I'm not going to mince words here, the Gunners season this year was disappointing. As great as it was that we came back again to steal Champions League out from under the noses of Spurs once again, we finished 4th...and the players celebrated like they had just won the Premier League title. Old Arsenal sides would have solemnly treaded back to the locker room, wondering how the hell they finished in 4th. That aside though there are several positives to take away from this year.
1.) The Gunners are no longer a defensive mess...
Last season, the Gunners were abysmal on defense, most notably when it came to defending the counterattack. It always felt like they disorganized and the defense of set pieces was shocking. Much of that bled into this year, most notably in an early loss to Chelsea in which both Chelsea goals came off of set pieces. Arsenal were improved defensively for much of the season but displayed a penchant for imploding at inopportune times. Their defensive record was misleading as they didn't concede many goals but the ones they did concede turned out to be lethal. Arsene Wenger's decision to drop captain Thomas Vermaelen to the bench against Bayern Munich was the turning point of the season. After that game the Gunners were incredibly tight on defense. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker appeared to be much more in sync than either were with Vermaelen and it showed. If the two can replicate their late season form next season, I expect big things from the Gunners.
2.) It appears everyone is staying for the first time in awhile
The Gunners have not had an off season in a long time that didn't feature someone of importance leaving. Over the past few seasons the team has lost Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, and Robin Van Persie. Teams don't just bounce back from losing such talent. This offseason however, it appears only Bacary Sagna is likely to leave. That's a loss the Gunners can afford as Carl Jenkinson was the better player for much of the season. All of Arsenal's youngsters signed new deals in January which means that for the first time in a while there shouldn't be any high profile exits from the Emirates this transfer window. Having consistency in the starting XI will be a huge help to the Gunners next season.
3.) There is money to spend
If there ever was an off season for Arsene Wenger to finally bring in a big signing it would be this one. New sponsorship deals promise to give him lots of money to spend. Bringing in a star striker would bring the Gunners leaps and bounds forward.
With that said here's my awards from the season:
This really doesn't even need to be said. The new signing was brilliant from the start. Cazorla always showed up when the Gunners needs him chipping in 12 goals and 11 assists in his first season in the Premier League. Without his quick feet and inventiveness, Arsenal would not have finished nearly as high. He is without a doubt the most invaluable player in this Arsenal side.
Honorable Mention: Laurent Koscielny, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere
Normally the most consistent player the Gunners have, Sagna's play was atrocious at times this season. Most notably the penalty he gave away against Manchester United when the Gunners were up a goal. He never seemed to be fully comfortable after returning from injury and it was clear by the end of the season that Carl Jenkinson was the better option at right back. Sagna is likely to depart back to France this transfer window.
Honorable Mention: Thomas Vermaelen, Wojciech Szczesny, Andrei Arshavin, Andre Santos
For the first half of this Capital One Cup tie, a rather strong Arsenal side which featured the likes of Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin, and Laurent Koscielny in it's ranks, all established Premier League players, was outclassed by Reading. 4 goals within 25 minutes and it appeared the Gunners would once again would face defeat in the cup. However, a hat trick from Theo Walcott and a surprising brace from Marouane Chamakh led the Gunners to a famous victory in the cup.
Honorable Mention: Beating Spurs 5-2 for the second time, beating Liverpool at Anfield 2-0, beating Newcastle 7-3 with a barrage of late goals, 1-1 draw thanks to Koscielny's late equalizer at the Etihad with Manchester City
Arsenal fielded their strongest side for this game, which appeared to be a simple task for the Gunners. Sweep aside a League 2 side and progress to the next round of the competition. Instead the Gunners stalled and found themselves beaten. Easily the worst loss of the season.
Honorable mention: 2-1 loss at White Hart Line, 3-1 mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich, 2-1 loss to Manchester United with the opener scored by RVP, the loss to Blackburn in the FA Cup
Over the past couple of seasons Theo Walcott has been an enigma. At times showing he can be a world class player with his pace and trickery. Other times he disappears during games and his finishing is poor. Towards the end of last season, he showed signs once of finally putting it all together, resulting in this season. Walcott finished as Arsenal's leading goal scorer and contributed several key goals down the stretch. It appears that Walcott has finally arrived and could take an even bigger step next season as he is still only 24 years of age. Arsenal took great steps this season, locking him down to a new deal to ensure his future lies at the Emirates.
Honorable Mention: Per Mertersacker, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Ramsey
Rumors that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry had been working with Walcott on his finishing were confirmed when Walcott delivered this amazing performance vs Newcastle in December. All three goals were scored with Henry like class including a wonder third goal, displayed here. In one game, Walcott showed that he had arrived.
Honorable Mention: Lukas Podolski vs West Ham (1 screamer of a goal, 3 assists), Santi Cazorla Hat trick against Reading, Abou Diaby's Patrick Viera-esque performance against Liverpool at Anfield, Lukasz Fabianski's surprise start vs Bayern Munich, Olivier Giroud's brilliant brace in the draw against Fulham
Top Five Goals of the Season
Not the best goal he scored this season, but in terms of significance it was huge. After two goalless draws to open the season this was Arsenal's first goal of the season. An excellent finish from Podolski and the assist from Santi Cazorla and Arsenal fans began to get over Robin Van Persie.
A beautiful curled effort from Santi Cazorla, the best of many cool finishes from the Spaniard this season.
Another world class strike from Lukas Podolski to bring Arsenal level.
2.) Theo Walcott's run vs Newcastle
Brilliant play from the Englishman as the ref called advantage, allowing for a super cool finish.
Despite an inconsistant season, Podolski reminds us of how deadly he can be in front of net, smashing in this lovely volley.
Honorable Mentions: Kieran Gibbs volley vs Swansea, Podolski free kick vs Southampton, Olivier Giroud's second vs Newcastle, Santi Cazorla vs Manchester United
So what lies ahead for the Gunners?
This transfer window is a huge moment for the club. If they take steps to bring in a world class player there is no reason why the Gunners can't be back in the hunt for the Premier League title next season.
Transfer Targets
The one thing that Arsenal lacked this season was a striker who can finish consistently against the best competition. If rumors are to be believed, Arsene Wenger will challenge Juventus for the signature of Gonzalo Higuain, who Real Madrid plans to offload this offseason. Such a signing would greatly boost the Gunners front line. Higuain is valued at 22-25 million pounds
As would young striker Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina. The 23 year old has the size and the ball skills to succeed in the Premier League. Doubts do remain about the player's willingness to leave Italy however and his price (potentially 30mil) may scare off the Gunners.
Another target that has persisted throughout the past few months is Barcelona striker David Villa. With Barca's recent signing of Neymar, the 31 year old appears to be a surplus to requirements at the Catalan club. Originally believed to be close to a move to the Emirates in January, Villa could finally find his way to North London.
Reports also suggest that Arsene Wenger is looking to add depth to his defense in the form of Swansea City captain Ashley Williams. The defender was in great form this season, leading Swansea to the Capital One Cup title.
Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal have signed Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo. At 20 years old, he appears to be a prospect for Arsenal in the future.
Rumors that Cesc Fabregas is on his way back to North London have persisted throughout the season. Arsenal does hold a buy back clause in Fabregas' contract with Barcelona. Reports that new Manchester United boss David Moyes hopes to bring the former Arsenal captain to Old Trafford has tweaked several Arsenal fans but it's unlikely that he'd move anywhere in England other than Arsenal.
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