One of frustrating things Arsenal fans have had to endure along with their lack of silverware is to see so many key players getting injured throughout the season. In the end, when their annual recovery takes place and they clinch the top four, a feeling runs this, what if, they had not been injured.
After a summer of intense frustration, where phrases were heard like players linked, supposed to have medical, deal agreed, flying to London, seen in Heathrow etc, but none of them really materialized, while the transfer war-chest of £70 million given to Arsene Wenger was burning a hole in the pocket.
Then, everything changed. The gloom atmosphere changed on the transfer deadline day when Arsenal dished out £42.5 million, smashing their transfer record, to land Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil. To a certain extent, they were lucky to have landed him.
Having seen so many top players slipping out of their hands this summer, often hitting the wrong notes, like the Luis Suarez saga, they have knocked the right door at the right time. Even three days before the transfer window, there was uncertainty with this move, after Ozil clearly stated that he didn’t want to leave Bernabeu.
However, they monitored Ozil’s situation till the time, they felt it was time for them to act. Madrid after signing Gareth Bale felt to recoup some of the cash (and free up space as well) by selling Ozil, and luckily Arsenal pounced on it at the right time. Now they must look forward and need some luck with injuries.
The team needs the services of two key players – Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud – in order to salvage something bigger than mere finishing in routine top four. With Lukas Podolski injured, they cannot afford to lose another striker through injury. After that, it is left with Yaya Sanogo.
Likewise, the Gunners are already missing the services of Vice-captain Mikel Arteta, and everyone is expecting a lot from Wilshere, who has missed some good years already through injury and another injury blow would down his confidence to a massive extent.
In order to sustain a challenge for top four, a may be a shot at the title challenge, all the Gunners need now is to keep their star players away from injury. Yes, they need luck for that.
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