Feature: Will Arsenal Survive?

The beginning of this season seems to be tough for Arsenal, after facing Liverpool at home last week, they just played Manchester United in Old Trafford yesterday. With Nasri just gone to Manchester City, many doubts raised, from the fans especially, questioning Wenger’s capabilities as a manager. Yes, it is true that Arsenal did not win any trophy in six years; it is also true that departure of Fabragas and Nasri may reduce the strength of the team, but do these mean Arsenal will not be able to survive, and they have already lost the battle in winning anything this season? I don’t really think so.

I did not overlook the fact that they just lost 8-2 to Manchester United, a scoreline that barely appears in Premier League, let alone between two ‘big’ teams. But even after last night, I still think it is too early to come to conclusion that Arsenal will not survive the season, though the transfer market is going to close and Wenger still hasn’t bought anyone convincing. The departure of Fabregas and Nasri has definitely shaken up these youngsters, wondering if they will be able to put up a fight without the two, but seeing the season as a whole, this can be a mental boost for the kids in Arsenal. Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, and many other young players in Arsenal are very talented, and hungry for trophies, for titles, sometimes their maturity may not be enough for them to handle difficult situations, their mental strength may not be as strong as experienced players at some points, but what is good about them is that they’re young, and their potentials are limitless. What happens when you’re young, and people questioned your abilities? You try harder. With the two players gone, doubts on this Arsenal team reached its peak, most people think that if Wenger fails to bring in some great players before 31st August, Arsenal will have lost the battle, and will not be able to win anything again this season. However, having a tough start maybe a good thing, since Arsenal already faced the tougher teams in the Premier League, while the squad get stabilized, Wilshere comes back and players started to get over the transfer episode, defeats, Arsenal will start winning points, when other teams start losing. The frustration that they are getting now, will definitely make these players work harder, in order to prove that they ARE still a dangerous side. ‘Underdogs’ do not rely on their strength or skills to challenge a stronger side, they rely on the belief that they can win.

Secondly, van Persie taking over the armband is a good thing. Fabregas should have given up his captaincy the moment he expressed his desire to join Barcelona. I am not saying he is wrong to want to join Barcelona, but a team do not need a captain who constantly express his desire to leave the team. Robin van Persie on the other hand, rarely had any transfer rumors, and he is also significant of Arsenal, by being the major goal scoring member of the team. His contribution is unquestionable, and players respect him, so he seems to be a more suitable captain than Fabregas, even before Fabregas was gone.

However, let’s get back to the more realistic thing, the midfield. Actually, I don’t think the midfield is that much of a problem, compare to the defense. Ramsey, has been really impressive, along with Wilshere, Walcott, Arshavin, Arsenal’s midfield look strong enough to survive (when there’s no injuries). It is their defense that appeared to be clumsy sometimes, but that mostly due to the mentality of the players. For example in last night game, there is no way the opponent can score eight goals, unless your defenders have given up completely. Manchester United’s performance was flawless, yes, but Arsenal defenders are not weak to the extend that they couldn’t stop some of these goals, it only happened because these players lost their concentration, they were frustrated and they showed it on the field. This is why some people think that Scott Parker can be a good addition to the team, because he is experienced and will be able to motivate the team when these kids are falling apart. Another serious problem of the team, is injuries. Usually half way into the season, injuries started to surface, and Wenger will be scratching his head for who to put on the pitch. So, Arsenal still need to buy players, to improve their bench and to find someone who can guide these youngster on the pitch. But when I said players, I mean someone experienced, not some 18 years old kid, who just arrived in the Premier League and you expect him to shine when he steps on the pitch for the first time replacing Walcott or Wilshere. 

You may want to shoot me, if I say Arsenal still need more time. Yet, as Ferguson pointed out, the quality of Wenger’s side has not been reduced. It is the other teams which have been improving, by using money to mess up the transfer market. Chelsea will not be this strong without Abramovich; Man City will not be able to challenge the title if they went bankrupt tomorrow. The money factor aside, I am positive to say that Arsenal can still be the Big 4, but the reality is, City bought Aguero, Nasri; Chelsea bought Mata; Liverpool bought Downing, Adam, and United has De Gea, Ashley Young, and so on, when Wenger bought no one. Somehow I do not understand his obsession about selling off players who reached 30 and buying extremely young players, because a team need to be balance to be good. You cannot just change your team entirely and pray for them to be good. The chances for Arsenal to win titles, looks slim, yet not impossible, it depends on how much Wenger can dig out from his limitless resources. After all, he had discovered Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere and Walcott, the team he has now, may not be able to prove anything in one season, but they will survive. Having too many young players in your team, can be a risk, a gamble, but who knows, you may discover some diamonds among them, and these diamonds may eventually bring Wenger some trophies.