Blog

Welcome to my blog, a fan perspective of the goings on at Arsenal and in particular my view from block 107.

As another promising but ultimately empty trophy season comes to an end. 

I thought I would reflect on a campaign of the highest of highs, beating Real Madrid and the lowest of lows, losing to that awful awful Man United side in the FA cup, who I just remembered had 10 men. This time I’ve had a thought of a similar season under the great Arsene. 

But first, I’ll introduce myself. Hello everyone I’m Daniel and I part time live in the North Bank, block 107, hence the name of this blog. I’ve been lucky enough that my family of Gooners joined the season ticket waiting list way back when Seaman sported that pony tail and have been going since that first season at the Emirates in 2006. 

I’ve seen many monumental moments, from that 07/08 team, arguably still my favourite, then the team of Ozil, Sanchez and the magician Cazorla. Moments like that Welbeck header, we did win the league that year right? That Nelson 97th winner had us dreaming and those Declan Rice free kicks this year. 

But, also the flip side, if you want to call it the banter era, the last few years of Wengers Arsenal and that weird year and half of Emery, seeing Man City rock up yearly sweeping us aside, and that time where a certain Mikel Arteta witnessing from close up knew the task in hand and who joined us three days later as the head coach. 

Which brings me to my thoughts as I write and review the end of this season. I’ll take it back to the summer of 2015, one of Wengers last at the helm. Arsenal finished third that year but as a fan I remember the second half of that season in particular. A team that was growing, Mesut back and more bulked up following a three month lay off, Sanchez becoming the best player in the league alongside a certain Eden Hazard. And finally Santi Cazorla being the conductor in our midfield bolstered by an unlikely new hero in Francis Coquelin being by his side and helping him flourish.

Now, why do I mention this season in particular? The team won the FA cup, a spectacular 4-0 win against Villa, which featured an absolute rocket by Alexis Sanchez. 

Leaving Wembley that day, it was a sense of excitement, a time to build but at the time the club stood still, a power struggle still at boardroom level and what I was always remember as the summer of Cech in 2015 where the only signing was the Premier League great from Chelsea. 

Yes, I know this was 10 years ago but hear me out. We all know that the club stood still and by standing still a second place finish was the result by May 2016 but as a fan throughout that season it was that feeling, that sense of, if you’d of just had that ambition, just that one signing to compete with Giroud would of possibly meant a final Premier League title for the great man. 

Now, I see resemblance to today’s Arsenal and Mikels iteration of an Arsenal team. The Welbeck moment parallels those Rice free kicks against Madrid, ultimately though the same thing happened. We lost our strikers, in 2016, we lost our striker metaphorically for 15 games when Giroud could not score, this season they were literally just gone. We tried and we tried but in the end there was not the quality to come in both seasons to keep us ticking up top. 

Now, 10 years on, Mikel Merino, a now cult hero across N5 has been remarkable but as a fan you know he is not a striker but a very good technical footballer, who as we have seen can adapt, he has been great but going to Paris in those first 25 minutes, you see the elements of a top european team but with a piece missing in an area of the pitch up top even with strikers available. 

Which turns attentions to the summer and in my eyes the biggest step of all to reach the promise land which in the summer window last year we didn’t maximise, I won’t mention the loans, we all know how they limited us this season.

We’ve seen a team that can compete for three seasons but a team that in my opinion so far can only concentrate on one competition at a time. The quality is there, in both the Premier League and a very good Champions League campaign just gone. A team that technically across the park is drilled to the highest level, can dominate the ball but also when needed show defensive robustness we all craved for years. But, a squad yet to really demonstrate an ability to juggle multiple competitions. That’s the next evolution in my opinion, as the end of this week has shown a trophy here or there to tick you over keeps things ticking over nicely. 

Come June 1st to the 10th, the hierarchy have to hit the ground running in that mini window, thanks to the new money making grab by FIFA with the club World Cup. 

Mikel and Andrea Berta know the time is now. The elements are there, a squad coming towards its prime now needs to deliver and the club needs to storm into the transfer window all guns blazing. 

But, as Mikel said, the people upstairs know what they need to do, we as fans see it as well, it’s the time to supplement a very good team to evolve to a great team. 

Yes, there were unfortunate decisions and injuries this season but I will say this, Liverpool have been consistent, results consistent, playing staff consistent, injury turn around consistent. Consistency is what wins you leagues. Now Arsenal need to be as consistent in 2025/26, two players for every position at the highest level, quality across the 11 but also across the 25 man squad, this is what Mikel needs and those players need. And yes, I realise, I’ve consistently used the word consistent, consistently in this paragraph, please don’t hate me. 

So essentially the club needs to remember to not stand still and for those around the place that remember to not make another summer of Cech as I call it, it’s go time as soon as that window opens, identify the targets and bolster this squad, because this team is too good and so close to winning some honours. 

I appreciate you reading my first blog of View from block 107. My plan is to do this after every game, giving you my fan view and where possible some tactical bits, please be aware I’m no coach but like every fan I sometimes think I know best. 

Throughout the summer I’ll be reacting to news from the club, transfers and pre season. That’s all for now and I’ll speak to you next week, hopefully a certain Zubimendi is announced, till then have a great week!