CaughtOffside’s Arsenal season preview.
Read more Arsenal transfer news.
Last Season
The 2013/14 season was, in many ways, a very odd one for Arsenal. Despite losing their opening game at home to Aston Villa, and being boo’d off at the Emirates Stadium, they capitalised on the momentum gained from the huge signing of Mesut Ozil to lead the table for longer than anyone else. The goals of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott in the first half of the season, coupled with the solid pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in central defence, made Arsene Wenger’s side a genuine formidable obstacle.
There was always a feeling that they lacked the depth and reservoirs of mental strength, however, as it proved when their lack of cover was exposed by injuries to Walcott and Ramsey, whilst another tough Champions League draw ended their hopes on the continental scene yet again. Champions League football was, once again, secured without too much drama, whilst the FA Cup victory over Hull City could prove to be the moment ushered in a new era of trophy winning for Arsenal.
Transfer Business
The big news of Arsenal’s summer has undoubtedly been the capture of winger Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, with the Chilean international set to add a more direct threat to a midfielder who are very neat and tidy but lack thrust without Theo Walcott. The chance to have both Walcott and Sanchez in the same team, once the Englishman returns from injury, should be a very exciting one for supporters.
Bacary Sagna has been suitably replaced by international teammate Mathieu Debuchy, from Newcastle United, whilst goalkeeper David Ospina should provide good competition for number one Wojciech Szczesny. Teenager Calum Chambers, signed from Southampton, is an emerging talent who will provide cover across the back line. Arsenal have also managed to go a summer without losing a key player – both Sagna and captain Thomas Vermaelen, who has joined Barcelona, should be replaced fairly comfortably. Wenger could, perhaps, still do with a defensive midfielder and a striker to really put pressure on Olivier Giroud, but overall it has been a fine summer for the club.
Season Expectations
The feeling around the Emirates Stadium is that Wenger has finally put together a squad that can sustain a genuine challenge for the title, despite the obvious strength of both Manchester City and Chelsea. In Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla, Chamberlain and Walcott, the Gunners have perhaps the most diverse and creative set of attacking midfielders in the Premier League, whilst the goal threat of Ramsey from deep is also a huge weapon. If Jack Wilshere is able to step up and fulfill more of his clear potential then it would be easy to argue that Arsenal have the best midfield in the league.
Whether Wenger is able to lead them to the title or not remains to be seen – they certainly must improve their record in games against title rivals, but it would be a disappointment if they did not maintain a challenge to the bitter end. Improvement in the Champions League would also be welcome – Arsenal must focus on winning their group to avoid the tough last 16 ties that have tripped them up in recent years.
Predicted First Choice XI
Verdict
The signing of Sanchez will add a directness to Arsenal’s game that should help them to avoid being penned in by other title rivals, whilst getting a full season out of Ramsey in central midfield will also give them another dimension in attack.
We feel that they are still one big player away from winning their first title in more than a decade, however – a top class defensive midfielder to shield the back line, but that may well not come until next year. They will have no problem securing another top four finish, however, and should be a danger in the domestic cup competitions.