Arsenal predictions: Premier League preview as Gunners search for enchancment

Arsenal ended last term on a high with an FA Cup win but there are nonetheless some major issues the Gunners need to solve before the model new Premier League season begins

There is little question Arsenal followers shall be trying at the forthcoming season with extra optimism than they did the last, having rescued their marketing campaign with victory within the.

What little confidence there was in Unai Emery didn’t final long as he paid for a disappointing start by being sacked at the finish of November, initially succeeded by Freddie Ljungberg on an interim foundation earlier than the Gunners took a chance on Mikel Arteta.

Although the former captain was unable to rescue the league situation and finally noticed Arsenal limp to an early exit in the, the end to the season has instructed the club is a minimal of again on an upward curve.

Arsenal prediction: FA Cup run – Arsenal to win FA Cup @

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Seeds of recovery have been sown

Having learnt his trade under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta initially struggled to implement his philosophy on the Arsenal squad but proof progressively emerged that his strategies were paying off.

The Gunners had been clinging onto hopes of a top-four finish when the marketing campaign resumed but a comprehensive defeat at the hands of City adopted by defeat to Brighton put paid to speak of qualification, with Arteta no closer to fixing a problem that has plagued Arsenal for a while – a fragile defence.

Arteta, although, has stuck to his guns, rewarding David Luiz with a model new contract shortly after he gave away a penalty and was sent off in the 3-0 defeat to City, a misdemeanour many pundits felt might be his last at the Emirates.

The North London giants recovered from these two setbacks by recording spectacular victories in opposition to Southampton, Wolves, Sheffield United and Liverpool earlier than overcoming City and Chelsea to win the FA Cup and qualify for Europe.

The Gunners demonstrated one thing that has by no means actually been doubtful – they might be a match for anyone on their day – and they should have a degree of confidence and momentum on their side going into the new marketing campaign.

Papering over the cracks

Arsenal rode their luck at occasions through the wins against Liverpool and City, surviving a barrage of photographs in both video games, whereas one could argue that Jurgen Klopp’s facet might not have been firing on all cylinders having already secured the title.

And whereas they have beaten a number of the massive boys, Arsenal’s run-in also included defeats to two sides languishing within the decrease reaches of the division – Aston Villa and Brighton.

Arsenal haven’t performed within the Champions League since 2017 and their last place of eighth within the table final term was their worst finish since the 1994-95 marketing campaign. Their round-of-32 exit in the Europa League, meanwhile, was more than disappointing having reached the final in 2018-19.

Arteta is at least getting the proper tune out of a few of his gamers with Granit Xhaka looking a model new man within the centre of the pitch, Kieran Tierney a high quality addition on the left, while the goalkeeping situation seems well-stocked with Emiliano Martinez showing he could be more than only a back-up to Bernd Leno.

However, there is nonetheless the major issue of finding out the defence while there does not appear to be a pure leader on the pitch, significantly if issues usually are not going properly, and a scarcity of consistency could nicely be a problem once more.

Big window for Arteta

Arteta’s biggest task this summer time seems to be securing the means ahead for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, his match-winning display in the FA Cup last offering a well timed reminder of his value to the group.

Whatever the Gabon international, who was by far and away Arsenal’s leading scorer with 22, is asking for on the Emirates, the Arsenal hierarchy ought to dig deep, as changing him could presumably be impossible, actually within the short-term.

Willian has been introduced in to add experience as well as targets to a young forward line, whereas there have been strikes on the defensive entrance, although it’s presumably extra practical to think of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes (if he signs) as ones for the longer term.

There is also plenty of deadwood to eliminate, not least Mesut Ozil, who did not characteristic in any respect following the restart and whose mammoth wages are a luxurious the Gunners just can’t afford.

Although the expertise is there, consistency and an unreliable defence will doubtless be a well-known drawback for Arteta, who may have another window or two to kind out his squad earlier than he can take into consideration challenging for the highest 4, although another cup run is nicely throughout the team’s capabilities.

Arsenal prediction: FA Cup run – Arsenal to win FA Cup @