When considering how we are shaping up for next season it is worth noting that we finished in 5th, just 2 points behind 4th and the season prior we finished 8th, 6 points off the mark. That shows improvement in position and points tally, and if the trend continues, we will be in good shape.
So, have we improved? It would be remiss if I did not mention that there are allegations against a footballer which may or may not be one of our players. I have based this blog on the idea that we will have our first choice starting IX available either by default or by a replacement being brought in. With that out of the way the simple answer to the question is yes, we have improved already.
Jesus
As much as I love Lacazette, he was not a prolific goal scorer. Jesus has come in as his replacement and there can be no denying that he is an instant upgrade. There were too many games last season where a forward with a killer instinct would have made a huge difference. This season we have it and as long as he stays fit, we will turn some losses into draws and some draws into wins. A match fit and sharp Nketiah offers the same thing. Last season he did really well when called on and I’ve no doubt that he will pick up where he left off last season and perhaps even improve.
Jesus the Saviour is here
Speaking of improvement.
Nketiah 23
Saka 20
Smith-Rowe 21
Odegaard 23
Martinelli 21
White 24
Tomiyasu 23
I could go on, but the point is self-evident. With a group of players so young, playing time alone will improve them. Add to that the influence of Arteta, and I am confident that this group of players will cause trouble for any opponent. Will they be worth 2/3 points of improvement? It would be naïve to say no.
He will only get better with age
So where does this leave us for this coming season? Between the additional firepower, improvements in our overall squad and the addition of cover at left back and central midfield (should the Zinchenko arrive as is expected) we are in a good position to challenge for 3rd/4th.
Our rivals
So where does that leave us in comparison to our rivals? It’s all well and good adding 2/3 points on last season but that won’t do us much good if our rivals do the same.
Manchester United have a new coach and some new additions coming in, but they have a lot of deadwood to shift and the players must adapt to the manager. Ronaldo is also a key issue. You cannot leave him out, but does his inclusion weaken the team as a whole?
They were 11 points behind us last season, so Ten Hag has a mountain to climb if he is to compete for 4th.
The spuds have added Richarlison amongst others, but I do not believe that they have massively improved their overall starting IX. Does he displace Kane or Son? Absolutely not. Does he replace Kulusevsky? Perhaps, although I am not totally convinced. More likely he is cover for Kane or Son should they pick up a knock.
Massive loss
Chelsea have lost Rüdiger, one of the best defenders in the world. They are weakened irrespective of who they replace him with. How will Tuchel re-arrange his frontline now that Lukaku is gone? It is impossible to say at this stage, however I see them as weaker, not stronger at the moment.
Overall, what we can say is that we have definitely improved our starting IX and our squad as a whole will be better. I am not convinced that the same can be said for our immediate rivals. The natural conclusion from this is that we have a great chance at 3rd/4th next season. Roll on Palace away.
I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan. I got my first kit at 3 years old and my dad put a nail in my wall and hung it there rather than in my wardrobe. Mum was furious.
That fixation with age of the players, is so childish. There are no connection between young talents today and success tomorrow. Because tomorrow is tomorrow is tomorrow – and today is NOW.The matches are played in realtime. NOW! Every goal, every point, every win is related to presence in time. It’s NOW! It’s much better buying
a 30+ player who is top class today, than buying a kid who maybe some day will become a top player. Most kids will never make it. Every prediction about tomorrow is just guessing. What you want, or what you don’t want to happen. To build a kid squad and think that these kids tomorrow will bring success and silverware is very immature and foolish. When these 20 yos become 25 have so much happened that set this dream of victory offside. Other players than they who was expected to be the best have de facto become the best and is dominating the sport. Stop dream of the titlewinning wonderkids. It will almoust cetrainly not happen. You will only be disappointed. Excuse my bad English.
You can’t play your first choice eleven every game if you are playing twice a week, not if you want them to last the season. Conte’s buys this window, including Richarlison, are to make sure he doesn’t have to do that rather than to replace existing players. So saying they haven’t “massively improved their overall starting IX” is to completely miss the point. Last season Conte had a good first eleven and not much else, now he has a squad. Arsenal are maybe a transfer window behind. If that means players end up being run into the ground then forget top four.
Hello,
The age of the squad is encouraging and shows that the club is banking on quality young players. If eventually they don’t make it, we can always sell them for good money.
What the club has successfully done is to build a team not for only for now but also for the future. This project wasn’t like the first ‘project youth’ because most of them were trained by the club. Arsenal has identified quality talent and as they continue to build they can now add quality players to the team season by season.
After bringing quality first teamers last season, in this one we have brought more quality. It would take time but Arteta and Arsenal are on the right track.