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After reaching a mesmerizing high at the end of the previous season with a heroic win in the FA Cup after going two nil down in the first 10 minutes of the game. Arsenal were definitely expected to continue on their run of form as their key players were set to return from long-term injuries and addition of World Cup stars Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina along with the World Cup winning German trio.But those hopes were short-lived as the season began and Arsenal struggled to find form away from home earning hard-fought draws. They strengthened their defense, they strengthened their attack but the result at the end is still Arsenal struggling for a top four finish in the premier league. Arsenal literally go through the same trouble almost every season, first the top players would leave the club and now the injuries have made it worse for the club. So here we look at just what went terribly wrong for the North London side:
#1 Injuries jinx lives on forever at Arsenal
Arsenal has forever been haunted by injuries, no matter how much they deepen their squad. New signing Debuchy has struggled from injury since his move to the Emirates. Others featuring the injury list included the likes of Walcott, Arteta, Rosicky, Ozil, Giroud, Ospina, Szczesny and ever prominent Abou Diaby.
If there was a player whom Arsenal missed dearly that was undoubtedly Koscielny at the back. The away losses at Swansea and Chelsea or a draw at home against Hull, he was missed at the back. How much Arsenal missed him could simply be summed up as the Gunners managed only seven points out of a possible eighteen in that period.
Also Giroud and Ramsey, who would at multiple times, rescue the Gunners with their incredible knack of creating goals out of the blue.
Mr. Wenger would probably have loved to pick a side from the injured players given a chance over the players he had to forcefully field due to the injuries.
#2 Formation and the players
At the start of this season Mr. Wenger decided to field in a 4-1-4-1 formation that would enforce some of the players to play out of position than what they are usually suited to. Although the formation worked pretty well in the Community Shield match against defending champions Manchester City who were without the likes of Kompany and Aguero among others.
Mr. Wenger also on occasions opted to play the 4-3-3 formation but went unsuccessful as they experienced a lack of connectivity between the midfielders and the striker.
Ox who has been performing pretty well on the wings had been moved to a more central role, while Ozil featured mainly from the left rather than his preferred number 10 position, struggling in the initial days of the season. Probably due to the World Cup fatigue but since his return from injury he has been in spectacular form from the left being involved in 5 goals in three premier league games.
Cazorla who had been involved in almost every game for the Gunners this season was not really witnessed. He did not score, neither had many assists to his name which does not exactly sound much like Cazorla but he was always involved in the build-up of an attack. His ability to score and create goals was missing but that seems to have become a thing of the past now.
#3 Key midfield signing is still missing
Gunners were in need of a defensive midfielder at the start of the season, there were reports of linkage with Real Madrid's Sami Khedira but the move did not turn out. The midfield even at this point continues to carry a major hole in the center. Despite Coquelin making good of his chances but too much pressure might break down the youngster.
Flamini is not the best at physical battles and not the most technically sound player in that position in the league. Arteta entered the season as the Captain, he has only been able to complete four full 90 minutes this term in the league. While for the rest he has been a victim to injuries.
Mr. Wenger does have the option of playing both Coquelin and Flamini in the defensive midfield but that would be half as effective as having Arteta play as neither of the two players is much capable of moving the ball in the final third or to complete the number of passes that Arteta does. And hence, as a result of that the other players are being overworked in order to overcome the lack of a specialized defensive midfielder.
#4 Goalkeeping Dilemma
Arsenal's goalkeeping situation has always been brittle since the departure of Jens Lehmann; no goalkeeper has been successful maintaining a good form throughout the season. Szczesny had been given the number 1 shirt at the club last season but midway in to the season he lacked to perform.
This season was a totally different story; Ospina was signed as a backup goalkeeper to Szczesny who arrived at Arsenal suffering from an injury sustained in the World Cup. As the League began even Szczesny got injured and Mr. Wenger had to rely on the services of young Martinez who was newly promoted to the senior squad.
Arsenal does not have a goalkeeper who would command the goal full season. Since Ospina has finally made his way into the squad after his long injury lay-off, he has performed pretty well. It may be too early to say that Ospina will dethrone Szczesny of his number 1 shirt. But, what is to be seen is whether Ospina will be able to manage without being a victim of an injury, as the Premier League is quite physical and intense.
