2011/12 Campaign (3rd in the Premier League)
Last season looked as if it could spell the end of Arsene Wenger’s more glorious than not reign at the North London side early on, as the Gunners slumped to an 8-2 defeat at the hands of eventual runners-up Manchester United, which saw Wenger’s team sit in 17th place after three games. However, although the defeat and shoddy start to the opening of the campaign triggered an uncharacteristic flurry of transfer activity from Wenger, in terms of money and men, the Frenchman remained at the helm and guided Arsenal to yet another Champions League qualification spot finish – something which he has thus far never failed to do since his 1996 appointment.
Preseason
Arsenal’s late splurge of cash to bring in 28-year old Andre Santos, 29-year old Mikel Arteta and 31-year old Yossi Benayoun on deadline day last year was unconventional: simply put, Wenger has always bought young and sold old. Yet, he can be forgiven for his unexpected behaviour as it addressed an urgent need for stability and reassurance, following a loss of both, which had been overlooked in the past two years as a core of key players departed the Emirates in the shape of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas.
This year, although the solution seemingly matched the problem as Arsenal went on to finish only behind the Manchester duopoly, the same actions cannot be expected – nor tolerated. They do, however, point towards a bright future for Arsenal, at least on a financial front, whether their flying Dutchman departs or not.
If Robin van Persie is indeed sold it is nothing short of Arsene Wenger’s best economic practice – he usually flogs his midfielders and strikers at the 28-year old mark: Marc Overmars was sold for £25m aged 27, Emmanuel Petit left for £7m aged 29, Patrick Vieira was sold to Juventus aged 29 for £14m and Thierry Henry was sold for £16m aged 29. van Persie is 28-years old and the price tag on his head is £20m. It’s the done thing at Arsenal and not one of the players mentioned above went on to replicate the form they did whilst under Wenger’s tutelage at any of their clubs after.
Furthermore, the problems that would be left behind by his departure have already been answered this summer transfer window, through the £19.5m combined acquisitions of international strikers Lukas Podolski, German, and Olivier Giroud, French, whilst the parallels to last time Arsenal’s leading man left are uncanny.
Much like when Wenger unearthed Juventus’ reserve left winger Theirry Henry and converted him into a centre forward, the French manager did the same with van Persie and similarly, in the way that Giroud and Podolski have been purchased to compete with each other and potentially replace the latter, van Persie and Reyes were bought when Henry was first linked with moves away from Arsenal in 2004, before eventually leaving in 2007. van Persie succeeded where Reyes was less proficient – Wenger has taken the same security again in signing both Giroud and Podolski.
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Can the two new forwards start scoring goals?If they can help Arsenal to challenge until the 38 th match,RVP’s loss will be a blip.
If not it will be back to the drawing board and more time will be wasted.
Arsenal are top 4, knobber.
Very poor prediction! How do you predict third position for Arsenal at this stage of the year with the season still to begin, and new players still coming in?
For me, Arsenal are a good bet to win the Premier League this season, why not? Here are my reasons:
1. This season Arsenal are far better equipped to compete than last season. They have a good goalie and a settled back four, unlike last season when Wenger had to bring in Mertesacker at the last minute, only to throw him in straight away. They are expected to have a far better understanding of each other in all aspects, so expect Arsenal to concede much fewer goals than the 49 they shipped last season.
2. Arsenal lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas almost at the end of the transfer window, giving Wenger no time to look for suitable replacements. He failed to land his first choice targets, Eden Hazard in particular, and settled for left-overs (not disrespecting D-day acquisitions). This time however, Podolski and Giroud have been signed already and have all the time they need to form a formidable understanding and score goals. Two strikers to replace one? You can’t ask for more, unless Van Persie were Lionel Messi.
3. Gervinho, as evidenced from the brief appearances in pre-season, and from our experience with most foreign players in England, will vastly improve to replicate the kinds of performances that made him a real star in League 1. Oxlade-Chamberlain will be a real force, no doubt, while Ramsey and Walcott will also massively improve.
4. Abou Diaby!!! He’s back, and back with a bang! I’ve seen enough of him to get convinced that he has recovered from his injuries. His presence is great news and will give Arsenal a real boost in midfield. His driving runs remind me of our very own Patrick Vieira, and I’m sure if he stays free of injury, will be able to justify Wenger’s words that ‘he’s the first on the teem sheet in midfield in the National team’ This will be supplemented by the steady maturity of Coquelin and the Song factor to make an impregnable midfield.
5. News has it that Nuri Sahin, M’baye Niang and especially Santi Carzola will be Arsenal players any time soon. If/when they do, You can imagine a midfield of: Song, Diaby, Arteta, Rosicky, Wilshere, Sahin, Carzola, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin, Miyaichi, Lansbury. That squad is as good as you can get and can CLEARLY compete with the top dogs in England for the title.
Conclusively, it TOOOOO early to start making predictions now. No club has the divine right to win the Premier League. Montpelier won the league in France from absolutely nowhere, despite the riches of PSG, so why can’t Arsenal in England? Ton hell with your predictions!
Yawn!! same crap every year but still a top 4 finish every year. Up the Gooners EIE!!
Your yearly predictions for an arsenal demise should be dubbed “
Your yearly predictions for an arsenal demise should be dubbed “IF WISHES WHERE HORSES”. starting with a title that says “Can Arsenal still keep pace with the top four?” when in fact they have had a 100% record in that respect under AW despite all the doom mechants best hopes, you simply show you are one of the lot and a bitter one at that.
Did you read the article? I expect them to finish top 4 and point out AW 100% record. I didn’t title the article. Please have the decency to read my efforts and rethink your opinion of me.
Ooooh, some touchy Arsenal fans out there getting their knickers in a twist over a prediction.
Grow up you pampered lot and get over yourselves.
The author clearly states he expects you lot to finish in the top 4! which to be honest is overly optimistic in my opinion.
As for too early to predict where they finish, what a load of nonsense….journalists and football pundits make predictions every year weeks before the season starts.
I’ll make one for you, Arsenal will promise much and fail to deliver as usual
You are an asshole…Arsenal will show who they are this year…Podolski and Giroud will rock the Emirates…and probably that time your balls will be up in your brain…Go support the sxxds..