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Arsenal in 2016/17
Last season was the worst season of Coach Arsene Wenger’s long reign in charge of Arsenal. It was the first season the team finished outside of the traditional Top 4 in the Premier League. It meant that they get to play in the Europa League for the first time in 20 years and miss out on the excitement of the Champions League.
The failure to qualify for Europe’s top competition and the lack of fight and determination from fellow players got to star player Alexis Sanchez who contributed 27 goals and 13 assists in the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. This was evident in the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace, the 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion, not to talk of the embarrassing two-legged 5-1 losses to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It got even worse after the 3-3 draw against Bournemouth when Arsenal had to come back to tie the game after going down 3-0. Sanchez was disappointed with the reaction of his fellow players after that game; they were celebrating like they just defeated Real Madrid in a Champions League final and finally ended their wait for the Champions League trophy in like forever.
At the end of the season, Arsenal did what they know how to do the best - they rallied the troops and went on a crazy unbeaten run. Sadly, unlike previous seasons, this late run of 6 games unbeaten in all competitions which included victories against Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton could not save Arsenal from missing out of the Champions League. However, it did win them a trophy and helped Wenger to secure another two-year contract. Most of the fans were unhappy with Wenger staying as the only good thing that came out of a very disappointing 2016-2017 season was Arsenal's victory in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Throughout the transfer window, Sanchez’s future in Arsenal was in doubt. It was almost a 100% sure he was going to leave Arsenal, and after Bayern Munich dropped out of the race to sign him, Manchester City was the destination for the Chilean international. Sanchez really wanted to reunite with his former boss at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola. But to everyone’s surprise, Arsenal rejected an offer of 60 million pounds on the transfer deadline day because according to them, they failed to sign a replacement. Thomas Lemar of Monaco was the player Arsenal were chasing to replace Sanchez with. It was even reported that Arsenal submitted a bid as high as 90 million pounds for the French international, but Lemar decided to stay at Monaco and continue his development there hence Manchester City couldn’t complete the purchase of their primary target.
New guys
Asides the Lemar deal, Arsenal did do some fine transfer deals, including players who have already adjusted to the team and are now turning in quality performances week in, week out.
Sead Kolasinac
Arsenal was able to snap up Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer which could arguably be the best EPL transfer of the summer window. The big 24-year-old Bosnia international has already scored a goal and assisted twice in 5 appearances for the club. He is a joy to watch on that left flank; he is blessed with so much pace for his size and already looks like a perfect fit for the English Premier League’s style of play. Kolasinac came off the bench in Arsenal’s first game in the Europa League against Cologne and helped level the scoreline 1-1 with a well-taken volley.
Alexandre Lacazette
After losing Robin Van Persie to Manchester United, Arsenal fans have been craving for a proven goal scorer to help lead the attack. Olivier Giroud was brought in to replace RVP, but with all due respect to Giroud, he simply isn’t the proven goal scorer needed to lead the Gunners attack. So it’s easy to relate to the joy and relieve Arsenal fans felt when it was announced that they finally got their goalscorer - former Olympique Lyon ace, Alexandre Lacazette. It took Lacazette just 5 minutes to open his account for Arsenal in the victory against Leicester City, where he headed in a fine cross from Mohamed Elneny. So far the Arsenal striker has 2 goals in 4 starts. We are still yet to see him in action with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil that will be a combination to watch out for.
Arsenal this season so far
Arsenal started this season with a 4-3 comeback victory against Leicester City. It was a thrilling game with lots of goals and one which encouraged Arsenal fans that this season might just be an improvement on the last. Arsenal kept the hope alive till the next game away to Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. However, Arsenal was defeated 1-0 after a goal from Jese. This defeat was followed by yet another embarrassing away performance against Liverpool. Goals from Mane, Firmino, Salah, and Sturridge downed Arsenal 4-0 and this drop in form early in the season sunk every hope that this year might be different. It is evident that it is still the same Arsenal that crumbles anytime they are to face a big team away from home.
Arsenal responded well to that back to back away defeats by defeating Bournemouth 3-0 at the Emirates. They went on to defeat Cologne 3-1 at the Emirates also in the Europa League and played their best game so far this season in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge. A game that won the Arsenal side so many plaudits for their determined display. They were actually unlucky not to leave the Chelsea Stadium with all 3-points.
The Gunners opened their account in the Caraboa Cup with a home game against Doncaster Rovers, one which everyone expected them to win easily. The game ended 1-0 in favor of Arsenal thanks to a first-half goal from Theo Walcott; his first goal of the season.
Arsenal’s upcoming games
BATE Borisov v Arsenal (EUROPA)
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion (EPL)
Watford v Arsenal (EPL)
FK Crvena Zvezda v Arsenal (EUROPA)
These games are totally winnable for a team of Arsenal’s quality, and I expect them to easily dispatch their opponents and gain all 3-points from every game.
It is too early in the season to write off Arsenal, and I believe this team can go pretty far this season.
