Arsenal 2015-16 Team Preview

Arsenal finished the last Premier League season in the top three for the first time since 2012, largely thanks to an impressive run of form after the New Year. Can Wenger’s men produce that level of performance over a full campaign and make a title challenge?

Summer transfers

There has been very little happening at the Emirates as far as major arrivals are concerned. Petr Cech is the sole addition to the first team, covering perhaps the least important position on the transfer wishlist of many fans. Cech is undoubtedly a fantastic addition to the starting XI, boasting an impressive record in the Premier League and at 33 is still in his prime years as a goalkeeper. However, there are still concerns surrounding the positions of defensive midfielder and striker. Francis Coquelin has no doubt been a revelation since coming into the first team in December, but he will need to be occasionally rested. Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are currently the other options for Wenger, but their advancing years suggest they may not be up to the challenge of such a high-intensity position. Up front, many still doubt that Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott have what it takes to be title-winning strikers. There have been persistent links with a move for Karim Benzema, but thus far nothing substantial has eventuated.

Going the other way, there has been an effort to move on some of the peripheral squad members, with Abou Diaby, Ryo Miyaichi and Lukas Podolski all leaving the club. There have also been some first-teamers going out on loan, such as Carl Jenkinson (West Ham), Yaya Sanogo (Ajax) and Wojciech Szczesny (Roma). These movements may not have earned the club too much money, but has freed up the necessary wages to extend contracts of key players like Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott.

Last Season

It was a fairly horrific start to the season for the Gunners, with a raft of injuries and general inconsistency putting them as low as eighth after the first twelve rounds. However, the superhuman efforts of Alexis Sanchez stopped the Gunners from sliding further down the table and when the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Giroud returned from injury, along with the return of Francis Coquelin from his loan at Charlton, the Gunners rocketed back up the table and even briefly challenged for the title.

Manager

This season marks Wenger’s twentieth year with Arsenal, and it appears the Frenchman is safe in his position. After enduring years of criticism for a lack of investment and silverware, Wenger has secured two high-profile signings in the past two seasons in Sanchez and Ozil, kept a strong core of players together and won two major trophies. Despite the recent change in the club’s transfer policy, securing high-level players instead of selling them, there is still the belief that Wenger is not doing enough in the market to change the squad. The 65-year-old still has a fierce loyalty to his players, arguably his best and worst quality. While it may prevent a new striker arriving, it has also allowed players like Laurent Koscielny and Ramsey to develop into key players.

This season will undoubtedly be one of Wenger’s biggest tests. After breaking his winless run against Mourinho in the Community Shield, he will need to continue his success in the league and provide a serious title challenge for the first time in several years. Not only that but once again fans will be expecting a serious challenge at the FA Cup and progression past the round of 16 in the Champions League.

Strengths

Depth. For the first time in a long time, there is no shortage of options in any position for Wenger. The defence, which has been a nightmare for fans in the past, is now fully stocked with two players in each position, and plenty of column inches have been written about the embarrassment of riches available in the midfield too. Cech and David Ospina provide a strong pair of keepers, and even up front there is Giroud, Welbeck and Walcott to choose from.

Weaknesses

Wenger’s biggest dilemma this season will simply be filling out the teamsheet before a game. There is a myriad of options for the manager to choose from in all positions, but there are is little agreement as to the club’s strongest starting XI. Hector Bellerin is the current first-choice for right back, but Mathieu Debuchy is an experienced French international while Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Jack Wilshere all wish to play in central-midfield. Striker is a dilemma already discussed, but there is also the problem of finding a regular starter on the right wing – Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain or one of the many central midfielders struggling for minutes? Wenger needs to decide his best starting eleven, so he knows which players to rotate throughout the season.

Key Players

Sanchez will undoubtedly play a significant role in the Gunners’ success this time around but perhaps will struggle to match up to his debut season. The Chilean scored 25 goals in 50 appearances, but could suffer fatigue after yet another summer spent playing international football. Cech will bring composure to the backline and along with central-defender Laurent Koscielny, the defence appears to be in safe hands. However, most of all, this campaign will hinge on the performances of Ozil. The German playmaker can be one of the best in the world but has experienced an inconsistent time in England. If Ozil produces a good season, silverware will surely follow.

Best XI

(4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla; Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud.

Prediction

There have been no major upheavals within the squad and Wenger has no doubt strengthened with the signing of Cech. Given how close they did end up pushing Chelsea in the second half of last season, a title challenge is certainly on the cards this time around. If either Walcott or Giroud can become a 20-goal striker, the title will be headed to North London.

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