register to 888sport
888sport time:

Featured Sport News

Gunners bid to defy critics

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 30/07/2009

Arsenal are in danger of becoming the Premier League's forgotten team. Arsene Wenger has only made one major signing this summer, but has already lost Emmanuel Adebayor and seems certain to sell Kolo Toure to Manchester City.

Samir Nasri is injured so the negatives certainly seem to have outweighed the positives at the Emirates Stadium so far in pre-season.

But should they be written off this early? Thierry Henry has said the Gunners can surpass Chelsea, Liverpool and online favourites Manchester United and lift the Premier League title again next year. Maybe Arsenal fans could have a few reasons to be cheerful after all.

Thomas Vermaelen has jetted in to London from Ajax to shore-up the Arsenal defence which was frail at times last season.

Gael Clichy is as good as anyone in the division but Bacary Sagna will need to rediscover his best form this season. If the back four can stay fit, Manuel Almunia may have a lot less work to do in the Arsenal goal.

Andrey Arshavin puts a smile on football fans' faces everywhere. He was the integral figure in one of the most surreal games in Premier League history after arriving in England in January, netting four goals in a 4-4 draw against title-chasing Liverpool in April.

It could go down as the most clinical performance by an Arsenal player in history as he scored four goals from four meaningful attempts on goal.

In reality, Arshavin barely got a kick all night, but produced four stunning strikes every time he was given the ball in an inviting position.

That night at Anfield confirmed his status as one of the top talents in Europe and there is surely more to come from the Russian. He could even be a decent outsider to end the season as the league's top goal-scorer.

Can Arsenal defy the odds and win the Premier League this season? - Latest Football Betting

Wenger has plucked a succession of promising youngsters from around the world and they are now developing into men.

If there are no more new signings, expect Wenger to continue to place his faith in Alex Song at the heart of his midfield.

In the aforementioned draw with Liverpool, Song almost beat the deadly Arshavin to the man-of-the-match award after producing a brilliant display against some of the world's best midfielders.

Injury hampered his progress last season, but he should be set for a more permanent role alongside Cesc Fabregas next term. It could also be the year that the likes of Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela realise their potential.

If Eduardo, Robin van Persie and Fabregas manage injury-free campaigns, the Gunners will surely be a force to be reckoned with.

Wenger may not mind that the media's focus is pointed in the direction of Stamford Bridge, Eastlands, Anfield and Old Trafford - as he may have a few aces in his hand that have slipped from their rivals' minds.

online betting