What hasn’t changed for Arsenal?
Arsenal have made some big alterations to their squad and management over the past few months. The biggest one of all is the advent of Unai Emery. The new manager has emphasized on building a strong defence and the Arsenal board has been benevolent enough to grant him funds to bring some good players, all of them to make the Gunners defensively stronger.
What would Arsenal aim for in this Premier League season?
Aspiring for the league title will be too early for Emery’s men but they will be looking to finish in the top four which seems to be a very realistic target.
The Gunners have not finished their campaign at number four or above in the past two seasons but with the new manager and a new bunch of players, it looks like they have the quality to do so this time around. We look at the three reasons as to why Arsenal will make it to the top four.
#3 STRONG DEFENCE
Wenger was often criticized due to the lack of business done to strengthen the defence. Unai Emery made that his priority straightaway by signing Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torreira. Peter Cech had a dismal season by his standards and at his age, he isn’t getting any better. Bernd Leno is an experienced German goalkeeper who will look forward to establishing himself as their number one. Peter Cech will be a good second choice goalkeeper.
Koscielny is a long-term absentee for Arsenal but Sokratis and Mustafi are expected to form a good partnership with Bellerin and Nacho Monreal on the flanks. Torreira is young but has put on some impressive showings for his former club and country. He was exceptional for Uruguay in the World Cup shielding the defence in a commendable manner.
#2 ELECTRIFYING ATTACK
Arsenal had signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the last winter transfer window. Mkhitaryan has looked better at Arsenal and is set for a big season. Aubameyang had a great start to his career at the Emirates scoring 10 goals in 13 matches.
All their star-attackers – Lacazette, Ozil, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan can start together in a 4-2-3-1 formation with the Gabonese international operating on the left wing. Ozil and Mkhitaryan can swap their positions to befog the opposition. Lacazette is a clinical finisher, and with the talent he has behind him, he will be scoring many goals in the upcoming season.
#1 POSITIVITY AMONG FANS
For the first time in over two decades, there will be no Arsène Wenger sitting in the Arsenal dugout in his famous long jacket struggling with the zip. There was a large section of the Arsenal fan base who wanted Wenger to exit in the face of deteriorating standards. Their dissatisfaction with the manager was felt when the empty seats were visible in the last few matches of Wenger’s tenure. With a new manager in the corner, fans will again like to reunite to support their team as they embark on a new era.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored