Is this Arsenal squad prepared for the season ahead?

Arsenal 2021-22

Is this Arsenal squad prepared for the season ahead?

By Matt Wright

Away we go again. The 2022/23 season is nearly upon us and it is fair to say it has been a while since Arsenal fans have gone into a campaign feeling this optimistic. 

It hasn’t always been plain sailing under Mikel Arteta, but the Spaniard managed to get the Gunners pointing in the right direction in 2021/22 with a young team playing vibrant football and showing plenty of promise. 

They may have let Champions League qualification slip through their fingers, but the mood has remained positive through the summer thanks to one of the more impressive transfer windows any of us can remember. 
We should temper this by not falling into the stereotype many opposition fans have of Gooners: that of getting too giddy off the back of pre-season results, as impressive as they have been.
 

Strength in depth

Ahead of another Friday-night opener, there is far more reason to look forward to facing Crystal Palace than there was when a Covid-hit Arsenal trudged to Brentford 12 months ago. 
A big reason for that are the improvements made to the squad, which has had some much-needed depth added to it ahead of the Gunners’ return to European football. 
Aaron Ramsdale surpassing expectations since arriving from Sheffield United last year means there is less concern over the goalkeeping position and the departure of Bernd Leno has been compensated by the signing of American Matt Turner as back-up. 
At full-back, it’s likely Hector Bellerin will be on his way out permanently and the hope is Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are able to maintain fitness, as their absences were felt last season. 
That should not be the case quite so much with Tierney this time around as Oleksandr Zinchenko has come in from Manchester City, where he was usually a dependable performer.
 

Options in midfield

Zinchenko could also offer cover for defensive midfield, where Granit Xhaka, although improved under Arteta, can still struggle to provide adequate protection on occasion, Thomas Partey has his injury troubles and Momahed Elneny flatters to deceive.
Ben White and Gabriel formed an impressive partnership at centre-back, but there could still be problems if one of them gets injured – watch back Rob Holding’s performance (if you dare) at Spurs for evidence of that. 
This is where it is hoped William Saliba makes the step up after spending most of the last three seasons out on loan. The fact he’s started to be earn regular call-ups from France this year is certainly a plus. 
There may be one or two others moved on before the transfer window shuts – Nicolas Pepe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are among the most vulnerable here – but ahead of Partey/Xhaka is where there should be most cause for optimism. 
In Martin Odegaard, Arsenal finally appear to have made the right decision when it comes to who they have appointed captain. 
Not only is the 23-year-old one of the first names on the team sheet, but he provides a calming influence that many of his predecessors lacked. Definitely one who leads by example.

Firepower in attack 

It is hoped Emile Smith Rowe can recover his form from the first half of 2021/22, after fading in the closing months of the campaign, but he now has competition in the form of Fabio Vieira, a £34 million arrival from Porto. 
Out wide, there’s plenty of threat provided by the outstanding Bukayo Saka, who hopefully won’t be relied on as heavily this time around as even he found the going tough by the end of last season.
Arsenal forwards

After an injury-ravaged 18 months, Gabriel Martinelli showed great promise on the left-hand side while the Europa League looks set to give Reiss Nelson the chance to impress after his return from his loan at Feyenoord. 
Up front is where arguably the most significant change has occurred, with serial Premier League winner Gabriel Jesus signing from Manchester City to replace Alexandre Lacazette. Unquestionably, this is an upgrade. 
His critics say he needs too many chances to score, but his performances during pre-season flew in the face of that and hopefully he can maintain that form now it’s starting to matter. 
Among Jesus’ understudies, Eddie Nketiah will get more opportunities in the more hectic schedule after an encouraging end to last season, while we’ll just have to wait and see with new arrival Marquinhos. 
Arteta left himself short of cover as Tottenham were allowed to leapfrog the Gunners in the closing stages. 
It meant they didn’t have the manpower to fight on even one front once injuries and tiredness came in but looking at Arsenal’s squad for the coming campaign suggests the same mistake won’t be repeated.
Photo credit: Getty Images

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