New Season Start Now

So this is it. The preparation for the new season starts now. It doesn’t start in August, it starts now. Remember the last time Arsenal won the Premiership, it started with the thrashing of Southampton in the last league game the previous season. Winning the last 4 remaining league games would be the springboard for next season.

The white flag was finally waved by Arsene Wenger after yesterday’s defeat to Man Utd. In all honesty, it was a game that reflected the kind of season that Arsenal have had in a nutshell. Pretty and incisive for the best part of an hour, but slowly and surely fading away as the contest draws to a close. We were magnificent from August till February but come the turn of March, it went downhill from there.

Jens Lehman drew back the years with some wonderful saves but was probably out of place for the freekick. Almunia no longer looks edgy but he might not be the answer in terms of match winner. Fabianski perhaps? In spite of all the supposedly bad blood between Lehman and Wenger for his time on the bench, I think Jens will have a good European Championship.

Hleb again was instrumental in his role just behind the striker. The freedom that was given to him has removed the restriction on his game and he was allowed to express himself more. Always confident and comfortable on the ball, goals are one area which he needs to improve on. But so long as the assist improves and maintain, scoring should be the least of his concerns.

The selection of Song was another surprise. He had shown enough in the cup runs that he has improves a lot during his time at Arsenal. Starting Cameroon’s games during the recently concluded African Nation’s Cup did no harm to his confidence. He is strong in his tackles and always plays with his head up. Coupled with Djourou and Senderos and Toure, perhaps it time for whiny Gallas to step down or step away.

A striker will always be judged by the number of goals he scores a season. Not by the number of chances he has a season. In the spirit of fairness, Adebayor has done brilliantly in what was effectively his 2^nd full season at Arsenal. 25 goals is no mean return for a striker. Not yet the compete article but he’s on the right path.

The one player whom in my opinion should be a shoe-in for Arsenal’s player of the season would be Gael Clichy. Here is an underrated left-back who never complains and never wants to be in the limelight. Yet the work he has put out this season is unbelievable. The energy he possesses is mind-numbing. Game after game, he kept on bombing forward during the final minutes of every game. It will be an insult if he doesn’t get on a plane to Austria-Switzerland.

This will be the season to ponder upon for Wenger. The quality of his squad was obvious to be seen. Somehow the failure of the campaign could prompt him to reassess his squad and future purchases might be made. Or he could find another gem from his academy of reserves. Vela and Merida seems to fit the bill. Young or old, in Wenger, Arsenal will always trust.