The Top Flight
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Arsenal must keep core together

By Matthew Bowers

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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After Arsenal won an incredible 13th FA Cup, Arsene Wenger was given a two-year extension to prolong his tumultuous but solid 20 season performance as the manager of the Gunners. But, can he keep the elite players that inspired Arsenals’ success?

The champagne was flowing and the celebrations were wild after a magnificent FA Cup final match saw the Gunners clinch a remarkable 13th title. Aaron Ramsey scored the winner after a sublime touch from Oliver Giroud landed right at his feet in the top of the box. Most pundits and fans presumed the elite Chelsea squad and recently crowned Premier League champions would dominate the match and discard the 5th place Arsenal.

Before the ultimate London derby took place on May 27th, pundits and spectators had generally written off Arsenal’s season as a waste. As the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, talks of “Wenger Out” dominated football media and became an internet meme. The standard set by the club is extremely elite. Since Wenger has never led the Gunners to a Premier League domestic title, many consider his career in charge to be average at best.

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However, finishing inside the top-four of the greatest football league in the world is no small feat. Moreover, finishing inside the top-four in 21 consecutive campaigns is almost unheard of. Arsene Wenger has been anything but a failure as the head honcho in north London. His side actually started the season pretty well, having racked up 40 points by the holiday break. And, if you forgot, Arsenal was the team beating the wits out of Chelsea in an early regular season match when Antonio Conte switched their formation to the lethal 3-4-3 that powered the Blues to a 5th Premier League title.

Most Arsenal supporters have a distinctly bittersweet taste in their mouths after the 2016-17 outing. Not qualifying for the Champions League and lingering questions over Wenger’s future with the club have the fans on edge. On the bright side, the north London behemoths have something to show for the season. They lead all English clubs with 13 FA Cups in their cabinet, and they have arguably the best forward in the Premier League and the world leading the offensive charge.

Alexis Sanchez is a lighting-fast, uber-creative left winger who has played some of his best football since he departed Barcelona. Wenger has used him regularly as a striker, filling in for the oft-injured Daniel Sturridge and Oliver Giroud. Sanchez is versatile and skilled enough to play anywhere in the front 5, but he excels when he drops back closer to midfield and gives himself room to create plays and scoring opportunities. This season, the Chilean has consistently produced goals and assists for Arsenal when all other attackers have failed to step up.

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In the 2016-17 term, Sanchez directly contributed to 45 goals, and also collected 15 assists. He’s the first Arsenal player since 2011 to bag 30 goals in a season. Due to his impressive form and phenomenal campaign, the winger has been linked to a move to Bayern Munich. However, those rumors have died down since Wenger stated the club would seek to extend both Sanchez and his superstar colleague Mesut Ozil.

Ozil had an average season, but overall was very disappointing for Arsenal. He racked up 12 goals and 13 assists, but regardless of the down year remains a critical component of the Gunners’ attack. Without Ozil and Alexis patrolling the final third and creating offensive chances, Arsenal will not be legitimate title challengers next season. Given that the defense gave up the second most goals in the Premier League this term, the offense is what is carrying this club. It is critical for the north London brass to solve the contract situation with both of their star players this summer.

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