The Guardian’s fans’ network looks ahead to the new season: fresh talent, weak links, and who will be sacked first
Having finally got the title monkey off our back, and with much of the competition in a state of flux, there’s plenty of optimism. Obviously the target is for Arteta to sustain the same appetite and intensity to mount a credible defence. The big questions are whether we can reproduce the same resilience at the back with Saliba on the long-term missing list, and will the introduction of Guimarães be the catalyst for the sort of midfield chemistry we’ll need to carve open opponents who plan to park the bus?
Key players/weak links On the evidence of our pre-season outings we urgently need the return of our remaining World Cup stars – Rice, Zubimendi and Saka should provide a renewed sense of purpose, both to counter any defensive fragility and to increase our goal threat. We’re all hoping for a breakthrough season for a beefed-up Max Dowman, and are anxious to discover if Tzolis is an upgrade on Trossard.
We still need to sign … Our friendly outings have shown the need for alternative attacking options, such as Atlético’s Julián Álvarez, and cover for Saliba – Quanseh and Konsa are linked. But presumably any further arrivals will be dependent on some astute pruning of those who’ve failed to cut the mustard, such as Vieira and Nelson.
Our cult hero is … Benny Blanco’s off-the-ball shenanigans ensure that he’s enshrined as a firm terrace favourite, but it’s the demeanour of Declan Rice that will invariably set the tone for whether or not we’re destined for more success.
If we could sign two players from our past … Who wouldn’t want to add the artistry of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp to any team?
We will finish 1st. Top four: 1. Arsenal; 2. Chelsea; 3. Manchester City; 4. Liverpool. Bottom three: 18. Coventry; 19. Ipswich; 20. Hull. First manager sacked Sergej Jakirovic.
Bernard Azulay onlinegooner.com; @GoonerN5
It would be daft to not be optimistic when each year under Emery we’ve created great memories, regardless of the previous summer’s transfer merry-go-round. Top six and a cup run of any flavour would count as a good season, and it may be that our best moments are back-end weighted as we integrate some exciting new talent. I understand that Manzambi is the best thing to come out of Switzerland since the cuckoo clock, and any 22-year-old with 187 senior appearances (Garnacho) must be all right. Perversely, the financial regulations that are holding us back should prevent too much moaning if we don’t get off to a flyer, and having a ground with only three sides might even help us make VP a fortress. In all, I’m fired up for the new season.
Key players/weak links The senior pros all need to keep drinking the Emery Kool Aid, but why wouldn’t they? Konsa remains a colossus and the purple prose around McGinn is fully deserved. If Kamara plays 40 senior games and not his usual 25 it will improve our finishing spot by two. Normally naming a young player to watch in these pages guarantees them a loan move to Lincoln, but Brian Madjo has looked immense up front in pre-season.
We still need to sign … Marcus Rashford.
Our cult hero is … McGinn must already have done enough to have a hospitality suite named after him. Another two years and it could be a stand. He will be aware that Emery doesn’t deal in sentimentality so I expect yet another year in which SJM pushes for player of the season while being a key figure in the dressing room.
If we could sign two players from our past … Dwight Yorke, from 1995-96 when he switched to an out-and-out striker. And Gareth Barry: the complete midfielder.
We will finish 6th. Top four: 1. Arsenal; 2. Manchester City; 3. Manchester United; 4. Chelsea. Bottom three: 18. Fulham; 19. Ipswich; 20. Hull. First manager sacked Roberto De Zerbi.
We’re so looking forward to this: our first ever season in a European club competition. It’s going to be monumental. And, with arguably our strongest ever squad to call on, we expect to be competitive in the Europa League too. We’re excited to see Marco Rose in charge and a continuation of the fast, attacking, no-fear brand of football that earned us our highest ever finish last season. In view of the extra games we have on the schedule, a mid-table Premier League finish would be very respectable, but winning a trophy feels weirdly achievable. Why not a European one?
