The 2013/2014 European season seems like yesterday, despite the world cup in Brazil where Germany came out victorious. The new season begins on Saturday with teams drawing up their plans, setting goals and making drastic changes or adding finishing touches to a model that worked near-perfect last season.
Arsenal began their season last Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City, winning their first trophy of the season, their 13th Community Shield, 85 days after they had lifted the 2014 FA Cup, clearing out the cobwebs in the Emirates trophy cabinet.
So what can the fans expect from their darling Arsenal? Trophies? How many?
Capital One Cup
As before, Arsene Wenger will always feature a weaker team in the Capital One Cup until maybe the later stages of the competition. Probably the semi-finals. The league cup will be platform for the young guns likes of Bellerin, Campbell, Coquelin, Akpom and the more experience ones that are having a hard time breaking into the first team. Those Tuesday and Wednesday nights will be cold and exciting. Will we have another 7-5 victory like that epic Reading game.
Arsene Wenger has never won this trophy. It wouldn’t be bad if he adds it to his list of trophies won. Yes, he takes it less serious but a trophy is a silverware. Hope to see Campbell and Sanogo tormenting various opposition in this competition.
FA Cup
As defending champions, The Arsenal will face the FA Cup with a clip on their shoulders. Last season, they enjoyed the luxury of playing all of their FA Cup games in London. The probability of that happening this season is close to zero. Will the gunners rely on Ospina’s heroics to save them from elimination just like Fabianski kept the gunners from losing in the semi finals.
Wenger will expected to have a mixed team for this tournament for the early stages. The severity of the season later on will determine how serious the gunners will take this tournament. I really hope that the Gunners dont come to a point where they have only the FA Cup to fight for. The February wind must be curtailed. Can we get the FA Cup back to back? yes, with just 7 games played.
English Premier League
The last time Arsenal won the Premier League was in 2004. 10 years has gone by with Manchester United, Chelsea and City grabbing their share of the top spot with the gunners clinging on to their “4th Spot Trophy”. Wenger has kept the team competitive but it is high time that the Gunners fight to the end, winning the Premier League.
Ramsey’s injury had a great impact on Arsenal’s campaign last season. His absence was felt, so was Theo Walcott’s pace and even Metersacker’s flu. The Team needs to be fit enough to match up against Chelsea and their likes.
I have revenge on my mind after Arsenal were mercilessly beaten by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. I would love the gunners to pay them back in their own coin. Will Wenger finally get a victory over Jose Mourinho? I seriously hope so, even if it is half-zero.
UEFA Champions League
The money spinning Champions League begins early for te gunners with the playoff against Besiktas. The gunners must overcome the Turks and come tops in the group to have a better chance of progressing in the Champions League. The Champions league final loss to Barcelona still lingers as a near-miss. A semi final berth will boost the confidence of the team. Can they be the black horses?
So, what does these all hold for Arsene Wenger and his team. The trophies are back and it time to be gluttonous. I see the gunners getting a minimum of 2 trophies this season. Which of these four will it be?
We now have Sanchez, Debuchy, Ospina and Chambers. Will Wenger get a center back and/or a defensive midfielder? Both will do but let us wait till September 1st.
My Predictions: Capital One Cup Winners, FA Cup semi finalist, Premier League Winner, Champions League Semi finalst.
Come on you gunners.
SoccerGunz 