Season preview: Arsenal

With a lot of talk about player departures, will Arsenal still be a threat next season?

Hopes and fears
Last season promised so much for the Gunners, but they ended up empty-handed again (for the sixth consecutive season) and ultimately dropped to fourth in the table. Things started to go wrong with the catastrophic Carling Cup final defeat by Birmingham, and fans have been critical of a lack of major spending, despite a hike in season-ticket prices. Arsène Wenger’s men continue to play beautiful football, but the natives are demanding some glory, and a summer of speculation, with whispers of a number of big-name exits, has only exacerbated matters.

You’re the boss Wenger’s philosophy is a noble one and he, for one, has the patience to stick to his methods. Second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of Premier League longevity, the Frenchman is the main man at the club having been in charge since 1996. He still commands huge respect in the game, and will be determined to prove he is right in his trend-bucking strategy of fiscal prudence.

Who’s the man? With Samir Nasri moving into the last year of his contract, and Cesc Fabregas indulging in his annual flirtation with Barcelona, it’s probably best to focus on somebody who will definitely be at Arsenal next season. Jack Wilshere (pictured) had a fine first campaign in the north Londoners’ midfield, earning praise from Sir Alex. Wilshere opted to rest rather than represent England Under-21s in the summer, and the Gunners should reap the benefits come August.

Young guns Aaron Ramsey is fully recovered from his broken leg and ready to pin down a place in the side. The 20-year-old Welshman chose Arsenal over United when leaving Cardiff, and scored the only goal of the game in our Emirates clash late last season.

In and outs Gervinho, one of Lille’s star turns, has arrived, but all the talk is of exits. The future of Nasri and Fabregas remains up in the air; Gaël Clichy has jumped ship for Manchester City; and Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia have been told they can go after being left out of the club’s Asian tour.

Away-day heaven or hell? The plush Emirates has generally held few fears for United since the move from Highbury – despite a narrow defeat there last May. Getting away from the ground may be something of a pain, but it’s a thoroughly modern place to watch football.

Well I never…
Arsenal took the 1952/53 league title on goal average …just. The Gunners’ tally was a mere 0.099 better than that of Preston.