Arsenal FC: 2013-14 Season Preview

Goalkeepers

With the departure of Vito Mannone, Arsenal have only two goalkeepers with a steady claim to the number 1 shirt, that has not seen a capable owner since the days of mad Jens Lehmann. Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczcesny have both been inconsistent and many would deem neither of them worthy of the #1 status. It remains to be seen if a deal for Julio Cesar happens and an experienced pair of gloves man the goal this season.

Defence

Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Carl Jenkinson, Kieren Gibbs

With Thomas Vermaelen out for the next six weeks or so, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are the only two first team centre backs at Arsene’s disposal right now. Arsenal are one injury to the pair away from fielding a reserve/youth player.

With Bacary Sagna looking solid in the center of defence, it is likely that Jenkinson will see more first team opportunities in the while, as Arsenal sort out the crisis with centre backs. The left flank seems solid with Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal, as both players are of proven pedigree and will provide healthy competition to each other.

Midfield

Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Frimpong

This is where the overload begins. Arteta, who is already out for six weeks with injury, and Ramsey will deputize alongside each other in holding midfield, with Cazorla or Rosicky up front.

While Abou Diaby will look to make a cameo somewhere in mid-season, the future of Emmanuel Frimpong looks uncertain. Though there are no immediate rumours surrounding the Englishman of Ghanaian origins, it is unknown as to how he would be utilized.

Jack Wilshere is likely to see more first team play as he’ll be moulded into the role of a future club captain, and could well ply his trade under the wings of the much matured, Mikel Arteta on his return.

While Arsenal deployed a three player midfield last season, with Tomas Rosicky at the top of the triangle, it remains to be seen if Santi Cazorla is shunted out wide or is allowed to drop into the hole behind the striker.

Of course, with the availability of Lukas Podolksi on the left, Cazorla could well feature in the midfield, with Rosicky being used as an impact sub.

Wingers

Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo Miyaichi, Lukas Podolski

This section is a go-go, with enough depth and it likely that Ryo Miyaichi will see more playing time this season, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will provide competition to Theo Walcott on the right. Also, with Cazorla often being deployed to the left, Lukas Podolski will have a point to prove and be more incisive moving in and scoring more goals.

Strikers

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo

With only one proven striker up-front, it is likely that the gaffer will look to sign one more striker before the window shuts down. As the Luis Suarez saga draws on, Arsenal will start the season with only Olivier Giroud ready to lead the pack against Aston Villa tomorrow.

While he has been clinical in pre-season, the fans will only hope that the Frenchman finally bags 20+ goals this season in the Premier League.

This being said, the self-fashioned ‘best striker in the world’, Nicklas Bendtner waits on the sidelines seeking an exit from the club (most recently being linked to Trabzonspor in Turkey). And hence he’s not been considered as an ‘option’.

Fixture Analysis

Apart from the games against Fenerbahce this month, Arsenal have a fairly easy season opener until the North London derby in October. The November-December period would be crucial as Arsenal play Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City in a span of eight games.

Initial momentum would be crucial and the club would want to find themselves comfortably in the top four before winter sets in.Also, the period from February to April would be crucial as Arsenal play the top honchos (all away) in a span of nine matches and will eventually decide the winners this season.

Arsenal would also want to avoid disqualification from the Champions League, as a long winding Europea League would only lead to the congestion of fixtures and eventually derailment of their domestic plans.