With a disappointing 4-3 loss to Liverpool, it was another opening day to forget for Arsenal. A second half meltdown meant another below par performance. And the opening fixture of the Premier League has been a bit of a bogey for the Gunners in recent years.

Lack Of Preparation

The Premier League is one of the most vigorous leagues in the world. An active pre-season is therefore essential for a minimum fitness level. Furthermore, players playing these fixtures with barely weeks of training are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries. Most managers including Arsene Wenger are more likely to rest key players who have played at tournaments. Arsenal are usually not very active in pre-season tours usually playing only a few games.

Also Wenger is known to give many of his players extended vacations leaving them short for opening games. The Gunners Management should consider longer pre-season tours to ensure player fitness as well as fan satisfaction.

Arsene Wenger prior to the start of the season claimed that his team look in pretty good shape for the upcoming season. However, with injuries to Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey during the match against Liverpool forced “Le Professeur” to retract from his words.

Pressure Of The New Season

All teams do have a certain level of expectation but big clubs have greater things expected of them by fans and pundits alike. Arsenal especially since 2010 have also had the pressure of mounting a title challenge. 2006 to 2010 was more of a period of ensuring stability since the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

However considering the stature of a club like Arsenal, many fans especially by the new decade expected the club to mount a serious title challenge. The 2013 opening day was an especially ugly affair with Arsenal losing 1-3 at home to Aston Villa. Anger was directed towards Arsene Wenger after a silent transfer window. Big names leaving over the years and reluctance to spend money were also major factors. Although Mesut Ozil was signed, Arsenal’s lethargy in the transfer market continues to frustrate the club’s faithful.

 The pressure placed on players, as a result, is inevitable.

Lack Of Signings 

Arsenal fans will know the frustrations of the transfer market. An expected transfer splurge usually ends up with a panic buy on deadline day. No doubt quality players like Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka and Cech have been brought in by the club but there’s still the feeling of being a player away from a title challenge. World Class Center Forwards have become a bit of a joke even for Arsenal fans.

Higuain, Lewandowski, Lacazette, Morata, the list is endless. Since the departure of Robin Van Persie, a world class forward is something Arsenal have been in dire need of. Giroud is no doubt a very good player and quite underrated but question marks remain about whether Arsenal can win the league with him leading the line.

Reluctance to pay transfer fees and stalling with negotiations usually undo Arsenal in the transfer market. This is something that needs to change to bring in world class players.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a variety of reasons are responsible for Arsenal’s opening day blues. The most concerning is the fact that this has become regular affair in recent years. A strong start is extremely important in such a competitive league. A winning start also boosts team spirit and morale. It is hence essential that Arsenal address this problem at the earliest to ensure a change in the way the season starts. 

However, that opportunity is already lost this season. So, that leaves Wenger and his men with yet another long road on which the club has been traveling in recent years. Will they succeed in making a better shot this time as compared to previous one’s, will only be known as the season progresses.

Image Courtesy: Mirror