There is simply no other team in the Premiership playing such entertaining attacking football like the Gunners under Wenger, the 2nd longest serving manager in the Premiership history only behind Alex Ferguson. After leading the club winning the most trophies in the Premiership history only behind Manchester United, Wenger has not won Arsenal any major trophy in recent years as he refused to spend money to buy big name players for instant success. Wenger never wants to make Arsenal to become the next Chelsea/Manchester City. He loves to acquire unheard youth players at low price, train them and help them to reach their potential. Wenger also refuses to play physical style, but instead he always wants his team to play in the most "beautiful" way- pass-and-move and skill based football. Although Wenger has made Gunners the most fascinating team in the league, his stubborn "perfect" football theory and over-patience on waiting for his young players to improve has made the team "trophy-less" since the departure of their star veterans Henry,Vieria and Pires. Now, the fans and the board starts to lose patience in Wenger.
Last season, the patience of Wenger on his talented young squad almost paid dividend. Arsenal had been in title race of majority part of the season. Eventually, the inexperience of their young players and their lack of quality depth to step in for injured top players once again cost them their title chance. Undoubtedly, Arsenal has the attack quality to compete with Manchester United and Chelsea, as they have always been among the top scoring teams with star attackers such as Spanish AMF Fabregas, Dutch FW Van Persie, Russia ST Arshavin, French AMF Narsi along with super youngsters England WG Walcott, Mexico FW Vela and England AMF Wilshire. At this moment, there is simlpy no other teams in the league with such attacking class. However, there remains 4 key weaknesses in the team. How well can Wenger solve these weakness can determine whether Arsenal is ready to challenge for the league title this season.
1) Van Persie is one of the most injury-proned star in the league. When healthy, Van Persie is one of the highest quality forward in the world. He has flair, skills and finishing. However, whenver he got injured, he could be out for an extended period of time. Wenger previously replaced him with Bendter and Arshavin in CF role without much success. This summer, Wenger has brought in one of the very best free-agent in the market- Morocco young rising in French league FW Chamakh, who could bring power and quality up-front.
2) Defensive midfield is never convinced. Wenger has transformed the team from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 to strengthen defense and free-up Fabegars in attacking midfield role. Although Diaby, Song and Denilson have all shown steady improvment, none have been consistent and reliable. Their performance and growth this season could be a decisive factor.
3) With the departure of Gallas and veteran Sol Campbell, who will partner the impressive Belgium CB Vermaelen at central of defense? Gallas and Campebll have both been declining and Weneger did the right thing to get rid of them; yet, their experience could also be important. Fortunately, Vermaelen had surprising great debut season. Considering to his 5'9' height, he had the ability to win headers at both ends and proved to be one of the stars last season. Relatively unknown French CB Koscielny was bought in as starting partner with Vermaelen. Wenger sure knows French talent, but will he be the answer? Still there is not enough quality depth in the CB position.
4) GK Alumunia is not a champion quality goalkeeper. Van Der Sar (ManUtd), Cech (Chelsea), Reina (Liverpool) and Hart (ManCity) are all superior goalkeeper. Do Arsenal need a better goalkeeper?
Although Gunners have obvious weaknesses, Wenger has again refused to "press the panic button" by getting in instant transfer help. Could this stubborness once again cost their title chance? Liverpool and Manchester City both have no Champion League football and may have an edge over Arsenal this season. However, there is no way either team can develop better team-work and passing-movement than Wenger well-coached side, because Liverpool Hodgson will only make his debut season while Mancini has bought in too many new players and sure need time to develop the understanding among players.
Strongest Starting Line-up: <4-2-3-1/4-3-3>
Prediction: 4th
Last season, the patience of Wenger on his talented young squad almost paid dividend. Arsenal had been in title race of majority part of the season. Eventually, the inexperience of their young players and their lack of quality depth to step in for injured top players once again cost them their title chance. Undoubtedly, Arsenal has the attack quality to compete with Manchester United and Chelsea, as they have always been among the top scoring teams with star attackers such as Spanish AMF Fabregas, Dutch FW Van Persie, Russia ST Arshavin, French AMF Narsi along with super youngsters England WG Walcott, Mexico FW Vela and England AMF Wilshire. At this moment, there is simlpy no other teams in the league with such attacking class. However, there remains 4 key weaknesses in the team. How well can Wenger solve these weakness can determine whether Arsenal is ready to challenge for the league title this season.
1) Van Persie is one of the most injury-proned star in the league. When healthy, Van Persie is one of the highest quality forward in the world. He has flair, skills and finishing. However, whenver he got injured, he could be out for an extended period of time. Wenger previously replaced him with Bendter and Arshavin in CF role without much success. This summer, Wenger has brought in one of the very best free-agent in the market- Morocco young rising in French league FW Chamakh, who could bring power and quality up-front.
2) Defensive midfield is never convinced. Wenger has transformed the team from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 to strengthen defense and free-up Fabegars in attacking midfield role. Although Diaby, Song and Denilson have all shown steady improvment, none have been consistent and reliable. Their performance and growth this season could be a decisive factor.
3) With the departure of Gallas and veteran Sol Campbell, who will partner the impressive Belgium CB Vermaelen at central of defense? Gallas and Campebll have both been declining and Weneger did the right thing to get rid of them; yet, their experience could also be important. Fortunately, Vermaelen had surprising great debut season. Considering to his 5'9' height, he had the ability to win headers at both ends and proved to be one of the stars last season. Relatively unknown French CB Koscielny was bought in as starting partner with Vermaelen. Wenger sure knows French talent, but will he be the answer? Still there is not enough quality depth in the CB position.
4) GK Alumunia is not a champion quality goalkeeper. Van Der Sar (ManUtd), Cech (Chelsea), Reina (Liverpool) and Hart (ManCity) are all superior goalkeeper. Do Arsenal need a better goalkeeper?
Although Gunners have obvious weaknesses, Wenger has again refused to "press the panic button" by getting in instant transfer help. Could this stubborness once again cost their title chance? Liverpool and Manchester City both have no Champion League football and may have an edge over Arsenal this season. However, there is no way either team can develop better team-work and passing-movement than Wenger well-coached side, because Liverpool Hodgson will only make his debut season while Mancini has bought in too many new players and sure need time to develop the understanding among players.
Strongest Starting Line-up: <4-2-3-1/4-3-3>
Alumnia
Sanga Koscielny Vermaelen Clichy
Song Diaby
Nasri Fabregas Arasavin
Van Persie
Prediction: 4th
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