The Arsenal way is the only way

If you refer to the earlier articles that I have written about the fortunes of Arsenal for the season that has passed, you would notice that my predictions were accurate. Despite losing Nasri, Fabregas and Wilshere, Arsenal were still competitive. How many other teams would have been able to maintain a top four status against such odds? This re-enforces Wenger’s belief that Arsenal have a very competitive team. Clear evidence of this was the manner in which we took out Man City at the Emirates, making their mega stars look like a bunch of Division 2 misfits. Don’t forget that we also outplayed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Yes, Man United, Man City and Chelsea will strengthen during the off season, but their astronomical wage bills and other player related overheads will also spiral out of control. Despite their blank cheque book policy, they grudgingly admire the Arsenal model.

If City give us £25 million for Van Persie, then that would be excellent business for Arsenal, considering that last season was his only injury free season in the eight years that he has been at the club. They are actually playing into our hands by helping us to wipe off our stadium debt quicker. Spending exorbitant sums on big name signings does not guarantee success as is evident by Chelsea finishing in sixth place. In January, I told a work colleague, who is a Chelsea fan, that Arsenal will finish above Chelsea. He burst into mocking fits of laughter and then looked at me as if to say I had taken leave of my senses. Because, at that stage, Chelsea were seven points ahead of Arsenal and the scenario looked unlikely to most people, but I knew exactly how the season would pan out. I even knew that we had a big chance to finish above Spuds even when we were 12 points behind them. Had Chelsea not enjoyed inexplicable luck against Bayern Munich, their season would have been dubbed a major failure. This is irrefutable proof that money does not guarantee success.

Arsenal only require two quality players to win the league in the coming season. Because, what generally happens is that, when Arsenal seem to be getting the measure of their high spending rivals, they pick up crucial injuries and invariably drop points. Wenger just needs to make sure that the squad becomes stronger so that this strength in depth helps the team when an injury crisis sets in. How many times this season have we lost games because Djourou has replaced an injured centre half or full back?

The sceptics will find it hard to believe – given the fact that we finished 19 points behind the top two – that we are actually as competitive as I claim. I predict that Jenkinson will be a world beater if he stays fit next season. If we recruit a quality defensive midfield player in the mould of M’Vila and another finisher up front then, believe me, the league is ours.

Arteta came in and looked a class act. It wasn’t only his quality which made him look good. Much of his success is down to the way Arsene Wenger sets out the team. Anyone can look decent when they play the Wenger system correctly.

It is not all doom and gloom. Chins up, fellow Gooners, because undoubtedly, it was satisfying to finish above the Spuds. And with Wilshere back next season, to add to the fact that Gervinho would have had a year to adjust to the Premier League and the arrival of Podolski, we should enjoy an even more successful season.

Let’s hope we do eventually get a penalty at the Emirates next season!