Arsenal's start to the new season has been pretty laboured to tell the truth, and away draws against Everton, Besiktas and Leicester proved that. There are obvious flaws with this Arsenal side, as there has been over the past few seasons but a last gasp win on the opening day and qualifying for the Champions League for a 17th successive season are clear positives. However, what exactly has been learned so far from Arsenal's opening games?
Arsenal still don't have the right balance in midfield:
Since Alex Song's departure in 2012, Arsenal have really lacked a defensive midfielder. Some may argue that even with Song the Gunners lacked a real midfield enforcer and this was the season that many thought and hoped would be the time a top class player in that position was brought into the club. Khedira was heavily rumoured but nothing materialised and one of the reasons as to why Arsenal fell apart to the top sides in 2013/14 was because of their lack of an enforcer. That looks as though it could happen again this year due to the lack in balance. Arteta is the new skipper which means he's likely to play more often than not but he tends to slow the Gunners' play down. In the eyes of many Ramsey has to start but Wilshere looks as though he means business this term. Finding the right balance, especially in the big games will be key to whatever successes Arsenal have.
Strong mentality:
Over the years Wenger's Arsenal sides have suffered from a lack of mentality but this year the Gunners finally seem to have found a new sense of belief. Whether that is because of the FA Cup or the new signings you can't tell, but for Arsenal fans, they seem to be enjoying their side fight right until the very end instead of taking their foot off the gas. The opening day win over Crystal Palace saw Ramsey score in the closing stages whilst the same man scored on 83 minutes with Giroud grabbing an equaliser in the last minute against Everton. With that attitude fans of the club should have every belief that they can rescue a game when in trouble.
Sanchez can cut it in English football:
Because of Mesut Ozil's transition to the Premier League many were worried that Alexis Sanchez may have a similar struggle to find some form. Although Ozil's first few games in the Premier League were matched with several assists it goes without saying that Sanchez should be a perfect fit for Arsenal. In the Community Shield he ran the Manchester City defence ragged and unlike Ozil, he doesn't stop running and has a brilliant work rate. He's had to play upfront due to injuries but despite not looking great in that position, he's played well outwide and has given Arsenal a directness and penetration that they didn't have last season with Walcott injured. His goal against Besiktas in the Champions League was well taken but it was his strike in the league against Leicester that should give him the biggest confidence boost.
Arsenal still have injuries:
The amount of injuries Arsenal have had over the last couple of seasons has been ridiculous and quite frankly diabolical. In order to address that, the Gunners brought in fitness coach Shad Forsythe, who has previoulsy worked with the German national side. There has been clear changes in the way Arsenal warm up before the game but they still have a very unhealthy bill of players on the sidelines. In 2014/15 already, Gibbs, Arteta, Sanogo, Koscielny and Giroud have already suffered injuries. Ozil meanwhile suffered from an ankle problem against Leicester and then Arsenal still have Walcott and David Ospina to return from injuries suffered last season and at the World Cup respectively. The worrying aspect is that they're another few players away from being in big trouble again, just as they found themselves in last season. For example, the injuries to Ozil, Ramsey and Walcott probably cost the Gunners the title.
Lack of fire power up front:
To cut a long story short, Sanogo simply isn't ready yet and Olivier Giroud is out for four months. With Giroud lacking match fitness in the first few games, Sanogo was tasked with leading the line for a few matches, as he was last season. However, despite four goals against Benfica in pre-season he looks a long way off being ready to play regular first team football. Sanchez has been used there and Walcott may well be when he comes back. If you look at the other big teams options though they have a strong list of strikers, which if you compare to Arsenal's you notice a big gulf in quality. Danny Welbeck was brought in on transfer deadline day and he could make a big impact. Previously Arsenal haven't had someone willing to run in behind but with Welbeck, there should be a sizable change in the way we go forward. Purely because he can latch onto the through balls the likes of Ozil and Sanchez will hopefully play.