Arsenal
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger
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Tuesday, 01, Aug 2006 06:41
It's a fond farewell to Highbury and a hopeful embrace for the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have finally made the emotional move down the road to their new state-of-the-art 60,000-seater stadium but the forthcoming season could be another of transition for Wenger's international stars.
Last season was the first that Arsenal have finished outside the top two since 1996/97. Wenger's reliance on youth has unsurprisingly coincided with his inability to match Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market - and he has just about managed to keep the wheels on in the process.
A last-day fourth placed Premiership finish and a Champions League final appearance put a gloss on what was a difficult season last term and there is not a great deal to suggest that Arsenal will fare much better this season.
Bereft of players in the all-important 24-28-year-old category, Wenger will hope that his kids can show as much application and improvement this term as they did en route to Paris.
Arsenal have attracted many admirers in recent seasons with their special brand of fast-moving, attacking football. But unless Wenger can inject some much needed spine and steel to the team, their frailties will continue to be exposed each time they venture up the M1.
Facts
Formed: 1886
Home: Emirates Stadium, capacity 60,000
Nickname: The Gunners
Adult 2006/07 season ticket prices: £885 - £1,825 (not to mention the four-year £100,000 Diamond package)
Pedigree
League champions: 13 - 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1971, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2002, 2004
FA Cup winners: 10 - 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
League Cup winners: 2 - 1987, 1993
Cup Winners' Cup: 1 - 1994
Community shield: 11 - 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004
People
Chairman: Peter Hill-Wood
Vice Chairman: David Dein
Managing Director: Keith Edelman
Head coach: Arsene Wenger
Assistant coach: Pat Rice
Team captain: Thierry Henry
Last season
Premiership: 4th - P 38 W 20 D 7 L 11 GF 68 GA 31 GD +37 PTS 67
Champions League: finalists- lost 2-1 to Barcelona
FA Cup: 4th round - lost 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers
League Cup: semi-finalists- lost on away goals to Wigan (2-2)
Major summer ins
Tomas Rosicky - from Borussia Dortmund - £7 million
William Gallas - from Chelsea - player exch
Julio Baptista - from Real Madrid - loan
Major summer outs
Robert Pires - to Villarreal - free
Dennis Bergkamp - retired
Sol Campbell - to Portsmouth - free
Arturo Lupoli - to Derby - loan
Ashley Cole - to Chelsea - £5m plus player exch
Pascal Cygan - to Villarreal - £2 million
Jose Antonio Reyes - to Real Madrid - loan
Unheralded stars
Kolo Toure
The Ivory Coast defender has been a vital part of Arsene Wenger's defence over the past few seasons, but this coming campaign will require more from him than ever before.
Having arrived as little more than a utility player at full-back or on the wing, the 25-year-old has learned the centre-back trade alongside Sol Campbell long enough for him to now take command of the defence once and for all.
With 'Cashley' Cole likely to move on to Chelsea, the release of Campbell and Lauren's role in the side uncertain due to the emergence of Eboue, it is clear to see just how important Toure is.
After an early exit from the World Cup, he should have plenty in the tank to marshal and inspire Arsenal from the off. His greatest assets - pace, recovery and power - have got him and his fellow players out of many a fix in the past, while his incredible enthusiasm for the game means he will never give up the fight for the Arsenal cause. And if he needed any more motivation, the change in squad number that now sees him pull on Martin Keown's old number five shirt should be all that is required.
Starlet
Robin van Persie
This will be a big season for the young Dutchman. With the great Dennis Bergkamp hanging up his boots after his own, considerable contribution to the beautiful game, a lot of people will be looking to his compatriot to fill them.
Over the past two seasons, Arsenal fans have seen enough glimpses to believe that he is up to such a formidable task, so now is as good a time as any for Van Persie to apply a much-needed consistency to his game.
He impressed during the World Cup, even though he was played on the right flank, and has enough competition for places (Reyes, Adebayor, Walcott) to ensure that he raises his level this season. His ability to shoot from distance is welcomed in a team where walking the ball into the net is seemingly mandatory, while his close control and skill means he can often find enough space for himself to work some magic.
Predictions
League position: 4th.
Still too fragile to survive away days up north.
Chances of managerial change: Zero.
Wenger is a miracle worker, has persuaded Henry to stay and delivered the team to a brand spanking new stadium.
Top scorer: Va-va-voom. Who else?
Henry has been arguably the best player in Europe over the past few years and will take some stopping again this season.
Player most likely to rock the boat: Jose Antonio Reyes.
Hasn't enjoyed the smoothest of Arsenal careers and clearly doesn't get on with Henry. Make or break season for the Spaniard.
James Amar.