Arsenal 2017 review: January/February/March

In true Arsenal style, after the busy festive period and back-to-back defeats to Everton and Manchester City in December, January went rapidly downhill.

Arsenal’s 12 heroes and villains of 2017

Arsenal had another roller coaster year in 2017, with plenty of heroes and villains contributing to such drama on and off the pitch.

Long read: What Arsene Wenger looks for in a player

Arsene Wenger has signed many players over the year, but what is he looking for when he enters the transfer market?

Is Wenger right about Arsenal’s quality?

Arsene Wenger claims that this current Arsenal squad are the most focused group of players he's worked with in his life and, to be honest, I'm a little confused by this.
Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (right) and Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Arteta sentimentality has seen Arsenal fans bury the lede on Gazidis

All three of you who have read my columns on a regular basis will know that I am not an overly sentimental chap, and the recent Mikel Arteta rumours suggests Ivan Gazidis isn't either.

Arsene Wenger has one major problem with Arsenal that he needs to solve

After Wednesday's tepid 0-0 draw at West Ham, Arsenal find themselves in a rather precarious position.

Deep dive – Kroenke & Usmanov: The men behind the names

Who are they really and what do they want for Arsenal?

Caviar & Sausage Issue 2: Last Christmas? Bumper edition with exclusives!

After the success of Issue 1, we are delighted to bring you an even bigger and better Issue 2. Featuring over 30 articles and containing...
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Huddersfield Town at Emirates Stadium on November 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Ozil makes the ridiculously difficult look effortless and simple

There's no doubt that Mesut Özil is one of the most polarising players to have ever played for Arsenal.

Arsenal must retain their focus and concentration to succeed in the Premier League

From the mood of everyone surrounding the club coming out of the North London Derby, you wouldn’t think Arsenal were in trouble in the table at all.

Arsene Wenger gave so much away about his job security with just one word

During an international break, the only thing that usually commands the attention of a club's fans is the continued health of its players.

Daily Cannon Exclusive: Interview with former Liverpool and England defender Becky Easton

We were fortunate enough to speak to ex-England international Becky Easton, who has 44 caps to her name, while having won three league titles at club level.

Correcting the problems from the Manchester City debacle

Last Sunday, when Arsenal's team selection to face Manchester City was announced, there were two immediate reactions of disbelief.

Caviar & Sausage – The new Arsenal magazine out now!

Well this is new, eh? Enough of your rambling, take me straight to the magazine At Daily Cannon, we’ve come a long way since it all...

Worth a read: Arsène Wenger’s AGM speech in full

Arsène Wenger gave a speech to the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, and we've written up a full transcript for you.
Stan Kroenke who owns Arsenal

Stan Kroenke has made it clear he tolerates under-performing

Is it possible to be both optimistic and pessimistic about the same thing at the same time?

How Arsenal’s recent approach invited an overdue defeat

Arsenal’s recent approach to games and poor in-game adjustments finally came home to roost against Watford in Saturday night’s late kick-off.

Six of Wenger’s questionable decisions this season

I was enjoying my Saturday – Liverpool and Manchester United dropped points and Chelsea lost to Palace. But of course, Arsenal came along and ruined that with a terrible performance against Watford.

If you thought keeping Alexis was hard before now….

If you had asked Arsenal fans back in August to list any reasons that might cause Alexis Sanchez to want to leave the club, how far down would David Ospina have been?

Long read: What do we do with a problem like Jack Wilshere?

After an encouraging first start of the season, it is clear that Jack Wilshere is an attacking midfielder now. This is a BIG problem for Arsenal.

Long read: Actions speak louder than words

With Arsenal recording their lowest ever home attendance against Doncaster on Wednesday night, you may or may not be shocked to learn that Stan Kroeke's other teams are facing similar issues.

Long read: Trying to understand Arsene Wenger’s tactics

Over the last few years, I have bemoaned Arsenal's resistance towards changing the way they play depending on the opponent they face.
Arsenal tactics

How Wenger’s tactical tweaks inspired Arsenal’s comeback against Cologne

Arsene Wenger’s half time adjustment proved the difference as a stuttering Arsenal overturned a first half deficit en route to a 3-1 win over a Cologne team who were lacking the enthusiasm of their supporters.

Can Wilshere be the key to Arsenal’s success this season?

When Arsene Wenger was planning for the 2011-12 season, he was not too concerned with the loss of captain Cesc Fàbregas or Samir Nasri, the most influential player of the previous season.

Excuse me if I refuse to damn Oxlade-Chamberlain

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. Sentiments that apply, almost perfectly, to the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saga.

How Wenger’s tactics set Arsenal up for a fall at Anfield

Arsenal’s third Premier League game of the season saw them again pick the wrong players in the wrong positions, and it was no surprise they were on the receiving end of the wrong result.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

This is why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future has disrupted Arsenal on the pitch

There were two things we learned from the Stoke defeat last weekend. When everything goes to plan, Arsenal can play exceptional football. But when something very slightly alters that plan, everything falls apart.
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger smiles as he holds the FA Cup trophy after their win over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

These two factors keep Arsenal supporters coming back each season

Just as Arsenal supporters got all the stress out of their systems from last season and were able to recalibrate their hopes and dreams, the new campaign is set to begin.

Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey’s partnership could lead Arsenal to a long-awaited title

With Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal have a midfield partnership that can finally boss the game around. Recruiting a top midfielder is easier said...

How Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain affects Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez

Here comes the money! Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for £198m in cash, up front. And he'll make another £180.7m in wages for the next five years.

What happened between Alexis Sanchez and Barcelona & the answer to his Arsenal future

Considering the media hoopla currently surrounding Alexis Sanchez and his future, we looked back to three years ago when he signed for Arsenal from Barcelona. What happened and was there all this fuss then?

How Arsenal can get Alexis to stay

Alexis Sanchez has one year left on his Arsenal contract, and has given no indication that would suggest that he intends to extend that.

10-minute read: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Arsenal’s next breakthrough prospect?

This summer, with most fans pre-occupied by the excitement and fear surrounding the comings and goings of established first teamers, it’s easy to forget those players who are trying to create a foothold for themselves at the top level.

Did Arsene Wenger engineer Arsenal’s contract ‘problems’?

There is one question that lies at the heart of Arsenal's transfer activity so far this summer; why have they let so many of their key players run down their contracts?

Long read: Why did Arsenal buy Mohamed Elneny?

Why did we buy Mohamed Elneny?
Theo Walcott

Time up for Theo Walcott?

As an avowed Theo Walcott fangirl, it breaks my heart to be writing this column.
Alexis Sanchez v Manchester United

Would a swap deal get a better Sanchez replacement than using his transfer money?

So, it's the end of June, and we still have no idea as to whether Alexis Sanchez will be playing for Arsenal next season or not. Huzzah!

To loan or not to loan: Alex Iwobi’s Arsenal conundrum

Alex Iwobi struggled with second season syndrome last year, so how do Arsenal ensure his progress doesn't stall as he falls down the pecking order?

Jack Wilshere: What’s next for the player once tipped for greatness?

Jack Wilshere’s migration south last year was supposed to resurrect his fledgling career. But after proving fitness wasn’t an issue, it was his form that hindered his appearances at Bournemouth.

Are Manchester United in greater need of a striker than Arsenal?

There are few players in the world whose stock continues to rise despite spending the majority of the season warming the bench, but that is the reality of Alvaro Morata.