Last year, at the same time, all the tabloids and newspaper were publishing depressing photographs and reports of Arsenal fc. People were rallying against the owners of the club. For the first time in 17 years at London, head of 64 years old Arsene Wenger was demanded by a large section. Their frustration was justified. For 8 long years, the club was without silverware. New forces in EPL had virtually replaced them. Heydays of Thiery Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were chanted by fans on streets and in the stadium.
Actually in past few years, coach cum manager Wenger made some serious mistakes in signings. Gervinho, star of A S Roma today, failed to run in top gear at Emirates. Denilson in 2006 was purchased from Sao Paulo for 5 seasons in 3.4 m £. He played so miserably that club eventually failed to buy a buyer for him in the end. Julio Baptista arrived from Real Madrid and returned silently. Biggest injury to Arsenal dream was transfer of Van Persie to their bête noire Manchester United. The deal made them ten times richer but it broke them emotionally.
But worst of them all was the purchase of Andrei Arshavin in 2008-09 season. He was purchased for record signing of 15 m £. His 4 goals in thrilling 4-4 draw at Anfield made him cynosure. But star power soon faded. Dejectedly, he had a sojourn at Zenit and finally returned for good.
In such a scenario, Wenger was constantly under pressure. He has to take some tough decisions. Arsenal began the chase to EPL title with a loss to Aston Villa. It seemed as another season in the dark. The defeat jolted the squad and they went on to register 10 wins in a row. Only Rudy Garcia’s A S Roma can match them. They are now leader in EPL and looking to survive in Champions League from ‘Group of Death.’
Arsenal has always been respected as the team to play fanciest football among all English clubs. They love to attack and having an extra stricker in best position to chip the ball in the net is their trademark. It also crippled them. Getting clean sheet became a rarity and Arsenal had to labour extra hard, even after scoring goals regularly. This season, they have overcome this deficiency. 6’ 6” tall German Per Mertesacker has turned from expensive flop to a hero in the defense. Mathieu Flamini has been given additional charge of defense. Koscielny and Sagna are tighter. Experience of all these above 28 players is strengthening the citadel. Polish Szczesny is young and carrying Arsenal’s tradition under the bar.
In 2011, Wenger signed deal of the season by signing Mikel Arteta in 10 m £. This intelligent move is paying dividends now. In previous season of EPL he provided maximum no. of passes. Contract of 6 British players- Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson and Theo Walcott were extended this summer. It gave a sense of security and freedom to the mind of players. Carzola and Giroud were encouraged to play in more advanced positions. Costliest deal of Arsenel was done on the last day of the transfer window with the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 42.5 m £. Since his arrival, Arsenal is on a free ride.
After loosing to Chelsea at home in League cup, they are short of a trophy run this season. In the month of November and December, they have to play against both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton in EPL. In Europe, they have to travel to Naples and Dortmund. These two months will decide their destiny for the rest of the season. If they survive the challenge then month of May will be the last hurdle for a trophy or two.
They are a team which has a capacity to shock many, even in defeat. Last season, the only team to threat UEFA champions was Arsenal. They played a brave 3-3 draw in aggregate, with a 2-0 win at their soil. They went out of the competition by the rule of away goals scored, but their head were high. Arsenal has improved a lot and hopes are high from this talented squad. Arsenal is all set for war.