Arsenal FC:New season renews optimism
The previous season ended with Arsenal Football Club finishing in 2nd place and 10 points adrift of Champions Leicester City F.C. and due to a dramatic final match day which saw Arsenal pip arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur F.C to 2nd place, diluted the rage of fans for the mediocre form in the second half of the season. This shattered the dream of the first league title since the unforgettable “Invincible” season.
The new season brings new beliefs, having signed Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (top), a robust figure in the middle of the park who will added the much needed physical presence which has been lacking since the departure of former club legend Patrick Viera. Arsenal have also been linked with a number of players in the market and manager Arsene Wenger is open to add a few more new faces to the current arsenal squad. Primarily, an out-and-out Striker and a Center-back.With injury to Forward Danny Welback, back in May saw Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as the only strikers available at the Manager’s disposal.Vice-Captain Per Mertersacker, World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany, is on the wrong side of 30s and Brazilian center-back Gabriel is still inconsistent with his performance.The previous season saw the emergence of young Alex Iwobi, the academy graduate was the only bright spark in the mediocre second half of the season.
Arsenal’s hopes for silverware will largely depend on the shoulders of Star Duo Alexis Sanchez(top) and Mesut Ozil(bottom). Alexis Sanchez having won the Copa Centroamericana 2016 with his national team Chile beating Messi’s Argentina in the final and being presented the Golden Ball(below) accolade.
Mesut Ozil having advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2016 with Germany will have to show the same form as last season in with Mesut Ozil racked up 19 assists in a single league season and Sanchez with 13 goals in a season which was hampered by injuries. If Arsenal could keep both these players fit and other players such as Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscienly, Santi Carzola, Hector Bellerin, etc. fit then Arsenal will have a fighting chance of winning some silverware this season. That being said, title rivals have many managerial changes with Pep Guardiola joining Manchester City, Jose Mourinho Manchester United and Antonio Conte Chelsea and with formidable Liverpool, Spurs, Leicester City who are adding new faces to the current squad, Arsenal will have an uphill task winning the Premier League. As a fan, I think the new season has some good vibes about it. So lets wait to know how the new season unfolds.