Petr Cech produced a man of the match performance to frustrate Liverpool and earn Arsenal their first home points of the season in a goalless draw at The Emirates.
The Gunners went into the game looking for their first home points of the season, having lost to West Ham on the opening weekend. Arsene Wenger's men, who were forced into key defensive changes due to the absence of regular centre-back pairing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, had a goal disallowed in the first half. But it was their Merseyside opponents who enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes as only a string of fine saves from Cech kept them at bay.
Arsenal stepped things up a gear after the break and were the better team in the second half, but for all their attacking endeavour they just couldn't seem to find that killer instinct in front of goal. Simon Mignolet frustrated the Gunners' attack with some great saves, while Martin Skrtel was superb at the back for Liverpool and made some crucial tackles.
Getting a draw against one of our top-four rivals isn't too bad but what was very disappointing was the fact we again failed to score at the Emirates. The Gunners have failed to score in their opening two league home games for the first time since August 1979. The next home league game is a tricky clash with Stoke next month but we need to make sure we turn in a performance of the highest quality and get back among the goals in our own back yard. We certainly need to start stronger than we did against Brendan Rodgers' men.
After full-time it initially felt like two huge points dropped at home regardless of the strength of the opposition. Although the result still frustrates me somewhat it is still a hard-earned point and one not to be too disheartened by especially when considering the late changes we had to make. Mertesacker was ruled out through illness and Koscielny picked up a back injury, meaning Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista deputised, so it was always going to be an even bigger test for the home defence.
Liverpool started brightly and almost took an early lead, only for Philippe Coutinho's effort to crash against the underside of the bar. That appeared to wake the hosts up and Arsenal nearly broke the deadlock soon after but Aaron Ramsey's effort was ruled out for offside. It was a very difficult call for referee Michael Oliver to make. From the replays Skrtel does appear to play the Welsh midfielder onside but it didn't really change the game too much as both sides continued to battle hard.
Cech produced a superb point-blank save to deny Christian Benteke from close range before tipping Coutinho's curling strike onto a post to keep the scores goalless going in at the break.
Arsenal came out with a lot more purpose after the interval and showed a lot more hunger and desire to push forward. Each time they lost the ball in the second half the Gunners worked tirelessly to quickly win it back. Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey refused to give up and put in a decent shift for the hosts, but once again Arsenal were unable to convert their chances. It would be harsh to be too hard on Olivier Giroud, who was making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, but this game once again highlighted our need to go out and buy a top class centre forward.
Giroud did however almost set up the opening goal when he played in Alexis Sanchez, but the Chilean's strike crashed against a post from a narrow angle. The Frenchman nearly got himself on the scoresheet 20 minutes from time but Mignolet was equal to his effort and turned it behind for a corner.
Arsenal continued to push forward in the closing stages but substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sent a shot wide. Gabriel, who defended superbly to deny Alberto Moreno moments earlier, then headed over the bar.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Liverpool fan Darren Warburton was happy to see his side take a point and felt that a draw was a fair result for both sides. He said: "Arsenal came out the blocks extremely slow, with Coutinho hitting the bar after two minutes. Liverpool's midfield three dominated and bossed the midfield, which made it hard for Arsenal to breakdown the Liverpool back line.
"Arsenal had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, but that was a very rare attack. Coutinho also hit the woodwork with a tremendous piece of skill.
"Cech was outstanding and made up for his first home game errors (against West Ham).
"Second half, as assumed, Arsenal were much better. Liverpool were playing more on the counter and played well defensively. Mignolet this time making great saves and showing his improvement since last season.
"Overall a draw was a fair result and a great start to the season for Liverpool. Both teams will challenge the top four, but I'm not sure if either team has enough to challenge for the title."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Four points from the opening three games. It could be worse but it is far from ideal. After defeat to West Ham, I was expecting a better result in this second clash at home against Liverpool. The enforced defensive changes made it more difficult for us but I thought the back four mainly did okay. We worked tirelessly and it would be somewhat harsh to fault the players' efforts, especially those in midfield. Although I don't want to single out Giroud, as he didn't get too many chances, we really are crying out for a striker who can guarantee us 25-30 goals a season and this match proved that. On reflection a point isn't too bad but we are going to need to do a lot better if we are to get back to winning ways at home and, more importantly, prove to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City we can challenge them. Whether or not we can remains to be seen. It could be another case of 'same old Arsenal' or maybe we can do something that little bit different, but we need to do something before the transfer window closes on September 1st. Let's focus on bolstering the ranks and making sure we get maximum points when we travel to Newcastle for our next league encounter.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Monday, 24 August 2015
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Gunners back on track
Olivier Giroud scored at Crystal Palace for the third straight season as Arsenal kick-started their campaign with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.
Several questions had been raised following a woeful performance in a 2-0 home defeat by West Ham on the opening weekend of the season. A big response was needed from the Gunners and, although their display wasn't perfect, the visitors did what mattered most and got a positive result.
Whether we will kick on from here and have a good season remains to be seen, and I still feel we are one or two new signings short of being where we need to be. But the importance of this win cannot be underestimated. It is still too early in the season to really analyse anything but starting with two consecutive defeats really would have spelled disaster for Arsene Wenger's men.
After conceding goals against West Ham we didn't look like getting back into the game at all, but against Palace we were at least showing a lot more fight and, even after their equaliser, we were pushing to try and get another goal. This was a much-improved performance but, in all honesty, still far from perfect.
Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla impressed for the Gunners but we still seem to lack that killer instinct up front. Giroud took his goal superbly but we need to convert our chances even better if we are to compete properly with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Arsenal started brightly and almost took the lead inside the opening seven minutes. The Gunners broke clear three on one, but Joel Ward was alert to the danger to block Alexis Sanchez's initial effort. The Chilean had another chance with the rebound but James McArthur cleared his effort off the line.
The visitors continued to look dangerous with Aaron Ramsey testing Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from long range before Sanchez saw his effort blocked by the defence soon after. At the other end Yohan Cabaye shot straight at Petr Cech.
Arsenal finally got the reward for their dominance through Giroud's acrobatic goal after 16 minutes. Sanchez found Mesut Ozil, who crossed the ball for the French international to score with a scissor kick into the bottom corner. Giroud's goal meant he had scored at Palace for a third straight season.
The Gunners nearly extended their lead but Sanchez's effort was well parried by McCarthy. That miss proved costly for the visitors as Palace levelled the scores after 28 minutes. Yannick Bolasie chested the ball back to McArthur, who set up Ward to fire a shot low into the net. It was against the run of play but it didn't stop me thinking maybe it wasn't actually going to be our day.
Arsenal continued to have the better of the chances in the first half, with Santi Cazorla and Giroud shooting off target before Ramsey's strike was saved by McCarthy.
Francis Coquelin could maybe have counted himself lucky to still be on the field in the closing stages of the first half. The first yellow was debatable but he was very lucky not to be given a second one following a careless challenge as the scores remained level going in at the break.
Palace almost took a shock lead within four minutes of the restart when Connor Wickham, who was making his home debut, raced into the box to meet a superb cross from Wilfried Zaha. But, fortunately for the visitors, Wickham smashed his effort against a post.
Arsenal took advantage of that miss and regained their lead six minutes later. Hector Bellerin, who returned to the side following injury, whipped in a cross and Sanchez leapt brilliantly to head the ball goalwards via a deflection from Delaney. Not only did the goal fill me with a sense of joy and relief, but I also had the added bonus of Sanchez being my Fantasy Football captain. That was then tainted slightly when it was credited as an own goal, but what an important goal in what was turning out to be a nervy contest.
Palace tried to respond to the setback as Jason Puncheon chested the ball down before firing a low shot straight into the arms of Cech. The home supporters were then calling for Coquelin to be sent off following his tangle with McArthur but, fortunately for the Gunners, he was let off with a warning. It was no surprise to see him replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain soon after. I still rate Coquelin highly and still think he has great potential, but his start to the season has so far failed to match his impressive form from the last campaign.
Arsenal continued to try and search for a third goal but Ramsey sent a half-volley over the bar before Oxlade-Chamberlain's effort was superbly blocked by Delaney soon after. At the other end, Wickham sent a shot wide, reminding their opponents that the game was far from over.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta came off the bench to make his first Premier League appearance since November. The Spanish midfielder made a key contribution in the closing minutes of the game as he recovered superbly well to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Lee Chung-Yong in the box. From the resulting corner, Ward sent his header straight at Cech.
Arsenal ended the game with a flurry, with Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain both forcing saves from McCarthy, as the Gunners held on to record their third successive 2-1 win against the Eagles.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Palace fan James Chick believes Coquelin should have been given his marching orders and he doesn't appear to rate him very highly either. He said: "The game went pretty much the way I expected and I think Palace played well.
"My observations are that Coquelin should have been sent off but also that he's not a particularly good midfielder. There is no way Arsenal will challenge for the title with him starting in midfield. Wenger should be looking at buying a better version of him. (Laurent) Koscielny and Ozil were Arsenal's two strongest players for me."
Chick also believes his side will recover from this set-back to achieve a respectable league position, although he didn't agree with all of Alan Pardew's team selection. He added: "Bolasie for (Jordan) Mutch was a strange decision and (Lee) Chungy was an unusual sub over (Patrick) Bamford. In hindsight we should have started (Glenn) Murray but the logic of starting Wickham was sound enough. We still miss (Julian) Speroni and his return cannot come sooner.
"Based on this game and the Norwich game, I am confident we can stay mid-table."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I fully agree with Chick that Palace can achieve a mid-table position as they have bought wisely and are a tough side to break down. But for Arsenal this match was more about the result than anything else. A superb performance would have been a bonus but we had to make sure, above all else, that we didn't fall to another defeat after what happened against West Ham the week before. Hopefully it can be a turning point and allow us to turn this into a positive season. One thing is for sure though. We must produce a far better performance when we host Liverpool in our next league match. A win in that game and maybe, just maybe, this could be a good season for us. But if we lose, we will be hearing a lot of people saying 'same old Arsenal'. The players need to up their game and make sure this doesn't happen, so here's hoping for a superb performance against Brendan Rodgers' men.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Several questions had been raised following a woeful performance in a 2-0 home defeat by West Ham on the opening weekend of the season. A big response was needed from the Gunners and, although their display wasn't perfect, the visitors did what mattered most and got a positive result.
Whether we will kick on from here and have a good season remains to be seen, and I still feel we are one or two new signings short of being where we need to be. But the importance of this win cannot be underestimated. It is still too early in the season to really analyse anything but starting with two consecutive defeats really would have spelled disaster for Arsene Wenger's men.
After conceding goals against West Ham we didn't look like getting back into the game at all, but against Palace we were at least showing a lot more fight and, even after their equaliser, we were pushing to try and get another goal. This was a much-improved performance but, in all honesty, still far from perfect.
Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla impressed for the Gunners but we still seem to lack that killer instinct up front. Giroud took his goal superbly but we need to convert our chances even better if we are to compete properly with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Arsenal started brightly and almost took the lead inside the opening seven minutes. The Gunners broke clear three on one, but Joel Ward was alert to the danger to block Alexis Sanchez's initial effort. The Chilean had another chance with the rebound but James McArthur cleared his effort off the line.
The visitors continued to look dangerous with Aaron Ramsey testing Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from long range before Sanchez saw his effort blocked by the defence soon after. At the other end Yohan Cabaye shot straight at Petr Cech.
Arsenal finally got the reward for their dominance through Giroud's acrobatic goal after 16 minutes. Sanchez found Mesut Ozil, who crossed the ball for the French international to score with a scissor kick into the bottom corner. Giroud's goal meant he had scored at Palace for a third straight season.
The Gunners nearly extended their lead but Sanchez's effort was well parried by McCarthy. That miss proved costly for the visitors as Palace levelled the scores after 28 minutes. Yannick Bolasie chested the ball back to McArthur, who set up Ward to fire a shot low into the net. It was against the run of play but it didn't stop me thinking maybe it wasn't actually going to be our day.
Arsenal continued to have the better of the chances in the first half, with Santi Cazorla and Giroud shooting off target before Ramsey's strike was saved by McCarthy.
Francis Coquelin could maybe have counted himself lucky to still be on the field in the closing stages of the first half. The first yellow was debatable but he was very lucky not to be given a second one following a careless challenge as the scores remained level going in at the break.
Palace almost took a shock lead within four minutes of the restart when Connor Wickham, who was making his home debut, raced into the box to meet a superb cross from Wilfried Zaha. But, fortunately for the visitors, Wickham smashed his effort against a post.
Arsenal took advantage of that miss and regained their lead six minutes later. Hector Bellerin, who returned to the side following injury, whipped in a cross and Sanchez leapt brilliantly to head the ball goalwards via a deflection from Delaney. Not only did the goal fill me with a sense of joy and relief, but I also had the added bonus of Sanchez being my Fantasy Football captain. That was then tainted slightly when it was credited as an own goal, but what an important goal in what was turning out to be a nervy contest.
Palace tried to respond to the setback as Jason Puncheon chested the ball down before firing a low shot straight into the arms of Cech. The home supporters were then calling for Coquelin to be sent off following his tangle with McArthur but, fortunately for the Gunners, he was let off with a warning. It was no surprise to see him replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain soon after. I still rate Coquelin highly and still think he has great potential, but his start to the season has so far failed to match his impressive form from the last campaign.
Arsenal continued to try and search for a third goal but Ramsey sent a half-volley over the bar before Oxlade-Chamberlain's effort was superbly blocked by Delaney soon after. At the other end, Wickham sent a shot wide, reminding their opponents that the game was far from over.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta came off the bench to make his first Premier League appearance since November. The Spanish midfielder made a key contribution in the closing minutes of the game as he recovered superbly well to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Lee Chung-Yong in the box. From the resulting corner, Ward sent his header straight at Cech.
Arsenal ended the game with a flurry, with Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain both forcing saves from McCarthy, as the Gunners held on to record their third successive 2-1 win against the Eagles.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Palace fan James Chick believes Coquelin should have been given his marching orders and he doesn't appear to rate him very highly either. He said: "The game went pretty much the way I expected and I think Palace played well.
"My observations are that Coquelin should have been sent off but also that he's not a particularly good midfielder. There is no way Arsenal will challenge for the title with him starting in midfield. Wenger should be looking at buying a better version of him. (Laurent) Koscielny and Ozil were Arsenal's two strongest players for me."
Chick also believes his side will recover from this set-back to achieve a respectable league position, although he didn't agree with all of Alan Pardew's team selection. He added: "Bolasie for (Jordan) Mutch was a strange decision and (Lee) Chungy was an unusual sub over (Patrick) Bamford. In hindsight we should have started (Glenn) Murray but the logic of starting Wickham was sound enough. We still miss (Julian) Speroni and his return cannot come sooner.
"Based on this game and the Norwich game, I am confident we can stay mid-table."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I fully agree with Chick that Palace can achieve a mid-table position as they have bought wisely and are a tough side to break down. But for Arsenal this match was more about the result than anything else. A superb performance would have been a bonus but we had to make sure, above all else, that we didn't fall to another defeat after what happened against West Ham the week before. Hopefully it can be a turning point and allow us to turn this into a positive season. One thing is for sure though. We must produce a far better performance when we host Liverpool in our next league match. A win in that game and maybe, just maybe, this could be a good season for us. But if we lose, we will be hearing a lot of people saying 'same old Arsenal'. The players need to up their game and make sure this doesn't happen, so here's hoping for a superb performance against Brendan Rodgers' men.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 9 August 2015
Hammer blow for Gunners
Petr Cech had a league debut to forget as Arsenal suffered a 2-0 home defeat at the hand of local rivals West Ham on the opening weekend of the new season.
The veteran goalkeeper, who has over 300 Premier League appearances to his name, looked to have instilled a more calming influence into the Gunners back line, especially after helping them to lift the Community Shield with victory over former club Chelsea. But it didn't go according to plan against the Hammers and Cech should've done more to prevent the goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate on his league debut.
Arsenal played nothing like they had the week before against Chelsea and were very poor for most of the game at the Emirates. What disappointed me most is that we didn't even show much fight to try and get back in the game. We had most of the possession and over 20 shots at goal yet we didn't force Adrian into too many difficult saves. Huge improvements are certainly needed for the next match away at Crystal Palace. Take nothing away from the visitors though, West Ham fully deserved to win their first league match under new boss Slaven Bilic. 16-year-old Reece Oxford made his Premier League debut for the visitors and his impressive battling performance matched that of his team-mates, to leave the Gunners frustrated.
Neither side created too much in the opening quarter, with Laurent Koscielny heading over for the hosts before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw his volley go just wide of the top corner.
West Ham continued to frustrate Arsenal and their defence deserve a lot of credit for an excellent performance. Angelo Ogbonna, who joined the Hammers from Juventus over the summer, did superbly well to block Olivier Giroud's volley and the hosts were finding it very difficult to break down their opponents.
As the match approached the half hour mark Cazorla sent a volley just over before Aaron Ramsey's deflected strike hit the crossbar. Ramsey sent his next effort just wide, while Adrian had to react quickly to deny Giroud with an excellent save, although it was soon pulled back for offside.
Arsenal's wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt them as West Ham opened the scoring two minutes before the break. Kouayte beat Cech to the ball and headed home Dimitri Payet's free-kick.
The Gunners nearly found a response before half-time Mesut Ozil's effort was well blocked by Hammers' defender James Tomkins.
Arsenal continued to have more of the chances in the second half but still couldn't make them count. Giroud turned and shot into the side netting before seeing his deflected strike saved by Adrian soon after.
If the Gunners are to have any chance of mounting a more serious challenge for the Premier League title this time around they need to do far better at converting their chances. Over 20 shots on target and with no goals to show for it simply isn't good enough and the Hammers made them pay.
Bilic's men doubled their advantage after 57 minutes after the Arsenal defence failed to clear the ball on the edge of the box, allowing Zarate to wrong-foot Cech and fire a shot into the bottom corner. Cech should've done better in getting to the ball in what was turning into a nightmare league debut for the 33-year-old.
Alexis Sanchez, who only returned to training recently and was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes, came off the bench after 67 minutes as Arsene Wenger attempted to salvage something from the game. The Chilean worked hard as always and tried to help his side's case but there just weren't enough players stepping up to the plate to help in what was a dire display.
There was a break in play going into the final quarter of the match following a clash of heads between Giroud and Tomkins, but fortunately both players were able to continue. In previous seasons, if we were 2-0 down with 15 minutes left, I would believe that one goal could totally change the game and that things could still turn around for the better. But on this occasion my usual optimism wasn't there and I was already sensing it was game over, thus highlighting just how poor we were on the day.
We continued to try, but failed, to get back into the game with Oxlade-Chamberlain smashing a shot into the side netting before Cazorla forced Adrian into a fine diving save. It was an excellent save but we should've tested Adrian on a lot more occasions prior to this and not just simply in the closing stages of the game.
At least Sanchez seemed to be trying to rescue the game as he forced two further late saves from Adrian, but on the whole it was a very poor team performance from the Gunners.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Hammers' fan Paul Silver was pleasantly surprised by his side’s performance and he said: "Going into this game, I wasn't in the least confident or hopeful we'd end the streak and win away at the Gooners.
"After a questionable pre-season, in which our strongest side or formation was unestablished, I carried little hope. Seeing us line up with Noble and Kouyate seemingly trying to provide the width in a diamond 4-4-2 I wondered where our attacking threat would come from. However, fears were soon allayed when I saw us start with verve and vigour, playing a high pressing game with plenty of tempo and aggression.
"The scoreline somewhat flattered us in the end, and admittedly we were spending the last 20 minutes sitting deep defending for our lives, but we were deserving of the three points I feel. I've much reason to be feeling a little optimistic that Bilic will banish the Allardyce blues and negativity and bring some pride back to the Boleyn."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
For West Ham this was a great start to the season and something positive to build on, while Arsenal supporters were left with the familiar sinking feeling we have experienced in recent league campaigns. We can't simply blame Cech though. Yes he made some errors but he is still a class goalkeeper. None of the players on the pitch particularly impressed against the Hammers and all of them, along with the manager, should shoulder the blame equally. I am desperately hoping that this was simply a bad day at the office, but we will have to put in a far better performance if we are to bounce back at Crystal Palace in our next match.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
The veteran goalkeeper, who has over 300 Premier League appearances to his name, looked to have instilled a more calming influence into the Gunners back line, especially after helping them to lift the Community Shield with victory over former club Chelsea. But it didn't go according to plan against the Hammers and Cech should've done more to prevent the goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate on his league debut.
Arsenal played nothing like they had the week before against Chelsea and were very poor for most of the game at the Emirates. What disappointed me most is that we didn't even show much fight to try and get back in the game. We had most of the possession and over 20 shots at goal yet we didn't force Adrian into too many difficult saves. Huge improvements are certainly needed for the next match away at Crystal Palace. Take nothing away from the visitors though, West Ham fully deserved to win their first league match under new boss Slaven Bilic. 16-year-old Reece Oxford made his Premier League debut for the visitors and his impressive battling performance matched that of his team-mates, to leave the Gunners frustrated.
Neither side created too much in the opening quarter, with Laurent Koscielny heading over for the hosts before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw his volley go just wide of the top corner.
West Ham continued to frustrate Arsenal and their defence deserve a lot of credit for an excellent performance. Angelo Ogbonna, who joined the Hammers from Juventus over the summer, did superbly well to block Olivier Giroud's volley and the hosts were finding it very difficult to break down their opponents.
As the match approached the half hour mark Cazorla sent a volley just over before Aaron Ramsey's deflected strike hit the crossbar. Ramsey sent his next effort just wide, while Adrian had to react quickly to deny Giroud with an excellent save, although it was soon pulled back for offside.
Arsenal's wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt them as West Ham opened the scoring two minutes before the break. Kouayte beat Cech to the ball and headed home Dimitri Payet's free-kick.
The Gunners nearly found a response before half-time Mesut Ozil's effort was well blocked by Hammers' defender James Tomkins.
Arsenal continued to have more of the chances in the second half but still couldn't make them count. Giroud turned and shot into the side netting before seeing his deflected strike saved by Adrian soon after.
If the Gunners are to have any chance of mounting a more serious challenge for the Premier League title this time around they need to do far better at converting their chances. Over 20 shots on target and with no goals to show for it simply isn't good enough and the Hammers made them pay.
Bilic's men doubled their advantage after 57 minutes after the Arsenal defence failed to clear the ball on the edge of the box, allowing Zarate to wrong-foot Cech and fire a shot into the bottom corner. Cech should've done better in getting to the ball in what was turning into a nightmare league debut for the 33-year-old.
Alexis Sanchez, who only returned to training recently and was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes, came off the bench after 67 minutes as Arsene Wenger attempted to salvage something from the game. The Chilean worked hard as always and tried to help his side's case but there just weren't enough players stepping up to the plate to help in what was a dire display.
There was a break in play going into the final quarter of the match following a clash of heads between Giroud and Tomkins, but fortunately both players were able to continue. In previous seasons, if we were 2-0 down with 15 minutes left, I would believe that one goal could totally change the game and that things could still turn around for the better. But on this occasion my usual optimism wasn't there and I was already sensing it was game over, thus highlighting just how poor we were on the day.
We continued to try, but failed, to get back into the game with Oxlade-Chamberlain smashing a shot into the side netting before Cazorla forced Adrian into a fine diving save. It was an excellent save but we should've tested Adrian on a lot more occasions prior to this and not just simply in the closing stages of the game.
At least Sanchez seemed to be trying to rescue the game as he forced two further late saves from Adrian, but on the whole it was a very poor team performance from the Gunners.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Hammers' fan Paul Silver was pleasantly surprised by his side’s performance and he said: "Going into this game, I wasn't in the least confident or hopeful we'd end the streak and win away at the Gooners.
"After a questionable pre-season, in which our strongest side or formation was unestablished, I carried little hope. Seeing us line up with Noble and Kouyate seemingly trying to provide the width in a diamond 4-4-2 I wondered where our attacking threat would come from. However, fears were soon allayed when I saw us start with verve and vigour, playing a high pressing game with plenty of tempo and aggression.
"The scoreline somewhat flattered us in the end, and admittedly we were spending the last 20 minutes sitting deep defending for our lives, but we were deserving of the three points I feel. I've much reason to be feeling a little optimistic that Bilic will banish the Allardyce blues and negativity and bring some pride back to the Boleyn."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
For West Ham this was a great start to the season and something positive to build on, while Arsenal supporters were left with the familiar sinking feeling we have experienced in recent league campaigns. We can't simply blame Cech though. Yes he made some errors but he is still a class goalkeeper. None of the players on the pitch particularly impressed against the Hammers and all of them, along with the manager, should shoulder the blame equally. I am desperately hoping that this was simply a bad day at the office, but we will have to put in a far better performance if we are to bounce back at Crystal Palace in our next match.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Ox ends Gunners' Mourinho hoodoo
Arsene Wenger finally got the better of Jose Mourinho at the 14th time of asking as his Arsenal side beat Chelsea 1-0 to lift the Community Shield for the second successive season.
It may only have been in a minor competition but the importance of the result cannot be underestimated. Obviously, I am not going to get too carried away with the win as we will need to prove ourselves as more serious Premier League title challengers first before I get too excited. But finally beating Mourinho, thanks to a goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is a huge boost for the Gunners and one the players can hopefully take into this season.
When we play Chelsea in the league next month the players should be able to go into the game with the mentality 'we have beaten this team and can beat them again'. I still believe Mourinho firmly has the upper hand in the battle between the two managers but the 'Special One' did look somewhat rattled following the full-time whistle at Wembley. He was clearly disappointed to lose the game and this was evident just from watching his reactions on the sidelines. He even said before the game that he saw the Community Shield as more than a friendly and clearly took the game seriously but, whether or not the result will have a big impact on the upcoming title race remains to be seen.
Arsenal will have to be more consistent with their performances throughout the whole campaign and I still believe we need another addition or two, especially up front but the signs were certainly encouraging. The performance and result will undoubtedly bolster the self-belief within the squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League opener against West Ham.
The only major signing to date this summer is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made his competitive debut against his former club. Cech didn't have too much to do at Wembley but his calming presence between the sticks helped his new side hold on for a more than deserved victory.
Francis Coquelin impressed once again while Hector Bellerin kept Chelsea's star man Eden Hazard quiet for most of the derby clash in the capital. But it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who stole the headlines with his man-of-the-match display.
The England international scored the only goal of the game after 24 minutes when he cut inside César Azpilicueta before firing a powerful strike beyond Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea tried to find an equaliser before half-time but Ramires curled an effort wide of goal before sending a close-range header over the crossbar.
Mourinho's men spurned further chances to get back into the game and Eden Hazard really should've done better with his effort around the hour mark. Cesc Fabregas's expertly-timed pass released Hazard in the box but the Belgian blazed his effort over the bar.
Substitute Oscar also tried his luck from a free-kick but Cech did superbly to push away the Brazilian's effort and deny his former club an equaliser.
Arsenal should've added to their lead in the closing stages but Santi Cazorla's close-range effort was blocked by Courtois before Aaron Ramsey saw his rebound deflected just wide of a post.
It mattered little as Arsenal were able to hold on for the victory, ensuring Wenger's men lifted silverware at Wembley for the second time in four months.
It is hard to read too much into the match as Chelsea will no doubt take things up another level when the Premier League and Champions League start again. But finally ending the losing streak against Mourinho will still do the Gunners, who added the Community Shield to two pre-season tournament trophies, the power of good.
It looks like Arsenal can finally start a campaign full of confidence and with very few injuries compared to normal but I don't want to speak too soon just in case. It is going to be a long and difficult season and who knows where we are going to end up, but at least signs are encouraging at the moment.
If we can add another player or two over the next week or so then I'll feel more confident about our chances. I still think Chelsea are the clear favourites for the Premier League title but we can't totally write ourselves off either. Let's wait and see what happens.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
It may only have been in a minor competition but the importance of the result cannot be underestimated. Obviously, I am not going to get too carried away with the win as we will need to prove ourselves as more serious Premier League title challengers first before I get too excited. But finally beating Mourinho, thanks to a goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is a huge boost for the Gunners and one the players can hopefully take into this season.
When we play Chelsea in the league next month the players should be able to go into the game with the mentality 'we have beaten this team and can beat them again'. I still believe Mourinho firmly has the upper hand in the battle between the two managers but the 'Special One' did look somewhat rattled following the full-time whistle at Wembley. He was clearly disappointed to lose the game and this was evident just from watching his reactions on the sidelines. He even said before the game that he saw the Community Shield as more than a friendly and clearly took the game seriously but, whether or not the result will have a big impact on the upcoming title race remains to be seen.
Arsenal will have to be more consistent with their performances throughout the whole campaign and I still believe we need another addition or two, especially up front but the signs were certainly encouraging. The performance and result will undoubtedly bolster the self-belief within the squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League opener against West Ham.
The only major signing to date this summer is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made his competitive debut against his former club. Cech didn't have too much to do at Wembley but his calming presence between the sticks helped his new side hold on for a more than deserved victory.
Francis Coquelin impressed once again while Hector Bellerin kept Chelsea's star man Eden Hazard quiet for most of the derby clash in the capital. But it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who stole the headlines with his man-of-the-match display.
The England international scored the only goal of the game after 24 minutes when he cut inside César Azpilicueta before firing a powerful strike beyond Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea tried to find an equaliser before half-time but Ramires curled an effort wide of goal before sending a close-range header over the crossbar.
Mourinho's men spurned further chances to get back into the game and Eden Hazard really should've done better with his effort around the hour mark. Cesc Fabregas's expertly-timed pass released Hazard in the box but the Belgian blazed his effort over the bar.
Substitute Oscar also tried his luck from a free-kick but Cech did superbly to push away the Brazilian's effort and deny his former club an equaliser.
Arsenal should've added to their lead in the closing stages but Santi Cazorla's close-range effort was blocked by Courtois before Aaron Ramsey saw his rebound deflected just wide of a post.
It mattered little as Arsenal were able to hold on for the victory, ensuring Wenger's men lifted silverware at Wembley for the second time in four months.
It is hard to read too much into the match as Chelsea will no doubt take things up another level when the Premier League and Champions League start again. But finally ending the losing streak against Mourinho will still do the Gunners, who added the Community Shield to two pre-season tournament trophies, the power of good.
It looks like Arsenal can finally start a campaign full of confidence and with very few injuries compared to normal but I don't want to speak too soon just in case. It is going to be a long and difficult season and who knows where we are going to end up, but at least signs are encouraging at the moment.
If we can add another player or two over the next week or so then I'll feel more confident about our chances. I still think Chelsea are the clear favourites for the Premier League title but we can't totally write ourselves off either. Let's wait and see what happens.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Arsenal End of Season Review: Part 3 - Verney's End of Season Awards
It is common for the end of season to not only signal summer vacation but also time for the end of season awards.
So with my Arsenal blogs coming to a close for the 2014/15 campaign, I thought it would be fitting to dish out my own Arsenal awards. But before all of that there is just time to squeeze in my reaction to the recent release of the 2015/16 fixtures.
After winning the FA Cup we already knew that we would face league champions Chelsea in the Community Shield at the start of August. This in itself is a great game to open the season with. Yes, admittedly in some ways it is a bit of a 'mickey-mouse' piece of silverware, but when the big sides meet neither likes to lose no matter what competition it is in. Also, if Arsene Wenger can somehow lift the hoodoo of never having beaten Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho before the Premier League season even kicks-off, who knows what impact it might have. It may not be the most important of competitions but we must take it seriously as a win would be a big morale boost and set us up nicely for the league games with Chelsea later in the year. We will have to make sure we are on top form as Chelsea are always a tough nut to crack, but I am still glad this is the fixture we start the competitive season with.
As for the Premier League we remain in London for the opening few weeks of the season, starting with a home clash against West Ham before travelling to face Crystal Palace. There are no easy games in the Premier League but it is certainly a big boost starting with a home game and the fact it is a derby makes for an even more exciting opening weekend. We travel to Chelsea in the league the following month and have to wait until November for the first clash with our bitter rivals Tottenham. The league campaign also ends at home with a clash against Aston Villa but let's hope by the time this game comes around we are in a far better position in terms of the title race than we were last time around.
Now it's onto the awards and where better to start than picking out my star player.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
3) Santi Cazorla & Nacho Monreal - Although Cazorla has had a very impressive season and been one of our key players, Monreal deserves to take third spot just as much as his fellow Spaniard. While Cazorla is expected to hit the high levels, Monreal has shown vast improvements in his game to earn a more regular role in the starting XI.
2) Francis Coquelin - As much as I wanted to give Coquelin the top prize, he narrowly misses out. Since returning from his loan spell at Charlton to cover for injury, Coquelin has exceeded expectations to become one of the most important players in the side. He reads the game so intelligently and has impact on the team cannot be underestimated and I am sure I won't be the first to admit his performances have surprised me. He has been truly sensational. The main reason he misses out on the top prize is not only down to him facing stiff competition, but also because he only played part of the season.
WINNER: ALEXIS SANCHEZ - As soon as he arrived I had high hopes of what Sanchez would bring to the side and already knew he was a very talented player. His work-rate and sheer desire to win the ball surpassed any expectations I had and he is truly a joy to watch.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HECTOR BELLERIN - The young Spaniard has never looked back since getting his chance in the first-team following injury to Mathieu Debuchy. The 20-year-old has been a breath of fresh air and is already showing signs of great potential, so long may it continue. His goal in the 4-1 thumping of Liverpool was among the highlights in an impressive season for the youngster.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON
Youngster Krystian Bielik didn't break through into the first team and Gabriel Paulista only featured in the latter months. Mathieu Debuchy spent a fair amount of time out injured, so I'll have to leave this between the other three. I expected big things of Danny Welbeck and, although he did provide some great moments, he wasn't as big a success as I had hoped for. But it is still early days and next season could yet be a big one for him. Goalkeeper David Ospina looks far more calm and confident between the sticks than Wojciech Szczęsny and, ever since taking his place in January has never looked back. Ospina also has one of the highest win ratios of any player in Premier League history but there could only really be one winner.
WINNER: ALEXIS SANCHEZ - There isn't much more to add than what has already been said earlier but he really has been a joy to watch. He has had a fine debut season and it is great to have such a positive feeling about a new signing again and I hope he continues to get better and better.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Without watching through every single one again, there is a slight chance the odd goal may get missed but the great strikes tend to stick in my mind longer and this is certainly a tough one to call. There are a number of top goals we have scored this season that I like for different reasons, but I've managed to narrow it down to four.
3) Sanchez Vs Man City & Wilshere Vs West Brom
It was hard to separate these two great volleys. Wilshere's volley from the edge of the box was a joy to watch and voted goal of the season by Match of the Day viewers. But Sanchez matched him in the volleying stakes with a great first-time strike giving Joe Hart no chance.
2) Aaron Ramsey Vs Galatasaray
A corner was headed clear and Ramsey raced onto the ball 30 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable and sublime volley into the top corner. Unsurprisingly Rambo's top strike was voted goal of the season on the club's official website.
WINNER: SANCHEZ VS ASTON VILLA - Whilst Ramsey stole most of the headlines with his stunning strike, I am going to give my award to Sanchez. Don't get me wrong I love Rambo's wonder goal but Sanchez's effort, not only matched it for quality, but to be on the big stage in a cup final win made it even more special. Like Ramsey, Sanchez received the ball around 30 yards from goal before hitting a wonderful swerving long-range strike to give Shay Given no chance.
BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON
The first half of the games at home to West Brom and away to Hull were nothing short of sensational. The way we battled to a 2-1 win at Manchester United in the FA Cup was also excellent, but there are two games that really stick in my mind. The 4-1 hammering of Liverpool at the Emirates was a truly great performance capped off by four top-notch goals and, this game for me, comes a close second but there could only really be one winner.
WINNER: FA CUP FINAL ARSENAL 4 ASTON VILLA 0 - We really turned on the style in the cup final and blew Aston Villa away, thoroughly deserving the big margin of victory we ended up with. It was a complete performance and we dominated with a magnificent display. I can't deny that sounds incredibly biased but we really did play excellently and seeing us lift the cup after such a good display made it all the sweeter.
ANGRY AWARD
At the other end of the scale are the games that have left me feeling very frustrated and, at times, angry at my team. Players have also irritated me at times and there are some moments you definitely want to make sure the team don't repeat.
3) INJURIES - Yet again injuries affected our season. I don't think it can be used as an excuse for some of the results and we should've also maybe signed another one or two players to cover for this. Nevertheless it is still very irritating. On a more positive note, certain injuries meant Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin were able to break through into the first team and I am at least delighted at that.
2) DEFEAT AT STOKE - As much as the losses to Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham hurt, this one arguably felt like the biggest kick in the balls because of the manner of the performance. Although we restored some pride with an improved second half performance, that doesn't distract from the fact that the opening 45 minutes were one of the worst I witnessed all season and one I never want to see again. To add insult to injury that result was on the weekend of my 30th birthday celebrations.
WINNER: MONACO DEFEAT - Sorry Olivier! Giroud responded well after the set-back and went on a good run of form and, for someone that also had time out injured, a return of 19 goals is impressive. But that doesn't fully excuse his poor display against Monaco that had a big impact on us losing the first leg and ultimately the tie. He can't fully be blamed as the majority of his team-mates were also woeful in the first leg that left me annoyed and with a big feeling of wondering what might have been.
FAVOURITE MOMENT OF THE SEASON
This could be seen as similar to picking a best performance or best goal but this is more about the moment that got me out of my seat the most.
3) DANNY WELBECK CUP GOAL - When we drew Manchester United away in the quarter final of the FA Cup, I genuinely feared that our defence of the trophy could be over. After Wayne Rooney cancelled out Nacho Monreal's opener, I thought we were going to be made to pay but up stepped Welbeck. The actual goal itself wasn't a wonder strike, far from it, and it was only really made possible by a poor backpass, but it didn't stop it being special. Welbeck latched onto Antonio Valencia's backpass before beating the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the empty net. What made it more special wasn't just it being against Welbeck's former club but that we were also able to end our Old Trafford hoodoo. After nine years and 11 attempts we had finally won away at Manchester United again and the feeling was amazing.
2) FA CUP VICTORY - Lifting back-to-back FA Cups is a great achievement, especially as it made us the most successful side ever in the history of the competition. It was a great performance and superb result but, as this has already won an award, it was an easy decision to make.
WINNER: TWO TRIPS TO THE EMIRATES - I don't get to see Arsenal live too often and the two trips I was able to make were truly memorable and got me out of my seat the most....literally! On both occasions - the 2-0 win over Hull in the FA Cup and 2-0 league victory over Everton - the stewards showed amazing understanding to my dislike of heights and were able to change my seats both times. I ended up near the pitch both times and can't thank them enough. Both games and results were ones I'll never forget.
The final award and, arguably the most important, goes to you my readers. I would like to thank my friends for their advice and opinions on my blogs throughout the season and I am grateful to everyone that has taken the time out to read any of my work during the 2014/15 campaign. It has been a great journey and I hope to come back with more of the same that you seem to enjoy, along with some fresh ideas to keep you on your toes. For now it is farewell from me and enjoy the off-season. Roll on August!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
So with my Arsenal blogs coming to a close for the 2014/15 campaign, I thought it would be fitting to dish out my own Arsenal awards. But before all of that there is just time to squeeze in my reaction to the recent release of the 2015/16 fixtures.
After winning the FA Cup we already knew that we would face league champions Chelsea in the Community Shield at the start of August. This in itself is a great game to open the season with. Yes, admittedly in some ways it is a bit of a 'mickey-mouse' piece of silverware, but when the big sides meet neither likes to lose no matter what competition it is in. Also, if Arsene Wenger can somehow lift the hoodoo of never having beaten Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho before the Premier League season even kicks-off, who knows what impact it might have. It may not be the most important of competitions but we must take it seriously as a win would be a big morale boost and set us up nicely for the league games with Chelsea later in the year. We will have to make sure we are on top form as Chelsea are always a tough nut to crack, but I am still glad this is the fixture we start the competitive season with.
As for the Premier League we remain in London for the opening few weeks of the season, starting with a home clash against West Ham before travelling to face Crystal Palace. There are no easy games in the Premier League but it is certainly a big boost starting with a home game and the fact it is a derby makes for an even more exciting opening weekend. We travel to Chelsea in the league the following month and have to wait until November for the first clash with our bitter rivals Tottenham. The league campaign also ends at home with a clash against Aston Villa but let's hope by the time this game comes around we are in a far better position in terms of the title race than we were last time around.
Now it's onto the awards and where better to start than picking out my star player.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
3) Santi Cazorla & Nacho Monreal - Although Cazorla has had a very impressive season and been one of our key players, Monreal deserves to take third spot just as much as his fellow Spaniard. While Cazorla is expected to hit the high levels, Monreal has shown vast improvements in his game to earn a more regular role in the starting XI.
2) Francis Coquelin - As much as I wanted to give Coquelin the top prize, he narrowly misses out. Since returning from his loan spell at Charlton to cover for injury, Coquelin has exceeded expectations to become one of the most important players in the side. He reads the game so intelligently and has impact on the team cannot be underestimated and I am sure I won't be the first to admit his performances have surprised me. He has been truly sensational. The main reason he misses out on the top prize is not only down to him facing stiff competition, but also because he only played part of the season.
WINNER: ALEXIS SANCHEZ - As soon as he arrived I had high hopes of what Sanchez would bring to the side and already knew he was a very talented player. His work-rate and sheer desire to win the ball surpassed any expectations I had and he is truly a joy to watch.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HECTOR BELLERIN - The young Spaniard has never looked back since getting his chance in the first-team following injury to Mathieu Debuchy. The 20-year-old has been a breath of fresh air and is already showing signs of great potential, so long may it continue. His goal in the 4-1 thumping of Liverpool was among the highlights in an impressive season for the youngster.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON
Youngster Krystian Bielik didn't break through into the first team and Gabriel Paulista only featured in the latter months. Mathieu Debuchy spent a fair amount of time out injured, so I'll have to leave this between the other three. I expected big things of Danny Welbeck and, although he did provide some great moments, he wasn't as big a success as I had hoped for. But it is still early days and next season could yet be a big one for him. Goalkeeper David Ospina looks far more calm and confident between the sticks than Wojciech Szczęsny and, ever since taking his place in January has never looked back. Ospina also has one of the highest win ratios of any player in Premier League history but there could only really be one winner.
WINNER: ALEXIS SANCHEZ - There isn't much more to add than what has already been said earlier but he really has been a joy to watch. He has had a fine debut season and it is great to have such a positive feeling about a new signing again and I hope he continues to get better and better.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Without watching through every single one again, there is a slight chance the odd goal may get missed but the great strikes tend to stick in my mind longer and this is certainly a tough one to call. There are a number of top goals we have scored this season that I like for different reasons, but I've managed to narrow it down to four.
3) Sanchez Vs Man City & Wilshere Vs West Brom
It was hard to separate these two great volleys. Wilshere's volley from the edge of the box was a joy to watch and voted goal of the season by Match of the Day viewers. But Sanchez matched him in the volleying stakes with a great first-time strike giving Joe Hart no chance.
2) Aaron Ramsey Vs Galatasaray
A corner was headed clear and Ramsey raced onto the ball 30 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable and sublime volley into the top corner. Unsurprisingly Rambo's top strike was voted goal of the season on the club's official website.
WINNER: SANCHEZ VS ASTON VILLA - Whilst Ramsey stole most of the headlines with his stunning strike, I am going to give my award to Sanchez. Don't get me wrong I love Rambo's wonder goal but Sanchez's effort, not only matched it for quality, but to be on the big stage in a cup final win made it even more special. Like Ramsey, Sanchez received the ball around 30 yards from goal before hitting a wonderful swerving long-range strike to give Shay Given no chance.
BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON
The first half of the games at home to West Brom and away to Hull were nothing short of sensational. The way we battled to a 2-1 win at Manchester United in the FA Cup was also excellent, but there are two games that really stick in my mind. The 4-1 hammering of Liverpool at the Emirates was a truly great performance capped off by four top-notch goals and, this game for me, comes a close second but there could only really be one winner.
WINNER: FA CUP FINAL ARSENAL 4 ASTON VILLA 0 - We really turned on the style in the cup final and blew Aston Villa away, thoroughly deserving the big margin of victory we ended up with. It was a complete performance and we dominated with a magnificent display. I can't deny that sounds incredibly biased but we really did play excellently and seeing us lift the cup after such a good display made it all the sweeter.
ANGRY AWARD
At the other end of the scale are the games that have left me feeling very frustrated and, at times, angry at my team. Players have also irritated me at times and there are some moments you definitely want to make sure the team don't repeat.
3) INJURIES - Yet again injuries affected our season. I don't think it can be used as an excuse for some of the results and we should've also maybe signed another one or two players to cover for this. Nevertheless it is still very irritating. On a more positive note, certain injuries meant Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin were able to break through into the first team and I am at least delighted at that.
2) DEFEAT AT STOKE - As much as the losses to Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham hurt, this one arguably felt like the biggest kick in the balls because of the manner of the performance. Although we restored some pride with an improved second half performance, that doesn't distract from the fact that the opening 45 minutes were one of the worst I witnessed all season and one I never want to see again. To add insult to injury that result was on the weekend of my 30th birthday celebrations.
WINNER: MONACO DEFEAT - Sorry Olivier! Giroud responded well after the set-back and went on a good run of form and, for someone that also had time out injured, a return of 19 goals is impressive. But that doesn't fully excuse his poor display against Monaco that had a big impact on us losing the first leg and ultimately the tie. He can't fully be blamed as the majority of his team-mates were also woeful in the first leg that left me annoyed and with a big feeling of wondering what might have been.
FAVOURITE MOMENT OF THE SEASON
This could be seen as similar to picking a best performance or best goal but this is more about the moment that got me out of my seat the most.
3) DANNY WELBECK CUP GOAL - When we drew Manchester United away in the quarter final of the FA Cup, I genuinely feared that our defence of the trophy could be over. After Wayne Rooney cancelled out Nacho Monreal's opener, I thought we were going to be made to pay but up stepped Welbeck. The actual goal itself wasn't a wonder strike, far from it, and it was only really made possible by a poor backpass, but it didn't stop it being special. Welbeck latched onto Antonio Valencia's backpass before beating the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the empty net. What made it more special wasn't just it being against Welbeck's former club but that we were also able to end our Old Trafford hoodoo. After nine years and 11 attempts we had finally won away at Manchester United again and the feeling was amazing.
2) FA CUP VICTORY - Lifting back-to-back FA Cups is a great achievement, especially as it made us the most successful side ever in the history of the competition. It was a great performance and superb result but, as this has already won an award, it was an easy decision to make.
WINNER: TWO TRIPS TO THE EMIRATES - I don't get to see Arsenal live too often and the two trips I was able to make were truly memorable and got me out of my seat the most....literally! On both occasions - the 2-0 win over Hull in the FA Cup and 2-0 league victory over Everton - the stewards showed amazing understanding to my dislike of heights and were able to change my seats both times. I ended up near the pitch both times and can't thank them enough. Both games and results were ones I'll never forget.
The final award and, arguably the most important, goes to you my readers. I would like to thank my friends for their advice and opinions on my blogs throughout the season and I am grateful to everyone that has taken the time out to read any of my work during the 2014/15 campaign. It has been a great journey and I hope to come back with more of the same that you seem to enjoy, along with some fresh ideas to keep you on your toes. For now it is farewell from me and enjoy the off-season. Roll on August!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Arsenal End of Season Review: Part 2 - Squad Analysis
Although Arsenal enjoyed more great success in the FA Cup, their inability to mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League showed that more additions are needed over the summer.
Arsene Wenger has the foundations of an excellent squad but when injuries crept in it really stretched them so some shrewd signings are certainly needed if we are to give champions Chelsea a sterner test next time around.
The 2014/15 campaign did still produce some big positives, most notably the performances of new-boy Alexis Sanchez and the emergence of Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin, who deserve huge credit for how they seized their opportunities. So let's look back at how the players faired this season.
GOALKEEPERS
DAVID OPSINA - The Colombian international, who joined from Nice last summer, initially found chances hard to come by following his return from injury. Ospina was finally given his chance after regular number one Wojciech Szczesny was dropped in January and he took it with both hands. Ospina is a calm, collected and very talented goalkeeper and the defence seem to play more confidently with him behind them. Ospina also has one of the highest win ratios of any player in Premier League history. There are rumours we are interested in signing Petr Cech from Chelsea but, whatever happens, I'd like to see Ospina remain between the sticks.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY - I can't remember many players in our squad over the years where my opinion has changed as much as it has with the Polish shot-stopper. I used to think he was among the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the English top flight but his usual confident style appears to have been replaced with a more erratic one. Credit to him for being a key player in our run to FA Cup success but he still worries me. On his day he can still be a top class goalkeeper, but other times he panics me when he frantically rushes out and I now can't make up my mind about him. Although I feel he still has something to offer us, I sadly wouldn't give him the number one jersey any more. Decent performances at times but needs to be more consistent.
EMILIANO MARTINEZ - It is hard to really judge the 22-year-old when he hasn't had much game time and he could yet develop into a future star. Martinez played six times for the first-team this season, including two Champions League victories over Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund, before being loaned out to Rotherham. I will reserve judgement on the young goalkeeper until he has had more first-team action but from what I have seen of him he seems decent.
DEFENCE
LAURENT KOSCIELNY - The Frenchman is the boss and key man of our back four. His development from the lower leagues of France to the Premier League has been remarkable and he has already proven his ability against top opponents including Lionel Messi. This season has been somewhat mixed for the centre-back. Our defence has seemed a lot tighter this season and he has played a key role in this but there have been times where they have looked suspect, which is why some still question his ability. Personally I think he is a great defender and very under-rated but buying another centre-back also wouldn't hurt.
PER MERTESACKER - The big German has captained us on the field for most of the season due to Mikel Arteta's injury and is a great player to have around. Whether he should be a regular starter is another question and one I am still unsure of the answer to. At times this season his experience has shone through but his lack of pace still worries me. He can be a great leader and I think he is a very good squad player to have around. Part of the time I am happy with him being first-choice alongside Koscielny but then, after seeing him in other games this season, I think adding a top quality centre-back with more pace would be a good idea too.
GABRIEL PAULISTA - The Brazilian joined in the January transfer window and has had a mixed start to his Gunners' career. The first time I saw him he had some worrying touches but then he went onto redeem himself with some excellent defending so I will reserve judgement on him until after next season.
KIERAN GIBBS - The pacey left-back still has a lot to offer and is a decent defender on his day but it is hard to argue with him losing his place when Nacho Monreal has been performing as well as he has. I still rate Gibbs highly and up until recent months would have said there is no way anyway else in the current squad could take his place but it is good to see more competition for places.
NACHO MONREAL - Monreal is arguably the most improved player in our squad. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only Arsenal fan to admit that after his first season with us I wanted us to sign another left-back to take his place. Initially I thought he was average but I am so glad he has proved me wrong. This season he has become a more regular starter and he really has earned his place in the side. He has certainly improved the defensive side of his game and his goal to help us beat Manchester United at Old Trafford will never be forgotten.
HECTOR BELLERIN - The young Spaniard got his chance following an injury to Mathieu Debuchy and few would've expected him to take it as well as he did. Bellerin showed signs that he could be a great prospect early on and he is already developing into much more than that. I no longer see him as simply cover for Debuchy but, in fact, even with a fully-fit squad I would start him as first-choice right-back.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY - When we first signed him from Newcastle last summer I was genuinely happy with his arrival. But the French full-back suffered an injury in September's clash with Manchester City and didn't return until December. Another injury the following month saw him miss more action and he didn't return again until April in what was a very stop-start first season at the Emirates for Debuchy. I am still convinced that he can become an important player for us but, following the emergence of Bellerin, it is hard to make a case for him being a regular starter.
CALUM CHAMBERS - The youngster's summer move from Southampton is currently being investigated following a charge by the FA. That aside, thet 20-year-old's arrival is a largely positive one. Injuries meant Chambers was very quickly thrust into the first team but he didn't look to out of place and took his chances well. There is some debate as to whether his best position is right-back, centre-back, or even in midfield, but he does look like a star for the future. I see him more as a valuable squad player rather than a regular starter at this moment in time but things can quickly change.
MIDFIELD
FRANCIS COQUELIN - Coquelin has been one of the stand out performers following his return from his loan spell at Charlton. What initially looked to be simply cover for injury very quickly turned into him rising up the ranks to become a key player. I would argue that he is among the most important players in our team now and his development has been truly sensational. This is the season he really grew up and turned into a man. He reads the game very intelligently. He may only be 24 but he plays like someone who has vast experience. He has made me feel more confident about the defence as he sits in front of the back four doing a professional job, making countless interceptions and clever passes. We have been crying out for a top quality defensive midfielder and, while I still agree with many fans who would like us to buy one this summer, I also think we already have one. Even if we do buy Morgan Schneiderlin I think Coquelin should remain in the starting XI. He does so many of the little things right and deserves all the positive praise he has been getting. I didn't expect him to develop into the brilliant player he has become but I hope he is a big part of our plans for years to come.
SANTI CAZORLA - I still get goosebumps when I think about his sublime free-kick that kick-started the comeback in our 3-2 victory over Hull in the 2014 FA Cup Final. The skilful Spaniard has gone on to produce several great performances since then and, when he is played in the right position, he is a joy to watch. Still a key member of the Arsenal midfield and we need to play the right players around him to allow him to hit top gear. The emergence of Coquelin has been a positive asset for Cazorla and I hope the Spanish international stays with us for a long time.
AARON RAMSEY - After a superb 2013/14 campaign, Ramsey never hit quite the same heights last season and this lead to some criticising whether he was good enough. I still think Ramsey has a lot to offer and if he stays injury free is a key player for us. His wonder goal in the Champions League against Galatasaray remains one of my highlights of the season and is proof of just how good the Welshman can be.
MESUT OZIL - The German international got quite a lot of criticism this season and at times it was hard to argue with some of it as he seemed a little too laid back. But in recent months he started to once again prove his worth as he looks to be gradually getting back to his best. He is starting to pull the strings a lot more in midfield and on his day can be top class. He is still frustrating at times but maybe next season can be his chance to really hit the ground running and have a consistently good campaign. When he hits top gear he is remarkable but he'll need to up his game to achieves this.
JACK WILSHERE - The midfield maestro seems to getting back to his best but it is a shame that injuries disrupted him hitting top form on a more consistent basis. There were certainly signs of how good a player he can be in the final months of the campaign, including when he scored what was voted as the Premier League's goal of the season against West Brom. A very talented player that needs to be more consistent and, if he can stay injury free, maybe just maybe next season could be special for him.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN - The Ox made a very positive start to the season but injuries meant he missed most of February and all of April to stop him from continuing his good run of form. For all the positives I can say about the midfielder, who loves to run at defenders and has a bags of ability, he needs more game time and to add more goals to his game.
TOMAS ROSICKY - The Czech midfielder doesn't get too many chances in the starting line-up and is more often used off the bench. He has found chances hard to come by but when he does get them he plays like he has a point to prove. He brings a lot of positive energy onto the field and, when I went to the Emirates to see us take on Everton, he produced a great display off the bench and scored the winning goal in a 2-0 win.
MIKEL ARTETA - The club captain helped us lift the Community Shield with a 3-0 win over Manchester City but injuries restricted him to just seven performances last season. Although I still rate Arteta, we have an abundance of decent midfielders and if they are all fit I can't see Arteta getting into the starting XI.
MATHIEU FLAMINI - When we re-signed Flamini on a free transfer in the summer of 2013 I remember thinking it was a great piece of business. Fast forward to now and I find him a frustrating player. He can be a solid performer and he isn't afraid of a hard challenge or two but I am not sure how much I rate him anymore. I don't mind him remaining in the squad but I wouldn't choose to start him and he didn't do much to convince me otherwise last season.
FORWARDS
ALEXIS SANCHEZ - Deservedly crowned PFA fan's player of the season after an impressive debut in the Premier League. The Chilean, who joined from Barcelona last summer, was our stand-out player this season. Sanchez dipped at times in the second half of the campaign but still managed to hit 25 goals in all competitions, including a stunner in the FA Cup Final. What impresses me most about Sanchez is his work-rate. Despite being a forward he often tracks back to help out and when he loses the ball my god does he work hard to win it back. His hunger to succeed is second to none and he really is a joy to watch, so we need to make sure we match his ambition and put in a more serious title challenge next season in order to keep him.
OLIVIER GIROUD - Despite all the criticism he has received this season, Giroud's return of 19 goals is impressive considering he missed at least two months of the season out injured. When he is on a good run of goalscoring form he can be unstoppable but he also has days where he can't hit a barn door, so it is unsurprising that opinion is still divided over the French striker. His poor performance in the defeat by Monaco raised a lot of questions but then he has answered those in other games. Some say he can't produce in the big games when it matters yet he scored against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. If he stays fit he can be a very good player but I still feel we need another striker to lead the attack and personally that would be my priority for us in the summer transfer window.
THEO WALCOTT - Walcott didn't return to first-team action from his long injury lay-off until November. He didn't feature the following month and didn't make his first start until January. His early performances were frustrating and he missed some seemingly easy chances but then again he had been out of action for a long time so it is understandable. Walcott hit a hat-trick in the final-day victory over West Brom, and grabbed a goal in the FA Cup Final, to at least end the season in style. If he can continue that form into next season who knows what might happen. I am not fully decided on Walcott but am fully prepared to give him a chance.
DANNY WELBECK - Welbeck only scored 8 times in 34 appearances in his debut season for the Gunners. He is a decent striker but will need to up his game to really prove his worth next season. His winning goal in the FA Cup victory at former club Manchester United was undoubtedly the highlight of his season.
OTHERS
Lukas Podolski can be a decent striker on his day and he has one hell of a shot on him but he was unable to prove himself with a lack of game time last season, so was unsurprisingly loaned to Inter Milan. It is hard to gauge how much more he can offer us but maybe next season can be a clean slate for him and he will hit the ground running...here's hoping.
Yaya Sanogo, Carl Jenkinson and Joel Campbell could be decent players for the future but are not yet good enough to replace any of the players in our current first team. I would probably feel the same whether they stayed or left.
17-year-old Krystian Bielik joined from Legia Warsaw in January but has yet to feature for the first team so it is impossible to judge him either way. From things I have heard he has the potential to be a star but let's wait and see.
ABOU DIABY
It was time to say a sad yet inevitable farewell to the French midfielder who was released this summer. Diaby had so much potential and the times I saw him play it was clear he could've become something special. But fitness was a big problem and after nine injury ravaged years, including just one cup appearance in the 2014/15 campaign, it was the right time to bid au revoir.
IN SUMMARY
Sanchez and Coquelin stole the headlines but I feel we need to add a top quality striker and another defensive midfielder if we are to mount a more serious challenge for the Premier League title next season.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Arsene Wenger has the foundations of an excellent squad but when injuries crept in it really stretched them so some shrewd signings are certainly needed if we are to give champions Chelsea a sterner test next time around.
The 2014/15 campaign did still produce some big positives, most notably the performances of new-boy Alexis Sanchez and the emergence of Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin, who deserve huge credit for how they seized their opportunities. So let's look back at how the players faired this season.
GOALKEEPERS
DAVID OPSINA - The Colombian international, who joined from Nice last summer, initially found chances hard to come by following his return from injury. Ospina was finally given his chance after regular number one Wojciech Szczesny was dropped in January and he took it with both hands. Ospina is a calm, collected and very talented goalkeeper and the defence seem to play more confidently with him behind them. Ospina also has one of the highest win ratios of any player in Premier League history. There are rumours we are interested in signing Petr Cech from Chelsea but, whatever happens, I'd like to see Ospina remain between the sticks.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY - I can't remember many players in our squad over the years where my opinion has changed as much as it has with the Polish shot-stopper. I used to think he was among the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the English top flight but his usual confident style appears to have been replaced with a more erratic one. Credit to him for being a key player in our run to FA Cup success but he still worries me. On his day he can still be a top class goalkeeper, but other times he panics me when he frantically rushes out and I now can't make up my mind about him. Although I feel he still has something to offer us, I sadly wouldn't give him the number one jersey any more. Decent performances at times but needs to be more consistent.
EMILIANO MARTINEZ - It is hard to really judge the 22-year-old when he hasn't had much game time and he could yet develop into a future star. Martinez played six times for the first-team this season, including two Champions League victories over Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund, before being loaned out to Rotherham. I will reserve judgement on the young goalkeeper until he has had more first-team action but from what I have seen of him he seems decent.
DEFENCE
LAURENT KOSCIELNY - The Frenchman is the boss and key man of our back four. His development from the lower leagues of France to the Premier League has been remarkable and he has already proven his ability against top opponents including Lionel Messi. This season has been somewhat mixed for the centre-back. Our defence has seemed a lot tighter this season and he has played a key role in this but there have been times where they have looked suspect, which is why some still question his ability. Personally I think he is a great defender and very under-rated but buying another centre-back also wouldn't hurt.
PER MERTESACKER - The big German has captained us on the field for most of the season due to Mikel Arteta's injury and is a great player to have around. Whether he should be a regular starter is another question and one I am still unsure of the answer to. At times this season his experience has shone through but his lack of pace still worries me. He can be a great leader and I think he is a very good squad player to have around. Part of the time I am happy with him being first-choice alongside Koscielny but then, after seeing him in other games this season, I think adding a top quality centre-back with more pace would be a good idea too.
GABRIEL PAULISTA - The Brazilian joined in the January transfer window and has had a mixed start to his Gunners' career. The first time I saw him he had some worrying touches but then he went onto redeem himself with some excellent defending so I will reserve judgement on him until after next season.
KIERAN GIBBS - The pacey left-back still has a lot to offer and is a decent defender on his day but it is hard to argue with him losing his place when Nacho Monreal has been performing as well as he has. I still rate Gibbs highly and up until recent months would have said there is no way anyway else in the current squad could take his place but it is good to see more competition for places.
NACHO MONREAL - Monreal is arguably the most improved player in our squad. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only Arsenal fan to admit that after his first season with us I wanted us to sign another left-back to take his place. Initially I thought he was average but I am so glad he has proved me wrong. This season he has become a more regular starter and he really has earned his place in the side. He has certainly improved the defensive side of his game and his goal to help us beat Manchester United at Old Trafford will never be forgotten.
HECTOR BELLERIN - The young Spaniard got his chance following an injury to Mathieu Debuchy and few would've expected him to take it as well as he did. Bellerin showed signs that he could be a great prospect early on and he is already developing into much more than that. I no longer see him as simply cover for Debuchy but, in fact, even with a fully-fit squad I would start him as first-choice right-back.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY - When we first signed him from Newcastle last summer I was genuinely happy with his arrival. But the French full-back suffered an injury in September's clash with Manchester City and didn't return until December. Another injury the following month saw him miss more action and he didn't return again until April in what was a very stop-start first season at the Emirates for Debuchy. I am still convinced that he can become an important player for us but, following the emergence of Bellerin, it is hard to make a case for him being a regular starter.
CALUM CHAMBERS - The youngster's summer move from Southampton is currently being investigated following a charge by the FA. That aside, thet 20-year-old's arrival is a largely positive one. Injuries meant Chambers was very quickly thrust into the first team but he didn't look to out of place and took his chances well. There is some debate as to whether his best position is right-back, centre-back, or even in midfield, but he does look like a star for the future. I see him more as a valuable squad player rather than a regular starter at this moment in time but things can quickly change.
MIDFIELD
FRANCIS COQUELIN - Coquelin has been one of the stand out performers following his return from his loan spell at Charlton. What initially looked to be simply cover for injury very quickly turned into him rising up the ranks to become a key player. I would argue that he is among the most important players in our team now and his development has been truly sensational. This is the season he really grew up and turned into a man. He reads the game very intelligently. He may only be 24 but he plays like someone who has vast experience. He has made me feel more confident about the defence as he sits in front of the back four doing a professional job, making countless interceptions and clever passes. We have been crying out for a top quality defensive midfielder and, while I still agree with many fans who would like us to buy one this summer, I also think we already have one. Even if we do buy Morgan Schneiderlin I think Coquelin should remain in the starting XI. He does so many of the little things right and deserves all the positive praise he has been getting. I didn't expect him to develop into the brilliant player he has become but I hope he is a big part of our plans for years to come.
SANTI CAZORLA - I still get goosebumps when I think about his sublime free-kick that kick-started the comeback in our 3-2 victory over Hull in the 2014 FA Cup Final. The skilful Spaniard has gone on to produce several great performances since then and, when he is played in the right position, he is a joy to watch. Still a key member of the Arsenal midfield and we need to play the right players around him to allow him to hit top gear. The emergence of Coquelin has been a positive asset for Cazorla and I hope the Spanish international stays with us for a long time.
AARON RAMSEY - After a superb 2013/14 campaign, Ramsey never hit quite the same heights last season and this lead to some criticising whether he was good enough. I still think Ramsey has a lot to offer and if he stays injury free is a key player for us. His wonder goal in the Champions League against Galatasaray remains one of my highlights of the season and is proof of just how good the Welshman can be.
MESUT OZIL - The German international got quite a lot of criticism this season and at times it was hard to argue with some of it as he seemed a little too laid back. But in recent months he started to once again prove his worth as he looks to be gradually getting back to his best. He is starting to pull the strings a lot more in midfield and on his day can be top class. He is still frustrating at times but maybe next season can be his chance to really hit the ground running and have a consistently good campaign. When he hits top gear he is remarkable but he'll need to up his game to achieves this.
JACK WILSHERE - The midfield maestro seems to getting back to his best but it is a shame that injuries disrupted him hitting top form on a more consistent basis. There were certainly signs of how good a player he can be in the final months of the campaign, including when he scored what was voted as the Premier League's goal of the season against West Brom. A very talented player that needs to be more consistent and, if he can stay injury free, maybe just maybe next season could be special for him.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN - The Ox made a very positive start to the season but injuries meant he missed most of February and all of April to stop him from continuing his good run of form. For all the positives I can say about the midfielder, who loves to run at defenders and has a bags of ability, he needs more game time and to add more goals to his game.
TOMAS ROSICKY - The Czech midfielder doesn't get too many chances in the starting line-up and is more often used off the bench. He has found chances hard to come by but when he does get them he plays like he has a point to prove. He brings a lot of positive energy onto the field and, when I went to the Emirates to see us take on Everton, he produced a great display off the bench and scored the winning goal in a 2-0 win.
MIKEL ARTETA - The club captain helped us lift the Community Shield with a 3-0 win over Manchester City but injuries restricted him to just seven performances last season. Although I still rate Arteta, we have an abundance of decent midfielders and if they are all fit I can't see Arteta getting into the starting XI.
MATHIEU FLAMINI - When we re-signed Flamini on a free transfer in the summer of 2013 I remember thinking it was a great piece of business. Fast forward to now and I find him a frustrating player. He can be a solid performer and he isn't afraid of a hard challenge or two but I am not sure how much I rate him anymore. I don't mind him remaining in the squad but I wouldn't choose to start him and he didn't do much to convince me otherwise last season.
FORWARDS
ALEXIS SANCHEZ - Deservedly crowned PFA fan's player of the season after an impressive debut in the Premier League. The Chilean, who joined from Barcelona last summer, was our stand-out player this season. Sanchez dipped at times in the second half of the campaign but still managed to hit 25 goals in all competitions, including a stunner in the FA Cup Final. What impresses me most about Sanchez is his work-rate. Despite being a forward he often tracks back to help out and when he loses the ball my god does he work hard to win it back. His hunger to succeed is second to none and he really is a joy to watch, so we need to make sure we match his ambition and put in a more serious title challenge next season in order to keep him.
OLIVIER GIROUD - Despite all the criticism he has received this season, Giroud's return of 19 goals is impressive considering he missed at least two months of the season out injured. When he is on a good run of goalscoring form he can be unstoppable but he also has days where he can't hit a barn door, so it is unsurprising that opinion is still divided over the French striker. His poor performance in the defeat by Monaco raised a lot of questions but then he has answered those in other games. Some say he can't produce in the big games when it matters yet he scored against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. If he stays fit he can be a very good player but I still feel we need another striker to lead the attack and personally that would be my priority for us in the summer transfer window.
THEO WALCOTT - Walcott didn't return to first-team action from his long injury lay-off until November. He didn't feature the following month and didn't make his first start until January. His early performances were frustrating and he missed some seemingly easy chances but then again he had been out of action for a long time so it is understandable. Walcott hit a hat-trick in the final-day victory over West Brom, and grabbed a goal in the FA Cup Final, to at least end the season in style. If he can continue that form into next season who knows what might happen. I am not fully decided on Walcott but am fully prepared to give him a chance.
DANNY WELBECK - Welbeck only scored 8 times in 34 appearances in his debut season for the Gunners. He is a decent striker but will need to up his game to really prove his worth next season. His winning goal in the FA Cup victory at former club Manchester United was undoubtedly the highlight of his season.
OTHERS
Lukas Podolski can be a decent striker on his day and he has one hell of a shot on him but he was unable to prove himself with a lack of game time last season, so was unsurprisingly loaned to Inter Milan. It is hard to gauge how much more he can offer us but maybe next season can be a clean slate for him and he will hit the ground running...here's hoping.
Yaya Sanogo, Carl Jenkinson and Joel Campbell could be decent players for the future but are not yet good enough to replace any of the players in our current first team. I would probably feel the same whether they stayed or left.
17-year-old Krystian Bielik joined from Legia Warsaw in January but has yet to feature for the first team so it is impossible to judge him either way. From things I have heard he has the potential to be a star but let's wait and see.
ABOU DIABY
It was time to say a sad yet inevitable farewell to the French midfielder who was released this summer. Diaby had so much potential and the times I saw him play it was clear he could've become something special. But fitness was a big problem and after nine injury ravaged years, including just one cup appearance in the 2014/15 campaign, it was the right time to bid au revoir.
IN SUMMARY
Sanchez and Coquelin stole the headlines but I feel we need to add a top quality striker and another defensive midfielder if we are to mount a more serious challenge for the Premier League title next season.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Arsenal End of Season Review: Part 1 - Cups and Competitions
With five pieces of silverware up for grabs at the start of the 2014/15 campaign, Arsenal fans were again left wondering whether they could mount a more serious title challenge in the league or simply finish in their usual fourth spot.
While there were reasons to be optimistic with a third place finish, as well as two pieces of silverware (FA Cup and Community Shield), is it really good enough? On the one hand, breaking records to retain the FA Cup and securing automatic qualification for the Champions League in some ways exceeded expectations of what some had expected from our season. We also went on an impressive unbeaten run in the league and managed to secure some wins over big clubs but I still can't help but feel we should've done better. On paper we have a decent squad, if everyone is injury free, which is easier said than done, but we are still missing a few pieces to complete the Gunners' jigsaw. Despite this I still feel we should've done better than third even though that was a sign of progress. We did, however, seemingly throw away second place and to finish 12 points behind champions Chelsea isn't really good enough.
In this blog I will look back in more detail at the five competitions we competed in before looking at individual players, areas of improvement, and my own take on an end of season awards in the coming weeks.
In what was a mixed season it is important to remember that there were in fact some positives for us this season, so where better to start than looking back at our run to FA Cup success.
FA CUP
The fact we went all the way and won the competition for the second year running was an unbelievable bonus but, whoever is in the final, I always love the FA Cup. Some people say it isn't what it used to be but I still think it holds as much magic as ever. So it was to my delight that I was actually able to attend one of the matches in our cup run, especially as I am not able to get to too many games. Round three saw us host Hull, in a repeat of the 2014 final, and even then I had a good gut feeling that this could again be our year. A Per Mertesacker header put us in front before a delightful strike from Alexis Sanchez completed a 2-0 victory. It was a rather routine victory in the end and seeing the game live and witnessing just how good Sanchez is in the flesh was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.
Goals from Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil, along with a fine Tomas Rosicky volley, ensured a 3-2 victory at Brighton in round four. But, for me, the highlight of round four came away from an Arsenal game. The results of the previous days games were among the most enjoyable in recent years as both Chelsea and Manchester City were on the wrong end of cup shocks. Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead at home to lose 4-2 to lower league side Bradford and I can't deny the fact that result filled me with a lot of happiness.
Olivier Giroud was our saviour in round five as his brace gave us a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough but it was the quarter final where we were to have one of our sweetest moments of the season. Although the final was obviously the most important, beating Manchester United in their own back yard in the quarter final wasn't too far behind for me. We are often criticised for not being able to get enough positive results against our fellow big boys but we well and truly proved a point, as well as ending our Old Trafford hoodoo, with our 2-1 win at United. Wayne Rooney cancelled out Nacho Monreal's opener before that many Danny Welbeck scored against his former club to give us victory and passage into the semi-final.
Having got through that tough test you would've thought a semi-final against Championship outfit Reading would provide few problems for us. I was, however, fully aware that arguably our hardest game of the 2013/14 run came in the semi-final against Wigan, so we certainly couldn't underestimate our lower league opponents. Sanchez grabbed two goals to ensure a second successive FA Cup final, although an error from goalkeeper Adam Federici did help ease the nerves.
We saved our best performance for the final and, although Aston Villa were very poor, we still deserve a lot of credit for an excellent and thoroughly professional Wembley display. Theo Walcott set the ball rolling before a Sanchez stunner doubled our advantage. Goals from Mertesacker and Giroud completed the rout as we became the most successful team ever in the competition I love - the FA Cup.
PREMIER LEAGUE
We finally managed to shake off fourth place but is third really that much better? It means avoiding having to play a two-legged play-off to reach the group stages of the Champions League but, ultimately, it still means no silverware in the league. A 10-match unbeaten run starting in January was a big highlight for us and, along with victories over Manchester City and Liverpool, proves we can compete with the top sides. But failing to beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, finishing 12 points off the top and a blip around November-December shows we also have a lot of work to do if we are to mount a serious title challenge.
We lost the same amount of games as last year's champions Manchester City - seven - but some of those were inexcusable. As much as the two defeats to Swansea hurt they are a tough nut to crack and there were other defeats that hurt a lot more. I'd have liked to have seen us give Chelsea much sterner tests, especially than the poor performance we put in in our 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The defeats that hurt the most, however, are the 2-1 home loss to Manchester United, the derby loss to Spurs and our horror show at Stoke.
The home defeat by Manchester United was tough to take as not only are they big rivals of ours but we actually performed very well for most of the game yet still ended up with nothing to show for it. Defeats to bitter rivals Spurs are always a bitter pill to swallow and February's 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane was no different. But arguably the defeat that felt like the biggest kick in the balls was the 3-2 loss at Stoke. Yes, we showed a lot more hunger in the second half to reduce the deficit to 3-2 but the first half was one of the worst performances I have witnessed from us in recent years. We well and truly fell apart and it was inexcusable. These defeats were the reasons we ended up off the pace and four victories behind Chelsea and something we definitely have to make sure doesn't happen again. Losses are part and parcel of a football season but when some were ones that clearly could've been prevented it is very frustrating. One of the reasons why some fans are getting impatient and why some are getting on Arsene Wenger's backs, even though I personally want him to stay, is because of our lack of being able to mount a more serious title challenge.
But it wasn't all total doom and gloom in the league. Yes, we should've done far better and provided Chelsea with a sterner challenge for the title we shook off the annoying norm of finishing fourth and, more importantly, proved we can beat some of the other big sides. Winning 2-0 at Manchester City was a truly superb result and one we should use a motivation in the future as proof we can beat the other sides vying for silverware if we cut the silly mistakes out of our game. Tactically Wenger and the players got that match spot on but we need to be able to do this a lot more.
I still feel mixed about our Premier League campaign but am ultimately left feeling disappointed that we were not closer to Chelsea's points total. Some of this was down to injuries, some can be blamed on the manager and players and others we must simply credit the opposition for being better on the day. But some could've been prevented and we need to make sure we are even more switched on next season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
After qualifying for the group stages with a narrow 1-0 aggregate win over Besiktas, we secured a relatively easy passage into the knock-out rounds with a second-place finish in Group D. We only lost out on top spot by goal difference in what was a rather mixed group stage. We beat Galatasaray twice comprehensively and Aaron Ramsey scored one of our best goals of the season in the away tie. Anderlecht were the side I expected to take six points from but we had to rely on a late smash-and-grab to win 2-1 in Belgium and threw away a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at the Emirates. The top of the table clashes against Borussia Dortmund were mixed. We started the campaign with a 2-0 defeat in Germany and one of our worst performances of the season. But goals from Yaya Sanogo and Sanchez helped us gain revenge with a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.
We were given a dream tie in the round of 16 as we were drawn against Arsene Wenger's former club AS Monaco. But yet again it was a case of a poor first leg and a too little too late fantastic second leg. After going 2-0 down at home, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored in stoppage time. In fact, had it stayed like that and the second leg panned out as it did we would've progressed. But as it was we didn't as after pulling it back to 2-1 we switched off and allowed Monaco to get a third goal. So we travelled to France with a 3-1 deficit but I still remained strangely upbeat. We had had the same scenario the year before, albeit against stronger opponents in Bayern Munich, and we only lost on away goals so I thought surely against Monaco we must have a chance. Goals from Giroud and Ramsey gave us a 2-0 win in France but again we ended up losing on away goals. No disrespect to Monaco but this was really a tie I thought we would win but it was the first-leg performance rather than the result that hurt most. Had we not been so naive in the first leg at home things could've been very different. Another annoying factor was, that once we had levelled the scores on aggregate, there was still time to push for a winner. Rather than go all out to get a winner whether it was a long-range strike or a tap-in we seemed content with playing tippy tappy football for the final minutes and it didn't achieve anything. The Champions League campaign can be summed up in a rather predictable fashion as per previous seasons as a case of what 'might have been'.
LEAGUE CUP
Don't get me wrong, I always want us to go all the way in every competition we compete in but I see the League Cup more as an extra bonus if we win and not something I care deeply about. Nevertheless it was still very disappointment to see us exit the competition early following a third-round home defeat by Southampton. We took the lead through a wonderful Sanchez free-kick, only to be pegged back by a Dusan Tadic penalty. A Nathaniel Clyne wonder goal settled the tie in what was a largely forgettable Capital One Cup campaign for us.
COMMUNITY SHIELD
I find the Community Shield a bit of a strange competition despite the fact I was absolutely delighted to see my beloved Gunners start the season with silverware. The competition is the traditional curtain raiser to the season which sees the league champions take on the FA Cup holders. The competition itself doesn't mean all that much to many fans but lifting silverware, especially against a fellow Premier League giant, is always great to see. For me the biggest positive wasn't just the 3-0 win, and the well-taken goals from Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Giroud, but the magnificent performance and being able to prove we can beat our big rivals. In three games against Manchester City this season we won two and drew one, scoring seven and conceding just two, something I must admit I am rather proud of my team for.
IN SUMMARY
A case of so near yet so far again in the Premier League and Champions League but we at least ended the season on a high with another glorious FA Cup win. As good as it feels to win two FA Cups in a row and having the trophy drought monkey well and truly off our backs, we really must compete more serious in the league and in Europe. With a few shrewd additions we may be able to do this but there is still plenty more work to be done.
COME ON YON GUNNERS
While there were reasons to be optimistic with a third place finish, as well as two pieces of silverware (FA Cup and Community Shield), is it really good enough? On the one hand, breaking records to retain the FA Cup and securing automatic qualification for the Champions League in some ways exceeded expectations of what some had expected from our season. We also went on an impressive unbeaten run in the league and managed to secure some wins over big clubs but I still can't help but feel we should've done better. On paper we have a decent squad, if everyone is injury free, which is easier said than done, but we are still missing a few pieces to complete the Gunners' jigsaw. Despite this I still feel we should've done better than third even though that was a sign of progress. We did, however, seemingly throw away second place and to finish 12 points behind champions Chelsea isn't really good enough.
In this blog I will look back in more detail at the five competitions we competed in before looking at individual players, areas of improvement, and my own take on an end of season awards in the coming weeks.
In what was a mixed season it is important to remember that there were in fact some positives for us this season, so where better to start than looking back at our run to FA Cup success.
FA CUP
The fact we went all the way and won the competition for the second year running was an unbelievable bonus but, whoever is in the final, I always love the FA Cup. Some people say it isn't what it used to be but I still think it holds as much magic as ever. So it was to my delight that I was actually able to attend one of the matches in our cup run, especially as I am not able to get to too many games. Round three saw us host Hull, in a repeat of the 2014 final, and even then I had a good gut feeling that this could again be our year. A Per Mertesacker header put us in front before a delightful strike from Alexis Sanchez completed a 2-0 victory. It was a rather routine victory in the end and seeing the game live and witnessing just how good Sanchez is in the flesh was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.
Goals from Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil, along with a fine Tomas Rosicky volley, ensured a 3-2 victory at Brighton in round four. But, for me, the highlight of round four came away from an Arsenal game. The results of the previous days games were among the most enjoyable in recent years as both Chelsea and Manchester City were on the wrong end of cup shocks. Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead at home to lose 4-2 to lower league side Bradford and I can't deny the fact that result filled me with a lot of happiness.
Olivier Giroud was our saviour in round five as his brace gave us a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough but it was the quarter final where we were to have one of our sweetest moments of the season. Although the final was obviously the most important, beating Manchester United in their own back yard in the quarter final wasn't too far behind for me. We are often criticised for not being able to get enough positive results against our fellow big boys but we well and truly proved a point, as well as ending our Old Trafford hoodoo, with our 2-1 win at United. Wayne Rooney cancelled out Nacho Monreal's opener before that many Danny Welbeck scored against his former club to give us victory and passage into the semi-final.
Having got through that tough test you would've thought a semi-final against Championship outfit Reading would provide few problems for us. I was, however, fully aware that arguably our hardest game of the 2013/14 run came in the semi-final against Wigan, so we certainly couldn't underestimate our lower league opponents. Sanchez grabbed two goals to ensure a second successive FA Cup final, although an error from goalkeeper Adam Federici did help ease the nerves.
We saved our best performance for the final and, although Aston Villa were very poor, we still deserve a lot of credit for an excellent and thoroughly professional Wembley display. Theo Walcott set the ball rolling before a Sanchez stunner doubled our advantage. Goals from Mertesacker and Giroud completed the rout as we became the most successful team ever in the competition I love - the FA Cup.
PREMIER LEAGUE
We finally managed to shake off fourth place but is third really that much better? It means avoiding having to play a two-legged play-off to reach the group stages of the Champions League but, ultimately, it still means no silverware in the league. A 10-match unbeaten run starting in January was a big highlight for us and, along with victories over Manchester City and Liverpool, proves we can compete with the top sides. But failing to beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, finishing 12 points off the top and a blip around November-December shows we also have a lot of work to do if we are to mount a serious title challenge.
We lost the same amount of games as last year's champions Manchester City - seven - but some of those were inexcusable. As much as the two defeats to Swansea hurt they are a tough nut to crack and there were other defeats that hurt a lot more. I'd have liked to have seen us give Chelsea much sterner tests, especially than the poor performance we put in in our 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The defeats that hurt the most, however, are the 2-1 home loss to Manchester United, the derby loss to Spurs and our horror show at Stoke.
The home defeat by Manchester United was tough to take as not only are they big rivals of ours but we actually performed very well for most of the game yet still ended up with nothing to show for it. Defeats to bitter rivals Spurs are always a bitter pill to swallow and February's 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane was no different. But arguably the defeat that felt like the biggest kick in the balls was the 3-2 loss at Stoke. Yes, we showed a lot more hunger in the second half to reduce the deficit to 3-2 but the first half was one of the worst performances I have witnessed from us in recent years. We well and truly fell apart and it was inexcusable. These defeats were the reasons we ended up off the pace and four victories behind Chelsea and something we definitely have to make sure doesn't happen again. Losses are part and parcel of a football season but when some were ones that clearly could've been prevented it is very frustrating. One of the reasons why some fans are getting impatient and why some are getting on Arsene Wenger's backs, even though I personally want him to stay, is because of our lack of being able to mount a more serious title challenge.
But it wasn't all total doom and gloom in the league. Yes, we should've done far better and provided Chelsea with a sterner challenge for the title we shook off the annoying norm of finishing fourth and, more importantly, proved we can beat some of the other big sides. Winning 2-0 at Manchester City was a truly superb result and one we should use a motivation in the future as proof we can beat the other sides vying for silverware if we cut the silly mistakes out of our game. Tactically Wenger and the players got that match spot on but we need to be able to do this a lot more.
I still feel mixed about our Premier League campaign but am ultimately left feeling disappointed that we were not closer to Chelsea's points total. Some of this was down to injuries, some can be blamed on the manager and players and others we must simply credit the opposition for being better on the day. But some could've been prevented and we need to make sure we are even more switched on next season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
After qualifying for the group stages with a narrow 1-0 aggregate win over Besiktas, we secured a relatively easy passage into the knock-out rounds with a second-place finish in Group D. We only lost out on top spot by goal difference in what was a rather mixed group stage. We beat Galatasaray twice comprehensively and Aaron Ramsey scored one of our best goals of the season in the away tie. Anderlecht were the side I expected to take six points from but we had to rely on a late smash-and-grab to win 2-1 in Belgium and threw away a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at the Emirates. The top of the table clashes against Borussia Dortmund were mixed. We started the campaign with a 2-0 defeat in Germany and one of our worst performances of the season. But goals from Yaya Sanogo and Sanchez helped us gain revenge with a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.
We were given a dream tie in the round of 16 as we were drawn against Arsene Wenger's former club AS Monaco. But yet again it was a case of a poor first leg and a too little too late fantastic second leg. After going 2-0 down at home, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored in stoppage time. In fact, had it stayed like that and the second leg panned out as it did we would've progressed. But as it was we didn't as after pulling it back to 2-1 we switched off and allowed Monaco to get a third goal. So we travelled to France with a 3-1 deficit but I still remained strangely upbeat. We had had the same scenario the year before, albeit against stronger opponents in Bayern Munich, and we only lost on away goals so I thought surely against Monaco we must have a chance. Goals from Giroud and Ramsey gave us a 2-0 win in France but again we ended up losing on away goals. No disrespect to Monaco but this was really a tie I thought we would win but it was the first-leg performance rather than the result that hurt most. Had we not been so naive in the first leg at home things could've been very different. Another annoying factor was, that once we had levelled the scores on aggregate, there was still time to push for a winner. Rather than go all out to get a winner whether it was a long-range strike or a tap-in we seemed content with playing tippy tappy football for the final minutes and it didn't achieve anything. The Champions League campaign can be summed up in a rather predictable fashion as per previous seasons as a case of what 'might have been'.
LEAGUE CUP
Don't get me wrong, I always want us to go all the way in every competition we compete in but I see the League Cup more as an extra bonus if we win and not something I care deeply about. Nevertheless it was still very disappointment to see us exit the competition early following a third-round home defeat by Southampton. We took the lead through a wonderful Sanchez free-kick, only to be pegged back by a Dusan Tadic penalty. A Nathaniel Clyne wonder goal settled the tie in what was a largely forgettable Capital One Cup campaign for us.
COMMUNITY SHIELD
I find the Community Shield a bit of a strange competition despite the fact I was absolutely delighted to see my beloved Gunners start the season with silverware. The competition is the traditional curtain raiser to the season which sees the league champions take on the FA Cup holders. The competition itself doesn't mean all that much to many fans but lifting silverware, especially against a fellow Premier League giant, is always great to see. For me the biggest positive wasn't just the 3-0 win, and the well-taken goals from Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Giroud, but the magnificent performance and being able to prove we can beat our big rivals. In three games against Manchester City this season we won two and drew one, scoring seven and conceding just two, something I must admit I am rather proud of my team for.
IN SUMMARY
A case of so near yet so far again in the Premier League and Champions League but we at least ended the season on a high with another glorious FA Cup win. As good as it feels to win two FA Cups in a row and having the trophy drought monkey well and truly off our backs, we really must compete more serious in the league and in Europe. With a few shrewd additions we may be able to do this but there is still plenty more work to be done.
COME ON YON GUNNERS
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