Filed under: Arsenal, Premier League, Football, Team Previews
No prizes for guessing what the story of the summer was for Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger. A clue is it ends in gas - fitting, given the amount of hot air that has been expelled over the long, drawn-out saga of Cesc Fabregas leaving the club.Wenger heads into this season knowing that if he does not spend money to bring in players for the current campaign - as opposed to ones for the future as he has been used to for the last five years - then his 14-year record of finishing in the Champions League places could be under threat.
Because the likes of Liverpool, Manchester city and even Tottenham will be looking to fill the top four along with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Then there is the fact that the Gunners are heading into the campaign having failed to add to their trophy cabinet for six years. Last season they came within a whisker of winning the Carling Cup only for the defence to let them down.
Arsenal 2010-11 Season Match Log: Previews, Live Commentaries and Reports
And what is worrying is that the defence which capitulated against Birmingham at Wembley then went on to crumble in the season run-in has not been added to or revamped. This is a worrying season for Arsenal fans.
THE NEW (AND OLD) MEN
Ins: Gervinho (Lille) undisclosed, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton) undisclosed,
Outs: Jay Emmanuel Thomas (Ipswich) undisclosed, Denilson (Sao Paulo) loan, Gael Clichy (Manchester City) undisclosed
Summary: Gervinho looks a catch and Chamberlain is one for the future, but the summer has so far been worryingly quiet. If Fabregas and Nasri join the list of outs, the pressure on Wenger to strengthen will increase dramatically.
THE MAIN MEN:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Almunia and Wojciech Sczeszny have their moments and many supporters would have loved to see another addition to the roster.
Defence: Thomas Vermaelen is world-class, when he is fit, but the other central defenders at Arsenal are liable to give fans grey hairs. Again, Wenger needs to think seriously about adding to the squad in this area.
Midfield: Jack Wilshere is likely to grow in stature if Fabregas leaves and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may give Theo Walcott a run for his money on the wing if given a chance. Add Gervinho to the equation and the midfield is the least of Arsenal's worries.
Attack: Robin van Persie seems to be over his niggling injury problems, but the options to Wenger are thin. One question which needs answering is what has happened to Andrey Arshavin's form?
The boss: "Arsene knows" has been a long-standing mantra for Arsenal fans, but this season could be the one where it falls out of favour - especially if he fails to add significantly to the squad.
THE GAMES:
Start with: Newcastle United, away, 13 August. On the face of it, this is a relatively easy game to start with - unless you remember the way Arsenal folded from 4-0 up at half time last season to draw 4-4 against Alan Pardew's side.
End with: West Brom, away, 13 May. With any luck, the Gunners will still have something to play for on the final fixture. Or even better, will have already won a trophy.
The big one in between: Manchester United, home, 21 January. This fixture falls in a big month - in the middle of a tricky trip to Swansea, the two Carling Cup semi final legs and a game at bogey side Bolton.
THE FANS:
Most likely to say: "Keep believing. It's all we can do."
Least likely to say: "I don't care if we end with nothing."
Expectation rating: **** Wenger has had success in the past, so the current barren run sticks in the craw of fans all the more. And subsequently they will want to end it this season, by winning something - anything.
Reality check: ***** Since Arsenal last won a trophy - six years ago, if anybody needs reminding - other teams such as Manchester City and Tottenham have strengthened, meaning Wenger's long-termism is attracting more and more criticism.
THE NUMBERS:
Title odds: 10-1
Relegation odds: 2000-1
FanHouse prediction: 5th
Last season's form:
League: 4th
FA Cup: Fifth round
League Cup: Finalists
Champions League: Last 16
Top league scorers: Van Persie 18, Nasri 10, Walcott 9
Discipline: 68 yellow, 6 red
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/11/arsenal-season-preview-wengers-methods-under-increasing-pressu/
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