by : Kieran McHugh
“Obviously Thierry was/is a legend at Arsenal Football Club, but football always moves on and I believe the future is bright for AFC. We will of course miss his goals but I don't think he was a great captain and I believe that Arsene may have felt that Thierry could be affecting some of the young guns in terms of confidence and so on. At times over the past two seasons players got into great positions to score only to then look to pass to Thierry. Also as well like in the days of Wrighty some players almost used Thierry as the 'get out of jail free' card, i.e. don't worry Thierry will come up with something special to get us out of trouble when they should have been shouldering more responsibility themselves.
“Unfortunately Freddie is a shadow of the player from a few years back, injuries have taken their toll. He could be a success at the Hammers but I doubt whether he can play three games in a week anymore, maybe West Ham will not have that problem?”
While Arsenal have been quiet in the transfer market, others like Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle have been splashing the cash around like confetti. Such is the financial benefit of breaking into the top four, more clubs than ever are prepared to think big. Tottenham have made some impressive signings in Gareth Bale and Darren Bent, amongst others, and many believe that Spurs won’t get a better chance to split the big four, with Arsenal expected to miss out. However, with that expectation comes pressure and Mark Brindle believes that their rivals will be under more stress to perform than anyone.
“I believe the pressure is really on the likes of the Spurs rather than us this season. It is not only this season that a lot of clubs have outspent us, it has been going on for years, especially since Wenger took over. The fact is that the majority of our 'challengers' have had virtually the same potential income streams as ourselves over the past decade and in some cases like Newcastle far higher income streams as their capacity was far larger. The only differential between us and them is that we have consistently qualified for Europe and therefore earned out of that. This has obviously been a magnificent effort by all at Arsenal but the main responsibility has to be with Mr Wenger. He is the key, if he signs again then I can see us seeing off the likes of the Spurs, if the current instability continues then I can see possible problems.”
One of Arsene Wenger’s few signings this summer was that of French defender Bakari Sagna. Not a lot was known about him before he arrived but the report card has so far been glowing. However, Christina admits that she would love to see an experienced big name player arrive to line up beside Robin Van Persie in attack.
“I was very impressed with Sagna last weekend – skill and commitment. I can even see midfield potential, perhaps more so than Eboue! What I do think is needed is a proven and mature striker to work up front and inspire these younger players and take the pressure off Van Persie. For me this isn't Anelka who seems far too adolescent whatever his qualities as a striker. The whole club – first team, reserves, management – and fans could really do with the morale lift of a name player up front. The danger is such a man would display the arrogance that was evident in Henry, which can fracture squads. It's a tricky pick. Quiet stable gifted Gilberto is the role model.
“I was truly impressed with the way in which the Arsenal sides used the whole pitch in the recent Emirates Cup. We haven't seen the width – on both sides – used so well. Maybe we were a little guilty of too much going down the sidelines and then being crossed into a crowded central area, but we were neatly spread giving bags of room for the central midfielders. In both games we dominated those midfield areas even without Fabregas at his best. So, The Emirates really is our 'home' ground now.”
Arsene Wenger has won seven major trophies at Arsenal and the Gunners have featured in the final of every domestic and European competition going. But it’s been two years since they last won any silverware – the FA Cup in 2005 – and it’s a situation that has split the fans. Some say they are happy watching the Arsenal play their beautiful game without winning any trophies, but Christina says it’s time the Gunners got themselves amongst the silverware again.
“Trophies are what the game is all about so of course silverware is a MUST for the fans, investors and everyone. Anybody who thinks any different is kidding themselves. No true Arsenal fan would be content to have yet another season of 'exciting' or 'innovative' play without trophies. Arsenal's history demands silverware and the fans' expectations are quite rightly very, very high. It is up to the club to deliver. We have the right venue, manager, almost the right squad, and fan base, so we demand a major trophy in spring 2008.”
So what can Arsenal achieve this season? Christina firmly believes the Gunners have what it takes to compete for honours.
“I'm an optimist and believe we can undoubtedly challenge for third place, have a very good FA Cup run and maybe take on Europe to the quarter-finals. And with a Wenger contract, hard work, Van Persie and Fabregas gelling as a partnership, Dudu being as good as Wenger says, we have every chance of competing for trophies. Arsenal can be very good when people ‘write us off'.”
Make no mistake about it Arsenal will surprise a few people this season – if only because everyone has written off their chances already. Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie have talked up their title hopes and if they stay free of injuries there could be no stopping them. I’ll admit, it’s hard not to see past Chelsea or Manchester United winning the Premiership, but if there’s one team that can pip them to the title I’m convinced it will be the Gunners.The start of the new season always brings optimism and dread in roughly equal measure. We are usually informed of the fans’ excitement and hopes for the new campaign, but amongst most sets of supporters there is also a level of anxiety that perhaps the new multi million pound striker is more Wayne Sleep than Wayne Rooney. For the chosen few, perhaps 6 or 8 clubs, the fear of relegation from the Premiership is not a real concern. For the rest the need for points on the board early doors isn’t just to boost the chances of a UEFA Cup place.
Last season it wasn’t difficult to predict the demise of both Watford and Sheffield United, but I was in good company in failing to see how well Reading would adjust to life in the Premiership. As always when assessing the relegation candidates it’s usually wise to paraphrase the phrase, “what goes up, must comedown”.
Traditionally the team that wins the play offs for the last place in the Premiership, is immediately installed as favourites for the drop. In overcoming West Brom at the end of May, Derby ensured that this was one tradition that would be upheld. To be honest it’s difficult to see how Derby can stay up. They fought tooth and nail for their place in the Premiership, but look doomed from the off.
The target man Steve Howard will be a tricky customer and very awkward to mark for Premiership defenders used to thwarting a different type of opponent. He should also have willing runners in new signing Robert Earnshaw and the much coveted Giles Barnes, but as ever it’s a question of whether Derby will be able to turn their chances into goals and stay tight at the back. One doubts it frankly.
Their opening fixtures encompass travels to White Hart Lane, Anfield and the Emirates before the end of September. It could be a harsh introduction to life at the top. If they get left behind, it’s near impossible to see how they might catch up. One solace could be the huge amount of money they’ll receive simply for turning up.
Birmingham’s claims to Premiership survival are based largely on their having a manager who has done it before. Steve Bruce not only lead Blues to the promised land of the Premiership but kept them in the division against the odds. City also have a bit more money to invest than the Rams and should, along side Sunderland provide ample threat to the sides that finished just above relegation.
Fabrice Muamba has been signed permanently for £4m, Olivier Kapo has been brought in for £3m and Gary O’Conner has arrived for £2.6m. There have been a few players let go to balance the books a little, but with rumours of another bid for Spurs’ Egyptian forward Mido, Bruce has been backed again in the transfer market. Whether he gets the blend right up front, and how quickly Birmingham can get points on the board will be key.
To bulk up the defence Bruce has brought in experienced Premiership defenders Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell, but will have to ensure his backline is organised quickly. He has also found it necessary to issue a warning to new investor Carson Yeung not to interfere with selection, which is a worry.
Despite an away trip to Stamford Bridge, Blues actually have a reasonable opening set of fixtures. There are no easy games, of course, but games against Sunderland, Derby, Bolton and Boro could all prove fruitful.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane has quickly been hailed as a messiah on Wearside, when perhaps more plaudits should be heard for Chairman Niall Quinn. Not only did he know enough about his own skills to hire someone else as manager, but he also lured Keane with the promise of backing, and has been as good as his word thus far.
The Premiership opener against Spurs should indicate how far Sunderland have to go, but there will be few eyebrows raised if Keane does what two previous Sunderland managers have failed to do. Keep them in the Premiership the season after gaining promotion.
With Derby doomed, Sunderland safe and Birmingham somewhere between the two, which other clubs could make up the trio that will drop out of the top flight? Two clubs that have lost their manager since the end of the season, Wigan and Bolton, (OK, so Big Sam left before the end of last season), could both find themselves in some difficulty.
Wigan barely survived last time out and have found it difficult to strengthen. In Jason Koumas they have added arguably the best player outside of the Premiership last season, but will struggle again to get the goals to make much of an impact. There’s a real danger that a slow start could spell the end of their run amongst the big boys.
For Bolton the loss of Big Sam runs right to the heart of the club. Bolton through and through, the larger than life manager was more than just an advocate of the hoof and hump game. His replacement, Little Sam, has vast experience in the game though, as well as being well versed in the off pitch work that lead to Bolton’s success under Allardyce.
Some have predicted trouble for Wanderers this season, but I’m not one of them. I can’t see Sammy Lee quite emulating his predecessor’s achievements, but I also believe they’ll surprise a few whilst maintaining a safe mid table position.
West Ham United scraped clear of the drop zone in the nick of time last season, by hook or by crook. With the sort of investment they have undertaken since escaping though, it’s unlikely that they’ll be in the same position this time around.
