Soccer Fan Blog

I like to make one or two posts a season for this blog which isn’t much but it allows me to take a ‘big picture’ look at how the season went and what the future holds.

I’d like to think that my posts so far have been fairly accurate at least.

So how have things gone since my last post?

Well we did adopt the new formation and it did allow Cesc more freedom and we did bring in a good defender in Vermaelen. Unfortunately it hasn’t (yet) brought us the silverware we all wanted,
so what went wrong?

I will try to sum up the good points and bad points of our season:

Good points:

• Vermaelen
• Cesc was able to show his true class.
• Song really stepped up and looked world class.
• Denilson, Ramsey and Bendtner all showed good progress.
• Arsenal finances are looking great.
• We got our CL placing.
• Some of our on loan and reserve players are ready to step up to the first team.
• Eboue improved a lot.

Bad points:

• Some players haven’t understood the new formation which has led to us being caught out defensively at times.
• The goalkeeper situation.
• Walcott did ok but didn’t progress as much as he should have.
• Some players showed laziness and need a reality check – Nasri, Rosicky and Diaby especially.
• The endless injuries.
• The lack of defensive cover.

So all in all quite a good season with decent progress made.

However I titled this post to say that we would start to dominate the league this decade.

I really believe we will do this if we can sort out the bad points above.

Here’s why:

• ManU and Liverpool’s financial problems are going to wreck them.
• Chelsea and Man City will be reigned in on their mega spending by the new financial rules which play into our hands perfectly.
• The new 25 player squad rules will also suit us perfectly due to our youth system.
• I believe we will now buy a solid centre back and sort out the injuries. (We can’t possibly have as many injuries as this year!).
• Once all the player learn their defensive duties for this new formation then we will see performances much like the one Barcelona gave us where every player works hard to win the ball back.
• We have some great youth players coming through soon with Wilshere, JET, Chucks and many more.

Here’s my predictions on transfers:

• Vela, Eduardo, Gallas, Silvestre and one or more goalkeeper will go. Possibly Rosicky and Clichy too depending on interest from other clubs.
• Buffon will come in and Almunia or Szczesny will be his number 2.
• We will buy one centre back and Djourou will fight for a place too.
• Wilshere will be pushing hard for a first team place and won’t go on loan.
• We will probably buy one striker (Chamakh). Personally I would love us to spend the money and buy Torres.

So that’s it. Here’s looking forward to next season. Cheers!