Morning all.
The 2011–12 season was Arsenal’s 20th season in the Premier League, their 86th consecutive season in the top flight of English football and also marked the club’s 125th anniversary.
It was the season when a hefty 8-2 defeat by Man Utd forced Arsenal into a busy transfer deadline day. Carl Jenkinson, Jon Toral, Hector Bellerin, Gervinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joel Campbell had already been signed by Arsenal before deadline day. Park Chu-Young arrived on the 30th August before Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta joined the following day. Yossi Benayoun joined us on a season long loan from Chelsea. Thomas Elsfeld moved to north London from Bayern Munich in the following January and Thierry Henry returned on loan.
The departure list was also long that summer with 13 players leaving permanently and a further 29 going out on loan. Crazy numbers right. Fabregas, Clichy, Eboué and Nasri were the main players to leave, the rest were mainly younger or bit part players.
In the Premier League, Arsenal struggled to recover from a poor start to the season but as so often, rallied round to ensure Champions League football was secured for another season. Milan knocked us out of Europe at the first knockout stage, the 4-0 away defeat proving too much to overturn. The FA Cup run was ended by Sunderland, the League Cup by Man City.
2012 -13
The summer transfer window turned into the Robin van Persie show after telling the club he wouldn’t be extending his contract. Pat Rice retired and was replaced by Steve Bould.
Arsenal acted swiftly in the transfer market for a change with Lucas Podolski being the first player through the Arsenal door. He was soon followed by Olivier Giroud. Seven academy players signed professional contracts, Laurent Koscielny signed a new contract but Carlos Vela was sold. Then came the signing of the summer in my opinion, Santi Cazorla. Rumours has it that van Persie changed his mind about staying because Arsenal had indeed showed ambition in the transfer window but by then, it was too late. Off he went to join old Red Nose at Utd and with him went any respect I had for him.
The season started with a new captain in Thomas Vermaelen with Mikel Arteta being name as his understudy. Despite new signings, the season continued as those before had. League Two side Bradford City dumped us out of the League Cup on penalties.
January arrived and so did Nacho Monreal from Malaga. His arrival signalled the end of Santos, thank goodness. What a dreadful signing he turned out to be.
February saw us crash out of the FA Cup after 1–0 loss to Championship club Blackburn Rovers. With Bayern Munich our next opponents in the Champions League, another trophy less season loomed large. A 3-1 defeat at The Emirates followed by a 2-0 win in the Allianz Area meant Bayern edged the tie on away goals. As per usual, we finished in the top four, securing Champions League football for yet another season.
So that was that, another fruitless season but Santi Cazorla was already looking good.
In other news, Arsenal have sacked the clubs head doctor Zafar Iqbal and are set to replace him with former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes following his departure from Aston Villa. Maybe, just maybe our injuries issues will lessen going forward. Either that or he’ll get on the pitch to treat players quickly.
Talking injuries, Bukayo Saka isn’t 100% fit according to Thomas Tuchel, something which I doubt will surprise any of us. Jurrien Timber however been released from the Netherlands camp because of his ongoing injury problems. Not good for him but selfishly, good for Arsenal.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning, just, Rico.
That season must be the worst for transfer business, so many out and so many in, and so little improvement to show for it.
As Saka is not able to take part in all the training sessions, can’t both start and finish a match. What in the hell is he doing in the squad? He should be back at the club, resting and recuperating.
Afternoon Cicero, totally agree re Saka, get him home.