Arsenal - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
Arsenal - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
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Tuesday, 02, Jun 2009 05:24
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2008/09 season.
After coming within four points of winning the title in 2007/08, we should have been full of optimism for the start of the new season.
The fact that we were top in March with a young team that no one had expected to challenge was somewhat lost in all the media hype about William Gallas' antics at Birmingham and our eventual collapse.
But over the summer, we failed to replace Mathieu Flamini, whose non-stop, all-action style was integral to our title challenge, and the experienced Gilberto Silva.
So we headed into the 2008/09 campaign with a midfield that looked short on physical presence and experience, which considerably reduced expectations.
The first few months did nothing to dispel those fears as we blew our tilt at the title before it had even begun, losing five of the first 14 matches.
With Aston Villa flying under the astute leadership of Martin O'Neill, suddenly our customary Champions League position appeared to be under serious threat.
Then, of course, Gallas exploded, publicly laying into his team-mates and accusing them of in-fighting, complacency and lacking bravery.
He was stripped of the captaincy and it was handed to our talisman, Cesc Fabregas, who barely had time to don the armband before being ruled out for four months through injury.
We looked set for a truly disastrous campaign but the squad rallied and slowly turned the tide, going unbeaten for 21 league matches and reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League.
However, the depressing manner of those last-four defeats and our distant fourth-place league finish - Villa completely ran out of steam - made for a frustrating season on the whole.
Grade: C-
High Point
The 2-1 home win over United in November was particularly enjoyable, as was Robin van Persie's brace in our victory by the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge.
Andrey Arshavin announcing himself to the Premier League with that incredible four-goal haul at Anfield - even though we should have won - was also a high.
Having finally splashed out some big money on a top player, it was hugely satisfying to see him deliver so quickly and he has undoubtedly galvanised the team.
But perhaps the best moment for the fans was the long-awaited return of Eduardo, who could well have fired us to the title last year if it wasn't for that ugly tackle by Martin Taylor.
His comeback double against Cardiff was a genuinely emotional moment for everyone connected with the club, not to mention the Crozilian himself.
Alongside that, the kids gave us plenty to look forward to with some impressive performances in the Carling Cup - remember the name Jack Wilshere...
Low Point
Where to start?
The shock losses to Hull and Fulham, the spineless surrender against Stoke, conceding twice in injury time to give Sp*rs a draw at the Emirates.
I can carry on - Gallas and Kolo Toure falling out, Emmanuel Adebayor's woeful form and flirting with other clubs, the inept displays against Villa at home and Man City away.
The booing of Emmanuel Eboue and, to a lesser extent, Nicklas Bendtner from some sections of the home crowd was disgraceful - in contrast to our fantastic away support.
But the painful, almost surreal defeat in the second leg of the Champions League semi against United was the real low for me.
The fans were up for it, the Emirates was rocking but one slip by the unfortunate Kieran Gibbs and our dreams were effectively ended after eight minutes.
The manager
Arsene Wenger came in for plenty of stick for his failure to bring in the big-name summer signings everyone was craving.
But the Frenchman is such a winner that I don't believe he would stand by and watch us fall off the pace if he could possibly avoid it - I really don't think the money is there.
Moving to the Emirates has burdened us with huge loan repayments and there is no way we can spend £30 million on one player, whatever the board might say.
As a result, Wenger was angered at some narrow-minded questions at the annual shareholders' meeting and clearly had his head turned by Real Madrid.
Luckily, he's not going anywhere and the dissenting minority should be grateful - who on earth could possibly replace him? In Arsene We Trust, as the mantra goes.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Robin van Persie -
A difficult choice after such an underwhelming season. No one truly stood out, although Manuel Almunia and Alex Song showed particular improvement.
Gibbs looks a fine prospect, Bendtner made huge strides after returning from injury and Arshavin made an incredible impact in the second half of the season.
However, I'll have to give it to Van Persie, who enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign for once and reached 20 goals for the first time in an Arsenal shirt.
Needs for Next Season
We need an experienced central midfielder who can sit deep, protect the back four and allow Fabregas to express himself higher up the pitch.
The Spaniard has called for Wenger to prise compatriot Xabi Alonso from Liverpool and I think he would be an excellent signing.
He oozes Arsenal with his poise on the ball and range of passing, while his positional discipline is under-rated and he is certainly not one to shirk a tackle.
Of course, we are also in desperate need of a centre-back who can dominate in the air and read the game to complement Gallas or Toure.
Udinese's Cristian Zapata could be a useful acquisition, while Joleon Lescott and PSG starlet Mamadou Sakho are believed to be among the other possible targets.
But let's be honest, it's normally impossible to second guess Wenger.
Our plans may revolve around Adebayor, who many fans would love to see shipped off for £20 million-plus in order to fund summer purchases.
Although I am unsure on that one, I would definitely keep the rest of the squad together as they will hopefully be improved players for this year's experience.
Chris Bryant