With the tactics of Arsene Wenger being questioned at the start of the season and a few dismal performances after the departure of Van Persie, Arsenal have managed to come back strongly and hit out at the critics. The sale of Van Persie sparked a revolt against the wise Frenchmen and it seemed the Wenger era at the Emirates might come to an end.

Are Arsenal back in business?

But Wenger has denied the odds and shut the critics with his team’s recent performances. Though Arsenal have been inconsistent for most of the season, but their new signings has stepped up gears and have steered them to the 3rd place with 30 points.

Over the years Emirates has been the home to young talent and Wenger has managed to produce an array of young generation of footballers. Wenger has an exceptional eye for young talent and has never been hesitant to give the youngster a fair amount of first team football. But what Arsenal have lacked is the ability to hold onto the youngsters. It has been a curse to the Gunners as they have lost quite a number of young players over the years.

It’s not just the young talent that the Gunners have failed to hold on, their starlets have been lured by some of the big European clubs. The recent being Robin van Persie and Alex Song. The list includes players like Samir Nasri, Fabregas, Clichy, Gallas, Henry and the recent rumor of Walcott hasn’t failed to add to Arsenals problems. The Gunners have managed to overcome such miseries and the money they spent in the transfer market has paid dividends. Wenger’s signings haven’t failed to make an impact on the Premier League and have made a strong impression. Wenger’s eye for talent can never be questioned the recent signings Podolski, Santi Carzola and Giroud have thoroughly impressed the fans at Emirates. Carzola has been exceptional rather than being a conventional midfielder he has managed to fire as many as 7 goals. Giroud and Podolski haven’t been far behind. The home ground talent has added to Arsenals progress, Koscielny, Oxlade Chamberlain, Mannone, Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have become an integral part of the Arsenal side.

Gunners have been inconsistent this season and have failed to make the most of their form charts. Team’s analysis for the season so far:

Coming from the back Mannone has been a quite useful as a backup goalkeeper so far but tends to make an error at times, but has always been a threat to the spot that Szczesny holds.

Defence:

Sagna has played quite well on the right at the back, of course Jenkinson have been putting in some good performances, but Sagna is more assured and calm.

Left back position looks fragile when Gibbs is not playing, Santos hasn’t really lived up to his value, as his play is just like Walcott’s a few years back. Bad final ball, wrong passes and not closing down quickly have been the highlights of his season so far. Vermaelen and Mertesacker are the preferred centre backs that Wenger uses, with Koscielny and Djourou as sub. Mertesacker has been the most consistent so far, but lacks some pace and awareness. Koscielny looks like he lacks self confidence, while Djourou has been even more shaky. Vermaelen is Wenger’s biggest problem, The Captain is on a slump. May be it is the pressure of captaincy, but he hasn’t been the same player who would march into oppositions half and terrorize the opponents.

Midfield:

Arteta has taken over from Song who has been protecting the back four, but it isn’t really his style, he is better going forward and passing the ball around. Carzola has been the pick of Arsenals players and been entrusted with the title of play maker, he has operated in tandem with Wilshere. But Wilshere has been under too much pressure as the expectations are high. Aaron Ramsey has failed to performan. He is a good player, but his style of play isn’t really suited for the Gunners. What Arsenal lack is experience in the midfield with the absence of Rosicky and Diaby.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has come under immense pressure, but is getting better with each game. Walcott has been incredible so far with his pace but January transfer window sees him out as he hasn’t signed a new contract so far. Wenger have been trying new things putting Gervinho in front, but he is a much winger as he needs space to perform. Podolski have been given the left wing, and his performances have been exceptional.

Attack:

Giroud didn’t have a great start to the season. But his work rate has been terrific; he has chased down every ball and has managed to put pressure on the defender. Arsenal haven’t been putting in the crosses and have failed to use aerial ability of Giroud, it certainly looks they are very reliant on him but that hasn’t been the case more often. With player like Carzola and Podolski taking up the responsibility on their shoulders, Arsenals goal scoring doesn’t rely only on the Frenchmen.

The Gunners haven’t lost hope and the team has performed well having won a few matches on a big margin. The title contention may not be on the cards but certainly the Champions League run is on. They face Bayern who are a real threat to their Champions League campaign. With the transfers around the corner Wenger should look to hold onto Walcott but if that doesn’t happen they need a new signing. The rumour has it that David Villa is the next Arsenal target but Villa is 31 already. Despite having age on his side the Spaniard has the ability and certainly doesn’t lack class. He would do Arsenal a world of good. With all this Arsenal have to make their form count and have to be more consistent after the short winter break. The fans at Emirates might expect their team to have a good start to the second half of the season and carry on from where they left.

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Attack, Defence, English Premier League, EPL, Gunners, Midfield, Premier League, Robin Van Persie