Arsenal 2017/18

It felt for much of last season that things were finally changing at Arsenal. After Arsene Wenger was unable to guide the club into the Champions League for the first time in his time at the club, it was thought that he would end his two decades long spell as manager.

However, Wenger was given a new two-year contract. Happily for the Frenchman, Arsenal’s season has already got off to a positive start with their penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Wenger knows that the mood at Arsenal can change very quickly and he will be desperate to get off to a fast start. If that happens, Arsenal could be in for a better time of it this year.

Wenger has already said that he will field weakened teams in the Europa League and the hope is that a relative lack of European football will work for the Gunners just like it did for Chelsea last season and Leicester the year before.

As with many teams, there is still a lot up in the air at Arsenal. They look to have signed two top quality players in Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolašinac but there is still room for improvement in the squad.

Then there’s the ongoing lack of clarity about the futures of two of Arsenal’s most influential players, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. If Wenger stays firm and keeps those two and adds some more talent, the Gunners should be able return to the top four.

Squad List

• David Ospina
• Petr Cech
• Mathieu Debuchy
• Kieran Gibbs
• Per Mertesacker
• Gabriel
• Laurent Koscielny
• Rob Holding
• Nacho Monreal
• Shkodran Mustafi
• Calum Chambers
• Hector Bellerin
• Carl Jenkinson
• Sead Kolasinac
• Jeff Reine-Adelaide
• Aaron Ramsey
• Jack Wilshere
• Mesut Ozil
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
• Santi Cazorla
• Granit Xhaka
• Francis Coquelin
• Mohamed Elneny
• Joel Campbell
• Alexis Sanchez
• Alexandre Lacazette
• Olivier Giroud
• Theo Walcott
• Alex Iwobi
• Danny Welbeck
• Lucas Perez
• Chuba Akpom

Season Predictions

It remains to be seen whether or not the stance that Wenger is set to take with regards to the Europa League will pay off for Arsenal. As some have pointed out, he is 67 now and still has to travel all over Europe with the team even if his biggest stars stay at home.

If he can get it right and get the best out of his top players in the league, the Gunners should get their spot in the top four back again.

Of course, Arsenal’s position come the end of the season will come down to the performances of their opponents as much as their own play. Wenger will be targeting those clubs who finished in the top four last season and of them all, Arsenal have the best chance of finishing above Liverpool.

Although it’s not set in stone, it appears that Alexis Sanchez will see out the remainder of his contract with Arsenal. The Chilean is not happy at the club but he is a hard worker and a world class player who can top Arsenal’s scoring charts.

Best Bets for the Season

Arsenal to finish in the top four at evens with Unibet

Arsenal to finish above Liverpool at 10/11 with Ladbrokes

Alexis Sanchez to be Arsenal’s top goalscorer at 5/2 with Coral