The Essay I sent to Skysports for their Fanzone application (allowing you to follow and write blog like articles about your team)

In 500 words, discuss your hopes and fears for your team this season -


After five long years of hurt, my first hope as an Arsenal fan is that my beloved Gunners finally get their hands on some silverware! We've come close a couple of times with the Carling Cup and Champions League finals, but stumbled at the last hurdle in both.

Having just received the Number 10, I hope that Van Persie is going to keep emulating dennis Bergkamp with his dazzling technique and majestic finishing. He has promised so much, yet injuries have hindered his influence over the years. No more so than last season where he was on fire before his untimely injury versus Italy, topping both goals and assists charts in the Premier League I believe. In spite of this, he still managed 20 goals from 38 starts, so all Arsenal fans will be praying for a full season from him

After having watched the Emirates Cup, I believe that Samir Nasri is a player to watch out for this term. Having been ridiculously omitted from the French squad by controversial coach Raymond Domenech, he has something to prove, and his hunger has been on show for all to see with blistering pre-season performances, long may it continue Samir!
It was an Emirates Cup that also gave Arsenal fans a chance to see new signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielney, both of whom impressed heavily, with Chamakh even managing a debut Emirates goal! This provides much to look forward to. I do, however, hope that Mr Wenger purchases one or two more central defenders before the market closes after the departures of Gallas, Silvestre and Campbell. We could just do with a few reinforcements so that if injuries strike, we aren't found wanting once again.

Moving onto injuries, this has become a severe problem at Arsenal the past few years, with a terrible injury record being the norm. Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri, Ramsey, Fabregas, Van Persie and Denilson to name a few all having suffered lengthy injuries last term. That said, most of our players should be fit and fresh because this Arsenal team, though being one filled with internationals, is one where many have not played in the World Cup. With Clichy, Sagna and Diaby having played a couple of games before France's early exit, only Fabregas and Van Persie have sustained strenuous World Cups.

Whilst I fear whether Fabregas will be an Arsenal player for much longer (whether it be this year or next that he may depart), I am heavily satisfied that the likes of Nasri, Rosicky, Ramsey and Wilshere would be able to nigh-on seemlessly take his place as Clichy did Ashley Cole's a few years back.

Overall, I am very optimistic about the coming season and hope it will be a memorable one for all us Gooners!!



My Best XI - GK - Almunia
                      LB - Clichy
                    LCB - Vermaelen
                    RCB - Koscielney
                      RB - Sagna

                     DM - Song
                     CM - Nasri
                    CM - Fabregas

                   RWF - Walcott
                   LWF - Arshavin
                     CF - Van Persie

Subs Bench

1. Fabianski
2. Djourou
3. Gibbs/Traore
4. Diaby
5. Wilshere/Bendtner
6. Rosicky/Vela
7. Chamakh