Arsenal News Story

07 January 2009 20:47 BST

Arsenal - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview

A supporter's views and expectations for the 2008/09 season.

Last season

Premier League: 3rd - P 38 W 24 D 11 L 3 GF 74 GA 31 GD +43 PTS 83
Champions League: Quarter-finalists - lost 4-3 (agg) to Liverpool
FA Cup: Fifth round - lost 4-0 to Manchester United
League Cup: Semi-finalists - lost 6-2 (agg) to Tottenham

The manager

This will be Arsene Wenger's 13th season at the helm and it is fair to say that the Frenchman is still as popular with Arsenal fans as he has ever been.

He has been gradually remodelling the side since the break-up of the 'Invincibles' team, who went through an entire league campaign unbeaten in the 2003/04 season.

The expensive move to the Emirates Stadium has forced him to show all his customary canniness in the transfer market, continually turning largely unheralded players into world-class performers.

His ability to consistently produce free-flowing, attacking teams is fully appreciated by Gooners everywhere, who know there is always the possibility of silverware with him in charge.

In the crazy, knee-jerk world that is modern football, managerial stability is priceless and Wenger's importance to the whole ethos and running of the club cannot be underestimated.

Ask them at the Emirates and they'll tell you: Arsene knows.

Chances of managerial change?

Non-existent. There's more chance of that laughing stock up the Seven Sisters Road winning the league.


The players

Exits

Alex Hleb spent most of the summer crying (mainly through his agent) about wanting to leave London, claiming that he found it too crazy and 'dehumanised'.

Having finally got his move to the tranquil and leafy backwater of Barcelona, most Arsenal fans are not too concerned about his departure.

There is no doubt the Belarussian possesses fantastic technique and close ball control, and he certainly had his supporters amongst the Emirates faithful. But his infuriating refusal to shoot when presented with an opportunity counts against him, as shown by a return of just 11 goals in all competitions in three seasons at the club.

The Nou Camp has been something of a graveyard for former Arsenal players in recent seasons and it would be no surprise to see old Dribbly McNoscore go the same way.

Mad Jens has moved on after losing his place to England's great goalkeeping hope Manuel Almunia, and his antics will definitely be missed by Gooners, if not by anyone else.

He will be remembered fondly for his part in the Invincibles season, but it was the right time for him to head for the exit door.

Gilberto has also headed for pastures new after six years sterling service at the club.

Another Invincible, he was the consummate professional and a genuinely nice guy to boot, whose versatility and commitment were invaluable assets to the squad and will be missed this season.

No one can begrudge his desire to seek a new challenge at his age and after losing his place in the side last year, and all Gooners wish him the best at Panathinaikos.

Which brings us on to Mathieu Flamini, who took the Brazilian's place in pre-season and made it his own before being snapped up on a Bosman by AC Milan.

He became a real fans' favourite with his energetic, all-action displays at the heart of midfield last season, which allowed Cesc Fabregas to express himself further up the pitch.

His departure certainly leaves a void in the holding role, with Denilson and Aaron Ramsey still coming of age and doubts over Abou Diaby's ability to curb his attacking instincts, despite his undoubted talent.

Wenger has gone on record as saying he will buy an experienced central midfielder, but it remains to be seen just how much the side will be affected by the loss of Flamini.

New arrivals

Nasri appears to be a natural replacement for Hleb, a typical Wenger signing - able to play on either flank or behind a main striker.

The youngster is a far more pacy, direct player with an eye for a pass, although rather worryingly he had a reputation in France for not scoring enough goals.

However, the comparisons with Zinedine Zidane have not been made for no reason, and Wenger may well prove what a shrewd acquisition Nasri is by adding that extra dimension to his game.

Arsenal have arguably failed to replace the goals contributed from wide positions by Freddie Ljungberg and particularly Robert Pires, but given time the 21-year-old may well be the man to make the difference.

Ramsey was plucked from under the noses of Manchester United and has already shown in pre-season he will not be fazed by competing for a place in the first-team.

Although it is early days, the 17-year-old always appears to have time on the ball like most top midfielders, plays with his head up and has an impressive range of passing.

The signing of Bischoff, by Wenger's own admission, is something of a gamble as he only made one brief Champions League appearance for Werder in three injury-ravaged years at the club.

Another young unknown Frenchman who can play anywhere across the midfield, he will presumably be on the periphery until he can prove his fitness and begin to show what he is all about.

It is also worth noting that the addition of the fleet-footed Carlos Vela, who was snapped in 2005 but was on loan until this summer to allow him to obtain a work permit, will be like a new signing.

The Mexican, who can play wide on the left or up front, possesses great pace and has also been impressive in pre-season - he will feature on occasions off the bench this year.


Needs

As mentioned earlier, an experienced defensive midfielder appears to be a requirement, with names such as Gareth Barry and Xabi Alonso the latest in a long line of players to be linked with Arsenal.

However, don't be surprised if Wenger holds out until the last minute before the transfer window closes to make a signing to ensure he gets value for money, and don't be surprised if the player is not the one everyone was expecting.

Having said that, if the addition proves to be of the quality of last season's major recruits Bacary Sagna and Eduardo, no one at the Emirates will be complaining.

There is also a need to bring in a commanding centre-back to put pressure on William Gallas and Kolo Toure, who looked vulnerable at times to crosses last year.

Udinese's Colombian stopper Cristian Zapata had a fine season and has been mentioned, but it is by no means certain anyone will be arriving in this area, despite Wenger's admission of a weakness there last year.

Not everyone is entirely convinced by Almunia either, but it seems likely that the boss will stick with him as his number one for the new campaign.

Emmanuel Adebayor has also pledged his future to the club for now, despite acting in a pretty questionable manner throughout the summer after having his head turned by Barcelona and Milan.

If the Togo striker can stay focused and repeat his 30-goal haul of last season, then he will perhaps be forgiven, despite his shockingly transparent badge-kissing antics after scoring recently against Real Madrid.

Finally, a bit of luck with injuries would be welcome, with key players such as Robin Van Persie, Sagna, Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky all suffering misfortune at crucial points last year.


The fanbase

Arsenal fans are generally a loyal bunch, but they don't take kindly to perceived disloyalty and it will be interesting to see the reaction to Adebayor, both initially and if things aren't going well.

Many are tired of the continual planting of negative stories in the press by Red and White Holdings, the company formed by the dodgy, Man United-supporting bloater Alisher Usmanov and the perma-tanned David Dein which is attempting to take over the club.

Blatantly obvious lines (appearing mostly in the Mail) about Wenger being at loggerheads with the current board are utter nonsense, as are the recent stories that the club need to sell £24m worth of players every summer.

Fat and Orange (as they should now be referred to) are trying to get the fans onside by using scare tactics about the fact that other clubs are owned by billionaire foreigners and Arsenal are going to be left behind.

But they proved last year that they can still win the Premier League doing things 'the Arsenal way', and thus making a mockery of super-spenders United, Chelsea and (to a lesser extent) Liverpool in the process.


Prediction for 2008/09

The Wenger boys improved by 15 points last term and could so easily have confounded the critics tipping them to finish below Spurs by taking United's league crown.

A quick look at the fixture list highlights the fact that the Gunners have a decent start to their campaign and they may be able to establish an early lead, as they did last year.

With Chelsea still acclimatising to the new Luiz Felipe Scolari regime and United facing their Super Cup and World Championship commitments, there is every chance that they could both be playing catch-up again by Christmas.

The question will then be whether Arsenal have learnt from last year's combination of bad luck, injuries, fatigue and mistakes to press ahead to the finishing line and secure a remarkable triumph.

A Carling Cup victory could also be on the cards, with a host of exciting youngsters coming through - not least 16-year-old Englishman Jack Wilshere, who looks to be a star of the future.

Wenger's holy grail, the Champions League, would also be the trophy of choice for the vast majority of fans, but it remains to be seen if Arsenal's young team have the maturity to emerge victorious in Rome.

Chris Bryant