Arsenal hopes and realistic expectations for the 2014-15 season

After a wave of despondency sweeping across the Emirates last season as Arsenal threw away their
Premier League title hopes, a wave of expectations is oozing across the Gunners fans who believe that
the FA Cup triumph must release the omen on the clubs quest for silverware. The London club have had
a significant transfer window with Alexis Sanchez being the marquee signing till date. However a striker
remains Arsene Wengers biggest priority while acquisitions are to be made to further strengthen the
defense.
Can the former French Economics professor lead his young but talented side to the crown this team
around or will they bear the ignominy once again and finish in their customary fourth position in the
standings. What should be Arsenals realistic expectations in the 2014-15 season? We here at
Soccersouls take a look at the Gunners potential ambitions.
Goalkeeping: David Ospina for 3m certainly seems to be a steal for Arsenal. The Colombian dazzled in
the World Cup and as he showed is an excellent shot stopper and his distribution too would be an
upgrade from Wojciech Szczesny. It was surprising to see that none of the other Premier League clubs
have gone for Ospina who was available for the cheap. Moreover, it is believed that the Gunners want
to add another goalkeeper and Spanish daily El Confidencial reported that Real Madrid legend Iker
Casillas already has an offer from the Gunners. Would this mean that Wenger is realistically planning to
replace Szczesny?
Read more: Take a look at the top five signings of the Premier League till now here.
Defense: With Bacary Sagna leaving the Emirates, Mathieu Debuchys signing certainly looks to be yet
another terrific buy from Wenger. The Frenchman is a lot more defensively compact and also provides
better attacking prowess compared to Sagnas ineffectiveness in darting forward and overlapping
wingers up front. Kieran Gibbs should be the first choice left back for the London side with Nacho
Monreal being targeted by La Liga winners Atletico Madrid.
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were fantastic last season and should again be able to soothe
Wengers frowns. With Thomas Vermalen looks likely to be shipped out to arch rivals Manchester
United, Wenger would be well off to sign yet another central defender to add a vital backup in the
backline with multiple competitions to feature. Wenger would also have to keep a keen eye to keep his
players fresh with weekly assignments in the Champions League and domestic competitions to feature
in.
Midfield: A central defensive midfielder remains the priority for Wenger and after Sami Khediras
proposed move fell through thanks to his excessive wage demands, Bayer Leverkusens Lars Bender and
Southamptons Morgan Schneiderlin looks more feasible. Aaron Ramseys fitness will be the biggest
concern as the Welshman was simply sensational last season. Santi Cazorla should start out wide on the
left while Mesut Ozils should play in a more central role with new signing Alexis Sanchez on the right
wing. Jack Wilsheres position is yet to be decided but its the plethora of options in the middle of the
park that will give Wenger a soothing headache.
Strikeforce: Arsenals need for a striker is well documented with Wenger agreeing that he needs a world
class finisher who can take the pressure off Olivier Giroud up front. The Gunners were linked to Mario
Mandzukic but the Croatian ultimately signed for La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid. Mario Balotelli has
also been linked with a move to London over the past few weeks but a break through is yet to be made.
The inability to sign a recognized striker will certainly be a failure for Wenger. With the club featuring in
multiple cup competitions, Theo Walcott can also be considered to play as the false nine, or rather as
the farthest man forward.