Arsenal finished second last season in the Premier League five points behind winners Manchester City. This position came as a surprise for Arsenal fans and rivals alike, as no one thought they would finish this high on the table at the beginning of the season.
However, when they crumbled under pressure in the last seven games, it became painful as fans had started believing the team could finally end the long wait for the league trophy.
After that rollercoaster season, will this finally be the season Arsenal end the wait? We take a preview of the side.
Preseason
Arsenal had quite a good preseason. They started by drawing 1-1 with Nurnberg in Germany before flying to the USA where they beat the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-stars 5-0. They lost 2-0 to Manchester United but recovered by beating Barcelona 5-3 and finished up with an Emirates Cup win against Monaco.
The preseason gives managers the opportunity to test their tactics, try out systems, and integrate new signings in their squad ahead of the new season.
The new season
Clubs have completed their preseason season tours and the Community Shield is out of the way, so the new Premier League season is upon us.
Arsenal will play their first match of the 2023/23 Premier League at home to Nottingham Forest this Saturday, August 12.
Mikel Arteta’s team will want to start this campaign with a bang. And revenge should be motivating factor to them. Nottingham Forest was one of the teams that stood in the Gunners’ way of winning the Premier League last season when they beat the Gunners 1-0 in the run-in.
The big matches
Arsenal vs Manchester United
After Nottingham Forest, Arsenal will play two London derbies; against Crystal Palace and Fulham before playing hosting rivals Manchester United on Sunday, September 3.
This fixture has always been highly anticipated by both teams and fans as it is one of the biggest in the league. Last season, each club won their home game in this fixture but when they met in a pre-season friendly match a couple of weeks ago, Manchester United came out with a 2-0 victory.
Will Arsenal use their home advantage to beat their rivals or will the Red Devils come all flaming for the three points? The return leg will be on May 11, 2024.
The North London derby
Arsenal will host bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the North London Derby on Sunday, September 24. Arsenal beat Tottenham home and away last season during the catastrophic time of Antonio Conte.
Tottenham go into the new season with Ange Posteglou in the dugout and Tottenham fans expect him to bring something positive into the squad that will challenge for the top four but most importantly, challenge Arsenal. The second leg of this fixture will be played on April 27, 2024, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Having gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City for the Premier League title last season and beating them over the weekend in the Community Shield, Arsenal are now believed to be direct competitors with the Citizens.
However, the Gunners will have to show that on the pitch when the two clubs meet in the first leg on Saturday, October 7.
Until their Community Shield triumph over the weekend, Arsenal had been on the losing end of this fixture four seasons in a row but a lot is now expected from them with the reinforcement they have made in player staff over the years. The return leg will be played on March 30, 2024.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Just like Tottenham, Arsenal also did a double over Chelsea in a season the Blues would like to forget. The first leg of this encounter will be played on Saturday, October 21 at Stamford Bridge and it’ll be the first away match for the Gunners against a top-six side.
Chelsea have a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino that they think will help them improve from last season’s “disaster-class” that saw them finish 12th on the Premier League table. The return leg of this fixture will be played on March 16, 2024.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Last season, Liverpool initiated Arsenal’s downfall in a 2-2 draw at Anfield as the Gunners went on to draw their next two games that gave way for Manchester City to overtake them.
Arsenal will visit Anfield this season in the festive season on Saturday, December 23 in an effort to right last season’s wrongs. The return leg of this fixture will be played on February 3, 2024.
Bonus fixtures
Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa, who played some beautiful football last season, are also expected to put up stiff competition this season, especially against the top six teams.
Strengths and weaknesses
Arsenal’s strength lies in their ability to get goals from different players. They are not reliant on one individual. Last season, goals were got from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Granit Xhaka. All these players are still at the club except Granit Xhaka.
The only weakness Arsenal could face is injuries to their vital players. Arsenal struggled last season when William Saliba got injured and Rob Holding didn’t provide the required cover. They bought Jurrien Timber and should make sure they stay fit all season.
Arsenal’s transfer business
Arsenal entered this summer’s transfer window early and got all the players they wanted while spending big. Kai Havertz from Chelsea cost them £62 million, Jurrien Timber joined from Ajax for £38 million and Declan Rice smashed the British transfer record from West Ham for £105 million.
These are all reinforcements in respective positions. Havertz can play as a forward and an attacking midfielder, Declan Rice can play where Thomas Partey plays and where Granit Xhaka was playing last season, while Jurrien Timber, who is a right back has shown us that he can play left back as well.
Arsenal are also in talks to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale in goal. With these signings and extensions for their established players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal are no longer underdogs.
They have the squad depth and quality to challenge for all trophies this season, including the Champions League they have not played in since 2017.
