The opening day of the new Premier League season has come to a close and I have been left with a familiar feeling of frustration following the goalless draw at St James Park.
But let’s start with the positives. We defended solidly and Thomas Vermaelen and Lauren Koscielny deserve credit for that. I thought Kieran Gibbs also had a good game at left-back and is a good ready-made replacement for Gael Clichy. But there was something lacking in the final third as we failed to find the killer goal. Gervinho looked lively on his debut and was certainly not afraid to take people on, although sometimes he did take a touch too many. However, his debut was tarnished by a silly red card in the second half. After watching it back, I think Gervinho acted a bit stupidly and maybe the red card was deserved. However, Joey Barton really should have followed him off for an early bath for grabbing his throat. But enough on Barton, I could go on forever ranting about him!
For all the frustrations thrown up in the game, a goalless draw at Newcastle is a decent result. Some would have expected Arsenal to claim all three points, but the Magpies are a tough nut to crack on their own patch as the Gunners, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, found out last season.
Also, when you consider that two major players – Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri – are set to leave Arsenal before the end of the transfer window, the starting XI that took to the field against Newcastle didn’t look too bad. Wenger does need to make one or two additions to add some much needed depth to the squad, but the current crop of players are capable of achieving something.
The summer has focused far too much on the futures of Fabregas and Nasri. Yes, it is very frustrating for Arsenal fans like myself to see two key players about to leave and no big replacements coming in as of yet. But people seem to forget what an incredible talent Jack Wilshere is and Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song are decent midfielders too. The key area to strengthen is of course centre-back, although Vermaelen and Koscielny did well against Newcastle which can only give us hope.
I’m not saying we are going to cause a big shock and definitely win the Premier League title, but I think those who have already written off any chance of us finishing in the top four are making very dangerous statements. All the Arsenal fans need to focus their energy on getting behind the team and cheering them on this season instead of giving off any negative vibes.
Some Arsenal fans have said they want Wenger out. While I can totally understand their frustrations of six trophyless seasons, I genuinely believe that Wenger needs to stay. It hasn’t exactly gone our way in recent seasons, but people also seem to have quickly forgotten all the great things Wenger did in the earlier part of his reign with the Gunners.
I cannot deny that this is going to be one hell of a tough season for us and August alone is going to be a huge test of our title credentials. But if we can collect at least four points from the next two league games against Liverpool and Manchester United, you never know what might happen. Having two games against Udinese sandwiched in between them is not ideal, but we just have to make the best of the situation.
I think people have also been too quick to write us off and we will be there or there abouts again this season…let’s just hope it ends with a trophy!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
