Must Do Better

By: Tom | May 26th, 2009

It’s always nice to end the season on a high, and with the players off on their summer holidays celebrating an FA Cup winner’s medal to add to the League Cup one they picked up earlier this year, that’s what’s happened. However, that isn’t enough to paper over the cracks of what has, in other major areas, been a fairly disappointing first season in charge.

Putting aside the individual performances of my players and my new signings, and focusing on the bigger picture, it’s quite apparent that a failure to reach the Champions League proper and a fourth place finish in the league is just not good enough for a team like Arsenal. My job status at the end of the season was ‘Insecure’.

However, the board seem to be keeping faith with me, seeing as how they’ve just offered me a new two year deal. I’ve received a pay rise as well. I did think about trying to negotiate, seeing how much I could squeeze out of them, for my own amusement if nothing else, but reasoned that that’s probably not something a man in my position should be doing.

The board also seem to have lowered their expectations for the coming year. They expect me to qualify for the Champions League at most. They’re even willing to give me a generous transfer budget of £72 million.

So my status at the club seems to be secure in the short term at least. Now it’s time to assess the squad in preparation for any summer wheeling and dealing. I’ll start with my new boys.

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Phil Jagielka – By far the most successful of my signings, but then he was always likely to be. He was an ever-present, starting the season in the back four, but then playing the latter half as a holding player in the midfield. He proved equally adept at either and finished the year with a solid 7.01 rating. In the long term I’ll hopefully move him back into defence, but that all depends on whether I can find the right balance in the middle of the park without him.

Steven Taylor – My most expensive signing. He’ll definitely be here for the long-term, and this was a solid enough first year. Will partner Jagielka soon if all goes to plan.

Lee Cattermole – Although he’s still young, I’m starting to think he may not be cut out for football at this level. He played 20 or so games as a holding midfielder, averaging 6.89, but too many uninspiring performances resulted in him sitting out the latter half of the season and watching Jagielka come in and do his job better. Still, at 21 he’s young enough to be given more time, and even if he never quite becomes the finished article, he’s a useful squad player to have.

Michael Owen – An utter disappointment from start to finish. Unable or unwilling to adapt his game to suit the team’s style, and I wasn’t prepared to change everything else to accommodate him. In retrospect, this was never going to work, but the chances are that (if someone will match his wages) I’ll sell him for more than I signed him. Managed 5 goals in 16 league appearances, and won’t be missed.

Jose Baxter – The young Everton recruit got some decent experience under his belt this year, making 8 league appearances and being involved with the first team a great deal. With little options on the right wing, found himself as the only backup when Walcott was out.

Nathan Delfouneso – Spent the season on loan at Colchester United, where the 18 year old striker made 13 appearances and scored 4 goals. I’ll farm him out this year as well in all likelihood.

Mark Beevers – On loan at Wolves, but didn’t set the world alight.

John Bostock – Although he cost £4.3 million, he’s still only 17, and so wasn’t involved this year. Next year he’ll hopefully pick up some more experience on loan.

Jimmy Bullard – My only January signing, and for a while looked to be the best bit of business I’d done all season. Started his Arsenal career at full pelt, slotting into the troublesome AMC position and popping up with some vital goals. Unfortunately fell away towards the end of the season and began to find himself out of the team more often than not. At 30 years old, he was never going to be a long term solution anyway, but he’s another useful player to have around, and his presence does wonders for team spirit. Worth the £2 million he cost for that alone.

Overall, a mixed bag from the new signings.. Only Jagielka and Taylor can claim to be first choice starters at this point, although that’s not altogether surprising.

Walcott has been the other English ever present, and he’s been immense. His pace has proven to be one of the biggest tools in my armoury this season, and he has chipped in with 7 goals and 8 assists in the league.

As for the rest of the team, the standouts have been the usual suspects. Adebayor got 21 league goals and really led the line well, while Fabregas was, as expected, the lynchpin of my midfield. I dread the day when I have to replace either of them.

I’m going to try and bring in Agbonlahor this summer and build on his pace to create an immense all-round striking talent, but I can still foresee Adebayor being the main man up front for next season.

When it comes to other English players, I might make one other major signing, probably in the defence department. Perhaps ship out Gallas and try to get hold of someone like Richards or Lescott. Ben Foster is already on board, as negotiated earlier in the season, so that’s another spot filled as we aim for a minimum of five Englishmen starting every game next year.

I’m still mulling things over currently. I’ll update you on the summer’s comings and going in the next post. Meanwhile, feel free to comment with suggestions!