The Premier League season is fast approaching, and Arsenal hopes to finally end their 22-year wait to win the title. They have approached the market this summer aggressively, wanting to strengthen the starting eleven and the depth in the side.
However, signings alone will not achieve what Mikel Arteta has so far failed to do during the previous three campaigns. The two main threats to the Gunners will likely remain Liverpool and Manchester City.
In his first season in charge, Arne Slot won the league, thanks to the quality of his side and the fortune of having the majority of his squad, especially his best players, available for the bulk of the campaign. Arsenal and City, meanwhile, faced serious issues with key players such as Bukayo Saka and Rodri, with the Gunners topping the injury table for the season with 27.
Liverpool, having won the title, has spent big and could yet spend more. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez have all signed, while there is optimism over a potential record deal for Alexander Isak.
City, on the other hand, strengthened early in the window due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which saw them eliminated in the knockout rounds by Al Hilal. This extension to their season might yet impact the next one, and Arsenal will certainly be hoping this is the case.
Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Sverre Nypan and James Trafford have come in, with the club not spending as much as Arsenal or Liverpool so far. Yet Pep Guardiola will be determined that his side, now without talismanic figure Kevin De Bruyne, will challenge yet again.
There are other threats to mention. Chelsea, for example, has again spent plenty of money and has come off the back of winning the Club World Cup, but they are not seen as a big threat like the aforementioned pair. For the Gunners, they will be expected to be right up there, and their tough start to the season should be seen more so as an opportunity than a drawback.
The Gunners’ own business now sees two competitive options in every single one of the 11 roles in the side, and they could yet add Eberechi Eze to the team. Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, and Arteta are the level-raisers, or at least Arteta hopes they will be.
Arsenal finally have a centre-forward with a pedigree for scoring plenty of goals. Gyokeres does change the dynamic for the club and now the Gunners will be expected to increase their output and adapt to the style of their new number 14.
But what are your thoughts on where the Gunners rank in terms of who the favourites might be for next season’s Premier League? Let us know by voting for your own pick for who you believe will be lifting the trophy come May in the poll down below.
