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The year 2011 was a turbulent one for Arsenal , having more lows than highs but things are looking pretty good at the end of the year at the Emirates. At the start, the Gunners were in contention for all the four titles but failed to win any of them, they lost their star players during the transfer season, they had to compete in the playoffs of the Champions League however, they have seen a tremendous turnaround in their fortunes in the later half of the year. All I can hope is that the Gunners continue their revival under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. However, he can do things differently in 2012 to bring about better results. Here is a wishlist of 10 things that a Gooner wants to see in the year 2012 :
1. BUY A BETTER STRIKER
Marouane Chamakh has been in poor form of late , Park-Chu Young is still adjusting to English football and it may so happen that we lose RVP to injuries. Besides, Chamakh and Gervinho will be participating in the African Nations Cup so it is likely that they will be unavailable for a major part of January and the start of February, so it makes sense to buy a quality striker in the January transfer window. Of late Arsenal have been linked with Cologne’s Lukas Podolski. It would certainly make sense to buy a proven striker like Podolski who has represented his country several times. He has age on his side , he has experience and will bring his expertise and knowledge to ease Arsene Wenger’s worries in the attacking department. Signing Theiry Henry ( though he is “the legend”) makes little sense . He is not getting any younger and I doubt he will have the same pace which once made him the most fearful striker in Europe.
2. DEFEAT “MULTI-MILLION” MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City have already beaten the Gunners twice in the ongoing season, once in the Carling Cup and once in the Premier League. It hurts when a plastic team with its plastic fans claim to be superior than us. It is high time that in 2012 we defeat them and show them how a true team in its full flair and supremacy play. Manchester City do not play us at home before April 7 , that may however change if we meet them in the F.A Cup and when we do meet them, I am hopeful that AW and his men will show them the exit door. Reason for this wish to be as high as number 2 is because the arrogant City needs to be taught a lesson, having stolen 2 of our gifted players Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri , we need to show them that in the world of football money isn’t everything.
The complete list of fixtures can be seen here - http://www.arsenal.com/the-match/fixtures-reports
Show the traitor what he is missing at Arsenal
3. END THE TROPHY DROUGHT
Yes, the Premier League title is perhaps out of reach, yes we have been eliminated from the Carling Cup but what better way to continue the revival by winning either the F.A Cup or Champions League (a bit far-fetched though but not unrealistic). It is high time that the Gunners start winning something other than the Emirates Cup. Who knows, a single title this season may bring out a complete turnaround the next season. The past few seasons have been a case of ‘so near yet so far’. I have been tired (and other Gooners must have been too) of hearing that Arsenal are perennial underachievers or ‘chokers’ . Its time to prove that we play not only to please the Arsenal faithful, but we also play to win.
Time to end the trophy drought
4. HANG ON TO ROBIN VAN PERSIE
There is not much time left before the contract of Robin Van Persie runs out (one and half years to be exact). It is high time that Arsene Wenger offers him a contract which he simply cannot refuse. There have been far too many changes in the squad in the recent years and I hope the Nasri-Cesc saga is not repeated. This season, RVP has been our most influential player and has been one of the major reasons for Arsenal’s resurgence this season. The Captain is the core of the team and the team will suffer very badly if he leaves. AW has often been accused of letting his players go too easily(would not doubt critics after what was paid for Fabregas) and it is high time that he shells out the money for RvP. I am not wrong when I say that every Gooner wants to see the talismanic striker stay at Emirates for another 4-5 years (since he is in the form of his life and he is the only quality striker Arsenal have at the moment).
Will Van Persie go the "Fabregas" way
5. TIME FOR FRIMPONG AND CHAMBERLAIN TO PLAY BIGGER ROLES
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fast, energetic and exciting to watch and so is the case with Emmanuel Frimpong. One of the few positives of the Carling Cup quarter final defeat to Man City was the performance of these two youngsters. As the season will progress, it is very likely that there will be a few injury scares and in that case I would love if AW put these two raw talents on display. With better grooming and more match time, there is no doubt that Chamberlain will give Walcott a run for his money and Frimpong can prove to be a good holding midfielder. Arsene Wenger has been protecting Chamberlain for far too long , who has been sensational in the games he has played so far. However it remains to be seen whether AW will have the luxury of using them as often as he would like because the return of Jack Wilshere is going to present him with a midfield selection headache for sure.
To be continued ….
(edited by: Prthvir Solanki)
