6 Games That Cost Arsenal The Double

Against Hull in the FA Cup final, Arsenal were once again guilty of not starting the game switched on and mercifully they didn't drop their heads and give it up as a bad day at the office like against Chelsea or Liverpool and forced their way back into the game before dominating.

This may seem like a negative article after such a glorious weekend but it is actually the opposite.

Arsenal could have won the double this season and that is something we can lament but the reasons for it are things that can be fixed without buying new players so if with just a little more concentration - and possible some luck with injuries - Arsenal could have won the title this season imagine what they could do next year with a few choice additions?

Manchester City will be inhibited by the FFP punishments and Chelsea will of course invest heavily but Mourinho's reliance on his ageing stars - which seems more about alliances than importance to the team - may see him come unstuck, especially when he seems determined to alienate his attacking talent and dropping silly points to so-called lesser teams. And Liverpool will not have the benefit of fewer games and their re-entrance to the Champions League could hamper their league ambitions.

No, the ones to watch next season will be Arsenal and Manchester United. United will have the Liverpool effect of being able to concetrate almost solely on the league and in Louis van Gaal they potentially have a manager capable of getting them back to their usual standard. Arsenal have a top quality team, high off a cup win and plenty of money in the bank. Plus a certain Mesut Özil entering his second season.

If Arsenal can work on maintaining their concentration for the entirety of a match for every match of the season then they will certainly pick up a few more points as these quick fire or late equalisers will become a rarity. And if Arsenal can work on starting a match at 0s rather than 5 minutes they'll be able to avoid such heavy losses to rivals.

Much of Arsenal's "woes" this season have come from a lack of concentration or not starting a match until they are already behind. Injuries have of course played their part but points have been won and lost with a fully fit squad so it cannot be considered the main reason.

If Arsenal can make those small tweaks they'll be right up there next season and if they can make those tweaks, focus better in the big games plus bring in a few top quality players then it's going to be very hard to look past them for more trophies next season.

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