Arsenal 09/10 season review

Arsenal followed up a disappointing 08/09 season with a slightly stronger showing this time around. However, the usual problems of injuries and defensive mistakes ultimately led to another trophyless season. The miserable run at the end of the season means I won’t quite be as positive as I first thought (or hoped) but overall it does represent a step in the right direction.

Arsenal got what they deserved in terms of both the league and the Champions League. Clearly, they were not at the level of Chelsea or Manchester United (just look at the head-to-head meetings) and were humbled by Barcelona in Europe. Here are a few conclusions to take away from this season’s action.

The new 4-3-3 formation still needs work

Arsène Wenger deployed a new 4-3-3 formation, very much in the style of Barcelona, for the new season. The aim of the formation was to relieve Cesc Fábregas of some of his defensive duties and allow a more fluid, dynamic way of attacking. Somewhat surprisingly (for the English), Nicklas Bendtner was not used as the focal point of attack but shifted to the right, with Robin van Persie as a slightly atypical centre-forward. This turned out to be a fantastic decision, as van Persie linked play perfectly in the middle, while Bendtner dominated his opposing left-back aerially, giving the option of long diagonal balls when required. Cesc also flourished, grabbing a career-best 19 goals for the season and providing plenty of assists as well.

Where the system fell down was in the application of pressing and the over-reliance on van Persie to play the central striker role. Early on in the season, the intensity and execution of the pressing was very good, allowing the team to win the ball in dangerous areas à la Barcelona. As the season dragged on and injuries began to take their toll, the pressing became less intense and less organised, allowing the better teams to exploit the gaps that were left (Barcelona gave Arsenal a lesson in both the application of pressing and attacking). The goals really started to dry up around Christmas, when injuries to van Persie and Bendtner left Andrei Arshavin to play centre-forward. In fact, the team averaged over 3 goals per game with van Persie and 1.77 without, displaying the Dutchman’s importance.

Wing play needs improving

This is crucial when opposing teams park the bus and persuade Arsenal to move the ball wide. All too often, Arsenal’s wing play has been poor, meaning fewer goalscoring opportunities for the strikers. Wenger likes to put a right-footed ‘winger’ on the left side of attack, who almost always cuts inside (and passes or shoots) and never tries to beat the opposing full-back. This places a lot of emphasis on the right-sided players to provide width and crosses into the box. Sagna, Eboué and Walcott have all been inaccurate when delivering the ball, which is often made more difficult by the lack of targets in the area. Even Bendtner likes to drift wide or drop deep to get the ball, instead of providing an option for the crosser.

The squad lacks leaders

There are far too many players in the squad who have a tendency to become lazy unless there is a strong figure on the pitch. Cesc did a fine job around Christmas, when he almost single-handedly dragged the team through a difficult period but when he was injured, the lack of leaders on the pitch was painfully obvious. Sol Campbell was brought in to lessen this effect, but still couldn’t prevent an end of season collapse in which a handful of players strolled around during defeats to Wigan and Blackburn.

Some fringe players need to sharpen up or leave

The squad players need to show more pride in wearing the Arsenal shirt. When the likes of Denílson and Rosický came in for Cesc and Arshavin, they showed very little  commitment, especially when trying to overcome a deficit. It was this type of showing that was so disappointing at the back end of the season. From a fan’s prespective, a player’s lack of ability can be forgiven, but a lack in effort can’t.

The injury situation can’t be coincidence

The number of injuries suffered this season definitely played a part in Arsenal dropping out of the title race. Against Barcelona for example, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen, Cesc, van Persie and Arshavin were all out injured. These key players were suffering from serious injuries all at the same time, and countless more were victims of muscle tears and little niggles. Nicklas Bendtner, Johan Djourou, Gaël Clichy, Eduardo and of course Rosický were also long-term absentees at certain points. Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs unfortunately lost large chunks of the season to broken bones which obviously can’t be prevented.

However, there is a growing suspicion that there is a systematic cause for the seemingly endless list of small muscle complaints. Whether it is something to do with training methods or medical mismanagement is anybody’s guess, but the club have decided to monitor the players’ training with GPS in the hope of being able to prevent further injuries from happening.

Cesc and van Persie are critical to any future success

Just look at the results when van Persie was fit, and when Cesc was injured. These two players bring so much to the side that their replacements can’t. Even when they are coming back from injury, they managed to do a better job in 20 minutes than the rest of the team put together. A half-fit van Persie transformed the North London derby on his return to action while Cesc came off the bench to inspire the team to victory against Aston Villa before injuring himself again. As usual, Cesc is still being talked of as a Barcelona transfer target and the media storm will likely get worse as the Barça will be holding presidential elections this summer.

A new keeper is a priority

All of Arsenal’s keepers have looked shaky at times during the season. Simply put, neither Manuel Almunia or Lukasz Fabianski are good enough for a club that has aspirations of major silverware. Many times during the season, the duo have directly contributed to lost points and poor results. For Almunia, think Birmingham away or conceding a crucial penalty at Old Trafford. For Fabianski, think Porto or Blackburn. In reserve, there is Vito Mannone, who is still very raw, and the talented Wojciech Szczesny who has been putting in brilliant performances for Brentford.

Arsenal desperately need an established top-class keeper if they are to seriously challenge in the league or Champions League. The names of Rob Green, Craig Gordon and even Gianluigi Buffon (please!) are being linked to the club, as well as usual suspect Sebastian Frey.

Several new signings are needed

Apart from a new keeper, the rest of the squad could do with strengthening, particularly in defence. Mikaël Silvestre and Philippe Senderos are likely to be followed out the door by William Gallas, whose contract negotiations have stalled.  Two central defenders would be needed to go with Vermaelen, Djourou and (hopefully) Campbell. Meanwhile, Alex Song could do with some cover for the crucial defensive midfield position. Inevitably, there is talk of Yaya Touré being available to fill the gap, now that he has fallen out of favour at Barcelona. In attack, Marouane Chamakh finally looks like he will make the move to Arsenal on a free transfer, paving the way for Eduardo or Carlos Vela to leave.