Predicted position: 5th (Note: this is not necessarily predicting David Hytner, but the average of our writers Guardian writers advice)
Position last season: 2nd
The odds of winning the league (by Oddschecker) 6-1
In July 2013. Ivan Gazidis invited a group of journalists in the Arsenal boardroom Turkey to speak. "We are in a new phase occurs, in which, if we can our decisions we meet with every club in the world compete," said club manager. "This year we have begun to have something to see we planned for some time -. Our financial strength Escalate"
Gazidis is a man who chooses his words carefully and this time, he was willing to project enthusiasm; to give the fans what they wanted to hear. It was after the declaration of the mission, a sense of liberation; Arsenal had finally left his post-Great stadium transport time of austerity, when they were forced into the arrangements to include long-term sponsorship, the money had front guarantees.
The contrast in the tone of the comments Gazidis during the last week or instructive. "We are moving in what is a very competitive world, spend more money against the competitors who have the ability, as we do," he said ESPN. Then there was the soundbite, the New York Times. "The key to success will be how to do things, not only the financial firepower," he said.
It is impossible to start a preview of Arsenal's season, without focus on money. Because what the money? Signings. And if there is an obsession in recent years among the Arsenal fans signings. Arsene Wenger, perhaps against their instincts, oversaw three since 2013 - of Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez and this summer, Granit Xhaka, £ 35m midfielder Borussia Mönchengladbach, who looked so bright for the Euro 2016 in Switzerland.
But now that it seems not to be enough, especially since reserves arsenal cash are tears in the eyes and, even more, it Lineup Wenger start areas that seem to be ripe for upgrading.
The most obvious is in the middle of the forehead, where Olivier Giroud has persevered tangible support in the face of fear. Giroud is a very good player, but the fear is that it is not enough to lead Arsenal in the Premier League, Wenger must win in advance in the second part of his short life of 20 years. A game at the end of last season, instead of the things summarized. Giroud finished with a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa, but his efforts were mocked for much of the afternoon.
In 2013, Wenger tried unsuccessfully to sign striker Luis Suarez, Liverpool and the beginning of summer, triggered the release clause in the contract of Jamie Vardy to stay only City for the striker Leicester. Recently, there was ceased Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon £ 29.5m.
Wenger is not blind to what apparently did, which could make things difficult, with Giroud, but senior center are not always available to the front and if they are, are extremely expensive. Juventus had only £ 75.3 million pay Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli take. Higuain Wenger was in 2013, before the Argentine Real Madrid to Naples left in a £ 34,500,000.
Gazidis Juventus had certainly could go in mind when referring to those higher than Arsenal in the transfer market, but is the uncomfortable reality that clubs usually get what they pay for most rarefied level.
With £ 159m in the bank the last communication seems to be Arsenal able to make offers that can not be denied - perhaps even from Lacazette and experienced center-half is needed to cover the Per Mertesacker struck. The German left "several months," said Wenger, with the knee injury he suffered in the first game against the target. There is interest in international Germany Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia.
Arsenal was to deepen and two signings Wenger still do - by words and deeds - has indicated they are needed, the atmosphere is transformed. But at the time of writing, and that other big clubs in England are intent on the market, it is easy to recognize fretting fans. The reversal measurement type Gazidis been viewed with alarm, but long before the summer window closes.
Similarly, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger describes recent transfer fee so scary
Wenger the opening match is on 14 to enter at home to Liverpool to a handful of key players with packaging doubts August. He took a break from summer to Laurent Koscielny and Giroud expanded to reach the final of Euro 2016 with France and Aaron Ramsey and Özil, who. In the semi-finals with Wales and Germany, each consisting of
Sanchez also claimed his second win of the Chile Cup two summers in America admitted on - damaged ankle final against Argentina - and then there are the players the ability to customize the feel back focus and shape after the season recent injury; namely, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere. Danny Welbeck will not return until 2017, because of his knee problems. As always, fitness is an issue.
So are also the contracts. With Ozil and Sanchez join his deal in the last two years, there is a possibility that they could develop Sagas, but more immediate problem that could create long shadows, refers to Wenger, who again, is in the last year of their three.
No one wants a repeat of 2013-14 probably when Wenger was grilled on a weekly basis about their future intentions do not give a clear answer; finally signed cool conditions after the final victory over Hull City in the FA Cup. But he had become an annoying sideshow.
Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder of the club, does not want to keep Wenger about the end of this season and why? The French have always to keep Arsenal in the Champions League places in the boxes at idle, while defending an attractive style of play. But it would be a surprise if Wenger be, again not keep all guessing. "What will I do after the end of my contract?" He said there are a couple of weeks. "I really do not know it."
Wenger professional life came increasingly to feel nervous, fired every defeat a wave of frustration. It's good that no user of Twitter. The biggest problem with the case repeatedly in a short, often on the backs of known defects that tolerance is dry. Wenger Out Brigade is difficult to quantify, but it is certainly a part of the combustible mixture.
The man himself will continue to put their faith that Gazidis "fundamental values" of the association called - in other words, the stability, gradual improvement, ease of use, quality of work in the field of training and internal solutions. The Academy was striker Alex Iwobi developed, for example, a point last season more. The attacking midfielder Jeff Queen Adelaide could intensify this time.
Xhaka seems to be an elegant addition. He is a player with steel and type of cross-rhythms that Wenger Price and swells, which is an enviable number of options in midfield. Ramsey will be enhanced by their outstanding achievements Euro 2016, while the hope is that Cazorla, particularly to levels knee ligaments before the injury. He is sorely missed in the second half of last season.
The opening of the league can be considered in a positive manner into consideration and has lost anyone at Arsenal for new managers to Manchester clubs and Chelsea that need time to implement their ideas. Arsenal squandered a great chance the title last season after he (leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur at the latest) on the top of the table in January and even finished as a runner-up to win, it felt like the poor performance. Many fans do not believe they can go even better with the team as it is. The financial strength is there. The club needs to use it.
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