Is another 'Invincibles' in the making for Arsenal?

Most of you guys must be thinking as to if I have gone mad, considering the present woes of Arsenal how could I have even have the audacity of comparing the present lot to those legends. Well at first look you might be forgiven to think that the glory days of Arsenal is long gone by and it would be impossible to even touch that level in the near future. But look closely and you will find a potential ‘Invincibles’ in the making and you will realise that Arsene Wenger project might actually not be over!!! Now let us break down the present scenario part by part:

Goalkeeper:

Can he prove to be the next big thing for Arsenal?

Just a few seasons back most of the gunners were shouting their hearts out for Wenger to buy a world class goalkeeper, but he relented and Thank God he relented!!!!!! Cause that decision led to the revelation of Wojciech Szczesny, who has literary taken the premier league by storm. A product of Arsenal’s own youth academy the 21 year old polish goalkeeper has already established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and that too at such a young age (In stark contrast to a certain more expensive DeGea, who had to be replaced by Lindegaard for a couple of matches). With age his maturity will obviously increase helping his game reach an altogether newer level.

Defenders:

Does he have it to lead the present lot to the glory days of the famous 'Arsenal Back Four'?

Almost all of us know of the famous Arsenal back four comprising Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn; but all is not bleak for the gunners in the present scenario. A close look at the defensive setup tells a very promising story for Arsenal. With the likes of Koscielny impressing everyday with consistent performances, we have the ever dependable Vermaelen and Mertesacker. Yes I must admit that the German did take his time adjusting to the faster pace of the premier league but has since put in some stellar performances and also the fact remains that a player who has won over 75 caps for Germany will be no pushover. Then we have to look at the slowly reducing injury list of Arsenal with Sagna already back along with Gibbs and Santos slated to be back in about another month the defensive fragility at the left and right back positions will be over. Also the ever reliant Arsenal youth academy is ready with a bunch of players like Ignasi Miquel (who has started for the team a couple of times this season), Nico Yennaris (who had a very promising debut against Man Utd) and Francis Coquelin (who showed his improvement in the 7-1 rout of Blackburn). I dare say that once his injury list is empty Arsene Wenger will have a very good chance of developing another ‘Invincibles’ defence.

Midfielders:

Will he return to form one of the most devastating midfields in football?

The present Arsenal midfield seems to have slowly overcome to a large extent the double blow of Fabregas and Nasri. I agree that it is difficult to replace such quality immediately but there are positive signs in the present scenario. In Arteta and Rosicky (who I must say has been a class apart in his last few appearances) Arsenal have two experienced guys who still have a good 2-3 years of their best left to ease the transition of the youngsters into the team. Players like Song and Ramsey must be handled with care and not be over played which sadly is the case in the present scenario. These are players who have already shown their class with impressive performances and have the best years of their playing career ahead of them; if groomed properly they will grow to be one of the best in business. Then we have Jack Wilshere, the teenage sensation himself!!! An Arsenal youth academy product he has already proved himself of being one the best talents of world football at beginning of his career itself. But as I mentioned earlier he must be handled with care as the effects of overplaying him last season (He played in a staggering 49 matches last season!!!!) are already showing with latest reports confirming he will be out for the rest of the present season. Finally I almost forgot to mention Thomas Eisfield, the relatively unknown German who was signed by Arsene Wenger this January; though we have little knowledge about the youngster but as Wenger proved time and again he is best man to recognise rising talents (who knows we might have the next Fabregas in the making!!!). In all Arsenal has the raw material to build one of the deadliest midfields in the world but Wenger must act with caution.

Forwards:

It is here that Arsenal has their greatest strength and also their Achilles’ heel. In Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain they have probably one of the most potent wingers in world football. Yes I agree Chamberlain is still young and has a long way to go, but looking at how he has been delivering consistently at the highest level for the past few games and with Wenger as his mentor, one would be tempted to think that he is just a year or so from reaching his peak. Then there is the ever consistent Gervinho (He has been a revelation this year for the Gunners) and the well not so consistent Arshavin. I know that I risk incurring the wrath of the Arsenal faithful by naming the Russian here but I personally believe inspite of his shortcomings at the Emirates if properly used he still has a lot to give to the Arsenal squad both on and off the field (though I will not go into the details as that is left for another discussion). Then comes the major sticking point Robin van Persie, what can you say about the man………I might as well say that he has even outdone his own expectations and it is a shame that his name was not included in the Ballon d’Or shortlist this year. Now the problem is how do you find a replacement for such a player!!! That is where even Arsene Wenger must indulge in a spending spree. Much like AS Roma a few years back, the major problem for Arsenal is that even though their build up play and chance creation is excellent, there is no finisher except RVP. This fact was further imposed when Thierry Henry scored on his comeback against Leeds. In that match even though Arsenal had plenty of chances and major share of the possession they could not find a goal before the arrival of ‘The King’.

Lastly a major point to be made is that a large chunk of the above mentioned players have come through Arsenal’s own youth academy and hence has a great deal of love and loyalty for the club; also most of them are therefore known to each other and will have no problem to gel together on the playing field unlike other teams. On top of it with present youth coach and former Arsenal player Steve Bould slated to take over as assistant manager after Pat Rice retires next year, it is all the more good as he is well aware of Wenger’s style of play and is well acquainted with most of the players with whom he has worked in the youth teams.

Now all of this has a lot of permutations and combinations (and going by the present scenario Arsenal haven’t had much luck going their way) but then thats what dreams are made of eh? In a few years time Arsenal may have another ‘Invincibles’ rampaging the premier league or as they say still be a team with the feeling of being there but just not being there!!! Do give in your opinions on this……