bill. We really need to strengthen to challenge to be honest. With Chelsea and Man City already strengthening with very good players, we need to up our level. This all comes down to who we bring in the transfer window and if we have a good pre-season with these new players. As the squad stands, we can only realistically get 3rd-4th max next season.
Arsenal finished last season well but had an easy run in. Their results against the teams above and around them (teams you need to beat to challenge for a title) were poor as they have been for a few seasons now. Obviously, this is an Arsenal forum, so people tend to be overly optimistic, quite rightly. I think that if Arsenal can close the gap on the Manc's and Chelsea they will of done well. I would imagine them to near the top of the table early in the season given the easy start the fixtures have given them, then slipping off the pace as Oct-Jan will be the real test and its a period Arsenal have struggled in recently. For an objective assessment of the title the bookies aren't often far off: http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/winner
Its the first time in years I look at Arsenal and think hmmm, perhaps. Quite refreshing as well. The Premier Leagues best years by far were during the epic United v Arsenal title challenges.
Just feels like you are going to be more o a problem this season than recent years. the players you are linked with. Higuain for example. Compare him to that Girod or whatever hes called. You all seen a little more upbeat as well. Usually your all fighting over whether its time for Wenger to go or discussing which board member is planing on raping Arsenal etc.
