1. What is your overall summary of this season?
Encouraging. The headline news is that we finished one league position higher than last season and managed to retain the FA Cup, winning it for a record 12th time. Upon reflection of the finer detail, we can take positives from the campaign; better performances and results against our top four rivals (dumping Manchester United out of the cup at Old Trafford a memorable highlight), the emergence of some exciting new talent in Chambers (early on), Bellerin (increasingly becoming #1 RB) and Coquelin (our unexpected saviour). Must also mention the positive impact Shad Forsythe & team have had on the squad- players look leaner, stronger and fitter and we had fewer soft tissue injuries, particularly in the second half of the season.Having said all of the above, I was frustrated not to have finished in second place as Manchester City dusted off their very own self-destruct button. Some say it doesn’t matter but it does (to me anyway), not for the prize-money, but for the bragging rights. The best team always wins the league and as much as it pains me to say, Chelsea deserved it; they hadthe best squad.Finally, the Champions League knockout to Monaco was particularly disappointing. Conceding that late third goal at the Emirates was beyond frustrating. Not only because it meant we had a huge ask in the second leg, but it highlighted once again, the tactical naivety we seem to repeat season after season.
2. Who has been your Player of The Season and why?
Not as obvious as you would think. Alexis Sanchez, understandably the fans’ favourite because of his goals but also for his tremendous work-rate. Francis Coquelin, an unexpected hero, our saviour, recalled from loan at Charlton, played like Makélélé at Manchester City and probably now one of the first names on the team-sheet. The ever reliable, Laurent Koscielny, an outstanding season again and my favourite player at the club in recent years.But, in a new deeper role, this man quietly went about his business, sacrificing his own game and personal glory for the benefit of the team and to let others flourish, ever-present in the line-up this season, he has touched the ball 3,162 times in the league- more than any Arsenal player. His technical ability ajoy to watch, my choice for Arsenal Player of The Season is none other than Santi Cazorla.
3. Young Player of The Season?
For me there is only one outstanding candidate for this and he is Hector Bellerin. To come in to the team at such a young age he has developed into a fine young player with great energy, exceptional pace and a very good technical ability on the ball. He deserves all the praise that hee gets and Mathieu Debuchy has a tough battle ahead of him if he wants to get back into the team.
4. What was your favourite match this season?
We’ve played some breathtaking football at times this season; the 4-1 home victory against Liverpool was particularly enjoyable. For those of you unaware, my record as a travelling fan to Old Trafford (vs. Manchester United) currently stands at P10 W0 D2 L8 so needless to say, the FA Cup win on that Monday night (which I didn’t attend) was simply fantastic. For Danny Welbeck to go back to his old stamping ground and nick the winner in front of thousands who adored him for years, against a manager who criticised him for not scoring enough goals, is just the sweetest of tales.But, my favourite game of the season has to be the FA Cup Final. For years we have been crying out for a performance on the big stage and boy did the team deliver. We flew out of the blocks; pressing, passing & moving and creating endless chances. Theo Walcott broke the deadlock; Alexis scored one of the finest cup-final goals in recent history before two further goals that sent the Arsenal faithful into utter euphoria. We defended our trophy in the way we know best, the beautiful game; Wengerball.
5. Who has been your most improved Player of The Season?
You would be forgiven for suggesting Francis Coquelin given he was probably on his way out of the club before eventually being sent on loan to Charlton Athletic. For me, my most improved player of the season has to be Nacho Monreal. Written off by so many after a questionable first season (including myself) he has become one of our most reliable defenders. Huge improvements in his defensive game and so much more effective going forward; picks and chooses the right times to attack and very sensible in doing so. A brilliant season and I look forward to him and Kieran Gibbs battling it out for a starting spot.
6. What do you think was our worst performance this season?
Unfortunately, there are a few contenders for this. The collapse from 3-0 to draw 3-3 at home to Anderlecht, the 3-1 first-leg defeat to Monaco, the heartless 3-2 loss at Stoke in December and the flat-footed 1-0 defeat to Swansea in the chase for second, again at home, towards the end of the season. However, our worst performances have to be the games against Tottenham. To only get a point from two league games against such a bang-average, nothing team is a bitter pill to swallow. We really should have beaten them at the Emirates but the way we folded at the Lane only for Arsenal reject, Harry Kane, to score the winner. So disappointing.
7. Our Best XI of this season?
Ospina
Szczesny has been majorly disappointing. Having won the Golden Glove last season I expected him to push on and establish himself as one of the best GKs in the league. It seems he has the ability but is mentally vulnerable. His off-the-field dispute with his father certainly hasn’t helped.
Bellerin – Koscielny – Mertesacker – Monreal
Debuchy was hugely unfortunate to have injured his shoulder, the result of a needless push into the advertising hoardings against Stoke. Mertesacker, clearly hungover from the World Cup, regained his form and captained the club well in Arteta’s absence (though I expect him to be replaced by Gabriel next season). Monreal for all the reasons mentioned above.
Coquelin – Cazorla
Ramsey didn’t quite hit the heights of last season but I expect him to bounce back in 2015/16. Wilshere, like Debuchy, was unfortunate to have missed a lot of this season throughinjury but has shown glimpses of his class and I am sure that he will be back.
Walcott – Ozil – Sanchez
You may be surprised to see Walcott but it annoys me how fickle some Arsenal fans are. Such short memories. Prior to his lengthy spell on the sidelines, Theo was sensational, boasting 21 goals and 15 assists in just 31 starts. Despite limited appearances, he has shown his value to the club and I sincerely hope he signs a new contract.
Giroud
The big man has taken some flack but he’s scored some important goals this season and proved he can do it against the biggest teams in the biggest games. I was gutted for him when he got injured early on in the season and I think his absence over those early months cost us the title. He looks leaner and fitter (footballistically and sexually) than ever before, I expect him to have a massive season next year.
8. It’s looking likely that we will spend again, who would you like us to sign?
Arsene and Arsenal Football Club seem to have their mojo back. Everything is beautifully set up for us to challenge for the title next season. We have a very talented, youthful squad and for the first time in years, as few as two or three players ought to be described as deadwood. Of course, there are one or two gaps and we can’t afford to stand still, so my preferences would be a world-class GK (such as Petr Cech or Hugo Lloris), a Premier League proven DM (would like Morgan Schneiderlin though I wouldn’t be surprised if we made a move for Yohan Cabaye) and ideally a game-changing wide forward (the dream is Marco Reus though I would settle for Pedro).Keen to hear your thoughts. Follow and engage with me on Twitter. I’m @fkhanage.
