[GarethUK]

Whilst reading throught the threads on our prospects next season, and the perceptions of where we fit in alongside Europe's elite clubs, I realised something...

I firmly believe that 2002/2003 will be the most pivotal season in the history of Arsenal Football Club.

We have to build on last season's success - something we have never done in my 15 years of support. I have endless memories of lacklustre seasons following achievements the previous year, memories of underachievement which suggested (proved?) over-achievement the previous year. Who remembers 91-92? ugh... If we fail next year - in other words, if we don't do even better than this year, it would be a huge blow... especially if United take back the title. Then 2002 would have been just another one-off year.

We will face, without doubt, a rejuvenated and hungry Man Utd - there will be no repeat of their pathetic home form next time. Liverpool, too, are are showing signs of maturing into a powerful collective. Don't discount a confident Chelsea or Leeds either.

We have to prove to players - both current and potential squad members - that we will become a massive force in Europe. The likes of Vieira and Henry must end their careers with us.

The new stadium is on the horizon as well - an essential ingredient in our quest for European domination - and next season could be decisive in terms of what kind of team we will have in that stadium...

So... for now I'm going to enjoy the World Cup, and then get back to what I do best - worrying about my beloved Arsenal's prospects...!

 

[CUG]

i think Arsenal have the potential to be like Man U have in the past 5 years or so.

I just think that they have to buy maybe 3 more players to fix the areas where they lack.

one more central defender, an attacking midfielder and Henry needs a perminant striker, and a good one as well. Cisse comes to mind.

once they get that, i believe they have the ability to reach the semi's if not the CL final.

 

[Swiftwilly]

i agree with gareth. what a dissapointment would it be to see us win nothing next year. it would be such a contrast. really it would blow this season and that seasons achievements apart. the double would of ment nothing because we couldnt back it up with another year of trophies.
i want atleast one trophie.

i think the world cup could be such a impact on how well we perform next year. if our players get a good run and experience in the world cup. we'll win even more awards next year.

i believe cisse is not moving this season.

 

[gunner4ever]

Why are we all talking about Cisse when we have Aliadere who is about the same age but hasnt got the same opportunity as Cisse?

 

[Swiftwilly]

opportunity = experience

more you play the more experience you have.
thats why cisse is better then ali.
that is why wright is worse then seaman.

 

[Jacke Sigfridsson]

I agree with you 200 % Gareth. Next seasone will be a really really important seasone. ManU will buy 1 or 2 World class players and I hope this is the same kind of players they bought last seasone players who come and destroy more of the spirit we see less and less from (ok We don`t need to disscuss it Swiftwilly).
Seriously, I think ManU will be out for blood next seasone( if they not buy too many latins and south European players) and if we can win the titel next seasone we have proved something really really important.
A big part of our success this seasone was our hunger and spirit to win a trophie after 3 years of failure, I hope Wenger can turn it around and get the players really demetried to defend the titel now.

 

[Chris]

I think next year will be Jeffer's break out season, as well with Gio and Pires out and Parlour likely to leave then Pennant should get a chance as well. If Jeffers flops then we will need to look for a new partner, by then Cisse will be available.... But a central and right defender are very needed. Carr and Hofland!!!

 

[Jern Lizardhous]

I think the Mancs are turning into a monster going out and buying egos instead of relying on continuity.
We are a much stronger squad now with the best youth set up in Europe,Wenger has said he will make two signings whereas when we won the double in 98 we only bought Vivas.
I think we are the team to beat now.

Fergie still knows nothing about stable defence which is why it is likely he will bring in Ferdinand and Reizeger or some other tosser.He says £30m is too much for Nesta but that is what he payed for Veron????.
Last year he said Wes Brown was the best defender in Europe.

 

[Swiftwilly]

i am pretty sure man utd is after ayala more then nesta.

 

[pires7]

logic suggests that france will go far in the world cup,eventhough todays blip, thus our star players henry,vieira and wiltord will be mentally and physically knackered for next season.
jeffers will need to play often and hopefully a new striker will be purchased to enable henry to be rested now and again.

 

[Bastin]

Nesta isn't going to join Man Utd. He looks set on leaving Lazio for Inter or Juventus - but it is definitely one of those two.

Yes. Next year is important, but, we do have a new stadium on the way, and we aren't going to off-load £30m of talent this summer. This means that we'll have £20m for transfers. We won't have enough for the types of players for which Man Utd are going. Unlike Liverpool, we've decided to sacrifice the short-term in favour of the long-term. This is intelligent. Arsenal aren't going to be relegated. Therefore, it's important that we build a strong financial base for the club by getting a shiny new 65,000 seater stadium and expand our merchandising businesses abroad. Once we reap the benefits of consumerism, we can banish Man Utd once and for all!

 

[gunner4ever]

We really do need to expand our financial base and expand to countries like India!
In India there are ovre a billion people and so a very large base for THE AFC to expand!
Having won the double this year you have a ton of glory hunters who suddenly love Arsenal!
Take advantage of them like they try to take advantage of the club and make a nice sum to use!

 

[Swiftwilly]

well arsenal is VERY VERY big with asia (40% of the world is asian) so i think that is good enough.
sad to say, man utd is doing better with popularity.
but i guess we win next season with 2 trophies or more, we'll become the new "man utd"

 

[Shaf]

Good post Gareth.

Arsenal were wonderful last season and proved their position at the top.The players were hungry for success and the disappointments of the last three years drove them on to go on that wonderful run after Christmas.

United this season was a disappointment.You could see in some of the players that they were expecting things to happen rather than working for it and the end result was losses to Boro,West Ham and Bolton,among others,at home.

However you can definitely expect a rejuvenated and hungry United come season 2002/2003.The players know that they have let the fans down and they'll be looking to correct that.With a couple of top class purchases in the summer,hopefully,the defence will be sorted out and then Arsenal can expect a good fight for that top spot.

 

[Swiftwilly]

i welcome the challange from man utd and i hope you guys do well
i love watching tight seasons where like 5 or so teams battle to no.1
last season was a good season
anyone could of won till the last few games



but we all knew arsenal would of won

 

[gunner4ever]

Swiftwilly you have missed my point mate!
true 40% of the world is Asian but how many of that 40% support arsenal??
I am Indian, 1 in 5 people in the world is an Indian, but how many of those do you think support Arsenal when compared to the likes of Man Utd or Liverpool??

 

[Swiftwilly]

hope you know that a large majority of fans of arsenal are from asia
it is so big that they have a official asian gunners website.

 

[Swiftwilly]

btw, india is part of asia

 

[gunner4ever]

Mate starting a website doesnt mean that you have a large fan following!!
I am Indian!
Someday just come down here and see if what I am saying is right or wrong!
Arsenal are not very well represented in Asia!

 

[Swiftwilly]

actually they started the website because there was such a large population of asians that liked arsenal and couldnt understand english so they made a asian arsenal website.
lets just stop the argueing ok?
soon they be racial slurs all over the place.
arsenal is on the rise
and lets just be happy about it.