Arsenal have finished playing 18 games this season. They are sitting second in the table only behind Manchester United by two points. They are through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and look poised to clinch that trophy. They managed to qualify for the Knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Some players have dazzled, while some are still struggling a bit. Arsenal have been sheer poetry at times, but at times have failed to impose themselves on their opponents. There have been several positives and a few negatives to take away from Arsenal’s start to the season. Lets take a look at 10 of the conclusions:
Jack Wilshere Is The Real Deal
For a couple of years, people have been calling Wilshere the future of English football and there has been a lot of hype surrounding the youngster. But until this year he never really showed what he is capable of.
After his loan spell at Bolton last year, Wilshere came back a different player. Creative, mature, brilliant, sublime-are just some adjectives to describe Jack Wilshere. At times one is forced to remind himself of the fact that he is just 18, because he plays with the composure of a man who has spent seasons at the top level. Wilshere tends to sit deep and gives the attacking players and DM a freer and attacking role as he dictates play from the back.
Blessed with great vision, technique and passing range, Wilshere has already received an England call up. He has played an extremely impressive 20 games already this season and has managed to get on the score sheet twice already. His loan spell at Bolton also meant that despite his small frame, he can tough it out with the big boys and is no lightweight.
Wilshere has finally started to fulfil his vast and immense potential and if he continues to play like this he is surely the saviour of English football
Kieran Gibbs Is The New Robin Van Persie
Many expected Kieran Gibbs to dethrone Gael Clichy and make the left back position his own. But constant injuries has threatened to put the progress of the youngster on hold. For Arsenal fans this is frustratingly similar to another of Arsenal’s supremely talented players, Robin Van Persie.
Van Persie has the talent to be one of the best forwards in the world. But every year constant injuries has never let the Dutchman completely fulfil his potential and assert himself as one of the world’s most talented players.
Kieran Gibbs is turning out to be similar as well. He has already picked up and injury thrice this season. Just when it looks like Clichy’s days as Arsenal’s first choice days are numbered, Gibbs picks up another injury and is once again out of action.
He possess abundant talent and can become one of the world’s best left backs, but as long as he gets injured so often it is always going to be very tough to consistently put in solid displays and keep a place in the team.
Lukasz Fabianski May Just Be The Top Quality Keeper Arsenal Require
After having a torrid time last season, many had a strong feeling that Fabianski just doesn’t have the quality to play for a top team like the Gunners. After all last season, he cost us games against Porto, Blackburn, Wigan and was always looking shaky and poor.
But Wenger decided to keep his faith in the Pole, and when Almunia picked up a mysterious elbow injury, Fabianski was given a chance to finally put in some good displays. And hasn’t he seized his opportunity with both hands. Fabianski has looked assured, confident at the back and has shown that if he gets a regular run in the squad and if he has his confidence back, he can become a world-class keeper.
This year, he has saved Arsenal at least five points as he put in superb, assured and brilliant displays against Fulham, Wolves, Everton and Birmingham. He has looked confident on crosses and it finally looks like the defence has confidence in their goalkeeper. Whenever teams have pumped in crosses into the Arsenal box, Fabianski has anticipated extremely well and has collected extremely well and is handling and punching has been remarkable as well.
Many felt that Arsenal would fail to win the title if they didn’t buy a new goalkeeper during the transfer window, but going by Fabianski’s recent performances, Arsenal will not have any problem in that area.
Laurent Koscielny Can Become a Top Quality Defender
Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Silvestre all left Arsenal this summer and Arsene Wenger decided to bring in Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci. At the time of his signing Koscielny was a virtually unknown player. There were high expectations of him especially after Thomas Vermaelen’s impact last season.
Although he may not have had the impact and success of Vermaelen, Koscielny is slowly getting used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. It was absurd to ever think that he would have the impact of Vermaelen. After all Koscielny had just spent one season in the French top flight and Vermaelen had played for Ajax and had been their captain.
In my opinion, I think it is because we expected him to have the same type of impact like Vermaelen that we feel he has been poor. Although Koscielny has had a few poor displays he has shown some extremely positive signs. In both matches against Chelsea and Manchester United, he performed admirable against Drogba and Rooney and was strong in the air.
He has shown that he can win aerial battles and 50-50 challenges. He is extremely and deceptively quick and is more than willing to attack the ball.
He still has a long way to go and the best thing for him is maybe for Vermaelen to make a swift recovery and help in the development of Koscielny
Not Going To The World Cup Can Be Great
Before the World Cup this year, Fabio Capello and Raymond Domenech both made surprising decisions by omitting Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri respectively from the 23 man World Cup squad. Both players did not have a great 2009-10 season but it was still a surprising year.
This season, they seem to be two completely different players and are playing some exceptional football. Both players seem to have turned the disappointment of being left out of the squad into positives.
Nasri has already scored an extremely impressive 12 goals this season and has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season if not the best. He has dazzled and has been absolutely brilliant for Arsenal. He is extremely confident right now and is finally living up to his potential.
Walcott has been severely criticised by many for years now, but this year he has been extremely impressive. He has already notched up eight goals this season, which is double of what he scored last season including a hat-trick against Blackpool. He might still be frustrating at times, but there is no doubt that he has improved tremendously and is looking sharp.
Both players are having their best season in an Arsenal jersey and a couple of decisions that baffled many is reaping rich dividends for Arsenal.
Arsenal Still Need Fabregas But Can Win Without Him
Arsenal Still Need Fabregas But Can Win Without Him
For the last couple of years, Barcelona have tried every cheap known to sign Fabregas from Arsenal. But Arsene Wenger stood firm and did not let us star player leave. Prior to the start of the season many felt that Fabregas would be key to Arsenal’s hopes and if he went Arsenal would collapse. Arsenal fans all knew that one day Fabregas would go but they dreaded that day.
But this season, it has become evident that Arsenal can win without Fabregas. In his absence, Nasri has shined in the central role and the trio of Arshavin, Rosicky and Nasri have flourished. They complement each other well and together they play really well. This season in the absence of Fabregas, other match winners have come to the fore and are playing very well.
When Fabregas has played this season he has looked short of match fitness and looked extremely sloppy and poor. He misplaced passes and lacked the sharpness in front of goal. But any doubts of his value to Arsenal were put to rest when he inspired Arsenal to their first win over Chelsea in four games. Arsenal’s inspirational captain was back to his best.
He showed just what an impact he can make when fully fit and inspired Arsenal to a famous win. He was sharp, quick and managed to score and create a goal. His movement and awareness was fabulous and he was orchestrating Arsenal’s attacks.
Fabregas may still be key to Arsenal’s fortunes, but Arsenal are maturing and this means that they can win without their captain and leader.
Arsenal Are Unable To Dominate Possession Like Previous Seasons
Ever since Arsene Wenger became in charge of Arsenal, he incorporated a free-flowing, slick style of football that involved total domination of possession. This has been a regular feature of Arsenal’s game for various years. But this year, Arsenal are unable to dominate possession unlike previous years.
In many of their matches even against weaker opposition, Arsenal have failed to keep hold of the ball, often giving it away cheaply due to sloppy passing. In matches against Fulham, Newcastle, Arsenal failed to keep hold of the ball and gave away possession much too easily. Arsenal are a team that are highly dependent on their passing and domination to score goals, but they are failing to do what they do best. This is maybe one of the reasons why they are struggling to score goals like previous seasons.
Even when Arsenal do manage to keep possession for long spells they are struggling to break down opponents and lack the incisiveness in front of goal. They end up making one pass too many, put in poor crosses, make a poor pass, which results in the attack breaking down.
Normally in matches against other big clubs, Arsenal have lots of possession but always lack that killer instinct. But this year, Arsenal have failed to even have possession against the likes of Manchester United
Arsenal Are Mentally Tougher This Season
Like mentioned in the previous slide, Arsenal have struggled to break down teams and dominate them like previous seasons. Yet, despite this, Arsenal find themselves at second in the table. This is testimony to their new found mental strength.
Normally when Arsenal come up against tough and physical opposition, Arsenal tend to crumble and collapse. But this season, Arsenal have managed to defeat these teams. Against the likes of Birmingham, Blackburn, they managed to grind out wins despite missing some key members of their team. Arsenal were able to grind out a win at Ewood Park despite Blackburn’s physical style of play.
The emergence of Fabianski also means that Arsenal are now able to defend and absorb pressure to a large extent. In the match against Wolves for instance, it was Fabianski’s heroics that ensured Arsenal were stout at the back and got the victory.
But one of the most positive things from this season was Arsenal’s thrashing of Chelsea. The game finally put to rest doubts over Arsenal’s credibility over other top opponents and proved that this side are finally coming of age. They were ruthless going forward and sound in defense and didn’t give Drogba a sniff at goal.
Arsenal have also made it a habit to score late goals against opponents. In the matches against West Ham, Fulham, Arsenal were able to grind out late wins. These are the hallmarks of a top team.
Arsenal may still have some more to go. Arsenal have thrown away leads a couple of times this season and they may come back to haunt them come May.
Theo Walcott Is More Than Just an Impact Substitute
Walcott is just 21 years old. There is enough time for him to make full use of his potential and live up to all the hype and expectations that have surrounded him. But sadly, people just don't seem to be realizing that.
Every time he puts in a poor performance criticisms descend upon him like a pack of dogs and just tear him apart. These criticisms have never let him fully develop as a player. But this year he finally seems to have come of age. He has already notched up nine goals this season including a breathtaking hat-trick against Blackpool.
Throughout his career, Walcott has managed to establish himself as an impact substitute. His pace makes him highly effective late on and he has thrived like this. Normally when he starts he puts in a poor performance and tends to have little impact on the game and is generally very ineffective. This year eight of his nine goals have come when he has started. When given the start, Walcott has been smart and has made full use of the opportunity. He has made great use of his pace and has been a force down the right.
Monday's match against Chelsea proved that even against tough opposition he can deliver the goods. He terrorised Cole down the right.
He may still be better used as an impact substitute, but he has proved that he can be devastating and effective when starting as well.
Arsenal Will Win a Trophy This Season
2005
The year Arsenal last won a major trophy. During the last five years, Arsenal came close on several occasions, but always fell short on the final hurdle. But this year, the wait is going to be over.
This Arsenal side have matured and have finally come of age. This year the side has top class depth in most positions, quality and even experience. Arsene Wenger's years of rebuilding have ensured that Arsenal have a relatively young yet experienced squad.
Also Arsene Wenger's decision to break his rule of playing only youngsters in the Carling Cup mean that Arsenal are clear favorites to lift the trophy. Arsenal are in a good position in the Premier League too. Although the UCL is still a bit out of their reach, Arsenal are looking all set to break the barren run.
This team have the heart, passion and quality of champions and this may be the year that finally vindicates Arsene Wenger's youth policy and frugal spending.
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