So here we are hey- just a few days away from the Champions league final where Manchester United will face Barcelona at Wembley. It seems right perhaps that the two teams who in many ways defined Arsenal season should meet on Saturday. Perhaps Bolton, West Brom, Newcastle & Stoke might want to have a tournament to underline my point further.
Too often this season we have shown flashes of brilliance only to end up disappointed at the final hurdle, For every performance against Chelsea, Barcelona at home & beating the Spuds in the league cup there has been the draws against Sunderland and Blackburn- not to mention the league cup final disaster against a now relegated Birmingham City.
For every strong performance from some of our players- the likes of Wiltshire, Van Persie & Nasri we have had average boarding on awful performances from the likes of Rosicky, Fabregas & Squillaci. So it’s clear it’s a season just like the other few- so near yet so far. But have some perspective here- financially we are stable again delivering a healthy profit thanks to the sale of the Highbury flats. We have reached the Champions League for a 12th consecutive year- because of this we are seeded and won’t have to face a Bayern Munich in the qualifying rounds.
Compared to our rivals we have spent a tiny amount in the transfer market- although last summer Wenger did spend significantly in a long time on the likes of Koscielny, Squillaci & wages for Chamakh. But Arsenal fans are still restless- after being treated to the double sides of 97/98 & Invincibles of 2001/2002 and rightly so. Sure Arsenal still dominates teams but the fire and the hunger to win honours is seriously lacking.
Underlined entirely when our club captain is unashamedly flirting with his ex love Barcelona. The likes of Denilson, Bentner & Rosicky act like they have won things with Arsenal and it shows- however in most fans eyes the Emirates cup does not count. I would quite happily like to see an overall in the summer with a couple of players going but not the bloodbath that has been suggested recently in the press- I would take about 4 squad team players to leave this season and to invest the money wisely.
I think that for Arsenal we need to invest overall as a squad- not just the first team. Personally I think that the first 11 is relatively strong once everyone is fit. But behind those players we simply do not have the strength and quality which is what ultimately was our down-fall this season. So we need to invest- that seems to be agreed from all sides. But who to buy? As transfer silly season kicks into overdrive- I have three suggestions for players I would like to see at the Emirates Next season.
Scot Parker- Had a great season with a doomed West Ham. The number of times he picked up a game by the scruff of the neck and imposed his will was fantastic. An ideal player for Arsenal to throw on when we are lacking ideas and lacking that creative spark.
Christoph Samba- Big, brutish and completely uncompromising as a defender. I wouldn’t mind is Samba joining the Arsenal squad. He is particularly strong in the air which is lacking from the likes of Koscielny & Squillaci. He also pop’s up with the odd shot now and again which might be helpful.
A proven goalscorer- a whole raft of players are on the market who could fit this bill- Edinson Cavani of Napoli, Sergio Agüero of Athletico Madrid or Kevin Gameiro all scored more goals than a half fit RVP this season. All would be available well over our current transfer record of £15million of Arshavin two years ago. But would it be such a gamble- This season Walcott, Chamakh & Bentner all together scored the same amount of goals in the Premier League (18) than RVP did in half a season. So a striker is needed.
But it’s not all doom and gloom to the ethic of spending little and relying on youth talent to win the league. Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga in Germany this year with a fantastic young side playing breathtaking football and surprising everyone. They play in a huge stadium brimming with support from a dedicated fan base every week. This shows that there is light at the end of tunnel for Wenger.
But one factor is perhaps lacking- home support. Where Dortmund is greeted at the Signal Iduna Park with rapturous support for every game the Emirates distinctively lacks atmosphere for the West Brom, & Newcastles of the league. I cannot deny the away support is second to none in the league with the away day games I’ve been to this season have been fantastic. But perhaps a groundswell of home support is needed in order to push Arsenal onto league & Europe glory- making the Emirates a scary place to go like Old Trafford & the Nou Camp would go some way to turning the tide.
So to conclude 6 years and no trophy- financially sound and morally on the high ground due to the fantastic football we play. But we need more- some increased investment in Arsenal’s squad greater support at the Emirates for home games and simply more passion from our players- showing how much they love the club as much as I do.
Player of the Season- Jack Wiltshire
Game of the Season- 2-1 Barcelona at home.
Moment of the season- Diaby getting sent off at Newcastle when we where 4-0 up.
