Season 2006/07: Not that goonerrific

Season 2006/07 has finally ended… been one long, painful and arduous one. Terribly disappointed…been a supporter since the early 80s. The level of disappointment was equivalent to one particular season when Terry Neill was at the helm. I still remember… Arsenal lost 5-0 to Spurs back then.

I would tend to agree… once a club goes on with any stadium plans…cash strapped situation, the team will suffer. So, to begin with…the season of The Final Salute surpassed expectations when the Gunners reached the Champions League final. Domestically, they were pretty abysmal.

For any gooners wondering, how many “transitional” seasons to go before we start winning trophies again. I would say that Roman’s roubles sort of unsettle the balance, or even, revolutionise the modern game. It would be then left to the guile and tactics of Wenger to overcome such adversities. Sir Alex just did.

Losing players like Bergkamp, Pires, Campbell, Cole, Reyes and Lauren at one go wasn’t easy. This loss of experience was just too much for this young team. Towards the tail end of this season, came the bomb. David Dein resigns and there were eminent talks of Yankee Kroenke wanting to take over Arsenal.

Coming to the players... It is always like that, South Americans probably needs a longer time to sink in and blend. To be fair, it took them some time but I reckon Edu, Silvinho and Gilberto were great. Julio “The Beast” Baptista, I really don’t know. I find him totally inept. I dare conclude that Reyes is better. At least, he could draw fouls.

Pires’ boots are too big to fill. I reckon Rosicky would suffer from this expectation. The Czech’s goal rate is really nowhere near Pires. Adebayor looks like a dead ringer to Kanu. In fact, he is also nowhere near Kanu’s standard when compared to the Nigerian, who once paraded his skills at Highbury. In short, he might still be the not-so finished article thrown to the fray too early. Denilson is okay, a rough diamond…but, he really needs time to be honed.

I has always proclaim in my earlier posts that Diaby is the next Vieira…however, the team must know how to draw the best from him. I am wondering which is his best position?

A half fit Henry didn’t help the cause either. He was really overworked during season 05/06 and also at the last World Cup. Does it seems that he might be frustrated with his “lesser” colleagues round him. Would he have felt this way with the likes of Vieira, Bergkamp, Petit, Overmars and Pires around him? It's anybody's guess.

Cesc is fantastic. The fact that he was played almost in every match shows one flaw – there is no able replacement in his role. Scary… what if he got a long-term injury? Too much reliance on this young Spaniard, the moment he is on an off-day at the field, the Gunners would be in trouble.

Is Theo that frighteningly good? Only after the shoulder operation, his full recovery, then we can tell….I can only hope that he is that frighteningly good.

Lastly, for next season and beyond…I reckon that winning ugly is important. Not necessary to pass the ball to death…then try to score. Please turn ball possession, passing and those incredible ball movements to goals. We need that. Only that can win matches.

Another big wish…to see Arsenal going out and buy big. Buy real big! The really very, very good, super, super players. With the Russian revolution in place at Stamford Bridge, these are different times. Would there be time to discover and nurture the young Vieiras and Anelkas like the yesteryears. It is time to go for the tried and tested. I think all departments need reinforcements…goalie, defenders, midfielders and strikers.

Season 06/07 has ended with modest measure. For this coming new season, I still optimistically stay in awe of the endless possibilities that this Golden Generation might bring. On the strength of that Carling Cup final display, this Golden Generation beckons...

It is common knowledge that Wenger's sights has always been set on the future, to venture far beyond the confines of just playability and brings us, cosmic football.

As one particular banner always scream at every home match in the Emirates, "In Arsene, we trust".