The 2013/2014 season ended on a high for Arsenal football club with the team breaking a 9 year duck and bringing home the first trophy since the club moved to the new Emirates stadium, the FA Cup, Arsène Wenger’s fifth, tying him with Sir Alex Ferguson on most FA Cup final victories by a single manager. There was, amongst the euphoria however, a tinge of regret and a sense of what if, for Arsenal lead the Barclays Premier League for about two thirds of the season before a couple of thrashing and injuries to key players, most notably Aaron Ramsey who made a star turn, saw them crash back to the more familiar third-fourth place region.
However, there are plenty of positive signs to be taken from a season that promised a lot and did deliver a long awaited trophy. Here are a few things Gooners will be looking forward to this season and a couple of things they’ll look to avoid.
The Continuing Story Of Aaron Ramsey
A touch to flick it past the hapless defender and the signature hard and low finish marked Aaron Ramsey looking like he is focused towards picking up where he left off last season in this year’s community shield clash against Manchester City. A remarkable rise from the boy who was at times vilified by his own frustrated supporters saw the emergence of a talented individual with intelligence, impeccable technique and a marathon stamina. Indeed, before his Boxing Day hamstring twang against West Ham last year, Aaron Ramsey was the physical embodiment of kinetic energy, hustling and bustling to go from box to box. He will look to continue his excellent recent goal scoring record and promises to sparkle again this season.
Alex-is Gunner!
Pace, skill, tenacity and explosive work rate, the diminutive Chilean has it all as he ran the show for his country in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup as Chile came to within five inches of crossbar of knocking hosts and eventual semi finalists Brazil out. A hard working individual with plenty of desire and a winning mentality, the signing from Barca already seems to be fitting in very well into a squad that suits his style of play. Capable of operating on either wing and up top, alone or off a traditional striker, the Chilean offers a pacy and tricky versatile option to help the gunners solve their striking woes.
Get Back Jack
On the fringes of his national team, earning a tag for being injury prone and caught smoking and partying it up in Vegas, Jack Wilshere has gone far from the wide eyed 16 year old that bossed around an Arsenal team that humbled perhaps the greatest Barcelona side in history. The 22 year old will look to establishing himself in an Arsenal side that has no obvious guaranteed first XI spot for him. With his injury problems seemingly behind him, Jack will look at reworking his reputation and getting his head down to achieve something with possibly the best Arsenal squad since the fabled Invincibles as the Gunners look to add to their silverware connection.
Eyes Wide Open
Last year’s deadline day surprise and club record signing Mesut Özil enjoyed a contrasting season with some moments of sheer genius eclipsed in mainstream media by popular perception that a player needs to show more presence in order to influence the game. Statistically after having had a better debut season than David Silva did for Manchester City, the German playmaker will look forward to having a fit again Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez providing pace and a moving target to aim at ahead of him. Pace has been vital to his success at Real Madrid and this season he could help himself to many more assists as he looks to use his World Cup success as a platform to build on.
Smells Like Team Spirit
With no major saga linking a star away from the club and having secured champions league football again, the arrival of the long awaited first trophy in the Emirates trophy cabinet signals a new look Arsenal team. Fluid, intelligent and mature, they were able to efficiently dispose of the smaller teams that gave them so much pain in seasons past and will look to build confidence for the bigger games where they faltered last season. In Ramsey, Özil and Sanchez, they have a trio of truly world class players capable of playing for any team in world club football and there seems to be a sense of harmony with key senior figures like Arteta, Mertesacker, the effervescent Tomas Rosicky and old hand Mathieu Flamini providing mentorship and guidance to the younger bunch.
So in conclusion, there seems to be no reason stopping Arsenal from challenging for major honours again this season although there are some reservations about their ability to maintain a sustained challenge for the league and European campaigns, especially in big games away from home.
Players to watch out for: Aaron Ramsey, Calum Chambers, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Özil
It’s going to be a big season for: Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Young gems: Gedion Zelalem (CAM), Hector Bellerin (RB)