The 2015 season started full of hope for the boys from North London, with supporters and media personalities alike predicting that it was Arsenal’s chance to finally win that illusive English Premier League title.
After buying Petr Cech, Arsenal fans had a spring in their step, they had finally brought in the world class goalkeeper the club had been crying out for.
The Gunners knew that they needed a striker to replace Olivier Giroud after a few disappointing seasons at the Emirates, but they failed to do so.
Still, there was hope left that an injury-free run for the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere would lead the club to glory. As it happened Wilshere is again out for another long stint, and Ramsey doesn’t seem to be firing much at all.
After seven games the Gunners sit in fifth position and could fall down even further. Olivier Giroud is there leading goalscorer with just two from six games, followed by Theo Walcott with one.
It’s the same old Arsenal in attack again in 2015. They lack class going forward and consistently miss the finishing touch – something that would have been rectified if Karim Benzema or Edinson Cavani were up front.
It’s not just attack that is the problem, Arsenal consistently concede goals from set pieces. Laurent Koscielny is having a horror year and Per Mertesacker has been injured for the last few weeks. Their defence of set pieces has been horrid, as shown by the critical goals against West Ham and Chelsea.
A team that was built up as a title contender at the start of the season, are not really one at all. Arsenal needed to fill at least three positions in pre-season, instead Gunners fans have been left in agony.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Spot on. Wouldn't mind seeing how Chambers went as a Def Mid.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Both playing wider roles and completely different to Koscielny. Remember Koscielny has had to form a "relationship" with Gabriel. The team dynamic has changed due to minor injuries etc. Judge after 12 games not 6.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Fingers crossed for you Gunner fans that Arteta doesnt start due to Coquelins injury Fingers crossed for all of us other fans that Arteta does start due to Coquelins injury ;)
144
Roar Guru
It's definitely plays a part in the reason every season they don't live up to expectations. right now they are putting the right purchases in the right places, but it is currently so SLOW. Let's have a look at their backline. CECH - Terrific experienced goalkeeper main thing is that i'd take him over Ospina any day. BELLERIN - I like Bellerin a lot, his attacking movement his ability to get forward and initiate the play to wingers to Pedro and others is great as we all know Wenger likes to use his full backs in attacking options. Much like Chelsea when you look at how many goals their back line scored last season, i think it was 8 or 9 goals. GABRIEL - Untested in the premier league and has finally felt the grunt of Costa (hehe) Gabriel is a better replacement, i tall, strong, fast centre-half to deal with the fast moving premier league and of course the fast movement of Arsenal's quick passing play. KOSCIELNY- Up and down during the season you'll have to admit, because of injuries it never seems that he is getting the most out of his season every single year. When he does play and he is at his best he is great to watch. MONREAL- I personally dislike Monreal, i think he's an underdone footballer and simply does not suit Arsenal. Moving forward he is clueless, his crossing is awful as well.
Matt Whalley
Roar Rookie
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but there's not much of your article that I agree with. Firstly to say that Giroud has been disappointing is rather ludicrous, a return of 17, 22 and 19 is pretty decent actually, especially considering his injury problems last season. I'd agree that some competition for Giroud would have been nice, though I was actually impressed with Walcott's movement against Chelsea, just needs to improve the timing of his runs. That being said I don't think he is a genuine goal scorer, and plays better on the wings. I also don't agree with your assessment of Koscielny. In fact in my opinion I believe Cech should have come to claim the ball which lead to Zouma's goal. That being said, I feel Arsenal set there defensive line too high for free kicks in those areas for my liking, there's too much space in behind which can be exploited. Conclusions I would draw is that Ramsey is not a winger, it's something that has been tried and tested in the past with the same results. Either fit him into the team centrally or don't play him at all. As mentioned above it looks as if he will get that chance with both Coquelin and Santi to miss games. My other conclusion, which is strictly a personal opinion, is that Alexis should be moved to the right hand side. Clearly he has yet to hit top form this season, but I believe he is being found out in respect of the fact that he often looks to cut inside in most circumstances. By doing so it becomes rather predictable for the defenders, particularly high quality defenders, and also congests the middle of the park even more. With so many central players, Arsenal really need to hold the width of the pitch as much as possible, to open up room for the likes of Cazorla and Ozil to do their thing. I think Alexis would be less inclined to come inside as often on the right, and would take on defenders down the outside with skill, speed and efficiency, while stil possessing the ability to cut in where the opportunity presents itself. Arsenal don't really have a genuine left winger, but Chamberlain best fits the bill. All in all I say it's far too early to declare Arsenal out of the title race so early in the season. How they cope without Coquelin however will be interesting.
Jeshua
Guest
I agree we should have bought another Defensive Mid to help Coquelin. However, there were no strikers on the market that are genuinely world class and would have wanted to move this summer. The only game where we were just poor and deserved to lose was the West Ham game. And its not like they have beaten Liverpool and Man City away as well... Against Zagreb we were mediocre but would have had a result if the ref called an offside and not incorrectly given Giroud a second yellow for a nothing challenge. Koscielny is a brilliant player and has made one error this season, while saving our bacon several times. Fact of the matter is that saying the league is over, Wenger out etc after 6 games is ridiculous. Not even a sixth of the season is gone!
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
Koscielny hasn't been one of our best defenders, Monreal and Bellerin both having much better seasons.
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
One bad result? Have a look at the Zagreb and Hammers games, they were bad results too. Fact is, Arsenal should be competing for the title, and every year their tight with money and lose games they should win which cost them the chance of winning it.
Jeshua
Guest
Where to start... Koscielny has been one of the best players for Arsenal this season in defence (barring the one game against Palace). Benzema has scored more than 20 league goals once for Real Madrid in the past 5 years (so much better than Giroud, considering he plays in a team that almost hits 100 goals a season at least). Cavani plays in a dominant team and doesn't even play striker, although I agree that he could have improved the team. Ramsey hasn't played in his best position so far this season and will get a chance to now that Cazorla is out through suspension. Can't blame him for not playing well in a foreign role. We have conceded 2 goals from set pieces in 6 games. Considering how we were a man down for one of them, I am surprised its not more. I am sick of the doomsayers after one result that was heavily influenced by the referee wanting to be the star. If we are this bad and fifth, I can't wait to see us when we are doing well.