Tuesday, May 31, 2011

2010/11 Season Review

The 2010/11 season looked so promising at one stage even the media started talking about an unprecedented quadruple, but ended as a most frustrating and heart-breaking season. Undoubtedly many supporters are glad to see it finally over.

The highest point of the overall disappointing season, however, was the victory over Barcelona. Manchester Utd's defeat in the Champions League final meant Arsenal remained the only team that beat Barcelona this year's competition. This will be an achievement to be remembered for many years to come. Arsenal appear to have gone backwards this season in terms of their progress in the CL and their final position in the Premier League, but beating Barcelona was definitely a step forward from the previous season.

There were also some bright spots, such as the emergence of Jack Wilshere, RVP's record-breaking goal-scoring form since the beginning of the year 2011, Aaron Ramsey's return to the first-team action from the horrific injury (and his goal against Man U), and every sign Koscielny showed as a great defender in the future.

I believe that nobody has been hurt by this season's disappointing results more than Arsene Wenger has and he will try everything he can do to avoid the repeat of the disappointment next season. I expect there will be a few ins and outs this summer as he has indicated. He made it clear that Arsenal would be an active player in the transfer market (but would not be spending £50 million for one player).

Arsenal has reportedly offered £8 million for Blackburn's Christopher Samba. If this is true, it shows that Arsene Wenger recognises that Arsenal need an experienced defender with a commanding presence and aerial strength to defend set-pieces. Let's hope that we will see a few new signings play in the pre-season matches in Malaysia, China and Germany in July.

Monday, May 2, 2011