A very unusual season was had for Arsenal fans last year. Arsene Wenger finally managed to spend that money he's reportedly had open to him for a few summers as he splashed out on Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil. Having spent the most time at the top of the table last season, there would be room for optimism. However, they managed to finish 4th after such an impressive start. Some may say they were unfortunate with injuries, but Arsene Wenger had never truly addressed the problem of having squad players that weren't capable to fill in for starters, should the injuries occur. Surely, Arsenal fans will look at last season as an opportunity missed as one would think Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were at their most vulnerable last year. Arsenal did manage to break their trophy drought in an unconvincing manner though, scraping past Hull City in the final. The heavy reliance on Aaron Ramsey was evident throughout the year (especially when he was injured) and Ramsey was the man to pop up with the eventual winner for the Gunners in the Cup final. Ramsey truly was Arsenal's star last season and he's going to be a strong cause of optimism also.
Manager: Arsene Wenger
The longest serving manager in the Premier League will be keen to add another Premier League title to his trophy cabinet. Having gone since the year of the Invincibles without a Premier League trophy, questions were raised about how capable Wenger was to manage in the ever changing world of football before his FA Cup trophy last season. He's won back a lot of trust and finally having burst out the cheque book over the past 2 summers, Arsenal fans finally enter a season with optimism, rather than the negativity that constantly swarmed around the club in previous years. Wenger will need to realise that two or three more signings are necessary should they look to win the league, but if he's content with 4th once again, then the current squad should have enough. We'll see his intentions in the coming weeks.
Arsene Wenger is 50/1 to be the next Premier League Manager to leave his post.
Transfers: Ins:
Alexis Sánchez (Barcelona, £30m), Calum Chambers (Southampton, £16m), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United, £12m), David Ospina (Nice, £3m), Elias Chatzitheodoridis (Mas Kallitheakos, Undisclosed), Hugo Keto (HJK Helsinki, Undisclosed), Ben Sheaf (West Ham, United, Undisclosed), Georgios Spanoudakis (Barcelona, Undisclosed).
Outs:Johan Djourou (Hamburg, £2.5m), Thomas Eisfeld (Fulham, Unidsclosed), Zak Ansah (Charlton Athletic), Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City), Zachari Fagan (Welling United), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Chuks Aneke (Zulte Waregem), Wellington Silva (UD Almeria, Loan), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United, Loan), Benik Afobe (MK Dons, Loan), Nicklas Bendtner, Daniel Boateng, Chu-Young Park, Leander Siemann (Released).
Having spent over £61 million, Arsenal fans will be expecting a lot of quality with their additions. Alexis Sanchez is clearly the star signing and having joined after an excellent World Cup, Arsenal fans will be expecting a lot from the Chilean international. He could and is expected to strike a nice link up with last year's star signing, Mesut Ozil. His ability to play on either side and also through the centre will give Wenger a flexibility that he's rarely had in previous seasons. Callum Chambers comes in after competing for top dog with Nathaniel Clyne at Southampton for a full season and managed to get 23 appearances in all competitions. Better known as a right back, Wenger has promised to move him into a more central role over the coming seasons. The 19 year old is, without doubt, a future England international for me. An excellent prospect but the price tag is questionable. Mathieu Debuchy has always received criticism since his arrival in the Premier League due to a lack of defensive discipline, but I think he's a very good signing for Arsenal to have made. As a replacement for Bacary Sagna? He isn't as injury prone, but probably isn't as good either. However, the former Newcastle man was chosen by Deschamps at the World Cup this summer ahead of the new Manchester City man. David Ospina arrives as a relatively unknown man by most Premier League fans, however at just 25, this man will be very keen to break past Szczesny in the pecking order at Arsenal. Ospina had a solid World Cup for the Colombian side that excited the world. It will come as no surprise to those who've watched him, should he be number one at the Emirates.
Arsenal finally removed a lot of deadwood as Djourou, Park Chu Yong and Nicklas Bendtner all departed, but the loss of Sagna may hurt Arsenal fans. Unlikely to be number one right back at the Etihad, Arsenal's inability to convince the Frenchman that staying put would be for the best is something of a worry for fans. Carl Jenkinson has a bright future ahead of him which is why I was surprised that Wenger let the "knock it" style of Big Sam infiltrate the mind of the future star during his loan spell. Lukasz Fabianski had a decent career at Arsenal and his move to Swansea is purely for footballing reasons and no Arsenal fan will hold a grudge for that. A few more like Abou Diaby, Ryo Miyaichi and Coquelin should be in line for the chop also.
The Blindsman's Flag Transfers Rating: 8/10- Lots of cause for excitement, need one or two more, especially if Thomas Vermaelen leaves.
Predicting The Lineup:
It's very tough to predict some areas of the team this season for Arsenal. The goalkeeper debate will run up until Arsenal's first game of the season and then we will see whether new signing, Ospina gets the nod ahead of the ever-shaky Wojciech Szczesny. Kieran Gibbs solidified his slot over Nacho Monreal in the team with very impressive performances last season. Mikel Arteta will feature a lot this season, but I think, should all options be fit, Aaron Ramsey (guaranteed) and Jack Wilshere will start the bigger games. Wilshere's development has slowed hugely so this year is his last chance to make it big. Sanchez and Ozil are two players guaranteed slots in the team also, but with Theo Walcott, The Ox, Podolski, Joel Campbell (who's returned from a successful loan spell at Olympiakos) and Yaya Sanogo all sniffing around, Giroud and Cazorla will be under severe threat to retain their place.
Prediction: 4th
I've already stated this earlier in the preview, but should Arsenal add a Centre back, a central midfielder and a prolific centre forward who's both physical and potent, Arsenal will be serious contenders come May. However, should they remain content with their current squad, another depressing year in 4th is on the cards. I expect the latter and them to fall off by March however and that is why The Blindsman's Flag says that Arsenal will finish 4th once again. Arsene Wenger's stubbornness could very well be at fault for any downfall this year.
Arsenal are 13/2 to be crowned Premier League Champions.
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All odds via. Sky Bet on the 7/8/14.
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