Optimism At Arsenal

Arsenal have endured a torrid few weeks, with manager Arsene Wenger bearing much of the brunt. After numerous trophy-less seasons and with their best players leaving, an early Champions League exit could have been a disaster. As it turned out Wenger and his team showed character to beat Udinese away from home and life is a bit rosier at the Emirates.

It is strange to think that after 15 loyal and distinguished years, the Frenchman’s tenure hung on one game in Italy. Whether matters were truly so dire is open for debate. Regardless, some of the English press were already writing his obituaries, wrongly as it turned out.

With the long running sagas surrounding Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri now over, it is time for Arsenal to move on. With Wenger likely to invest in new players, this could be his starting XI coming the 1st September:

Szczesny: 10/1 to keep the most clean sheets in the league

Gibbs
Scott Dann: 2/3 to join according to Skybet.
Gary Cahill: 2/5 to join according to Skybet.
Sagna

Arshavin
Scott Parker: 6/1 to join according to Skybet
Wilshere: 22/1 to be PFA player of the year according to VC.
Walcott

Van Persie: 14/1 to be Premier League top scorer, best odds with Totesport.
Gervinho: 5/4 to score 10 or more goals this season according to Victor Chandler.

Manager: Wenger to last the season is 1/3 with Skybet.

Arsenal to win a major trophy: 10/3 with Skybet

It is long odds that all of the above come true, but in a sport entrenched in pessimism perhaps it is a time to look at the positives. After all it is only 8/1 that Arsene Wenger becomes Premier League manager of the year.