Our series of mid-season reviews continues with a look at Arsenal’s campaign so far.
The story so far
In what has been a crazy Premier League season to date, Arsenal find themselves sitting atop of the Premier League summit, two points clear of surprise packet Leicester City and three ahead of who looks to be their major title rival in Manchester City. The unpredictable nature of England’s top flight has meant no team has forged clear in setting the title-winning pace, but with a pulsating 2-1 win over City in December, the Gunners laid down a marker as a team that will be right in the mix for major honours this year.
The result that followed epitomised the Jekyll and Hyde type of season many clubs are enduring when Arsenal were on the receiving end of a 4-0 shellacking to Southampton on Boxing Day and, in the process, squandered another opportunity to go top of the table. It was the third occasion Arsenal gave up the chance to march ahead of the chasing pack in the space of a month after a shock defeat to West Brom and a frustrating draw against Norwich City in November.
As injuries to key personal heaped further misery on the club, the culmination of poor form and a lengthy absentee list gave Gunners fans a real sense of de ja vu as Arsenal’s season threatened to derail when things seemed so promising. However, a pair of wins in a week against Sunderland and Aston Villa restored belief as questions resurfaced about the squad’s mentality after those two earlier blips. A 2-0 win against Bournmouth meant the North Londoners would end 2015 as league front-runners and they further solidified their position with a scrappy 1-0 over Newcastle to open up a slight buffer with 18 games remaining.
On the European front, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign looked in tatters after early defeats to Olympiacos and Dinimo Zagreb, but a stunning win over German champions Bayern Munich revived the Gunners’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages when all seemed lost. A comfortable win over Zagreb meant only a two goal win in Athens on the final match day would suffice if they were to sneak into second place in Group F. A resounding 3-0 win over Olympiacos meant Arsenal would book their place in the round of 16 draw where they will now face the daunting task of taking on reigning European champions Barcelona, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates Stadium in late February.
The manager
Following the savage criticism for his reluctance to not sign a single outfield player in the summer, Arsene Wenger’s decision for now is vindicated as he continues to keep the wolves at bay who are seemingly waiting for his troops to stumble. The Frenchman has again exemplified his newfound tactical flexibility with the Gunners now more willing to concede possession with the intention of breaking at pace.
Arsenal have also improved defensively, conceding just 18 goals this term. The back four has been galvanised enormously by the addition of experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech, a signing that is proving to be a superb piece of business from Wenger and one that has been seen as a major piece in the puzzle for Arsenal in their quest to return to the glory days.
Wenger has been forced into shuffling his pack on several with the loss of a number of pivotal figures throughout the season. Reshaping Arsenal’s midfield has been Wenger’s biggest challenge after both Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla were both struck down with knee injuries. So far, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini have done an admirable job of filling the void left, but with both Coquelin and Cazorla out long-term as well as the injury-prone trio of Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta, Wenger will look to dip into the January transfer market to further bolster his midfield stocks in order to ensure he has the necessary depth to ensure his squad remains as fresh as possible.
One of the success stories of Arsenal’s season has been the emergence of Joel Campbell, a player who has been on the periphery for the vast majority of his career in North London. At times it has proven to be detrimental, but Wenger’s unwavering faith in his players was repaid in spades on this occasion as Campbell has enjoyed a breakout season filling in for the injured Alexis Sanchez on the left-hand side of midfield.
While he continues to divide opinion among Arsenal fans, the 66-year-old manager has a golden opportunity to silence the critics and add another memorable chapter to his already remarkable legacy in North London.
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Standout player
Special mentions to Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Hector Bellerin and Olivier Giroud, who have all enjoyed outstanding seasons so far, but Arsenal’s player of the season thus far has been the imperious Mesut Ozil.
The German has been at the centre of everything in an attacking sense for the Gunners, recording an incredible 16 assists in just 19 matches along with three goals. Ozil is on track to break the Premier League assists record of 20, held by former Gunner Thierry Henry, as he continues to marvel not just Arsenal fans but football lovers in general with his vision and the sublimity of his passing range.
Frequently finding space between the lines, the World Cup winner sees things that no other play can, striking up telepathic understandings with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud who salivate at the prospect of feeding off the playmaker’s remarkable eye for a pass. The 26-year-old has always been a world-class talent, and after a tough initiation to life in England, Ozil is now delivering on a consistent basis, proving to be worth every bit of the £42.5 million Arsenal forked out for him on deadline day in 2013.
Leading Arsenal to the title this season will transform Ozil into legend status at the club, and if he can remain fit and healthy, that could very well come to fruition.
Second-half prediction
Arsenal’s title credentials will be severely tested in the latter months of the season with away trips to Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham on the horizon as well as a tricky fixture at notorious bogey side Stoke City.
Decreasing the current injury plight as well as maintaining key players until May will be a crucial factor as to if the Gunners can go the distance in the title race. The only thing that will hinder Arsenal from winning the championship this season is themselves. Guilty of shooting themselves in the foot in the past, the ability to remain consistent and keep their nerve will also be a decisive factor. As we know, City have the experience and know-how when the whips are cracking as well as the deepest squad in the league.
Boasting a squad full of players that have won numerous major honours in other leagues and at international level, Arsenal have a more mature look about them this time around compared to previous title faltering squads which will hold them in good stead.
There will be times where their character and resolve will be tested; how they respond and handle the pressure that comes with being a title favourite remains to be seen.
What an opportunity this is for Arsenal to end their well documented 12 year title drought. Will they take it with both hands? Time will tell but it should be enthralling viewing as Gunners across the globe dare to dream that this, finally, is their year.
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