There was a lot the Premier League top-four race could have been described as last year. The best analogy perhaps comes from the world of gambling.
For periods it looked like Arsenal would sneak into the Champions League places. For periods it looked like Manchester United held all the cards only to hit a losing streak, and by the final few weeks, it was as if Tottenham, Chelsea, the Gunners and United were all making rash all-in bets and coming away with nothing.
For Manchester United and Arsenal, they did come away with nothing. Nothing but a Europa League place anyway, yet they’ve both taken a further gamble on the transfer market and youth as they look to remedy that this season and oust Spurs and Chelsea.
The bookmakers are still backing Arsenal to finish top four, ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United, and with the club signing well in the transfer window, it looks an exciting time to be a Gooner.
Emery’s Gambles Paying Off So Far
To place yet another gambling analogy, Emery has brought in a few jokers of the pack, a few wildcards that could offer a significant impact, just as they would in the real online casino rooms like Casumo.
The Casumo platform is growing in popularity across the UK and is well known amongst punters for its wide range of casino titles including betting themed slots ‘Bookies Of Odds’ and ‘Football Star’.
And in a Casumo Casino review you’re looking for the same things as what you want to see on the pitch this season – value, excitement and progression.
In Nicolas Pepe, they have pace, skill and real raw talent that has been threatening in the opening fixtures, while Dani Ceballos put in a man of the match performance against Burnley in the heart of midfield.
Where he has been boldest is the inclusion of the likes of Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the first two games, particularly the former, who has really impressed.
It’s believed that Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has been instrumental in progressing the 20-year-old’s career and it’ll be interesting to see how Unai Emery selects his side once Mesut Özil is back.
Özil seems keen for Willock to do well and could well be another mentor for the young English midfielder, as well as sharing central midfield duties over the coming season.
A New Young Premier League
Arsenal aren’t the only team to throw youngsters into the mix. Chelsea have already turned Mason Mount into a key player under Frank Lampard, while Manchester United have brought Daniel James into the club and offered starting roles to Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford. Albeit the latter two have been around the first-team set-up for some time.
It’s this move towards giving youngsters a chance that not only puts faith back into the youth systems, but also makes the top-four race a little bit of a lottery once again.
The season is a long old one, and those young talents that have come into sides across the top six are being placed in influential roles.
Those who adapt quickest and most successfully will undoubtedly give their team a better chance of Champions League football. Those who don’t will likely see their clubs reverting back to experience, which proved to be just as much of a lottery last year.
Three games in and Emery looks to have got his balance right so far, despite an understandable defeat away to Liverpool.
When more of the trickier ties start to roll in though, it’ll be interesting to see whether he protects his young players, or lets them go out and express themselves and gain that vital experience needed to reach the top. Time will tell.