THE NORTH LONDON club launched their best attempt at winning the league in a number of years last campaign but fell short, finishing seven points behind winners Manchester City.
But after ending a nine-year trophy drought by beating Hull City in the FA Cup final in May confidence levels have risen at The Emirates.
The signing of Alexis Sanchez has added to this after his excellent World Cup performances had Gunners fans salivating at the prospect of seeing him in Arsenal colours. So can they make a serious charge for the title this year? Here’s why the answer is yes.
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1. A strong defence
The central defensive partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny looked impressive for the Gunners last season and the two will most likely partner each other again during the upcoming campaign. The pace and agility of Koscielny perfectly supplements Mertesacker’s reading of the game along with both players undoubted ability in the air.
Although Arsene Wenger has lost Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona he has brought in the exciting young prospect of Calum Chambers from Southampton. This is on top of the signing of Mathieu Debuchy for £10 million from Newcastle United. Debuchy looked impressive for Newcastle all last year and was a stand-out performer during France’s World Cup campaign.
2. The added goals of Alexis Sanchez
The big money signing of Sanchez earlier this summer was exactly what Arsenal fans needed to heighten confidence levels around the team. Sanchez is without doubt one of the world’s best players and proved that during the World Cup with some exceptional performances for Chile.
The 25-year-old scored 21 goals in 54 appearances for Barcelona last season and has already impressed in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. The Chilean’s pace should also bring out an improvement in Mesut Ozil whose form dipped towards the latter half of last season. With a possible attacking quartet of Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez Arsenal will be a match for any team.
3. Last season’s FA Cup win will give the squad confidence
Any trophy at all was vital for Arsenal last season as the silverware drought had gone on far too long. The FA Cup victory will without doubt breathe confidence into the squad and give the players the belief that they can go one step further this season and win the league.
4. Sunday’s Community Shield victory
Okay it’s only the Community Shield, but Arsenal won it easily and with an authority that suggests they mean business this season. Although Manchester City didn’t have a full team out Arsenal breezed past them and looked formidable in front of goal. Midfield man Jack Wilshere spoke after the game about sending a message out to the rest of the league.
“I think the message we wanted to send out was we are ready, it is the biggest game of pre season and we passed the test. Just because we beat the champions doesn’t mean we will be champions because it doesn’t work like that, but we are ready. We have got a great team ethic here and I hope we can take that into the season”, said the England midfielder.
5. They have strengthened more than other teams this summer
Wenger is notorious for being quiet during the transfer window but not so this season with the three big signings already mentioned coming into the squad. This is during a transfer window where Manchester City have been relatively quiet while Liverpool have lost their star player. Chelsea will most likely pose the biggest threat to Arsenal in their quest to claim the Premier League trophy but the attacking options Wenger now has at his disposal will worry even Mourinho’s men.
The choice between Rosický, Cazorla, Özil, Podolski, Walcott & Oxlade-Chamberlain should be enough to convince any Arsenal fan that the title could be making it’s way south to The Emirates in May