Can Arsenal win the Premier League next season?

Bacary Sagna believes that Arsenal can win the Premier League next season. Does he have a point?

There is no denying that Arsenal were schizophrenic last season. Cup defeats to Bradford and Blackburn were inexcusable, but Wenger’s team finished the season excellently, taking 26 out of a possible 30 points to secure 4^th position.

In the end, Arsenal finished with the second best Premier League defensive record, conceding 37 goals. Comparing this with the 49 goals conceded in the 2011/2012 season, a significant improvement has been made. The central-defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker has flourished and the old cliché of Arsenal not being able to defend is surely out of date now.

In order to mount a title-challenge, it is vital to make a good start. But over the last couple of seasons, Arsenal have made poor starts. This can be attributed to the departures of key-players. For example, after losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in 2011, Arsenal failed to gain domestic form until October. They also stuttered in 2012 after losing Robin van Persie and Alex Song, as it disrupted a major part of the team’s spine.

Arsenal are unlikely to lose a first-team player this summer. It could be argued that this is because Arsenal no longer have any world-class players, meaning that clubs such as Barcelona have no need to swoop. By keeping the nucleus of the team intact, there is no reason why they cannot build on the form that was captured at the end of last season.

However, if Arsenal are to mount a serious title bid, they must buy a world class striker. Although I think Olivier Giroud has been a good signing, he admittedly struggles against the best Premier League teams, and because of this, he should be second-choice up front.

As for a first-choice striker, Wenger will never purchase someone like Edinson Cavani at their current market value, and rightly so in my opinion. Kaká and Fernando Torres were bought at £56 million and £50 million respectively; they both failed to live up to massive expectations.

Gonzalo Higuain has been heavily linked with Arsenal and he would be a superb signing. He should be available at around £22.5 million, which would break Arsenal’s transfer record, but I think he is good value for money. According to transfermarkt.co.uk, he had a market value of £33.5 million in 2011. While this could provide evidence of stagnation, at 25 years old, he would be worth the risk.

Arsenal should also be able to benefit from the managerial changes at the title-contending clubs. It will take a considerable period of time for David Moyes to feel comfortable at Man Utd, and with tough opening fixures, there is, for the first time in many seasons, just a hint of uncertainty at Old Trafford.

To conclude, I do think Arsenal can at least challenge for the Premier League this season. Their defensive frailties appear to be ironed out and with some intelligent signings, such as Higuain, they’ll have a competitive team. While actually winning the Premier League may be a little too optimistic, a second place finish would provide a solid base to build upon for the 2014/2015 season.

By Kelvin Jones

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Released XI

Last week Premier League clubs revealed the players who they would be releasing, this prompted @False_Number9 to create a Released XI, here is my team to face his. I have not used any of the same players, not even from the bench, and therefore this presented something of a challenge. None the less a team has been put together.

Mucha (Everton) - Whilst Mucha only played 2 games in the season gone, one of them was a sensational clean sheet and man of the match performance against Manchester City which allowed Everton to win the game 2-1. His second performance being a good game in Everton's 3-1 defeat of Reading. At 30 years old Mucha still has plenty of years ahead of him and a steady run in a team could allow him to shine.

Stam (Wigan) - Despite being a casualty in Wigan's disappointing season Stam offers solid defensive contribution and reliable tackling. His greatest quality, however, is his ability going forward from right back. Stam is an ablle dribbler and adept at crossing. At 28 years old Stam could provide a newly promoted team with cover or fit in well in the Championship.

Ben Haim (QPR) - At 31 his best years are no doubt behind him, but Ben Haim has 72 caps for Israel and has played for clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City. As a player with a wealth of experience and the ability to play anywhere across the line, a gamble on Ben Haim seems worthwhile, as if he were able to recapture his form for Bolton (04-07) he would certainly be an asset to any team.

Pearce (Reading) - Only 24 and already a full Republic of Ireland international it is surprising that Reading has let Pearce go. Said to possess "a superb work ethic and mentality" the centre back, who played 19 times in the 12/13 Premier League, offers terrific value for any team looking for an old fashioned centre back.

Tierney (Norwich) - Tierney was only able to play once last season, but as a 27 year old Tierney still has years in him. He is a player not dissimilar to Pearce in his willingness to put his body on the line for the good of the team. He is also a strong crosser of the ball.

Whitehead (Stoke) - Versatile, experienced and strong Whitehead is more of a destroyer than a creator. 26 Stoke appearances suggest he is still up to pace with the Premier League, and a pass success rate of 83.8% suggests he isn't completely bereft of qualities with the ball. At 31 Whitehead could steady an inexperienced midfield or offer cover to a higher calibre of player.

O'Neil (West Ham) - A different sort of player to Whitehead, ex-England U21 player O'Neil has good technique and this is reflected in his set piece taking ability, key pass rate and long shot accuracy. In this hypothetical team O'Neil and Whitehead would act in a similar way to Alonso and Khedira do for Real Madrid. O'Neil has never relied heavily on pace, and therefore it seems likely that, at 30, he has 4-5 years left playing at a high level.

Bentley (Tottenham) - One of the stars of this team. Bentley has amassed 7 full England caps and has played for Arsenal, Blackburn during their reliable 06-08 years and Tottenham. Bentley has exemplary technique and scored one of the best goals in North London derby history for Tottenham. Bentley is 28 years old and has the ability to play comfortably in the English Premier League.

Gera (West Brom) - 34 years old and subsequently lacking in pace, regardless Gera is a highly creative and intelligent player who is able to play in almost any attacking position. Gera scored 4 goals in 16 West Brom appearances last season and no doubt has another season or two in him.

Thomas (West Brom) - Whilst 30 years old Jerome Thomas is still a left winger with pace capable of causing defenders problems. Thomas, a junior England international, may well be a class below Malouda but offers a superior attitude to the Frenchman's and would be an asset to most Premier League squads.

Campbell (QPR) - 31 years old and injury prone, DJ Campbell seems like an odd choice. Despite this in the 10/11 season Campbell showed finishing prowess and scored 13 goals for Blackpool, with three players behind him who will create chances DJ Campbell, when fit, could relive his season at Blackpool and score amply.

By Alex Pointon

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Sources:

Whoscored.com

Wikipedia

http://outsideoftheboot.com/tactics-creator/