2017/18 Premier League Preview – Arsenal
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Last season will be remembered for the discussion surrounding Arsene Wenger’s future at Arsenal. Will the Frenchman stay or will he go?
Wenger had probably made his mind up long ago but was perhaps using it as a distraction from his teams’ performances. Arsenal finished outside the top four for the first time since the 1995/96 season, which was hugely disappointing for the club.
The Gunners were also soundly beaten by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, an embarrassing defeat which set the tone for the remainder of the season. Following a 2-1 win over Burnley on the 22nd January, Arsenal were second in the Premier League. Four games later they were down in fifth and that is where they finished.
Arsenal will want to make a return to the top four in the Premier League this season and can be backed at 10/11 to achieve that aim. If you look at previous seasons, Arsenal have done well early on and then fallen away in the title race. You can get 8/1 for Arsenal to be top of the Premier League at Christmas, which is an interesting bet.
You must go back to 2004 to find the last time Arsenal won the Premier League and they have not added enough to their squad to suggest they will finish on top in 2017/18. Alexandre Lacazette has a good record in France but will he deliver the goods regularly in the Premier League? Arsenal are 11/1 to win the Premier League and Lacazette is 12/1 to finish as top goal scorer.
If Arsenal are to win a trophy this season, it is more likely to come in one of the cup competitions.
The Gunners have a good record in the FA Cup and this will remain their best chance of winning a trophy. Arsenal have won the FA Cup in three of the past four seasons and are a good bet at 8/1 to win their 14th FA Cup this coming season.
However, it has been a long time since Arsenal tasted success in European competition having won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1993.
Last season Manchester United showed it is possible to win the Europa League without ever playing brilliantly and Wenger will have one eye on this tournament. If Arsenal begin to fall short in the Premier League and they are still in the Europa League, expect them to target that competition, much like Jose Mourinho did last season.
Arsenal will start the season as favourites to win the Europa League and can be backed at 9/1 to bring the trophy back to the Emirates Stadium. AC Milan are the biggest threat in that competition but with Everton and Villarreal regarded as top teams in the tournament, this is a trophy Arsenal should be winning.
Perhaps the key to Arsenal’s season is the future of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean forward has been linked with a move away from the club as he is rumoured to want Champions League football. Wenger is adamant he will be staying and it is crucial for Arsenal they keep hold of their best player. Sanchez is 12/1 to win the 2017/18 Premier League Player of the Year award.
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