The end of last season should have been a bit of a breather for Arsenal fans with the chance to put the end to a few long, drawn out gossip stories and to allow Kroenke and co. a full summer to sort out the performances and atmosphere at the Emirates.
Instead of appeasing the sizeable chunk of banner waving fans who made their displeasure known at every game last season and nipping a few boat-rocking transfer tales in the bud, the status quo at Arsenal remains with only a few minor changes during the off season.
Summer madness
For a team which has been a constant top four finisher for the last 20 years, to finish 5th without automatic Champion’s League football was a big shock, with some feeling that it was time for a shake-up in North London. With so much pressure from fans after a relatively poor finish in the league, it was entirely possible that Wenger would be shown the door. But, following a meaningless 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield, the veteran was given a new deal.
As well as refusing to try and a new strategy in the managerial team, Arsenal’s transfer market dealing over the summer has been equally as bewildering. The once talisman Sanchez, who has been one of the best players in the side since he arrived, was plastered over the papers for pretty much the entirety of the 16/17, with everything from training ground bust-ups to anger at the team’s performance, allegedly making it clear he would be seeking a new club with 1 year left on his contract. The story was similar with German attacking midfielder Mesut Özil, who has also supposedly refused contract negotiations and hasn’t been on form for a long time.
The transfer window was the ideal opportunity to cash in on these want a ways and take on some key signings, but again nothing was done. In fact, young talent and a mixture of bench warmers and unproven entities like Szczesny, Gibbs and Joel Campbell all left for pastures new.
It’s not all bad.
There were a couple of silver linings from the uninspiring summer however, with proven striker Alexandre Lacazette joining from Lyon for close to £53 million, a figure that seemed a bit more justifiable after he scored 3 minutes into his debut. Left back Sead Kolasinac also joined from Schalke, putting in a decent performance in a natural left wing back role against Bournemouth after a shaky debut.
Spurs are also on the back foot this season too, with home games a bit more daunting at Wembley and a severe lack of new signings ready to challenge current first picks as the season progresses. If Arsenal can get it together, then they could capitalise and finish above Tottenham next May.
Any chance of silverware?
Positives can be taken from the FA cup win, but the lack of Champion’s League football will be hurting both fans and players. Based on their finish last season and the lack of team development, Arsenal could emulate Man United’s tactic of winning the 2nd tier European trophy to guarantee a Champion’s League place in 2018/19.
The season is still in the very early stages and Arsenal that bad. They may struggle to challenge the superstar 11’s in Manchester or the behemoths at Stamford Bridge, but if Sanchez and Özil decide that it’s time to drop a gear and find form again before they disappear next summer then the Gunners could find themselves in a better situation in summer 2018.
Then again…..
Welcome back Rico. So you went to the Jurassic coast, did you find any dinosaurs? The Kronkisaurus and the Arsenasaurus were recently disinterred from a cliff fall near Lulworth, I believe!
Just a reminder re Arsenal’s bosses. If things don’t change they stay as they are and, by God not much has changed down the Emirates! The dinosaurs are still in charge. Well, hurrah for that, or not! Welcome back anyway.
Wath has been very good at keeping the House and it’s inmates in order, just about!
Thanks Wavy, no dinosaurs, not even French or American. Just a few older folk, me included….
Morning all..