Is this the Season of Arsenal Football Club?

I have been an Arsenal fan in parts. The first time I got attracted to them dates back to 2001 where Arsenal made an astounding comeback against Aston Villa to convert a 0-2 score line to 3-2 at the final whistle, thanks to two goals from King Henry. That was the first memory of Arsenal in my mind. That was a one off moment but I saw this beautiful team playing the beautiful game and made a place in my heart for them. After that, I remember the 05/06 season, where we lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Things changed when I moved back to home from college in 2009 and I start waiting for weekends for these matches. But at Arsenal Football Club, things never changed. The Emirates was still to witness a win since we moved here. 2010-2011 season was the closest when we could have won a trophy; competing in four competitions at one stage. Catastrophe struck, the match against Newcastle United where our army conceded a 4 goal lead changed the fortunes and we got nothing in any of the 4.

In the last 3 seasons, I have been following the action closely. Honestly, we have had our chances. Maybe where we lost it was too much reliance on youth. Arsenal has always groomed youngsters in the most ecstatic way but they can’t really win you a whole season. And finishing 3^rd last season after that disastrous start is commendable. But when I look at the history and glory days of Arsenal Football Club, my first thought was – how did we allow it to happen? An 8-2 defeat, languishing at 17^th after four games and panic signings on the last day of the transfer window- you got to admit, you cannot expect to win the league this way. We finished 3^rd and that was very much by the heroics of Robin van Persie. Even at the end of it, I felt that if reinforcements were not made, there is no chance we will be competing next season, even if RVP stays.

And voila! Arsene Wenger did this summer what nobody expected him to do. We have signed players this season – players who are experienced, capped by their countries and have numbers behind them which will help their confidence in the highly competitive Premier League. Both Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud are well known in the football world and have special traits in them which makes them fierce and dangerous competitors on the field. Irrespective of whether van Persie leaves us for Juventus or Manchester clubs, I think we have done good business on the forward line to cover up for him.

Also, reported by various sources, the deal with Malaga midfield maestro Santi Cazorla is almost done and can be announced any time. This will be one of the best signings we will make in the midfield in recent times. As praised by various sites, he is a versatile midfielder who can play behind the striker or in central midfield. I can’t wait to see him operate in the Gunners’ jersey. He may not get the games initially but to watch him play will be worth the wait. And there is news in the air about Nuri Sahin joining Arsenal for a season long loan deal with a clause for a permanent transfer. The way Arsene has done the business in this transfer window has been a true master stroke. Spending £40 on three world class players is a coup compared to what Chelsea paid just for Hazard. Add to it, the return of Diaby, Wilshere (October) and Frimpong (September) from injury and Wenger will have a variety of options to choose from. I am certainly not being too optimistic but I can see a trophy coming to the Emirates boardroom.

Without any doubt, this has to be one of the very best summers of Arsenal Football Club in recent times. With all the criticism of Arsene Wenger and his reluctance to spend the cash and depending more than necessary on youngsters, he has responded in the most apt way- he made his actions speak. Two signings confirmed in the form of Podolski and Giroud and the almost sure arrival of Cazorla (fingers still crossed) have made the wait for 18^th August more traumatic. And the rumor about Turkish midfield talent Sahin, currently plying his trade in Real Madrid, is on his way to the Emirates. And the best of the lot, Robin van Persie have not left yet. No club has been able to match his valuation and with all these signings made, he could truly believe that Arsenal mean business and he may decide to stay at the Emirates. Suddenly, sky has become brighter in North London.

I am looking forward to an exciting season and it all starts against Sunderland at home. Let the silverware come.

Hail Arsenal.