Arsenal News Story

08 January 2009 03:34 BST

Arsenal - end-of-season report

Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2007/08 season.

Gunners fans were hoping their team could challenge for the Premier League crown, but in the absence of Thierry Henry a top-four finish and a good cup run were more realistic.

A blistering start to the season catapulted the team to the summit, clearing concerns prompted by Henry's departure with Emmanuel Adebayor proving a worthy replacement.

Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini formed one of the strongest midfield duos in the league while Bacary Sagna was able to fill the void at right back since the departure of Lauren.

Injuries to Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie left the Gunners woefully short of fire power, though, as Eduardo continued to fire blanks. But as the Croatian began to show his class his season was cruelly ended by a horrific leg injury at Birmingham City.

The injury, along with a couple of dubious refereeing decisions, meant Arsenal left the game with a 2-2 draw, a result which prompted a run of dropped points and poor form.

Having crashed out of the Carling Cup to bitter rivals Tottenham and being dumped out of the FA Cup by United, Arsenal's pursuit of the Champions League and Premier League titles proved unconvincing with many fans calling for summer reinforcements.

Mathieu Flamini's close-season departure was another bitter blow, but in what was ultimately a surprisingly strong season given the departure of the talismanic Henry.

Grade: B+

High Point

AC Milan 0, Arsenal 2.

The night when Arsene Wenger's principles of playing young and exciting players against older more experienced opposition paid off.

Arsenal produced the European performance of the season and played an aging Milan side off the park on their way to becoming the first English side to win in the San Siro against Milan.

Fabregas, Flamini and Alexander Hleb caught the superstars of Milan off-guard and a stunning performance saw the side being touted as potential European champions.

Fabregas' long-range effort will go down as one of the finest strikes by an Arsenal player in Europe, while Theo Walcott's superb assist for Emmanuel Adebayor showed his maturity.

Low Point

Liverpool 4, Arsenal 2.

Having thrown everything but the kitchen sink at a resilient Liverpool side in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates, Arsenal would have to repeat the heroics of the San Siro at Anfield.

Abou Diaby's goal gave the Gunners an early lead and they continued to dominate, but fell behind after two Liverpool goals from Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres either side of half-time.

Just as the game looked all over, however, Theo Walcott's blistering run from inside his own half presented Emmanuel Adebayor with a tap in that looked to have sealed a memorable win on away goals.

But it took just seconds for the referee to award Liverpool a dubious penalty, which Steven Gerrard scored with minutes remaining.

Ryan Babel's injury-time fourth just rubbed salt in the wounds at the end - just when Arsenal fans were coming to terms with a third year in a row without any silverware.

The manager

Arsene Wenger's failure to replace Thierry Henry had some questioning his principles for putting faith in young players but this season only confirmed his pedigree as one of the best managers in the world.

While the team ended up without a trophy, they produced some of the best football ever seen in the Premier League and Champions League.

As the Frenchman looks set to sign Samir Nasri from Marseille, his biggest challenge will be finding a replacement for Flamini.

This season added to Wenger's legendary status as manager of Arsenal and galvanised his unflagging support from the vast majority of the fans.

Fan's Player of the Year

- Cesc Fabregas -

If Arsenal fans had one complaint about the Spaniard at the beginning of the season, it was that he did not score enough goals.

But his early strikes pushed Arsenal up the table and a season of stunning performances ensured he remains a firm fans' favourite.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini all deserve a mention, although the latter will not be admired for his end of season desertion.

Needs for Next Season

Midfielders, a reliable centre back and a goalkeeper.

As Jens Lehmann bid an emotional farewell to the club, there is a need for a backup goalkeeper to challenge Manuel Almunia.

Philippe Senderos' lack of confidence is a concern for the team but it is in midfield that new blood is needed.

A holding midfield man along with a creative player is essential to replace Flamini and give the squad more depth.

If Nasri joins he would prove an excellent addition but if Hleb departs, as is expected, another player would still be needed.

Richard Aylen