Arsenal FC Season 2005 - 2006

You are here: Football England > Premier League > Arsenal FC > Arsenal History > Arsenal FC Season 2005 - 2006

Arsenal's achievements in the 2005/6 Season
4th in the Premier League
League Cup: Semi Finals, lost on away goals to Wigan Athletic
FA Cup: 4th round, Bolton Wanderers away 0-1
Champions League: Final, lost to Barcelona 1-2.

Highlight:
1-0 win at Real Madrid in the Champions League 21/2/06

Low Spot:
2-3 defeat at home to West Ham United 1/2/06

Good:
Kolo Toure
In a season when questions were routinely asked about the durability of the Gunners back four and Sol Campbell turned to jelly Toure emerged as Arsenal's one truly reliable defender.
When he was missing around the turn of the year everyone was fancying their chances of getting at Arsenal but after he returned it was a different matter and the club ended up setting a record ten consecutive European clean sheets.
Thierry Henry
33 goals in 45 appearances. Does anything else need saying?
With the likes of Pires, Reyes and Ljungberg firing blanks his contribution was more vital than ever.

Bad:
Sol Campbell
It was a traumatic season for Big Sol with the likes of Beattie, Ashton, Roberts and Davies able to embarrass him on a regular basis.
Whatever the reason for his bunk after being subbed against West Ham it was hardly the action of a defensive stalwart and his goal in the Champions League final could not disguise his shortcomings over the course of the season.
Pascal Cygan
This guy has never convinced at Arsenal and Wenger's decision to play him at left back against Bolton had the appearance of some sort of sick punishment dreamed up by the squad on the journey up north.

In Brief:
The final season at Highbury was an incredible roller coaster which threatened embarrassment and almost ended in the ultimate triumph.
The side looked to be in terminal decline at times and defeats at places such as Middlesbrough, West Brom, Bolton, Newcastle and Everton not only cost them any hope of the Premier League but gave the side the appearance of a soft touch.
In Europe, however, the Gunners finally began to make an impression and with the defence becoming watertight the club marched all the way to the final after particularly impressive performances against Real Madrid and Juventus.
Ultimately Barcelona deprived them of glory but with their league form improving sufficiently to deny Tottenham the last Champions League place for next season the season at least ended on an optimistic note.
Crucially Thierry Henry then committed his future to the club and with Van Persie and Fabregas improving all the time next season should provide the fans with plenty of excitement at Ashburton Grove.