Arsenal's Premier League title challenge could be shaped in the opening three fixtures of the season.
Three losses could deflate a squad that suffered from a less than convincing finish to their last campaign and with Barcelona and United beginning to circle above their prey of Fabregas and Nasri, this summers transfer window is full of uncertainty for the Gunners.
Will Fabregas be gone?
Will Nasri be pulling on the red of United?
Who will Wenger pull into his squad and what moves will the Arsenal manager have to make to ensure his two playmakers aren't lured elsewhere?
Building a squad that can play as a team is so important to a title run and Wenger will be hoping to add to the chemistry of his young squad rather than being forced to pull it apart and reshuffle it by losing his young stars.
The fans however wont care about what happens off the pitch as long as results go their way on the pitch.
And their lies the problem for Arsenal.
Their season starts with a trip up to Newcastle, a fixture that last year saw the Gunners throw away a four goal lead and begin the slow steady collapse of their season.
Liverpool then arrive at the Emirates on August 20th for game number two in a titanic clash of two young squads hoping to lay the right foundations for a run at the top four.
A trip to Old Trafford completes the opening three fixtures of the season with Wenger and his men looking steal three points from the league title holders.
It could prove to be a three game run that helps shake off any mention of the horrible end to last years campaign, that's sure to hang over the players like a sword of Damocles. Seven or nine points will have even the most pessimistic of fans thinking about a potential title, while the doubters and naysayers will be keeping very quiet down the pub or in the bookies.
Two losses, three draws or even no points from the opening three ties however, will leave Wenger's critics smiling with glee and spark the wrath of even the most faithful of Gunners fans. Early season confidence could be smashed and it could become a long uphill struggle to recover for Arsenal as the pressure mounts on Wenger to produce silverware.
The season is longer than 3 games, but with Tottenham and Liverpool coming into the battle for a top four place, dont be surprised if Arsenal start looking at the League or FA Cup for their entry into Europe next year, should their Premiership campaign stumble in the early months.
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| Wenger holding Arsenal's last trophy, the 2005 FA Cup |
Will Fabregas be gone?
Will Nasri be pulling on the red of United?
Who will Wenger pull into his squad and what moves will the Arsenal manager have to make to ensure his two playmakers aren't lured elsewhere?
Building a squad that can play as a team is so important to a title run and Wenger will be hoping to add to the chemistry of his young squad rather than being forced to pull it apart and reshuffle it by losing his young stars.
The fans however wont care about what happens off the pitch as long as results go their way on the pitch.
And their lies the problem for Arsenal.
Their season starts with a trip up to Newcastle, a fixture that last year saw the Gunners throw away a four goal lead and begin the slow steady collapse of their season.
 |
| Newcastle, Liverpool and United: Arsenals opening 3 fixtures |
A trip to Old Trafford completes the opening three fixtures of the season with Wenger and his men looking steal three points from the league title holders.
It could prove to be a three game run that helps shake off any mention of the horrible end to last years campaign, that's sure to hang over the players like a sword of Damocles. Seven or nine points will have even the most pessimistic of fans thinking about a potential title, while the doubters and naysayers will be keeping very quiet down the pub or in the bookies.
Two losses, three draws or even no points from the opening three ties however, will leave Wenger's critics smiling with glee and spark the wrath of even the most faithful of Gunners fans. Early season confidence could be smashed and it could become a long uphill struggle to recover for Arsenal as the pressure mounts on Wenger to produce silverware.
The season is longer than 3 games, but with Tottenham and Liverpool coming into the battle for a top four place, dont be surprised if Arsenal start looking at the League or FA Cup for their entry into Europe next year, should their Premiership campaign stumble in the early months.
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