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Written by Jeremy Van waveren

Published: Tuesday, 14 August 2012 14:35

So, here we go again, a new season, everybody’s on zero points (and we are top thanks to the alphabet) with everything to play for.

Could this be the season that we end our trophy drought? Could this be the season that Arsene’s unwavering belief in his philosophy pays off? Is this the season where somebody finally smacks John Terry in the face?

We can only hope.

Pre-season

Arsenal won their final pre-season game on Sunday beating FC Koln 4-0. A very satisfying score line, indeed, but we cannot glean too much from the result as it was essentially just a warm up for both teams ahead of the coming season. It did, however, give us a chance to get a first look at some of our new, shiny summer signings.

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Written by Jeremy Van waveren

Published: Monday, 30 July 2012 16:06

‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ the old refrain goes. A chant that when it was created back in the seventies signalled the end for the opposing team, a belief that the Arsenal’s defensive solidity would be enough to see the game out.

When sung today, however, fans sing with a certain air of caution knowing that this current Arsenal team are capable of implosion at any time. This isn’t to solely single out the back four, in order for a team to be successful all eleven players must work as a unit and work for each other. It all starts from the back, however, and last season there were numerous defensive blunders that had Arsenal fans plunging their heads deep down into their hands.

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Written by Tom DiMaio

Published: Friday, 27 July 2012 19:06

With the signings of Podolski and Giroud came an influx of people telling me that Wenger’s changed and that finally we were making the big signings that would help us compete.  It is certainly true that Wenger has made very positive and exciting signings but for me, Santi Cazorla is the turning point.  Cazorla is on the fringes of the greatest international set up in the world which is a huge achievement given the strength and depth of the Spanish national side.

Arsenal are not the first major club to be linked with the Spaniard, terms were agreed for Cazorla to move to giants Real Madrid, only for Cazorla to turn Madrid down.  Wherever Santi has been in his career he has been something of an icon at his club.  At Villarreal he was considered one of the big three along with Nilmar and Rossi and at Malaga he was the star in the crown of Sheikh Al Thani’s newly constructed side.  Evidently Cazorla has the potential to impress wherever he goes.

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Written by Tom DiMaio

Published: Friday, 20 July 2012 06:14

If and when Robin does leave in the summer, we not only lose an Arsenal legend, but also our captain.

Over the years the Arsenal captain’s spot has been filled by some of our most loved icons.  McLintock, Adams, Fabregas and Henry stand out in my mind as excellent players and excellent captains, but recently there have been some more…interesting choices.

Sebastian Squillaci and Manuel Almunia are two examples of less than stellar candidates for the job.  Although these two were only captain for the odd game or two, it certainly made me think.

History tells us that when the right captain is chosen it can transfer a good player into a timeless icon, the best example of this being Tony Adams.  Adams will forever be remembered not merely as an Arsenal player, but as Arsenal captain.