Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City on the last Saturday in March may have been one of its most resilient performances since it relinquished the lead on the EPL log. Many had expected that the team was going to build on such a performance but a trip to Goodison Park, homeground of Everton brought the Arsenal faithfuls back to a harsh reality: another struggle for top four finish was guaranteed.
Arsenal led the log for four and a half months before it pressed the self-destruct button and crashed. Worse than a pack or cards. The season held so much promise but injuries to five key players may have dashed the dreams of premier league silverware even though, an FA Cup glory will try to restore some pride.
The last time Theo Walcott was seen in an Arsenal jersey, he was wearing a grin, cheery face and taunting the Spurs fans with his now famous “Two-nil” gesture. Obviously, he didn’t think the injury was bad enough then,only to be told two days later that he will play no further part in the season but most shocking, he will miss the world cup this summer- the third time in his career. Though still at just 24 years old, Walcott’s career lows could last a lifetime and what a devastating effect it has had on Arsenal’s season so far. The birth of his son,Finely, should surely help forget the woes.
Aaron Ramsey enjoyed unarguably, his best Arsenal season so far but a thigh injury since Boxing Day has left the club looking for a spark somewhere else. 13 goals for the Gunners in all competitions before his untimely date with an injury hasn’t done any good for the Londoners and they have really suffered from a player who probably may still have kept them on top of the log if not the injury. Initially the Welshman was thought to be out for a couple of weeks but a month later, another setback meant he was going to be out for a further six weeks. A month ago, Wenger suggested that Ramsey could make his return but that prognosis was further reassessed after he suffered some scar tissues again. Ramsey made his long awaited return in the 3-0 bashing by Everton and has also featured in FA Cup victory over Wigan and the 3-1 success recorded over West Ham but the brother is yet to get back to his best, niether can he even help Arsenal better their present position (4th).
Injuries showed no sign of abating and the next in line was record signing, Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. This time, injury struck at a bad time. It was Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Ozil was forced off at half-time with a suspected hamstring injury and after a specialist assessment by Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller- Wohlfahrt, the Bayern Munich and German national team Doctor; Wenger stated that Ozil’s injury was ‘bad’. In the German’s absence, Arsenal has not only been eliminated from the UCL, they have really been vulnerable and out of ideas at least from the creative and assist department. The German though, is back in training and may feature against Hull City on Sunday.
Another important figure on the treatment table is Jack Wilshere. No doubt, he is one of Arsenal’s big-hearted players. The young midfielder suffered a fractured foot on English duty and was ruled out for Six weeks. The 22-year old suffered a hairline fracture to his left foot after a hefty tackle from Reds defender, Daniel Agger. Agger was on duty for Denmark at Wembley when both sides met in an international friendly game ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Though Wilshere’s position in the soon to be announced 30-man provisional list on May 13 by Roy Hodgson doesn’t seem to be in danger, he will be in a race against time to be fully fit. His position in the Gunners’ midfield has been missed.
Laurent Koscielny also had his own share of injury, also at a bad time for the club. The French stalwart was withdrawn at halftime during the 6-0 whitewash of Chelsea due to a calf problem. Koscielny who has forged a water-tight defence partnership with Mertasacker this season missed the Swansea and Manchester City games, was out for the Everton clash at Goodison Park. His comeback against West Ham was a huge relief for Wenger as they returned back to winning ways but only one thing can be said about these games that Koscielny missed, Arsenal were able to pick only two points from the possible nine.
The positives for Arsenal’s season so far, will be that they are still involved in the English FA Cup with a date with Hull in the finals at Wembley. A victory against the Tigers would mean Arsenal will not only end their Nine-year wait for a silverware, it will also be the team’s silver lining.