Monday 25 May 2015 10:01, UK
We reflect on Arsenal's 2014/15 Premier League season, with the help of stats and pundit views...
Arsenal
Finishing position: Third (+1 on last season)
Total points: 75 (-4 on last season)
Champions League: Eliminated by Monaco in the last 16 on away goals
FA Cup: Will face Aston Villa in the final on May 30th
Capital One Cup: Eliminated in round three by Southampton
Season review
It’s a case of what might have been for Arsenal.
A worst league start since 1982 piled the pressure on Arsene Wenger once again but after Christmas the Gunners have been the form team in the Premier League, winning eight straight games.
At one stage the Emirates faithful were dreaming of an unlikely title success but ultimately they left themselves with far too much to do.
In the Champions League, Wenger’s men were handed a brilliant chance to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2010, but a horror night at home to Monaco scuppered their chances.
They won the return leg but it was another case of what might have been as Arsenal exited the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the fifth successive season.
There is still a chance of silverware for the Gunners as they bid to defend the FA Cup against Aston Villa at Wembley. It will be a record 19th FA Cup final for the Arsenal, who could win a record 12th FA Cup and finish their season on a high.
Jamie Carragher's star player: Alexis Sanchez
"He’s actually got 24 goals in all competitions and he’s not someone who takes penalties either so he’s had a huge impact. He was brought in to play wide left, wide right and centre forward. He’s predominantly been playing wide left and you think of Thierry Henry and what he went on to achieve at Arsenal. He got 26 goals in his first season as a centre forward. Sanchez has done it from the left-hand side and I think he’s perfectly suited to our league. I’m still sick Liverpool never got him."
Wenger’s moment of the season
"For us personally I think first of all, maybe when we won a big game away from home against Manchester City. It was an important moment. Then there was the good performance we had against Liverpool away from home to win 4-1. Overall I must say the continuity we have shown since January in our performances."
Quotes of the season
"The appreciation today of the quality of a player is just down to the money spent. If we had bought Coquelin at Christmas for £40m, everyone would be saying, ‘what a signing’. He didn’t cost any money, but he is still a good player.” – Arsene Wenger
“We are in a really strong position – I think we are getting better in all areas. That evolution must continue because the potential of this club is limitless. Let’s take advantage of that.” – Mikel Arteta
“There is a huge difference between the perception that people have of me and [the reality]: I’m not scared to spend money. If you go out with me one night, you will understand that.” – Arsene Wenger
Stats of the season
- After 12 games, Arsenal had made their worst start to a league season since 1982
- Arsenal failed to manage a single shot in the first half of their game against Manchester United in May - the first time in a single half of a Premier League match they had failed to do so since November 2004
- Arsene Wenger named the same team for the fifth successive Premier League game against Swansea in May
Charlie Nicholas's view
“You need to build a mentality of winning which isn’t really there, with only a smattering of winners’ medals throughout the team. He brought in Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez who had won titles at Real Madrid and Barcelona but you wouldn’t describe them as leaders with trophy-laden careers.
“You can’t say the last 10 years have been a success. Arsene has brought us a lot of success, but some of the fans are particularly unhappy with what has been achieved, particularly in the last five seasons.
“The last five years have been really, really painful but we’re a lot closer to Chelsea and Manchester City than before. This season can only be deemed a success if we win the FA Cup, just qualifying for the Champions League is not enough for this club. The team should be able to kick on with the momentum of winning something this time.”
