As the year draws to an end, we take a look at how the year 2016 went for Arsenal. In a year where upside down is the new normal, from Brexit to Donald Trump being elected the President of the U.S.A, how did Arsenal fare? We at The 4th Official break it down for you.
Best XI
Arsene Wenger had difficulties incorporating the fresh recruits into the first team. Although Shkodran Mustafi went directly into the first team back line from day one of his arrival, players like Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez took longer to make an impression. While Elneny’s shaky display have now more or less made Xhaka a regular starter in the Premier League, Perez is yet to earn a first team place. And his injury made things even worse.
Wenger found a renewed centre-forward in Alexis Sanchez this season and his impact has been so solid that Olivier Giroud hasn’t able to get his position back. Theo Walcott has been quite decent on the right flank and given his increasing defensive contribution, he looks the ideal man in that position. Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are having a healthy battle for the left-wing role, but Chamberlain has been far more effective from the bench. Iwobi should start.
Though Ozil has been hugely criticised for his lack of urgency and defensive contributions in the last two games, he has been phenomenal against most opponents and was largely responsible for Arsenal’s unbeaten streak. With Santi Cazorla out until March at least, Xhaka has controlled the team well alongside Coquelin and they remain the best pair in that position.
Hector Bellerin has been one of the best right backs in the league and he is irreplaceable. The partnership between Mustafi and Koscielny has worked tremendously well in the central defence. Nacho Monreal has had an erratic season so far and Kieran Gibbs has really stepped up his game. It’s time the English wing back starts (although we understand the question of who should start in at left back could be debated ad nauseam).
Player
Alexis Sanchez has been phenomenal this season so far. The Chilean could be the difference between this season’s Arsenal and all those frustrating seasons previously. He has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 17 appearances. He is the Premier League’s joint top scorer with Chelsea’s Diego Costa and if Arsenal looks a different side this season, he is responsible for that.
Manager
He hasn’t stopped making the mistakes that we are all acquainted with through the years. He still goes for his substitutes only after the 70th minute and is steadfast in old tactics even if the team gets battered following it. He is still reluctant to buy players during the transfer window. He hasn’t changed and we hope the club doesn’t extend his contract at the end of the season.
Moment
Mesut Ozil might have produced the goal of the season with his winner against Ludogorets. He had to do a lot when he got the ball in acres of space with just the goalkeeper to beat. He had an easy choice but he didn’t take it and that made the difference.
He teased the goalkeeper, flicking the ball over him and faked a shot that sent two Ludogorets defenders rolling on the ground before he slotted it home. An absolute gem of a goal.
Game
Of course, the 3-0 hammering of Chelsea would be the best game any Gunner fan has seen in like a long time. It was voodoo that Arsenal struggled to overcome over the years and when the Blues were seen crumbling like a house of cards at Emirates, it more or less salvaged all past club’s mistakes.
Disappointment
The loss against Everton broke Arsenal’s unbeaten run, but it was the defeat to Manchester City that has hurt the most. Arsenal players looked crippled in the second half and although it was two offside goals that won City the game, the Gunners should have shown more of a spirit.
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Hero
From starting the goal fest against Chelsea to finishing his hat-trick in the coolest way possible, Sanchez has been Arsenal’s hero so far.
Villain
Although Arsenal are still well in contention for the title, the team suffered some major disappointments lately and no player was responsible for it. It is the man on the sidelines. When other managers are seen patrolling their technical area and encouraging their players when the team is doing badly, Wenger is seen hiding half his face inside his raincoat.
