Arsenal are out of Europe, seven seasons without a trophy, but is it not all doom and gloom at the Emirates, and here are five reasons why…
Wojciech Szczesny
After several seasons of goalkeeping woes, Arsenal finally have a number one they can be proud of. The goalkeeper is incredibly well developed for a 21-year-old, and already performing heroics at the very highest level. If he maintains his fitness and form, he could be Arsenal’s goalkeeper for the rest of this decade and the whole of the next, and even have a shot of breaking David O’Leary’s club appearance record along the way. This season his penalty saves against Udinese and Liverpool were world class, and inspired the team to victories in both games. He is admired by his teammates and has limitless potential.
New strikers
Arsene Wenger has surely realised after last night that his second string strikers are not up to the required standard. Park Chu-Young may be given time, but Marouane Chamakh will be sold this summer, while it is believed to be near enough a done deal that German international Lukas Podolski will be an Arsenal player next season. This could even be crucial in helping Robin an Persie to stay, and Arsenal will likely sign an extra striker too. If van Persie does drop a bombshell and leave, yes it will be a big blow, but Arsenal will have enough money to compete for almost any striker in Europe, with names like Edinson Cavani suggested as replacements, if required.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
A few eyebrows were raised last summer when Arsene Wenger decided to make a teenager from League One his most expensive signing of the transfer window. Now nobody is disputing that the fee was money well spent. So far this year the winger has looked incredible, with a stunning performance at home to AC Milan, before he went off injured. His instant impact has seen him compared to Wayne Rooney, and it seems he could be part of England’s plans this summer too. Next season, and beyond, he can only get better, a mouth-watering prospect for Arsenal fans. His emergence is also slowly bringing out the best in Theo Walcott, and the £15 million Arsenal paid for him is already looking like a bargain.
Jack Wilshere will be back
This season has been a nightmare for Arsenal’s brightest young star, sidelined throughout with an ankle injury, with a comeback date forever getting pushed back. Now he may not even make Euro 2012, but a summer’s rest will only do him good. Next season he will come back fresher than ever and raring to go. Arsenal could have done with him against Milan, in both games, but he could have tipped the tie in their favour in the second when the game got away from them in midfield. He will look forward to forming a partnership with Aaron Ramsey, and together the pair can be the future of Arsenal’s midfield.
The return of the King?
Yes it really could happen again, Thierry Henry could come back next year. He surprised himself in the way he could so easily adapt again to the Premier League, and after returning in tip-shape, the New York Red Bulls will be open to loaning him out for a second time. His last game was the 4-0 defeat in Milan, and there is no way he will want that to be the final memory of him in an Arsenal shirt, and there is every chance he will be back.
Why else should Arsenal fans be positive about the future?
image: © wonker
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
