Arsenal Season Preview

Arsenal Season Preview

By Mark Lee

With English football back in action and Arsenal gearing up for their opening clash versus Liverpool, it’s time to take a look at some key story-lines, players to watch, and make some bold predictions for the season.

Is this Arsene Wenger’s last season as Arsenal manager?  

Even Arsene himself has brought up the topic at multiple summer press conferences. Despite a lack of titles in recent years, Wenger has resided over a period of unmatched stability in English football – Arsenal haven’t finished outside of the top four in 20 years, which is something no other club can boast. Will this stability be enough to buy him another year, or will #WengerOut finally prevail?

Perhaps the biggest complaint in recent years, aside from the lack of titles, is Wenger’s reluctance to spend big money on big name players. The lack of spending has left Arsenal in the wake of other big clubs, and puts them at a distinct disadvantage when comparing squad depth and star power. This summer has been no different, as Arsenal have again failed to sign a quality striker or fill the breach in center back left by an aging Per Mertesacker (although it does appear that Arsenal are in serious pursuit of Shkodran Mustafi). It remains to be seen if Wenger’s gamble will pay off, or if his lack of spending will come back to haunt him yet again.

4-3-3 or 4-4-2?

Something else to keep an eye on this season is Arsenal’s choice of formation and their use of Olivier Giroud up front. At Euro 2016, Giroud provided 3 goals and 2 assists for France, the highest scoring team of the tournament. He worked exceptionally well with Antoine Griezmann up front, the two of them combining to score 9 of France’s 13 goals. Considering how effective Giroud was playing with a strike partner in a 4-4-2, what does this mean for Arsenal’s “ideal” formation? Is there any player who can replicate Griezemann’s role as supporting striker, or would Arsenal do better to stick with their traditional 4-3-3 with Giroud alone up top?

Both come with risks. As lone striker in a 4-3-3, Giroud can disappear at times.  Last season, he went a stretch of 15 straight games without a goal playing by himself up front. With a 4-4-2, Arsenal don’t have a proven option to play underneath Giroud. While they have excellent attacking midfielders, most of their best options at supporting forward prefer to play on the wing (Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, etc). If Arsenal do play in a 4-4-2, watch for Alex Iwobi to make some appearances up front supporting Giroud.

Players to Watch:

• Chuba Akpom: Despite scoring a handful of goals in pre-season two years ago, Akpom has failed to capitalize on that momentum and gone through multiple, unsuccessful loan spells. His strong pre-season this year (scoring in four straight games) and his knack for being in the right place may land him more time with the senior team this year – watch for him to take advantage of his opportunities.
• Aaron Ramsey: After struggling with off-and-on injuries last season, Ramsey could never quite find top form. His play (and haircut) at Euros this summer suggests that he’s found his mojo again. With Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny available to cover the holding midfield role, Ramsey may be back to his attacking best for Arsenal this season.
• Calum Chambers and Rob Holding: With Per Mertesacker out four months and Gabriel Paulista out two months, Chambers and Holding will have to play a larger role than originally anticipated. Even if a more established center-back like Mustafi is signed, look for the young pair of center-backs to get significant playing time towards the beginning of the season.

Three Bold Predictions:

• Alex Iwobi will score double-digit goals.
• Arsenal will finish top two in the Premier League, and make it past the round of 16 in the Champions League.
• Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Aaron Ramsey will make it through the entire season free of injury.

 

 

About Mark: Grew up in a family that only followed baseball, basketball, and football – quickly converted them all to soccer fans. Played soccer growing up, played soccer in college at Pacific Lutheran University, and still play soccer in multiple Seattle leagues. Have been an Arsenal fan since the Invincibles, and a Sounders fan since their beginnings as an MLS team.