Confident, but do Arsenal fans share his belief?

Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy has issued a bold statement of Arsenal’s intent this season, signalling the clubs determination to win the League and end the team’s trophy drought. The Guardian has reported Clichy as stating

“I remember saying a few years ago it was time for Arsenal to win and nothing happened. I really hope this year can be a good one and now we cannot hide behind anything- the age or the experience. We have everything to do it so lets do it.”

Arsenal’s recent failures to win trophies have often been excused by the fact that the side is a growing one, and that next year will be their year. But five years have now passed since Arsenal won the FA Cup, and the feeling around Arsenal is that the team’s potential now has to transfer itself into winning a trophy. Sound bites such as Clichy’s are often issued by players and staff at the club before the start of the season, and Arsenal fans will want to see these belligerent words turned into the action that could win the league. Will this though, be any different from any other season?

No-one can say with certainty that a team will triumph in the league. This season though, Arsenal do appear to have the best chance they have had of winning the title in a number of years. The signing of Marouane Chamakh has been largely welcomed by fans, with the striker’s impressive Champions League performances for Bordeaux convincing many that he may be the big centre forward Arsenal have been missing. Arsene Wenger’s other signing, that of Laurent Koscielny from French side Lorient, has been greeted with less fanfare; though many seem quietly confident about the centre-back after Wenger signed a similarly little known Thomas Vermaelen last season. The Belgian proved to be one of the stars of Arsenal’s season, and fans will be hoping Koscielny can make a similar impact. The big scare for Arsenal fans came when it seemed Cesc Fabregas was destined to make the move to Barcelona, now though it seems the Arsenal captain will remain at the club for at least one more season. Arsenal have a strong team, and if their key players can remain injury free, then the Gunners will definitely be able to mount a strong title challenge.

Arsenal fans current concerns circle largely round the position of goalkeeper. In order to win the title, it is necessary for a side to have a top-class ‘keeper. In Arsenal’s case, this may not be the situation. Last season many fans bemoaned the fact that Manuel Almunia was the first choice goalkeeper at Arsenal, and his understudy Lukasz Fabianski did not particularly impress when he turned out in goal. If Arsenal are to win the Premier League, it seems crucial that a new goalkeeper is signed. Another area of anxiety is the position of centre-back, with Thomas Vermaelen the only established performer. New signing Koscielny is unproven, whilst Johan Djourou is a player with injury problems, Alex Song can play at centre-back but his preferred position is in defensive midfield. The signing of another centre-back will be necessary if Arsenal are to maintain an effective challenge on the league and in Europe. If Arsene Wenger makes these signings, then Arsenal will have a strong and dynamic squad that has the ability to make a strong assault at the top of the Premiership. Who knows? This time, the purposeful words may even translate themselves into trophies.

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