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.

New signings

For a start, I thought Podolski looked sharp. An experienced international and a proven goalscorer, his play was quick and his second goal, a move he started and finished, was impressive. It will take time for him and Giroud to gain a full understanding of each other’s play but once that is there this could be a very effective one-two punch.

Giroud, too, performed well. Like many of us, I didn’t know too much about him apart from a few YouTube videos but he looks like quite the presence up front. A very strong, tall physical man, Giroud used these assets to his advantage against FC Koln and, had it not been for their keeper, could have scored a hat-trick.

Santi Cazorla played his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt and I was very encouraged by what I saw. He adopted the ‘Rosicky’ roaming role in midfield and everything pretty much went through him. Possessing an assured touch and an eye for a pass Cazorla is also very good with both feet. He looks like a player of skill, quality and creativity that we have been missing in midfield since Cesc deserted us. Someone has already put together a little highlight package of his performance (complete with standard dubstep soundtrack) and I recommend having a look here - It will fill you with optimism for the coming season.

Van Persie

We also caught a glimpse of our captain who came on for the last half an hour. It looks like we’ll be starting the season with van Persie still in the squad, something that seemed unthinkable when he released that rather foolish and ill-timed statement back in July. There were some audible boos from fans when he played on Sunday and I can envisage the Emirates faithful being equally unwelcoming whenever his name is announced over the speakers on Saturday.

The van Persie debate is one that could rage for hours but I will say that the club’s clear refusal to take less than the 25 million pound valuation for him is pleasing. Why sell lower to a rival like Manchester United? If teams can’t stump up the money then we won’t be bullied into selling him for less than the asking price.

Our first game of the season is against Sunderland at home. Compared to twelve months ago, it is safe to say we are in a far better position now. Last year we had the difficult and protracted departures of Cesc and Nasri leading up to the start of the season. But even with this van Persie business still looming, there is definitely an optimistic mood amongst Arsenal fans thanks to the big signings we have made and how early we have made them (no deadline day drama for us this season).

Goalkeepers

We have a very good goalkeeper in Szczesny who is only going to get better and he has the confidence that is required to be a top class goalkeeper. Behind him, waiting in the wings, we have Mannone who is prone to the odd fumble (there was a shaky moment against FC Koln) and Fabianski who will most likely be number two.

Defence

The area of the pitch most Arsenal fans would like to see an addition made to is the back four.

A lot of Gooners aren’t very confident with Mertesacker as second choice centre back if Vermaelen or Koscielny were to pick up an injury. I think that Mertesacker is a good option as a back-up. Yes, he is very slow but he is also extremely tall which is helpful with set-pieces and his defensive positioning was, for the most part, pretty solid last year. Mertersacker is an experienced chap, too, having played for his country 84 times and where would the club find a quality centre back who would be willing to accept that he is a back up and has sit on the bench?

We also have Djourou at centre back and two seasons ago he showed real promise so hopefully he can regain that kind of form for us.

At full back, it is likely that Gibbs and Sagna (when healthy) will be first choice with Santos and Jenkinson providing cover.

Midfield

With the signing of Cazorla, the Arsenal midfield has become a very crowded place. Cazorla adds an extra element to our midfield with him playing in the roaming role, going forward and dropping back for possession if needed, it means our midfield could be very versatile and difficult to shut down with players interchanging and moving all the time.

For example, throughout the pre-season, Arsene has mainly played the Ox in a central midfield role but he can also play out on the wing. Cazorla, too, can be deployed on either wing which means Arsene can use Rosicky, Arteta and Song in the middle if he so chooses.

The depth and quality we have in midfield means the manager has lots of different options as to how he selects and sets out his team.

Forwards

If van Persie stays then it makes us very strong going forward considering the signings we have made and the players we already have (Theo, Ox, Gervinho). The van Persie situation is something that will hopefully get resolved quickly enough but if no one can find enough money to pay the man’s wages by the end of this month then he will be here until at least January.

Arsene says that he is still on the look-out for new additions to the squad and looking at the team on the paper there is some real quality and depth to it which is promising going into the first game of a new season.

Time to end the drought

This week’s pointless international friendlies do not help one bit in terms of preparation for the Sunderland game, as our players will have to travel all around the world for games that bear no significance whatsoever.

Inevitably, at some point during the season, we will have to deal with injuries to certain players but, if the squad stays healthy for long enough (fingers crossed), then I think Arsenal have a real chance at some silverware this year.

We have made the signings that display our ambition and now it is time to end the drought.

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