Hello everyone, welcome to what is the very first communication from what I hope will be, a rapturous movement among gooners the world over, in a bid to back Arsene Wenger's Arsenal Football Club (of 2009-10) to reach the summit of the Barclays Premier League come the New Year of 2010. I am certainly not here to review the season gone by in terms of landmark games, goals, statistics of any sort I might say, but for certain very key details which I believe had, and continues to have a lasting impact on the team's performance.
To begin with, Wenger's footbaling philosophy and choice of personnel. Both of which, I believe are (quite obviously so) keenly connected. Since his last all conquering side, the Untouchables of 2003-04, Wenger, as is quite evident now, has pursued ardently the policy of growing and nurturing his talismans. And to a certain extent, the Untouchables too were a product of this strategy. Thierry Henry, arguably one of the best strikers to have played in the Barclays Premier League is a fine example of Wenger's scouting and coaching abilities. Patrick Vieira, Nicholas Anelka, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Pennant, David Bentley to name a few others.
The current side, after four full seasons, is yet to prove a point in terms of winnings and trophies, and rightfully so, the fans do have a very valid point to grieve about. But what I think the fans do not have a right to grieve about is Arsenal's near future, the very next season, under Wenger's command. In the last three seasons, Arsenal's full strength starting XI has seldom started. Under a mere 45 games in three full seasons. You could at some level put such a large number of injuries consistently to Arsenal's playing style, but one has to concede this largely to misfortune. And mind you, Arsenal's present starting XI of choice (Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Sagna, Nasri, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott, Adebayor, Eduardo/V.Persie) still stands to be one of the most capable footballing outfits by any standard in the world over. But nevertheless, there are aberrations, or rather miscalculations if I might say on wenger's part here to a certain extent.
Robin Van Persie, who I personally believed capable of consistently producing a 30 goal output per season has been largely disappointing in the last couple of seasons. Injury ridden, temperamental, inconsistent, and a general lack of zen in his playing style. Furthermore, it fails my memory as to when he last scored in an all important game.
William Gallas. Has been in and out, largely out though. Out through injury, out through lack of performance, and out of form. The whole birmingham game episode I believe has certainly worn off and can no longer be used an excuse. William Gallas is a premier league, F.A Cup, Euro and World Cup winner and his leadership, consistency and performances in the last two seasons have been below average to the standards he was capable of setting at Chelsea.
Abou Diaby. Unarguably, in my view, the worst of the under performers last season. He never caught on, lacked fitness for most of the season, and gave the ball away on an alarmingly consistent basis. He semeed promising in the last season at Highbury but has been seriously out of touch ever since he returned from his long term injury. A case of misfortune one can say perhaps, but Wenger's continued belief in him by playing him as a substitute on a regular basis and even as a starter over Denilson has baffled me I must say. On this, I can only hope, that Arsene knows.
Emmanuel Eboue. I will be slightly less critical of him, he really has received his share I must say. He seemed to bounce back for a few games right after the booing episode, but his form slumped again. His trademark 'slash-shot' as I call it remains one of the most embarrasing of Arsenal player moves in recent times.
Coming to Wenger's transfer policy. Wenger has bought. Enough to win the premier league title and the champions league I believe. Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri have been two very fruitful signings, alongside Eduardo. But a string of injuries, suspensions and bad timing with regard to top player form has hit arsenal terribly. When was the last time Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri and Arshavin play together? Never. Or even Walcott and Rosicky? Arsenal's potential, injury free starting XI is still a formidable force to reckon with. However, I fully second any opinion that Arsenal need a top ranking holding man in midfield. I dare not name any players for I am a blind believer in Wenger's supreme scounting network.
Coming to the issue of Arsenal F.C being the nurturing ground for top class players, who eventually leave the club in search of tangible glory, yes; perhaps this is a minor concern. Mathieu Flamini has been the only clear cut example of such an incident. David Bentley and Jermaine Pennant left at a time when their services were largely overshadowed by the legends of the previous arsenal reign. True, the Flamini episode did hurt, badly. But I do believe you can pass this off as a one off incident. This arsenal outfit, despite being depraved of silverware, will stick till the end. We have genuine reasons to believe that the end of the drought is near. Lastly, I shall dwell upon the talismans. The era of Thierry Henry being Arsenal's talisman and hero was short lived, though increasingly pleasuring to the eye. This new Arsenal outfit is heralded by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Van Persie & the man who I believe will change Arsenal's fortunes the coming season - Andrei Arshavin. There are precious few today in the football world who seem to contain this deadly cocktail of technical prowess, sheer speed, flawless dribbling and a mind thats far ahead of the game at his feet. Judging by his performances for Arsenal last season and those at Zenith, Andrei Arshavin is one man who is truly capable of holding any game by its scruff. With a midfield of Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri & Rosicky; things do look promising. With Cesc Fabregas recently pledging his loyalty to the gunners, it is imperative at this point that Fabregas wins silverware. The same goes for the likes of Adebayor, Van Persie, who are all world class players in their position, deprived of materialistic glory.
I shall end this long first post here, hoping that I have wooed the gunner spirits in you just enough to believe and fuel this notion. Discussions, debates and anything gunner is heartily welcome.
Gunner for life.
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