source : Maryland GovPics
Arsenal, and largely
Mikel Arteta, have made a statement. They will no longer be the
underdogs of recent years. The charge to bring out the lion in the Gunners seems
unstoppable after their surprise charge in the title race in the Premier League last season.
The Gunners did fall off towards the close of the season but at the start of the campaign, no
one would, in the first place, have imagined them being in that position at the end of the
domestic season. The basis of that momentum will form by large, Mikel Arteta’s ambition
going forward and there seems to be the right people, ticking the right boxes at Arsenal.
The Gunners’ challenge hasn’t only been on the pitch. Well, they did come second to
Manchester City in the Premier League, but they refused to be trampled upon in the
transfers, which is the biggest statement of their intent.
Raised their game
Drawn into what would easily have been a bidding war, Arsenal raised their game and stuck
on their primary transfer target, Declan Rice, going all the way to bid a record transfer fee.
This came along as Manchester City declared interest in the same player, on the back of a
treble-winning campaign. Basically, Arsenal outbid the European champions for a player
they had made clear is needed at the Emirates Stadium.
With every passing day, it sounds
imminent that Arsenal are going to announce Rice, and this could happen before they leave
for the USA for the preseason tour. A busy period is lined up for Arsenal in this summer and
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and take advantage of an expected fine preseason tour for Arsenal.
Finishing campaigns
It is very clear that Arsenal’s failings in the past few seasons have been down to how they
finish their campaigns. Weak finishing has seen them miss out big time in the past two
seasons, for example, and it has been all down to a lack of depth. Mikel Arteta and Edu have
shown clear signs to change that it is written all over the signings being brought on board.
While Kai Havertz’s arrival and imminent Jurrien Timber’s aren’t accompanied with much
fanfare as Rice’s, there’s no denying that these two are big game players and add the much-
needed squad depth that denied Arsenal a chance to compete toe-to-toe with City last
season. The fact that the Gunners aren’t waiting for the closing stages of the transfer
window to make their moves signals that said shift. Arteta has been clear on his need to
proceed to preseason with his major signings and thankfully, the Arsenal hierarchy has
bought in.
Declan Rice will be the focus for the better part of this coming season, and he
embodies the shift in strategy for Arsenal. Joining a team that is already teeming with big
players complements his abilities well and it is a massive step-up from his time at West Ham
United. There is no doubt Rice will be a straight starter at Arsenal. A midfield with Rice as a
pivot, flanked by Kai Havertz/Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard then protected at the back
by Thomas Partey will be a dream for Arsenal fans. Indeed, exciting times await.
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Arsenal season