You cannot make a list of football tournaments without the English Premier League sitting comfortably at the top. It’s the biggest football league in the world, and the prestige that comes with winning it is immeasurable.
In this decade so far, winning has been a one-sided affair, with Manchester City lifting three of the last four EPL titles. Arsenal came close to their crowning moment last season but fell off the cliff at the tail end of the season. The London-based club have since strengthened their squad in hopes of finally breaking Pep Guardiola’s dominance at the hem of football’s biggest league competition.
Of all the football tournaments this season, the Premier League is definitely one to look out for the most, with thrilling EPL schedules and a competitive title race ahead. Can Arsenal finally make it past the hurdle to lift their first league title in 18 years? Only time will tell. But first, we take a step back to examine how Arsenal’s most recent signings could help make the required push for a Premier League trophy.
Revisiting Arsenal’s 2022/23 Season
The 2022/23 EPL season was a rollercoaster for Arsenal fans. The club has yet to lift an EPL Trophy since 2004, and last season was their closest shot. With a young core that was growing formidably under second-year head coach Mikel Arteta, the Gunners had reasons to hope.
The 2022 summer transfer window saw the addition of a mix of young talent and EPL experience into Arsenal’s roster, while a couple known names found their way out of the club. Many predicted a top four finish for Arteta’s men, but that was just about that.
However, 2022 would be remembered as the year the Gunners dared to dream. For months, it appeared that their long wait for a Premier League title was definitely coming to an end. Bukayo Saka, five years into his pro EPL career, morphed into one of the most deadly offensive players in the league, and Odeegard and Zinchenko took charge of Arsenal’s midfield so seamlessly.
In the blink of an eye, the same team that looked barely exceptional had turned into a super team. Arsenal spent a record 248 days at the top of the Premier League table and looked to be cruising into their first championship in 19 years.
Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, a title win did not materialise. In a dramatic turn of events, the Gunners rallied just three wins in their last nine games, while Manchester City saved some of their best performances for last. The team that looked unbeatable throughout the season suddenly fell short when it mattered the most.
New Signings and Renewed Hope for the Gunners
Fast forward to the summer break and Arsenal wasted no time to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s roster with an array of fascinating additions. Arsenal, a team not renowned for big spending, has splashed some money on some fine talents.
It’s bigger than it was last year for Arsenal fans. If you had asked Arsenal fans what the expectations were at the beginning of the 2022 season, most of them would have said they just wanted a top four finish. Only the most psychic fan would have predicted their run last season.
Now, the story is different. Not only do the Gunners have what it takes to challenge Pep Guardiola’s men, this season also marks the Gunners’ return to Champions League football for the first time since 2016, giving them a chance to go toe-to-toe with the best teams in Europe.
Arsenal looks ready for the new season. The Gunners splashed a club-record €116.6M on Declan Rice from West Ham, €75M on Kai Havertz from Chelsea, and added Jurrien Timber from Ajax for €40M. The team also brought in two new goalkeepers, Matt Turner from Brentford and Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson from Cardiff City, both on loan. The summer transfer window wasn’t without its departures though, with veteran star Granit Xhaka leaving for the Bundesliga.
With the new signings, Arsenal look like a team that is ready to compete once again, this time aiming for the jugular. With the new season live and underway, the Gunners already clinched the Community Shield in a dramatic late twist against Manchester City, and are only one of three teams in the current campaign with a perfect record.
How Arsenal Could Line Up This Season
Mikel Arteta would likely run a 4-3-3 formation as he did for the most part of last season. The Spaniard already stated that Kai Havertz will play a much deeper role than he did during his time at Chelsea. Considering Gabriel Jesus upfront, all signs point to Havertz playing in midfield, and with Martin Odeegard in the starting lineup as well, expect the German to play at the left side of the midfield.
Jurrien Timber is likely going to be stationary at centre-back, the position he played almost throughout his time at Ajax. However, he has also played on the right of a back three formation for the Dutch National Team, so don’t be surprised to see him play full-back when Oleksandr Zinchenko moves into midfield.
As for Arsenal’s record signing, Declan Rice will replace Thomas Patey’s position in midfield at the No. 6 position. The 24-year old will be tasked with holding down the defensive side of things in midfield, considering the fact that he is already surrounded with offence-minded players.
Going past the new signings, expect to see Bukayo Saka and Gabrielle Martinelli combine forces at both sides of the flank like they did last season. Gabriel Jesus will be Arsenal’s point man yet again at centre forward.
Down the middle, premier league veterans Jorginho and Zinchenko could serve as good substitutes to Arsenal’s starting midfielders. In defence, Saliba and Gabriel will hold it down for the Gunners at centre-back should Timber play full-back. Of course, the ever-dependent Aaron Ramsdale will yet again be Arsenal’s shot stopper in front of goal.
Best Case Scenario for Arsenal
Considering how close they were to winning a title last season and their new reinforcements this season, it’s not unfair to expect Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title this season. They were the biggest winners at the 2023 summer transfer window, so there’s no reason why they cannot at least replicate the form that kept them alive in the title race for most part of last season, and sustain it.
If you’d ask ten Arsenal fans what their expectations are for the new season, nine of them will tell you they want to see Arsenal win the Premier League. Hopes are higher than they’ve ever been, and the Gunners have what it takes to deliver.
Of course, this is not to say that it’d be an easy feat. The Premier League is a different football tournament, with twists and turns every now and then. Other top teams, like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool have also reinforced themselves in the Summer. Plus, there remains a Manchester City team, who are the current favourites to repeat as Champions of England and Europe. Nevertheless, underestimating this new-look Arsenal would be a huge mistake.
Keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, it would be interesting to see how things pan out in the end.