Arsenal On The Right Track, Says Gazidis

By Our Correspondent
for Arsenal New Today

Published: June 7, 2009

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Although the team finished 18 points behind eventual winners Manchester United in the Premier League and failed to move beyond the semi-final stage of both the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, last season’s campaign was not a disaster, according to Arsenal’s CEO Ivan Gazidis. He believes that last season could be an important step towards future success for this team. “I think perspective is very important. You need to take a distance when you assess the season. This club has over 120 years of history and if you’re looking at where we are and how we’re doing at this period of our development you have to say it is one of the special times, one of the golden times. I hope we don’t forget to appreciate that,” he said. Commenting on his own arrival at the club and the team’s poor form at the beginning of the campaign, Gazidis said, “I arrived halfway through the campaign and obviously the first half was very difficult, losing five out of our first 14 games in the Premier League. We were struggling for consistency but then there was the period in the middle of the season when the team found that consistency.” Commenting further on the gradual improvement in the side that resulted in an extended unbeaten run at the end of the season, the Arsenal CEO said, “There were times when we were having trouble being really fluid and then of course the consistency came, the players started coming back from injury and everything began to look possible. We had a terrific run in the FA Cup and the Champions League and we were on the cusp of doing something very special with a young squad this year. Then unfortunately at the end we feel like we missed out on the prizes that we were aiming for. That’s a disappointment for us but there’s a lot to build on from the campaign. And as we look forward to next season we’re very optimistic.” Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that Arsenal need to sort out their defensive problems if they are to mount a serious title challenge next season. They are linked with a move for Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen, who plays for Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam. “The last season was very interesting because we had a sloppy start and then we became stronger and stronger. It has been interesting as well because it is a very young team, but they have been tested mentally. The defensive record, that is an area that we want to work on and that we want to improve,” Wenger said.

Arsenal On The Right Track, Says Gazidis

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