Arsenal Season Preview 2017/18
It is always sad to see the football season end. Although most fans eagerly anticipate the end of season fixtures and cup finals. We put our differences aside and agree that not having football to watch on weekends is horrible. Its a special feeling to sit back on the couch in your team jersey and back your boys. As an Arsenal fan, the Premier League campaign didn’t bring much joy, finishing outside the top four for the first time under Wenger. There was one highlight at the end, a bright spark in an otherwise dull season: the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.
But once the transfer window opened, Wenger wasted no time in acquiring Sead Kolasinac, on a free, from Schalke 04. Early showings in the pre-season games are promising, and I have quickly endeared myself to him. Strong and fast, he provides a physical presence the Arsenal backline have missed in recent years. In the Community Shield win over Chelsea (our 9th consecutive win at Wembley, mind it Spurs) he changed the face of the game once introduced, going on to score the equaliser, and shift the momentum our way. He seems to be tailor-made for the Premier League.
Perhaps the arrival of Kolasinac was overshadowed by the capture of Alexandre Lacazette, and rather understandably. Wenger has been a long time admirer of the French striker, and was keen on signing him last season, but nothing materialised. This year was a different story, before the season ended, Lacazette made his intentions known, he wanted out, and Arsenal’s lack of Champions League was not a hindrance. Wenger smashed the club record to sign him for £52 million. And he could prove to be worth every penny. Arsenal have yearned for a natural goalscorer since the departure of van Persie, and Lacazette seems to be the man to fill the void. Over the last few years, Özil and Sanchez have watched chance after chance spurned by the forwards, chances that Lacazette will revel in. Giroud has been clinical but inconsistent. I hope he stays, but I prefer to see him start on the bench, and provide a different outlet to what Lacazette provides. His speed and mobility, paired with an eye for goal and ruthless finishing, he may yet fire us to glory. And Thierry henry thinks he will succeed, and surely King Henry knows a thing or two about French strikers at Arsenal.
We may have only made two major signings but they are massive upgrades on the previous players that held the positions. Apart from new faces, I think that Granit Xhaka will play a major role in this season. When he arrived last summer, Wenger was expecting to ease him into the rigorous routine of playing in the Premier League on a weekly basis. With a midfield filled with names such as Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Mohammed Elneny, one could understand his idea. But early season injuries to Cazorla and Ramsey forced Wenger’s hand and Xhaka was flung into the deep end and expected to survive. He struggled, as one would expect a foreign import to do. The pace and intensity of the game seemed a bit too much for him, and he picked up a couple of cards early on. But Wenger does not usually spend in the region of £35 million, so when he does, you can expect the player to be half decent. As the season went on, and Xhaka adapted to the English game, he became a pivotal point in Arsenal’s midfield. Even as the likes of Ramsey returned from injury, Xhaka managed to fend off the competition for his place. His extensive range and pinpoint accuracy in passing the ball makes him an invaluable asset. He has the ability to see a teammate making a run or in a good position, and make the pass forward. He makes the transition from defence to attack happen quickly and smoothly. If he stays fit and keeps out of trouble on the pitch, Xhaka may well be the most important midfielder in the Arsenal squad.
When we finished 5th, there was a general feeling of disappointment and discontent around the Emirates Stadium. Although that feeling still lingers, much of it has disappeared. We will be the only one of the top six teams to be playing Europa League, and although that sounds slightly demeaning, it may have some very positive consequences. Wenger has already spoke of his plans to play a weaker side in the initial stages of the tournament, giving a chance to some of the youngsters like Reiss Nelson and Chris Wilcock, who impressed in preseason. Apart from the opportunity to cultivate our youth and allow them to flourish in a fairly large European tournament, it also takes pressure off the main squad, allowing them to focus on the league. This season, teams like Chelsea and Liverpool’s squads will be stretched to the limit, as they try to juggle Champions League with challenging for the Premier League. This is where Arsenal have the advantage. Resting key players in midweek fixtures will have great benefits in the League. Hopefully we can get into the quarterfinals of the Europa League, from which point, the star players can play a part. Second-tier European competition or not, I’d love to see a European trophy. And hey, if Man United were happy with winning the Europa League, then I can be satisfied too, provided it comes paired with the Premier League.
Although at the time of writing, the transfer window is yet to shut, I have faith that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil will stay, at least for the upcoming season. That is a massive bonus. Keeping your best players is the first step to strengthening your squad. There is no use adding to the squad if the marquee players from before have already been shipped off. Wenger remains adamant that both players will remain at the Emirates next season. Özil seems more likely to sign a new deal than Alexis, and yet, the idea of the duo playing alongside Lacazette is a mouthwatering prospect.
Every year, I sit with baited breath for the start of a new Premier League campaign. Filled with hope and anticipation, and the feeling that “This might be our year!” I have been let down for many consecutive years and yet, as the season opener draws near, all the disappointment dissipates and is replaced by expectations and ambitions. Friday night, the new campaign kicks off against Leicester at the Emirates, and you can bet that I will be sitting on the couch, in crimson, with the gold cannon emblazoned on my chest. And while I can’t predict the outcome, I’m just glad that football is back.
