da lvbet： Being an Arsenal fan must be odd. Each season is always seemingly poised for the glory days to return, with top players in place, the Premier League’s longest-serving manager at the helm and top-level European football a virtual guarantee.
da dobrowin： However, on a consistent basis something goes wrong and the Londoners slip up and put together an unconvincing campaign… either failing to get out of first gear in the opening months or leaving it too late to make a serious push to get to the front of the pack on the home straight.
Having said that, with a player of Petr Cech’s ilk now in, Alexis Sanchez, arguably, the best attacker in the division and the end of 2014/15 having made a justifiable argument for Arsenal being the finest club side in English football, there is indeed an air of optimism at the Emirates Stadium.
As we know it’s hard to make a true prediction, but luckily at Football FanCast we know a fair few experts on all things Arsenal… so here’s what they believe is in store for the coming campaign.
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Nadji Grizzle
@goonergrizz is an USA-based Arsenal fanatic and sports writer, contributing to sites such as Arsenal Mania and Give Me Sport, and he’s pretty optimistic about the season ahead…
What the fans expect: At the very least we expect a consistent and sustained title challenge from start to finish. We believe in our squad, and know we are capable of winning the title, but for now at the very least we expect to be in an around the top places by the end of the season. We want the title of course, but anything lower than second is unacceptable.
What they’ll actually get: I think the lads will deliver, actually. The form and consistency we showed over the second half of the season was fantastic, and so long as we channel that into the next season, we’ll challenge for sure. I think we’ll get a more focused Arsenal, and much less senseless points dropped.
One to watch: Has to be Petr Cech for all the hype and controversy surrounding his move. Normally I’d go for Alexis (Sanchez) since he is coming off a brilliant debut season and now a Copa America win, or maybe even Mesut (Ozil) who still hasn’t reached his Real Madrid form but is improving. Theo (Walcott) and Jack (Wilshere) have much to prove as well having been out for so long and question marks over where they will fit in when they return, but Petr Cech is the man to watch. We waited so long for a top class goalkeeper, and he comes with such a huge billing I imagine his every move will be scrutinised. He has already been tasked with saving us 12-15 points so we’ll see how he gets on.
Predictions: Hate to say it, but if we don’t sign any more players, specifically a top goal scorer, I predict a second place finish at the moment. With a proven and consistent goal scorer and perhaps another defensive midfielder and/or centre back, we could win the league for sure. But as things stand, I predict runners-up.
Jules Wheeler
@TheRealGunner on Twitter, Jules Wheeler knows what’s going on at Arsenal… and she’s predicting a big, big, BIG season if Alexis Sanchez can continue to set the Premier League alight!
What the fans expect: Everything! They expect top players every season now, especially after the signings like Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez over the last two seasons and now Petr Cech. I think that they also expect to bring in a few quality players over the summer, particularly a top striker, DM and CB.
What they’ll actually get: We have now got a fantastic GK in Cech which will save us a few points a season. I do believe that Arsene Wenger will do his best to bring in a world class striker. Francis Coquelin did very well last season so I’m not 100% sure that a DM will be a priority now.
One to watch: I think that Alexis is the player to watch again this season. He had a superb first season in the Premier League. His work rate and enthusiasm for the game is infectious and has such a positive effect on the rest of the team.
Predictions: I think that we have a great chance to win the Premier League if we bring in those additional players.
Oli Price-Bates
@OliPriceBates – an Arsenal blogger, CEO of Fresh Football and a writer for Metro – thinks that the heroics of a certain idol of the white half of North London could be replicated at the Emirates Stadium this season…
What the fans expect: A decent effort at the title and two more big signings
What they’ll actually get: 2nd place and one more big signing
One to watch: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – He’s capable of ‘doing a Bale’ if he can stay injury free
Predictions: An improved showing in the Champions League and runners-up in the Premier League.
Daniel Cowan
@thedanielcowan is the editor of Goonersphere & North London Is Red and is predicting big things for Theo Walcott this season…
What the fans expect: The treble
What they’ll actually get: The double
One to watch: Theo as striker
Predictions: Theo to win golden boot, Cech to win golden glove & Arsenal to break the ‘heroic failure’ trend in the Champions League before getting knocked out in the quarter-finals by Juve.