After many frustrating seasons to date, Arsenal fans can
finally see the change they’ve been asking about time and time again. I
personally believe the FA Cup win at the end of last season has been the reason
for the change in operation and has re-lit the fire that once burned deep
within Arsène Wenger. As we’ve all seen, Arsenal has once again become a
premier destination for World Class talent with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and
Mathieu Debuchy arriving this summer.
First off, the beginning of Preseason training at London
Colney shows that the Gunners are quite serious about competing this season.
Shad Forsythe, the former fitness coach for the World Cup Champion Germans, has
joined Arsenal as the new fitness coach. Forsythe was a key coaching factor in
Germany’s triumph at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, due to his innovative tactics
in player fitness. Fitness has long been a problem at Arsenal; many players
have succumbed to injuries due to fatigue and lack of fitness. We play the same
squad too often and are in need of some fresh thoughts on how to rotate the
squad in certain matches. Additionally, players are forced to train at very
high intensity during training sessions often leaving them fatigued for the
actual match at the end of the week.
Secondly, our new kit deal with Puma is a much needed
refresher for Arsenal’s image. Although I was a huge fan of our Nike kits over
the years, having the same type of look for too long causes the club to lose
its’ flare and vividness. Our new kits mix together the classic Arsenal look of
red and white with a new modern display of patterns. It’s only our kit that has
been revitalized; it’s the stadium, the brand and the players’ attitudes as
well. I read somewhere that the players have been in the gym a lot more now to
utilize the full effect of the traditionally tighter Puma gear. The new kit
deal has inadvertently made our players train harder in the gym and has obviously
provided the club with more funds for transfers.
Transfers are something that I can all say every Gooner
alive is happy about. I’m still buzzing about the Alexis Sanchez signing and
with additions like Debuchy, Ospina and Chambers, we will definetly compete
with the best clubs for the premiership and Champions League this season. I
still think we are in need of a centreback and a defensive midfielder, but we
have taken a step in the right direction. Arsène Wenger and the board have
finally realized in today’s game it is a must to buy players to remain
competitive. Good news is that Wenger stated the club will be active from the
15th-30th of August. Hopefully this wasn’t a fake rumour
I read because I truly think that a few more additions will make the squad
close to unbeatable in England and Europe.
Lastly, I want to touch on the Preseason campaign in New
York and the Emirates cup that finished today. I’m glad that we played a harder
level of competition as compared to previous years when we travelled to Asia.
Playing the harder clubs has shown our weak points and what needs to be
improved before the start of this season. I know it may seem embarrassing to
lose to an MLS team along with losing a preseason tournament in our own
stadium, but think of it as a blessing in disguise. Now we are able to analyze
the flaws in the squad and hopefully we can build on our weak points.
I think I speak for all Arsenal fans when I say this… I can’t
wait for the 2014/2015 Arsenal season to kick off.
@ZachAFC
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