Having just been crowned FA Cup winners and finishing third in the Premier League, the inevitable question is: What is Arsenal Football Club’s next target?
There is a different taste to this year’s glory; last year was essentially about ending a drought and silencing the critics. The victory against Hull City came with not just the natural ecstasy but also a great amount of relief, as another defeat in a final may have been the last straw for Arsene Wenger.
Thankfully, Aaron Ramsey pushed the Gunners over the line with a late winner and the silverware ignited big hopes and expectations amongst the Arsenal faithful. Supporters had sensed that with a trophy finally in the bag, there would be no stopping an Arsenal side with the added firepower of Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez.
However, those hopes were dampened by a poor start to the season, injuries perhaps contributing and now many will ask: have Arsenal really improved on last year? They certainly haven’t declined. Arsenal managed to stand up and conquer the big teams, with away victories at both Manchester City and United prime examples.
Now it’s time for more, I, like many Arsenal fans hoped that a place at the top of the table was the case, that further progression beyond the last 16 in the Champions League became a reality, for further trophies.
However, it can be argued that next season is our year. Shad Forsythe and the rest of the medical staff seem to have cured the persistent injury problems to some stars. Francis Coquelin and Hector Bellerin have emerged onto the scene, while both Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla have improved greatly and Alexis Sanchez has been unbelievable in his first season.
If this summer, the boss manages to capture a top goalkeeper and a holding midfielder to challenge Coquelin, Arsenal may have a a squad capable of challenging the likes of Chelsea. It is unfair to criticise Arsenal’s progression, but if next season is not a step up on the FA Cup triumph and top three finish, many will complain.
