After having led the League for the vast majority of last season, Arsenal would’ve been disappointed at losing it in the end. But their first piece of silverware in nine years certainly got the proverbial monkey off their back and ensured that they finished the season on a high. With a couple of valuable additions to the squad, the Gunners look on track to improve their League position from last season.
Last season was a very important one for Arsenal. Not only did they win the FA Cup, but their acquisition of Mesut Ozil for a club-record fee showed that Arsene Wenger was finally ready to splash the cash. The trend has continued this season as well, as the club secured the signature of World Cup star Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. With a couple more good signings, the Gunners will certainly have what it takes to go all the way, this time around. So let us see what 2014-15 season hold for the Gunners?
Transfers
Arsenal have already made two crucial signings and Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina is set to become the third. The summer started with the club’s acquisition of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. The addition of the Chilean winger signaled not only a statement of intent but also added a more direct and dynamic threat to the attack. The loss of one French full back was made up with the arrival of another as Newcastle United’s Mathieu Debuchy replaced the Manchester City-bound Bacary Sagna.
The biggest arrival for the club is not someone they signed, but someone who came back from his loan stint. Joel Campbell returns to Arsenal and looks set to thrive at the club with Wenger remarking that we won’t be signing another forward. While they may not be in the market for a forward, they certainly are on the lookout for another central midfielder, with Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin as the two main targets. With some doubt over the availability of both players, Arsenal have turned their eye to Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho.
Defensively as well, the club looks short on cover and Wenger would be keen on addressing that as well. One thing is for sure, Wenger is certainly add at least one more player to his lineup before the start of the season and is looking to address the key concerns that plagued them last season.
Tactics
Arsenal are likely to employ a 4-3-3 formation that is certain to get the best out of the players at Wenger’s disposal at the moment. The arrival of Debuchy for Sagna is likely to be the only change in a defence which held firm for almost the whole of last season. The arrival of Ospina also means that Sczcesny will finally have some competition for the Number one jersey which is only going to make things better.
One area where Arsenal have plenty to choose from is in central midfield. In Wilshere, Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain, they have three players who look set to become the spine of the Arsenal side for years to come. The only thing lacking in their midfield is a solid defensive player who can make utmost use of the ball. With Arteta also getting on, the youngsters are likely to step in for much of the season and that is one of the reasons why Wenger has been on the lookout for an experienced defensive midfielder to steady the ship. Going forward as well, the club have plenty of options and the arrival of Sanchez means that they now have two World class playmakers.
Should they sign a defensive midfielder, it would give Wenger the confidence to play a 4-2-3-1 and accommodate all Ozil, Sanchez and Walcott in the same lineup. Even without another addition, Flamini and Arteta might be enough for the lesser teams where Arsenal will enjoy the lion’s share of possession.
The most likely Arsenal lineup to be used:
Ospina; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott; Sanchez, Giroud, Ozil.
Expectations:
Although their midfield and attack are really good, Arsenal still need a couple of defensive reinforcements if they are to realistically challenged on all three major fronts- The Premier League, The Champions League and The FA Cup. The Gunners are spoilt for choice in midfield but they still lack a defensive enforcer in the centre of the park, which is something the club are keen to address before the start of the season. Up front, they finally have someone to take Giroud’s place and the attack is looking like one of the best in the land.
A few more astute signings in defence and in midfield would make the Gunner firm title contenders, but for now they look to set to continue their status of a top four team. But as we know, anything is possible and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Gunners come close this time around and finish with a trophy or two.