Great Expectations


It feels like the disappointing end to the 2021/22 season was yesterday, and yet here we are already on the eve of the new campaign. Another Friday night kick off for the Arsenal, another tricky away tie in London. But for many, a whole different feel about the occasion.

When we went to Brentford on match day 1 last season, we had no recognized first choice striker with Aubameyang and Lacazette Covid hit. No Thomas Partey, injured in preseason. Saka not fully fit after a trying Euros tournament. Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Bernd Leno three of the back 5, with Gabriel absent, no recognized right back available and the Aaron Ramsdale deal not yet completed. It was an understrength lineup on an occasion that was always going to be difficult.

Arsenal XI in away defeat to Brentford

Compare and contrast to the 11 that started the last two games of preseason, and barring any last minute calamities should start tomorrow, and  it is easy to see why a sense of optimism abounds this time around. A settled defence featuring the returning William Saliba who has looked mightily impressive in what we have seen thus far. A fit Bukayo Saka fresh off a strong preseason. Zinchenko slotted in very nicely on debut. New captain Martin Odegaard pulling the strings. And of course, Gabriel Jesus up top. 


Arsenal XI in 6-0 victory over Sevilla

The team has purred in pre-season, creating chances and scoring goals for fun. And make no mistake about it Jesus is a big part of the reason why. Arteta got his man and he has settled in like he has been here for years, adding dynamism, movement and most importantly, goals. 

It's no secret that goals was where we struggled last season. Not scoring enough when we were in front, and not being able to get them back when we went behind. On only one occasion did we fall behind last season and come back to win. If we are to see improvement in our league position this year, that is one statistic that will need to change. Turning deficits in to draws and draws in to wins has to be something that we see this year, and adding a winner like Jesus will surely help with that.

So what am I expecting this season? As a minimum, Champions League qualification by whatever means is a must. If that means top 4, fine. If it means win the Europa League and come fifth, fine. I think it is far too simplistic to say that we must make top 4. The teams we are competing with haven't stood still either and have the same goals we do, so if we have to compromise and take the Europa and fifth route, so be it.

A trophy is always nice. We haven't won the League Cup since 93 and the FA Cup is basically ours at this point, so either of those would be fine. But the dream for this season is to be lifting the Europa League trophy come May. It's nearly 30 years since our last European trophy and that is too long. We need to be in Budapest and competing in the final.

I want to see us compete with, and close the gap on, the big two; Liverpool and Manchester City. And when i say compete with, I'm not saying we need to be competing for the title (although it would be nice). I want us to go to Anfield and the Etihad and give a good account of ourselves for 90 minutes, not in fits and starts. Maybe take some points off them. Keep 11 on the pitch! In the home games against the two teams, we put in decent performances. The City game in particular saw some of the finest football of the Arteta era so far. Yet we came away from the four games against those two with 0/12 points. The lot down the road went undefeated in 4, beating City twice and drawing with Liverpool twice. A huge contributing factor to them finishing above us. That needs to change.

And I want to see goals and entertaining football back at the carpet. As i mentioned, we have played some nice stuff in pre-season. 4-0 against a strong Chelsea lineup and the 6-0 against Sevilla were very enjoyable. Can we translate it to the Premier League is the big question. My feeling, and my hope, is that yes we will. The front three of Martinelli, Jesus and Saka already seem to have such a great understanding, that Martin Odegaard as playmaker should have an absolute field day with the options in front of him. It's really exciting to think about. Especially considering the depth we have on the bench too, with Smith-Rowe, Nketiah and new boy Fabio Vieira to add to the mix.


This should be a season of positivity. We have a young, exciting team connected with the fans. A new striker who has revitalized our attack, and a set of opening fixtures which, on paper at least, give us the opportunity to get off to a flyer. But you sense that there is also a bit of pressure on this season, with the Champions League qualification you would think being a minimum requirement. Make no mistake that the Kroenkes are baking Arteta. This is his squad now. Amazon may be showing the documentary of our 2021/22 season at the moment, but you sense that for Mikel, 22/23 could be the real All or Nothing season. Lets hope its all!


COYG

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