Arsenal supporters are increasingly desperate for silverware, suffering through a trophy-less stretch that has extended to eight years. Going into the summer, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis was bullish about making moves, and his comments about the ‘escalation in our financial firepower’ had many fans excited about the new blood that could arrive at Emirates. However, with the clock rapidly counting down to the season’s kick-off, this optimistic view is beginning to fade.
At the moment, Arsenal
is yet to complete the signing of Luiz Gustavo, meaning the club’s only
notable addition has been the capture of France Under-20 striker, Yaya
Sanogo, on a free transfer from Auxerre. If Gustavo’s signing is
completed, the addition of the Brazilian anchorman would represent a
quality addition and the filling of pressing a need.
The Gunners are also
after Luis Suarez, and signing the Uruguayan international would make
the entire summer of waiting seem worth it for Arsenal fans. It’s
simplistic to say Arsenal haven’t recovered from losing Robin van
Persie; any team would miss his goals. In the 2011-2012 season, Van
Persie scored 30 of Arsenal’s 74 league goals. However, Arsenal have not
had adequate contingencies for the Dutchman’s loss. Olivier Giroud had a
decent first season, scoring 11 league goals in 24 starts. Lukas
Podolski and Santi Cazorla chipped in with 11 and 12 goals respectively,
while Theo Walcott topped all Arsenal scorers with 14 strikes.
But none of Arsenal’s
strikers were the consistent, clinical force in front of goal required
to reach the top of the league. For example, Giroud had a shooting
accuracy of 43%; he converted just 13% of his chances and put-away only
17% of his clear-cut chances. Regardless of whether or not Suarez
arrives, Giroud will need to be more efficient in order for Arsenal to
compete for trophies.
Despite the lack of transfer activity, Arsenal does return a team more than capable of a top 4 finish, the club is in a more secure position than rivals Liverpool and Tottenham. Arsene Wenger enters his 18th season as manager, and the continuity that he brings could actually become an advantage in a league where the top three clubs will all have new managers at the helm. Nevertheless, even though there is still time for the dynamic to change at Emirates, and the bulk of the responsibility for earning a trophy will come from the players that are currently there.
Given Arsenal’s current pieces, Gustavo’s high tactical nous and supreme physical capabilities provide the exact type of player that the club needs. Arsenal’s fullbacks routinely push up to provide width in the final third as the wide attacking players – be it Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott or Santi Cazorla – move infield, as is their preference. Without an athletic anchorman to cover space, the result has been a major weakness in transition and the brutal exposure of Arsenal’s two centre-backs.
Mikel Arteta did a
commendable job at the base of the midfield, but his lack of physicality
and speed was exposed on occasion. Arteta, by trade, is a creative
midfielder, and isn’t naturally versed in the defensive aspects of the
game. As an added consequence, Arsenal struggled to create chances
offensively, despite leading the Premier League in possession percentage
for the third straight season.
The bottom line is that Arsenal finished 16 points off the title pace last season for a reason – the lack of world-class quality – and, particularly as their rivals strengthen, they sorely need a shot in the arm. Everybody knows it; everybody says it. The issue has become all-consuming, and it has even undermined the tick-boxes for optimism.
There is the momentum from the form at the end of last season; the lack of a damaging summer departure; the fantastic spirit; a fit Jack Wilshere; the scope for players to improve and the sense that this is a team that can beat anybody on their day. The all-conquering Bayern Munich would attest to that.
The problem for Arsenal is that a new centre-forward is not the limit of their requirements. With Thomas Vermaelen out for at least six weeks with a stress fracture to his back and Johan Djourou loaned to Hamburg, a centre-half is a priority, while it would also be encouraging to see reinforcement in midfield, however well Aaron Ramsey finished last season and has performed during pre-season. Wenger has a long standing interest in Everton's Marouane Fellaini.
The goalkeeper is a discussion point, with Wojciech Szczesny erratic last season; capable of maverick misjudgments. Wenger has been urged to sign a new No1 but he will also consider the merits of Lukasz Fabianski, who has a better chance than ever to establish himself. Szczesny makes the entirely valid point that no goalkeeper lasts the season without mistakes and, at only 23, he has plenty of scope for development.
It is a big season for Wilshere, and not only because there is the World Cup at the end of it. The England midfielder is still not 100% fit, according to Wenger but he has had his first pre-season since 2010, which has fired the optimism. Wenger will have moments when Wilshere will need a breather, possibly as important games approach. Can he be strong enough to stand him down? He has admitted in the past that he has been guilty of over-playing Wilshere, which might have contributed to his foot injuries.
Wenger says that a "special bond" exists between his British players and the club, and it permeates to the rest of the squad, helping to set the right tone. Wilshere, Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson currently stare down from a giant billboard outside the Emirates Stadium and there are exciting young players ready to follow them from the ranks, albeit not British, with Serge Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem the hottest prospects. The club's Capital One Cup ties will be worth watching.
It is an uneasy time, in many respects, with hope undercut by fear. Arsenal are the only top-four club not to have changed their manager, and the stability could give them an edge. If only, their supporters say, they could sign one or two players of the highest order. It is the eternal refrain. The next four weeks, which contain both legs of the Champions League play-off, stand to determine everything.
On paper, Arsenal have a manageable start to the 2013-2014 campaign playing five teams (Aston Villa, Fulham, Sunderland, Stoke and Norwich) that finished in the bottom half last season as well as newly-promoted Crystal Palace. The two testing matches – versus Tottenham and Liverpool – are both at home.
All the same, in order to challenge for a title Arsenal have to improve drastically in its performances against other top teams. Arsenal were winless against Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea last season, picking up just two points in six matches.
Last season:
Premier League: 4th
FA Cup: Fifth Round
League Cup: Quarter Final
Champions League: Last 16
How do you see us finishing this season?
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