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Gunners fans were racked with disappointment when the squad was outmaneuvered by the likes of Liverpool and Spurs and missed out on a top-four spot in the English Premier League at the end of last season.
With manager Arsène Wenger facing pressure over Arsenal’s long-term ability to stay among the top four, his decision to sign a new two-year contract at the end of May has only added to the woes among an angry section of fans.
Friday night’s Premier League opener at home to Leicester may have been an entertaining victory for the Gunners, but it was a nail-biting, 90-minute roller coaster of a game which summed up both the strengths and weaknesses in Arsenal’s entire 2016/17 campaign. It was certainly refreshing to avoid another opening-day defeat, but was it enough to convince fans that the club is moving back in the right direction? What hope is there for the North London club in their pursuit of a top four finish this season?
What are Arsenal’s chances?
Despite long-running discontent about Wenger’s influence, he has recently shown some strategic nous when it comes to making clever decisions to retain players and maximize their long-term value.
The most notable example of this was seen in his handling of Chilean striker Alexis Sánchez, who, despite carrying a tempting price tag, has so far been refused a transfer to Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain in order to raise the club’s chances of securing entry to the Champion’s League.
There are other positive signs for the side. Wenger’s recent signing, former Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, showed his potential in the Community Shield win over Chelsea. The Community Shield result was delivered on a knife-edge as Arsenal came back late to force a penalty shootout, and fans will be buoyed further by the fact that this result was achieved without superstars Sánchez and Özil.
One concern among fans is the club’s stunted activity in the summer transfer market. It started off so well with the free transfer of Kolašinac from Schalke 04, and with the record signing of Lacazette, fans felt they were being treated by a reformed Wenger desperate to avoid the failings of last season. However, with Arsenal appearing to have given up in their pursuit of Monaco’s versatile winger, Thomas Lemar, the summer transfer window could be viewed as a disappointment.
Wenger has said that the last week of the transfer market could be busy, but with rivals Liverpool and Manchester United having already bought three players, Chelsea four and Manchester City six, Arsenal fans will fear falling further behind the pack.
What do the bookies say?
Interest in Arsenal’s credentials is growing, and the bookies are showing some positive signs. In fact, the popular sports betting sites UK fans use are predicting excellent 7/1 odds on a Europa League victory. There are also fairly optimistic odds available on the club’s other contests, such as 10/1 on Arsenal defending their FA Cup title status after defeating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley last May.
Odds on finishing in the top four sit in a slightly worse position at around 12/1, but the overall picture at the club is clear: Arsenal will be pushing for the Premier League title and so finishing outside the top four is not even being considered.
No pundits think that it’s going to be simple for Arsenal, and there’s certainly nothing in the bag. However, the signs for the leading football lights of North London are looking positive: with a few more strategic decisions from Wenger, a strong push towards the end of the summer transfer window, and a little more enthusiasm from the fans, a top-four finish, along with victory in domestic competitions and Europe, may just be within the Gunners’ grasp.
Written by Ketan Patel
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