After Arsenal fans had to live through a roller coaster of a 2016/17 season, what can they expect from the new one?

Arsenal finished fifth last season, meaning that for the first time in many, many years, they miss out on the Champions League and, as a result, could lose one of their best players: Alexis Sanchez.

Last term, the Gunners may have been disappointing in the league, but they won the FA Cup against Chelsea, which surprised just about everyone and meant that, come May, Gooners weren’t quite as depressed as they probably should have been.

However, now it’s time to put all that behind us.

We’ve made two new signings, Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac, and we’ve just beaten Antonio Conte’s side at Wembley again in the Community Shield.

The new 2017/18 season is just an hour and 15 minutes away (at the time of writing). A clean slate (sort of). A fresh start. Another chance for Arsenal to prove themselves… or disappoint us. Either one.

So, what should we expect?

Premier League

Now, I don’t want to be a pessimist or anything, but I can’t see this current side winning the league this season. Not without making some changes.

Although Arsenal beat Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield, and they’re the current champions, there are other teams, such as Manchester City and United, who have made some key signings this summer.

At best, I reckon we could probably get into the top four, given some of our uninspiring pre-season clashes. However, I’m ready and willing to be proven wrong.

Alexandre Lacazette
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Sevilla FC at Emirates Stadium on July 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Lacazette has been fantastic at Lyon for three seasons and while I don’t expect him to quite hit the ground running, he could do, and I do reckon he’ll net a few.

FA Cup

Once again, Arsene Wenger will go all out on the FA Cup. Well, as ‘all out’ as you can really go with David Ospina in goal.

Perhaps we’ll put out some young teams at first depending on the opposition, how fit the first team is and how we’re doing in the league. But if we make it further, Wenger will ramp up the pressure and start putting out a stronger starting XI.

mohamed elneny fa cup final
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal and Nacho Monreal of Arsenal lift The FA Cup after The Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

It’s a competition we’ve won more than any other club and we know we’re capable of doing it again, even without additions.

Perhaps it’s the easy option. Guaranteed silverware.

League Cup

We’ll probably put the kids out, let’s face it. And get knocked out after a couple of rounds to lower league opposition.

reading arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal (C) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Alex Iwobi of Arsenal (CL) during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Arsenal and Reading at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

But no one will care right since it’s ‘only’ the League Cup *insert nervous laughter*.

Europa League

The Europa League is the tournament where we’re probably going to see the biggest change.

In the Champions League, the prestige of the tournament meant that the strongest XI was always put out midweek, no matter how tired they were.

Wenger has already confirmed that he’s going to concentrate on the Premiership over the European competition this season, which will only serve as a constant reminder of how terrible the team were last term anyway.

nelson v benfica
Benfica’s Brazilian midfielder Filipe Augusto (R) commits a hand-ball as Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson tries to pass the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Expect to see Reiss Nelson, Jeff Reine-Adelaide (if he doesn’t go out on loan), and Ainsley Maitland-Niles included in the squad. Perhaps one or two first team players to keep up appearances and to stop the youngsters from treating it like a lads holiday but that’s it.

I don’t think we’ll win it, because we don’t want to, and the kids we put out will know this. There will be other clubs who will be genuinely grateful for the opportunity to play against a club like Arsenal and will give everything.

And, to be honest, this is the most sensible option. Without this in the way, perhaps we will have a chance at the league.