2010/11 season a year in review

So Arsenal finished the 2010/11 season on a total of 68 points, with 8 losses and 11 draws. This was quite frankly unacceptable! For a very brief time we were number 1 in the league, which dropped to a respectable second before descending eventually by the end of the season into a precarious fourth place! Why is fourth place so precarious? The Premier League has been in a state of flux over the last few years - Tottenham and Manchester city have risen to prominence and this season saw the beginning of a resurgent Liverpool. Some question whether there is a traditional top four anymore to speak of and rather the Premier League must now be spoken of in top 6 terms. If Arsenal are not careful, with its current squad of injury prone players, lack of real leadership quality on the pitch and the ever turning rumour mill of a certain Spanish player's future, Arsenal are in danger of being lost in the mire and failing to qualify for the Champion's League. But that is all pessimistic speculation at this point. Back to the season just gone and well it has been nothing short of disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, I love Arsenal and am proud to wear the shirt and support the club; but yet again we failed to win silverware; yet again we choked all too often against 'lesser' clubs when we really needed to place pressure on our closest rivals in the hunt for the League title. This is why this season turned into a total nightmare. Our best chance at silverware this year came in the Carling Cup, a trophy the club has never truly persued with the same vigor and commitment of the League title or the Champion's League trophy but a trophy nevertheless that we were more than capable of winning. Yet we didn't turn up at the Final. We lost the final to a team that eventually was relegated! What does that tell you about the mentality of this current squad? All our fears were realised as Birmingham out played us with sheer heart. That is what this team has lacked all too often. It has lacked heart; it has lacked passion; it has lacked that drive and killer instinct to win and to be champions. It has been leveled at Arsenal's door by critics that the squad do not have a 'champions' mentality' and collectively I think that has proven to be true too often. Psychologically the team have choked and failed to perform to the best of their ability when it has really mattered, be that applying pressure to our closest rivals (namely Manchester United) or in winning trophies in other competitions.

However there were plenty of positives to take from this season - firstly the revelation of a rising star, Jack Wilshere. Our 19 year old midfielder proved he has a heart of lion on the pitch and was a key player for us this season. Wilshere has an ability to galvinise the team and to be an inspiration to other players with a never say die attitude. This season also saw the return of Aaron Ramsey originally from injury and then from loan deal. Although there was not enough of the season left to really impose himself, Ramsey will be a real asset to the team next season and is a very talented and charismatic young player. Then there was the incredible form of Robin Van Persie. RVP broke a couple of Premier League records this season, one of which was most away goals scored in successive games. RVP was the most in form striker in 2011 and was irreplacable for us in the second half of the season. We also managed huge wins over Manchester United, Chelsea (which I was at) and Barcelona at home. Those were three massive scalps to shout about.

So we look to next season, and we can look forward to it with much hope and promise. Next season Arsenal celebrate its 125th Anniversary as a professional football team and I have eagerly pre-ordered the new celebratory home shirt ready to wear to the Emirates. It is a thing of beauty no doubt about it with a reef surrounding the badge. Arsenal have a long and presitigious history. The Emirates is a celebration of the history of the club and a living monument to past success; now the shirt reflects this too.


Wenger has stated that he will be in the transfer market over the summer to strengthen our squad. This is vital if we are to win anything next season. We need strong, durable and talented players that are passionate about winning trophies with Arsenal football club if future success is to be guaranteed. Naturally there would be something wonderfully romantic and poetic about winning the Premier League again after so long on the 125th Anniversary of the club; yet as a fan trophies are not the be all and end all. What I found so frustrating and infuriating this season was not failing to win the 'big one' but the way in which we conceded defeat and failed to rise to the challenge and opportunity on so many occassions. There is no embarrassment finishing second; second is very respectable and something to be proud about as long as you know your team has done its utmost best. Arsenal could not say that this season and we finished fourth because of it. I just want to see 100% next season (which I believe will reward us with silverware).