Analysis: Arsenal’s New Season Overview

The excitement is in the air as the new season is finally upon us.The sudden rush of adrenaline trickling into my blood stream gets me into an enthralling mood as I ponder on the journey before us as fans just as the football season begins today in major leagues across Europe.

The Premier league begins today with an exciting match between Manchester United and Leicester City but the gunners will be playing on Sunday so the Arsenal fans will have to wait one more day.

Arsenal begins their Premier League title chase on Sunday afternoon against defending champions Manchester City with a new manager in the dug-out after 22 years.It seems rather strange not seeing Wenger coming out from the tunnel, with his badged suit, rubbing his hands together as the players take to the pitch,shaking hands with the opposition’s manager. Unai Emery begins a new era on Sunday.

Despite the excitement that awaits Arsenal fans this season, I have my reservations about the team’s defensive abilities. The same frailties saw the Arsenal team ship in goals like its going out of fashion.And I don’t understand the rational behind Calum Chamber’s loan move to Fulham without an immediate replacement (Just learnt that Caglar Soyuncu has moved to Leicester for wait for it….£19 million).

Laurent Koscielny is out injured till maybe December, Mustafi has flattered to deceive, while Holding and Mavropanos have a varying degree of potential, I guess Sokratis could be a defensive tutor for both but there’s a glimpse of hope in what Unai Emery had to say;

“Defensively: first it is to be organised, recover the ball quickly. But in these two moments in the match we need to work. To say it here is easier than doing it on the pitch. We also need time, but now I am happy because I think the players are improving.”We need two things: quality players, which we have, and then organisation. Together I think we can improve, to win in our way. I repeat: organised, then play.”

“When we are thinking in an attacking moment, I want the goalkeeper thinking for that, he is the first. The same when we are thinking defensively, I want our strikers to be thinking: ‘We need to protect the goalkeepers’. I want those two moments to feel the same for all players.’

True words spoken.It’s rather soothing he understands Arsenal’s defensive problems. Looking back to the Lazio game where the Arsenal defenders played themselves into a cul de sac.It was frustrating and annoying to say the least.

On the midfield and attacking front the team have no problem barring injuries.The combination of Lacazette and Aubameyang would give any defence headaches just as the combination of Ozil, Ramsey and Mkhitaryan can wreck havoc.But just as Emery pointed out earlier, the team needs to defend as a unit and then attack.

Arsenal’s primary concern is to get back into the top four which I feel is realistic enough.Their away form must improve to achieve their top four aim.The defence line must be up to its task of defending nothing more and nothing less.

The Arsenal fans must also have some patience with the new manager. While there’s a saying that goes “uneasy is the head that wears the crown”, the fans shouldn’t expect a perfect season just yet.There will be ups and downs in the season but the fans should stick up for their team no matter what as Unai gets to stamp his ideas in the team.

It’s 38 matches to go starting today. Are you ready?I’m sure I am.So until later, have a splendid day ahead.