After a long time, I have taken to writing random articles yet again and though Arsenal have still not won a title in my break from writing, there have been interesting moments nevertheless. As this season looks to be another painful end, let this start be about the positives and the optimism that should be present with the Arsenal supporters for now.
On the whole, this season was easily Arsenal's best chance of winning the Premier League title in a long time but then, we have surprise package Leicester City bolting towards the same. However, it is not entirely wrong to suggest that next season will once again present a brilliant chance for the Gunners to end their long league title drought. Yes, Pep Guardiola will be in England and yes, even Jose Mourinho might be back but then, out of the top six teams, Arsenal and Tottenham look to be the most settled amongst the others. One might ask "What of Leicester, then?". Well, what can you make of Leicester?! They have been brilliant and scintillating this season but with the additional burden of Champions League football with all the exploits of this season, it is more than likely that they will struggle to produce the same consistency.
Moving on to the most pressing topic of question regarding Arsenal's failures - their midfield, it must be said Arsene Wenger's gamble in the summer transfer window of not signing a single outfield player backfired stupendously. When Coquelin and Cazorla were both ruled out for long periods at a crucial juncture in the season, the combination of Flamsey proved to be rather flimsy while Mikel Arteta showed more glimpses of why he should take up his coaching badges seriously. So what is the optimism in that aspect going into the next season? Well, at the end of last season, most of us though that Coquelin-Cazorla combination was going to be temporary and so it proved though more due to injury than anything. But with Cazorla on the wrong side of 30 and Coquelin's improvement on the ball, it is more sensible to have a mobile player alongside him to provide more stability. Step in Mohammed Elneny who has looked an excellent player in the limited opportunities that he has got this season.
While this season has seen Wenger giving plenty of opportunities to players due to injuries, two players have made use of their chance - Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi. While Campbell proved he can do a job on the wings in the absence of main players, Iwobi has shown the potential to make one of the wings as his own for the future as well. Iwobi's balance, decision making and his movement has been a treat to watch this season. When a 19-year-old can hold his own in the cauldron that is Nou Camp, you know he can develop into one of the stars of the future. However, this should serve as grave warnings for both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has failed to push on and Serge Gnabry, who was deemed unfit by West Bromwich Albion and is currently struggling to get any appearances.
Calum Chambers has also shown improvement when compared to the last season with his versatility coming into play at several junctures this season. While John Stones is exceptionally rated for his composure and ability to read the game, Chambers' potential has gone under the radar, which is good for his own development. With Gabriel still rash and lunging into challenges and Mertesacker moving to the wrong side of 30, Chambers has a great chance to make one of the centre back slots as his own.
Another massive positive in this season is the emergence of Mesut Ozil as a player who will step up and take responsibility when it matters. There have been umpteen games where he has stepped up and created some magic. That his work has often been unrewarded is another story but as a creator of chances, he has been next to none and deserves to be the assist king of the Premier League. However, we have yet to see a season where both Sanchez and Ozil have both fired. With Ozil going to the Euros in the summer, it is vital that he gets adequate rest before the start of next season for that to happen.
Wenger might have made only one summer signing but what a signing it was! Petr Cech has been superb this season and while he has made one or two mistakes, he has largely been impeccable and can be that keeper who can finally lead Arsenal to the title. Having a shaky defence hasn't helped but he has shown his class on several occasions this season.
Lastly, though it is not really a positive, there is finally enough pressure on Arsene Wenger to "perform or perish" with his contract coming to an end next season. With the Frenchman categorically stating that he honours his contracts, it is more likely that he will exit if they do not have a positive next season. Also, in order to convince the likes of Ozil and Sanchez that their futures lie at the Emirates, he will finally need to splash the cash on some genuine quality players for the next season.
Even if this season meanders to a painful end and it is likely to be the case, there are still foundations of what could prove to be a great team for the future. Onwards and Upwards for the Arsenal!
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| Are there any positives for this Arsenal 2015-16 season? |
Moving on to the most pressing topic of question regarding Arsenal's failures - their midfield, it must be said Arsene Wenger's gamble in the summer transfer window of not signing a single outfield player backfired stupendously. When Coquelin and Cazorla were both ruled out for long periods at a crucial juncture in the season, the combination of Flamsey proved to be rather flimsy while Mikel Arteta showed more glimpses of why he should take up his coaching badges seriously. So what is the optimism in that aspect going into the next season? Well, at the end of last season, most of us though that Coquelin-Cazorla combination was going to be temporary and so it proved though more due to injury than anything. But with Cazorla on the wrong side of 30 and Coquelin's improvement on the ball, it is more sensible to have a mobile player alongside him to provide more stability. Step in Mohammed Elneny who has looked an excellent player in the limited opportunities that he has got this season.
 |
| Elneny: Impressive since signing but can he push on? |
While this season has seen Wenger giving plenty of opportunities to players due to injuries, two players have made use of their chance - Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi. While Campbell proved he can do a job on the wings in the absence of main players, Iwobi has shown the potential to make one of the wings as his own for the future as well. Iwobi's balance, decision making and his movement has been a treat to watch this season. When a 19-year-old can hold his own in the cauldron that is Nou Camp, you know he can develop into one of the stars of the future. However, this should serve as grave warnings for both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has failed to push on and Serge Gnabry, who was deemed unfit by West Bromwich Albion and is currently struggling to get any appearances.
Calum Chambers has also shown improvement when compared to the last season with his versatility coming into play at several junctures this season. While John Stones is exceptionally rated for his composure and ability to read the game, Chambers' potential has gone under the radar, which is good for his own development. With Gabriel still rash and lunging into challenges and Mertesacker moving to the wrong side of 30, Chambers has a great chance to make one of the centre back slots as his own.
Another massive positive in this season is the emergence of Mesut Ozil as a player who will step up and take responsibility when it matters. There have been umpteen games where he has stepped up and created some magic. That his work has often been unrewarded is another story but as a creator of chances, he has been next to none and deserves to be the assist king of the Premier League. However, we have yet to see a season where both Sanchez and Ozil have both fired. With Ozil going to the Euros in the summer, it is vital that he gets adequate rest before the start of next season for that to happen.
 |
| Arsenal finally do have a world class goalkeeper in Cech! |
Wenger might have made only one summer signing but what a signing it was! Petr Cech has been superb this season and while he has made one or two mistakes, he has largely been impeccable and can be that keeper who can finally lead Arsenal to the title. Having a shaky defence hasn't helped but he has shown his class on several occasions this season.
Lastly, though it is not really a positive, there is finally enough pressure on Arsene Wenger to "perform or perish" with his contract coming to an end next season. With the Frenchman categorically stating that he honours his contracts, it is more likely that he will exit if they do not have a positive next season. Also, in order to convince the likes of Ozil and Sanchez that their futures lie at the Emirates, he will finally need to splash the cash on some genuine quality players for the next season.
Even if this season meanders to a painful end and it is likely to be the case, there are still foundations of what could prove to be a great team for the future. Onwards and Upwards for the Arsenal!
