Realistic expectations for the rest of Arsenal's season

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back to his best after a difficult 12 months

Realistic expectations for the rest of Arsenal's season

Just a few weeks ago, things looked bleak at the Emirates Stadium. 

Arsenal’s worst league start in 67 years left Mikel Arteta seemingly on the brink of being fired, with a looming air of negativity over all areas of the club. 

However, just a month on, things are suddenly looking a little brighter. 

Wins over Norwich and Burnley steadied the ship, before a stunning performance saw the club beat North London rivals Tottenham 3-1 on Sunday. 

Having been bottom of the league at one stage, Arsenal now sit mid-table and there is more positivity around the club. 

Heavy investment into the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu is paying off, while the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe are shining brightly. 

It is important to remember that we are just six games into a 38-match league campaign; there is plenty of football left to be played. 

With the majority of the season still to go, just what are realistic expectations for the months ahead? 

A tilt at the Top Six

In the long run Arsenal will be hoping for a return to the top four and ultimately contesting for the league titles. 

That is unlikely to be the case this season with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all looking a cut above and Manchester United the side most likely to threaten them. 

However, having finished eighth last season, surely returning to the Europa League will be something that is achievable if they build on their recent run of form. 

Tottenham and Leicester - two sides that finished above them last season - have not started too well and the Gunners are certainly capable of finishing above both. 

Arsenal seemingly have a stronger, more reliable squad than they did last season with the likes of White and Tomiyasu hitting their stride and Martin Odegaard continuing to play well having joined on a permanent deal. 

Obviously it is a very long season ahead, and there are other sides that could factor into the race for Europe.

West Ham, Aston Villa, and Everton have all started strongly and could potentially maintain their rich vein of form. 

However, with arguably a stronger squad than some of those teams, Arteta must feel following an impressive display on Sunday that a European campaign is well and truly a possibility next year. 

Cup run 

It is 17 years since Arsenal won the league title, but the domestic cups have been a happier hunting ground for them in recent times. 

The club has won the FA Cup seven times this century and four times in the last decade, beating Chelsea in the 2020 final. 

They also reached the EFL Cup final in 2018, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t be competing for either trophy. 

One tricky thing about both tournaments is that the draw is unpredictable; drawing the likes of Man City or Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup would be far from ideal. 

What may work in Arsenal’s advantage though is that sides with greater league ambitions may choose to focus less on the cups, giving the Gunners a greater opportunity to succeed. 

Recent FA Cup success shows just how much value the club’s hierarchy places on the tournament. 

With that attitude and a winnable EFL Cup fourth round against Leeds coming up at the end of next month, the potential to win one or both titles is there. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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