Champions’ League Draw - Arsenal's Chances in Group H
In order to be successful in a season, one is invariably required to get a good start. For a team like Arsenal whose fans have been wishing for a trophy for the last five seasons, a quick start will be paramount if they are to fight on all fronts this season.
Arsene Wenger's team must be feeling pretty good about the season so far. Having demolished Blackpool 6-0 in their own backyard and sitting pretty in second position in the English Premier League, they were given yet another piece of good news when they found themselves in, arguably, one of the easier groups of the Champions League draw. The North London club find themselves in the company of Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Partizan.
Now these teams may not be labeled as pushovers but they are certainly not the world-beaters that can be found in the other groups. Even though Arsenal may have to travel a little more than its English counter-parts, they will certainly be heartened by the easy transition into the elite European competition.
Arsenal's qualities lie in its squad. With Theo Walcott firing on all cylinders and Andrei Arshavin having more non-moody days than moody ones, Arsenal looks like a daunting prospect. Add to this that Wenger will be able to call on the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, his key players. The Spaniard and the Dutchman are both fit and raring to go after having been given an extended period of rest following their exertions at the World Cup in South Africa. Even though Wenger has lost the services of Samir Nasri for about a month, his absence is offset by the emergence of young Englishman Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby. The Frenchman has returned from history and he along with Brazilian Denilson will provide much needed stability in the middle of the park. Tomas Rosicky has also been fit at the start of the season and has been playing as well as anyone. Alex Song has returned from injury to provide cover in the crucial defensive midfielder department.
In the striking department, Moroccan Maroune Chamakh has joined on a free transfer from France. His presence has lessened the pressure on Danish Nicholas Bendtner as the big hit-man makes his recovery from injury. Carlos Vela also looked lively in the only match that he has played from the substitute's bench. Vela provided a spark of magic in the match against the Tangerines as he flicked over the hapless defenders.
In the defense, Kieran Gibbs continues at left back while Gael Clichy seems to have returned to the form that made him one of the best defenders in the division. With the departures of Phillipe Senderos, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre, Wenger has brought in French defenders Laurent Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci to bolster the centre of defense. In addition, Johann Djourou has returned from a long-term injury while Thomas Vermaelen seems to have returned looking as dominant as he did in his debut season. At right back, Bacary Sagna seems to have become more aggressive since his stint with the French side at the World Cup. He has shown more willingness to shoot and provide some high quality crosses into the box now that Chamakh provides a centre-forward's presence there. Emmanuel Eboue is the utility player in the squad who can operate everywhere including right-back, right midfield, left back and the centre of the park if required.
Finally, the goalkeepers; this is where Arsenal faces a weakness in the form of Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski. Both have been very uncertain and not provided the calm required at the back. Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer has been mooted as a target as well as Shay Given who would not want to sit at the bench at Manchester City. But Wenger will have to move quickly in order to snap up either of the two because of the time constraint.
All in all, having taken a look at the Arsenal squad, they seem very well equipped to go far into the competition - possibly the semi-finals. With a little bit of luck, who knows, they might actually end up winning the whole thing. As an Arsenal fan would say, it would be about time.
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