Arsenal players hold the Community Shield trophy as they celebrate victory after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in north London on August 6, 2017. Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1. PHOTO: Ian KINGTON / AFP
Arsené Wenger will lead the Gunners into a Premier League season for the 21st time and top on his mind will be clinching the title that has eluded him since the Invincibles in 2004.
The words dark-horses, outside chance seem apt when describing the possibility of Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy.
While there have been a fair few changes in the background administratively, the changes on the field might be relatively inadequate to mount a serious, sustained challenge at the league title.
The London’s side title chances though are greatly improved with the high certainty of their most important player staying at the club. The swirling rumours linking Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain while he was away on an extended break after his exertions at the Confederations Cup were disturbing to all connected to Arsenal. Wenger’s insistence that the Chilean will stay at the club now seems true but have not entirely swept all of the rumours away.
Sanchez’s picture with Caption 24 goals and 10 assists contributed by Sanchez still was not enough to get Arsenal into Champions League spots. PHOTO:TWITTER/ARSENAL
The goal-scoring burden placed on the shoulders of the Chilean will be eased by £46.5 million signing Alexander Lacazette. The former Lyon forward weighed in 28 goals and three assists last season in the French League and he looks the closest purchase that Arsenal has made in recent years to replace Thierry Henry’s goals.
Arsené Wenger also moved to improve the quality on the left side of defence with the signing of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer. The Bosnian left back can also feature as a defensive midfielder and as the left sided central defender in a back three.
With the signings improving the perceived flaws of the Arsenal side, still the squad looks bloated with players with scant quality.
The centre midfield could use with a world-class midfielder to improve on the combination of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey. The squad options Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny are of middling quality, Santi Cazorla is still months out of recuperation from his freak injury while Jack Wilshere cannot be depended on because of his supremely injury streaked career.
The FA Cup champions will have to learn to prioritise with the manager perfecting the act of rotation because of their involvement in the tasking UEFA Europa League.
The Gunners begin their season at home against Leicester City and will have to do without the services of first team players: Sanchez, Mesut Özil, Ramsey, and Laurent Koscielny.
Arsené Wenger and his wards need to start with a bang this season, overcome their annual mental woes and avoid any form of capitulation this season to be considered contenders for the Premier League crown.
Predicted first team lineup
Predicted Finish: 4th
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