After several years of weakening each summer,
losing Robin Van Persie, Nasri, Clichy, Fabergas, et al, the Gunners finally
made waves last summer by signing midfield maestro Mesut Ozil on the final day
of the window. But they failed to grab the second striker many believed they
needed to win the title and a series of injuries to Walcott, Ox and Ramsey,
among others, saw their title race fade in the latter stage of the season (not
an uncommon occurrence over the past decade). Yet many positives could be taken
from the season, including finally ending the trophy drought with a
come-from-behind victory in the FA Cup and leading the EPL for longer than any
team. The joy and relief on Arsene Wenger’s face after that 3-2 win told us all we needed to know
about how that drought has weighed on him; as much as he tried to deflect the
attention it received.
Many wondered if Wenger would finally open up the
purse strings this summer, given the 100 million pounds he was offered by the board, and add to a talented young team, filling in the
missing links that could see them over the line. And he has now answered that question with
conviction, signing not only Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, but quickly
replaced the departing Bacary Sagna with the guy who took his spot in the
starting lineup for France, Mathieu Debuchy. We are also linked with a host of
other players, including German international Sami Khedira, striker Lois Remy
and Columbian goalkeeper David Ospina, who impressed throughout the South
Americans impressive run to the quarters of the World Cup.
Now Arsenal emerge as a real title contender this
season, even with Chelsea, Man United and City all strengthening – and maybe
Liverpool as well, though they will certainly miss their best player. If
Arsenal can pick up Khedira, Schneiderlin or Bender to shore up the central
midfield position (Arteta needs to be replaced, as his form dipped considerably
as the season went on, and Flamini seems a little too reckless to be the first
choice in DM) and another centre back to replace the probably departing
Vermaelen, this will be a formidable offensive team with a solid back in
Koscielny, Mertesacker, Debuchy and Gibbs.
The big question that remains is what about another
central striker? With Sanchez and Walcott’s speed on the flanks and Ozil,
Ramsey and Cazorla creating from behind, do we need someone to compete for the
starting role with Giroud? That is an interesting question, and we might still
have the cash to spend, but Khedira will certainly eat up another 25 million,
leaving us a little light in that search. And the other question is who?
Jackson Martinez seems like a great option, but those rumours have cooled since
earlier in the summer. Benzema rumours also swirled for a while, but is Real
really willing to sell him? And it appears we have lost out in our pursuit of
Morata, who is heading to Italy instead. Remy might be the man to take that
spot and maybe bringing the impressive Campbell back could help as well. I’m
less convinced of Sanogo’s upside, after he failed to score all season, even
when given clear chances.
Arsenal are clearly moving in the right direction
and could arguably sport one of the top teams in the EPL next year. It will
depend on Walcott, Ramsey and Ox staying healthy, on Ozil returning to top
form, on Giroud scoring at a slightly higher pace, at Sanchez adapting to the
more physical EPL quickly and on our stalwart defensive line returning to its
parsimonious form of 2013. With a world-class defensive mid and good cover
picked up in the next few weeks, the Gunners really should have a season to remember
and I, for one, am as excited going into a year as I have been in a decade.
COYG!
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