After the transfer window closed, attention turned to the squads that all the big clubs had created, and provided to the Premier League that they would be using this season. Arsenal were no different, and theirs included new signings Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi.
While some of the keenest observations turned to the two Manchester clubs, could this Arsenal squad become the group that wins the Premier League for the first time in over a decade?
1 Arsenal finished second last season – and have improved since then
If a team that finished second last season has strengthened their ranks, then logic suggests they should be challenging. Whether or not the two Manchester clubs have improved more will be a factor come May, but for now, Arsenal should be a team that is on the up and one of the favourites to challenge.
If they can use the experience of winning the FA Cup to maintain a successful title-challenge, then they could be celebrating come May.
It is branded about a lot in football, but stability could actually be a factor in the title race this year. Arsene Wenger doesn’t need time to adjust or create a philosophy, or stamp his authority on a squad.
Many of the other teams have managers who will need time, or are still putting their squads or authority down, and this may impact on their challenge. Arsenal; despite a horrific opening day result, should be able to carry on as they left off last season, which was claiming a last day second place finish.
If The Emirates outfit can naturally keep playing and
going the way they were at the end of last season, then they really should be challenging.
3 Players are injury-free…. for now
For most of last season, Arsenal had key men injured for long periods. Santi Cazorla and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain missed most of the season, Olivier Giroud missed large parts, Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez missed games and it affected the performances.
Arsenal have all the players back, and have a big squad to replace stars
if they get injured this season. Come January, The Gunners will also have Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker back to add to the squad.
In what could be Arsene Wenger’s last season at the club, surely if the players can stay injury-free, they can provide a huge title-challenge this season.
