Arsenal Can Win the Title: Arsenal Preview from a Spurs Fan Perspective
Aug 10, 2024
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This will be a difficult post for me to do, but Arsenal, our fiercest rivals, have a serious chance of winning the Premier League this year. It pains me to say that, but Arsenal are cooking something remarkable and are on the verge of bringing Premier League glory back to North London since the 2003-04 season. This article will assess their chances and consider the difficult path taken to get within touching distance of the title.
An Empire Must Fall for Another to Rise: Wenger to Arteta
Following the end of Wenger's 22 year reign as Arsenal manager, the club were set for a tricky spell as they looked to rebuild and start a new era of red and white football. Wenger had completely revolutionised modern football, with dietary and fitness a prime focus of which we now see for all clubs nowadays.
Now Aston Villa manager Unai Emery took over and despite a 5th placed finish and Europa League Runners-up in his first season in charge, he was dismissed only a season later. Aston Villa are laughing now as this year was possibly the year that changed Unai Emery into a tough and rigorous coach. Ex-Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg took over to steady the ship whilst they looked for a new manager.
One former player was replaced by another as Mikel Arteta took the reigns for the rest of the 2019/20 season. Inconsistent performances in the league saw Arsenal finish 8th, their lowest-league finish since 1994/95. However, victory in the FA Cup over a mixed-bag Chelsea side gave fans optimism for the new regime. Bear in mind they won this with a very memeable lockdown squad including Rob Holding, David Luiz, Nicolas Pépé and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (who's career peaked at that moment).
Arteta's first full season in 2020/21 saw The Gunners finish 8th yet again, failing to surpass their North London rivals yet again, failing to secure European football. Arsenal fans were starting to lose patience in the project and called for Arteta's head. That section of fans (and it was a large majority yet Arsenal fans will never admit it) would be made to eat their words following this low point in the club's history.
The 2021/22 season saw Arteta begin to get his players working in tandem. A disciple of Pep Guardiola, Arteta instilled an attractive possession-based style of football which was reminiscent of Pep's Man City. His philosophy, like Pep's, would evolve season on season, now representing control and penetration that sees Arsenal cruise to victories early on in matches.
The end of the season saw Arsenal finish 5th, back to Europa League, but still behind their rival Spurs in 4th place. Yet, the signs were positive.
The 2021/22 season saw Arteta begin his meticulous transfer strategy, working in tandem with Edu Gaspar, Arsenal's Director of Football. The likes of Ben White, Martin Ødegaard and Takehiro Tomiyasu were great initial purchases who now form the foundation of the Arsenal team.
The 2022/23 season saw their excellent transfer strategy continue with the purchases of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard strengthening their long-term plan. The acquisition of Jorginho from Chelsea was also a shrewd one, using his experience to calm the Arsenal midfield. Consequently, The Gunners ended the season in 2nd place, finishing 5 points behind Manchester City. It was evident that this season came too early in the trajectory of Arsenal. A run-in of poor performances buckling under the pressure showed the prematurity of Arsenal's players and their mentality.
The 2022/23 season was a key lesson for Arteta and his boys, who, following the failure at the end of the season, would return for the 2023/24 season hungry and controlled. Now back in Champions League, the men in red and white dominated the league, winning 28 times and only losing 5 times. A rocky patch during the Christmas period the only thing that separated them from winning the title, as Manchester City made it 4 titles in a row on the last day of the season.
I vividly remembered watching the City title-winning game from a bar in Madrid, smiling with joy as Arsenal were pipped yet again. But, I had an overarching feeling of nervousness for the following season. Their signings of Rice, Havertz and Raya had been masterstrokes and I knew they would be even hungrier for the next season. I proceeded to finish my beer as I thought of another year of North London being red...
Arsenal's Transfer Policy: Pinpoint and Precise
When comparing Spurs' transfer policy with Arsenal's, our rivals have been far more efficient when it comes to recruiting their players. What's so impressive is that if the club are certain on a player, they go all in to get them. Declan Rice is a prime example. Eventually paying €116.60m after Man City continued to push the price up, Arsenal did not give up to get one of the most promising midfielders in world football. Rice added solidity and superb pace on transition as he would break up play and set the attack quickly on its way. They also swerved a massive trap in Mykhailo Mudryk!
Last season, I do think Arsenal were very fortunate when it came to injuries and player absences. Their first-choice XI was rarely rotated, with only LB being a heavily hit position as Timber, Tomiyasu and Zinchenko saw extended periods on the sideline. The partnership of Saliba and Gabriel was vital to Arsenal's defence and had one of them been injured for long, I think the team would've buckled. Saliba, in particular, possesses an incredible ability of fast ball recoveries which saved Arsenal on numerous occasions last season. The Frenchman only missed 2 games last season.
I believe Arteta was very aware of Arsenal's good fortune as the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle suffered with a freakish amount of injuries, partly lending to poor squad depth. Arsenal were not a squad of quality in depth, an area in which Arteta has been working tirelessly on.
The Spaniard was quick to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for €45m, bolstering depth at LB and CB which was a very weak area. Jurrien Timber's return from injury along with the availability of Zinchenko and Tomiyasu has ensured Arsenal have incredible depth in defence and across the team. Arteta has emphasised the importance of controlling matches and this comes from a resolute and consistent defence.
Whilst they still pursue Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, their squad depth is quite sensational (courtesy of Transfermarkt):
Looking at the team, it is hard to see evident weaknesses. Arteta has now accumulated a plethora of options in all positions. The only spot he may want to strengthen is an understudy at RW, should Saka become injured due to his constant usage, although Reiss Nelson is not a bad option.
Conversely, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have not been amazing for Arsenal, now likely playing second fiddle to Kai Havertz, who has made the ST spot his own. This could be an area Arteta looks to add to but I think he needs to offload the out of sorts strikers first, which is easier said than done. Nevertheless, facing 4 competitions this season, Arsenal have enough quality and depth to rotate accordingly and minimise the risk of injuries.
Pre-Season Notes
Pre-season, like for all teams, has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Arsenal have only won 1 game out of 4 in normal team, courtesy of their 4-1 strong win against Bundesliga undefeated winners Bayer Leverkusen. Intriguingly, Arsenal have opted to play quality opposition with all their pre-season opponents playing in the Top 5 European Leagues.
The 2-1 loss to Liverpool would be extremely vital for Arteta, as he got to see Slot's tactics first-hand. Liverpool started the better but, following Havertz's goal in the 40th minute, Arsenal comfortably controlled the match. The Gunners first face Liverpool in Gameweek 9, giving Arteta plenty of time to prepare how he is going to set up for that match.
The Bayer Leverkusen game was a controlled performance from Arsenal, as they set up with a nearly first-choice XI. Goals from Havertz, Zinchenko, Trossard and Jesus ensured Arsenal were rewarded with a comfortable victory. It wasn't an amazing peformance by any means, but it accentuated everything Arteta stands for: we can let the opposition be chaotic, but we remain calm and composed.
One more match against Lacazette's Olympique Lyon should see see further minutes for summer returners Saka, Rice and Calafiori. Arsenal enter the new season with a very quiet injury list, spelling a strong start for the season.
Timing Could be Everything
Arteta has already laid the groundwork for a long-term project that could dominate the league in years to come. The average squad age is 25.46, highlighting the longevity within the squad as well as the quality players they have despite their age. Many of these players are not even near their primes yet which gives Arsenal fans immense optimism that they should most certainly win the league at least once within the next 5 years.
Conversely, league dominators Manchester City are set to face a new period of transition at the culmination of the 2024/25 season. Pep Guardiola is entering the final year of his contract, his ninth year with The Sky Blues. Pep's exit will surely give Arteta much impetus to capitalise on the void left in the 2025/26 season. Of course, you imagine City will quickly find a successor but Pep's legacy is a huge one to fill. Arsenal will push City all the way this year but Arteta will be thinking seasons ahead with his plans as well.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all in early stages of their own projects and look unlikely to challenge City and Arsenal for the title. Klopp's Liverpool were, in particular, always a massive threat for the title, so his absence will be welcomed by Arteta. Arne Slot has high expectations but will need an adjustment season before fully kicking on, despite being very fortunate to inherit an excellent Klopp foundation of a team.
So, whilst Arsenal fans will look at the odds that are heavily in their favour, they may need to be patient one more year as Pep's City look to make it 5 in a row. Although, the club will be eager to win all the competitions, which may leave them exposed in the league, of which Arsenal could take advantage of. I'll be intrigued to see if Arteta prioritises the league over everything else as he may want to take advantage of City's greediness to win everything, opening up an opportunity for The Gunners.
Saka and Co. to Surpass Second Place?
Arsenal look to be one of the clear favourites to win the title this season. Arteta has been building a remarkable project which has already silenced doubters and haters. For me, this season will be a two-horse race with Arsenal finishing in 2nd place behind Manchester City. It will be very close though and I fully expect the league to go down to the final day of the season again. I could see both sides hitting +90 points marks this year, with a minimum 15 point cushion over 3rd place.
It's hard to say how Arsenal will do in the cup competitions. I do think Arteta will prioritise the league more than anything else as he knows they have a superb opportunity to snatch it from City. In the EFL Cup I could see Arsenal facing a shock early exit as they heavily rotate, but I think they could go far in the FA Cup, definitely making at least the quarter-finals easily. In the Champions League, they will most certainly make it out of the group. I feel they'll make it to the quarter-finals again. Although, exiting the competition in April is not a bad thing, as this would let them focus all their strength on the Premier League pivotal run-in.
Arsenal will have a very good season and I'm, regrettably, predicting this now: Arsenal will win the 2025/26 Premier League. The following season looks theirs to lose in my opinion, so, be patient Arsenal fans, your time is nearly here. Now, let me go and wash my mouth out with soap. I can't believe I've written so many nice things and made title-winning predictions about Arsenal - cries in no trophies for years to come :( .