The Season Ahead...

The Season Ahead...

Okay, so last season is pretty much just a bad memory now, with the new EPL season just a mere matter of hours away. Let's admit it straight away, the 2016/17 season was awful; even the FA Cup win to close the season couldn't mask that. For me, it was the worst overall season in my memory and certainly Wenger's worst. It was overshadowed by the man himself and a number of his key players running down their contracts, fan unrest off the pitch and poor performances on it. At least when we had to sell our top players, we still scrambled a top-four finish and could hide behind the repayments for The Emirates Stadium as an excuse. But now, with the financial shackles removed, we should be up there competing for the title, which truly didn't happen. Instead, the league has just become more and more competitive and we just weren't up to scratch. Worst of all we finished behind Sp*rs.

But after a reasonably successful pre-season in Asia, where we weren't umiliated by Bayern, and we lifted The Emirates Cup, what do we know and what do we have to look forward to? Well, our second string were thumped by Chelsea's first team, but then our team 1.5 beat them to the Community Shield. Alex Lacazette scored with his first shot in the red and white, but hasn't netted since, but clearly has the tools to succeed for us in time. Our only other summer signing (so far), Sead Kolasinac looks an absolute machine. There's no attacker in the league who's going to look forward to playing against him and his marauding runs are going to cause opposition defences plenty of problems. There's still time to secure one or two more recruits, which I feel is necessary, but I wouldn't bet on much getting over the line quickly. But then again, Ozil was only signed at the eleventh hour, so let's wait and see.

The real success of this summer would have been getting our contract rebels to sign on the dotted line, Sanchez in particular. Yet this hasn't happened and he looks destined to leave. With him out of the opening week through "injury", I wouldn't be surprised if he has kicked his last ball in an Arsenal shirt already. Frankly, if PSG come in with a decent bid for him, I'd ship him out now, rather than seeing him join City next summer for free. Although after their insane spending on Neymar, will PSG have the money to push through any such deal?

Further, what kind of knock-on effect will the Neymar transfer have on the window now? Barcelona seem determind to make  Coutinho the second most expensive player ever, Liverpool will soon have a gulf to fill. One which The Ox would fill nicely and I am sure he'd be more than happy to take. Another player winding down his contract, he has been fantastic at wing-back, but would Wenger cash-in and sell to a direct rival? I really hope not.

So, what am I expecting from the season-to-come?

Well, first and foremost, departures. Wenger has already indicated that he thinks the squad is too large and he wants to trim the fat. I can reasonable envisage as many as five players in and around the first team leaving either on loan or permanently.

Next, 3-5-3. This formation revived our season (albeit a few weeks too late) last season

and is exclusively the formation used in pre-season. I don't see any hints of it disappearing soon; the formation releases players like Hector and The Ox, while all of our centre backs seem to flourish with company. Further, the added cover from extra defenders has released Xhaka from having to stick out a nervous, late leg (and picking up the inevitable red card afterwards), allowing him to do what he does best, sit deep and spray the ball about. I thoroughly expect him to excel here this coming season, with Ozil finding pockets of space in a more free role to cause damage, and the penetrating runs from Lacazette and (hopefully) Sanchez, devastating high defences.

A title push? I think it may be a little optimistic, but I do expect us to regain a top four finish. Chelsea look to lack some strength in depth and could suffer for being back in Europe after a season out. Liverpool have flirted with Europe in recent seasons and have always suffered domestically as they toil on the continent. Sp*rs might have the recent European experience, but they are playing at our second home this season and they always find Wembley difficult. Add to this their lack of summer signings (which I think/hope will be the end of their time in the sun, as they struggle with paying for a new stadium, much like we did (except we fell from winning titles to only qualifying for Europe, they're going to fall from being also-rans to, well God only knows what)). Really, it's only the Manchester clubs that aren't going to be hindered from the get-go.

But what about us, playing on Thursdays and Sundays? How will the Europa League affect us? Not too much I don't think. From what's been said, this is going to be a glorified League Cup for us. If we take it seriously, I expect us to lift it, if we don't I expect to see the kids play and I expect them to do quite well. As much as I hate to admit it, without playing the kids in the Europa League, Sp*rs wouldn't have uncovered Kane for a  good deal longer. Methinks that lifting this cup may not be the only prize to be found in Europe for us.

Rotation. With Europe being left to the youth, I expect us to rotate almost completely for our midweeks games. What it will mean is that, save for the odd injury or suspension, our Premier League team will be virtually unchanged and fresh from game to game. Ideal for moving forward again.

An FA Cup run. This trophy is Wenger's favourite and he'll want to win it again before his contract is up. Could we defend it this time around; I don't see why not.

The 2017/18 season could honestly bring us anything. We could win the double, we could finish as low as seventh. I really don't know. So much depends on what happens before deadline day in three weeks time. We have a horrible habit of starting the season slowly, but, with an opening at home to Leicester, we could get points on the board early doors and go top of the league for a night or two (just have to avoid defeat for the one). If we build on the momentum we had at the end of last season, we can tot up some good points in August, but even if we stumble, we won't be the only teams to drop points to Leicester or at The Britannia.

Personally, I am really looking forward to this season and can't wait to throw on my Mertesaker shirt (this is his last season after all and I am a bit sentimental) tomorrow night and cheer on the guys. COYG!

What are your thoughts on the coming season? Let me know in the comments!