The 2022/23 season was a bittersweet one for Arsenal.
Although they failed to end their decade-long wait for Premier League triumph, they returned to the top four and will compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side led the title charge for much of the season but ultimately finished five points behind defending champions Manchester City.
Arsenal fans remain adamant their side did not set out to land the elusive Premier League glory from the get-go.
However, the Gunners were tipped as favourites to win the title until April, when a catastrophic drop in form allowed Man City a clear run at retaining their crown.
While it remains a famous achievement for Arsenal to end their six-year wait for a spot in Europe’s most prestigious tournament, Arteta and his team will be itching to have another shot at the Premier League title this season.
Here is our Arsenal season preview for 2023/24. You can also read our 2023/24 Community Shield preview, which features Arsenal taking on Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal Fixtures
Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to Emirates Stadium in their opening Premier League fixture on August 12 before rounding off the month with consecutive London derbies against Crystal Palace (A) and Fulham (H).
September delivers tougher tests for Arteta’s side as the Gunners kick off the month with a mouth-watering home clash against Manchester United, while a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur awaits them towards the end of the month.
It gets even more tricky for Arsenal in October with high-profile games against title rivals Man City (H) and Chelsea (A) two weeks later.
However, the start of the New Year brings favourable fixtures for Arsenal with reverse clashes against Palace (H) and Forest (A) before their final match of the season against relegation survivors Everton at home.
Can Arteta lead Arsenal to Premier League glory?
Last season, Arteta proved any doubts about his ability to bring back glory days to the Emirates were unfounded.
Despite failing to deliver silverware, Arsenal’s significant progress under his leadership was evident to everyone.
The Gunners have been famous for mediocrity over the years. But Arteta has transformed them into genuine title contenders, vindicating the club’s decision to put their faith in him for the long haul.
Going head-to-head with arguably the best Man City side of all time was proof they are not far away from ending their Premier League drought.
However, there is still work to be done, with Arteta acknowledging that his team lacked the composure required to see out their title challenge, resulting in them faltering at the final hurdle.
Nonetheless, they will fancy another crack at the highly coveted trophy and their eye-watering outlay this summer is further proof of their lofty ambitions.
It remains to be seen how they will fare in the Champions League while also pursuing Premier League glory.
They will be desperate to make their mark following their sabbatical from the tournament, but their lack of European experience could limit them to a round-of-16 finish.
Given their struggles in last season’s Europa League, Arsenal may be better off shelving their Champions League dreams and prioritising the league campaign.
Transfers
Arsenal have released several players from their payroll, but Granit Xhaka has been the headline departure from the Emirates this summer.
The Switzerland international midfielder has cut ties with the Gunners after seven years, where he registered 23 goals and 29 assists in 297 appearances, winning four trophies.
Xhaka has been a vital cog in Arsenal’s midfield over the years, but the Gunners have recruited some promising players to fill the gap he left behind.
Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber are among those who have joined Arteta’s squad, but Declan Rice has been the highlight of Arsenal’s transfer window, mainly because of his enormous price tag.
The England international defensive midfielder cost Arsenal £105 million, making him the most expensive British player in history, surpassing Jack Grealish who set Man City back £100m.
Although Rice is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe for his ability to break up opposition play, his tendency to go missing in the big games could be a problem for the Gunners.
Despite this, Arsenal will be hoping Rice’s arrival can give them that extra edge to oust Man City in the title race this season.
Arsenal have already spent around £200m this summer and do not have many holes in their squad that need to be filled.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey’s future may force them to dip into their purse again.
The Ghanaian midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Emirates amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, and his potential departure could prompt Arsenal to look for a replacement.
Starting XI
It’s unlikely that Arteta will make many changes to his starting line-up. He’s known for sticking with his trusted players, although the new signings are expected to eventually make their way into the starting XI.
Aaron Ramsdale is likely to remain the first-choice goalkeeper after achieving the joint second-most clean sheets in the league last season, with Matt Turner as his back-up.
Kieran Tierney spent most of last season playing second fiddle to Oleksandr Zinchenko, and it’s expected that the Ukrainian will keep his spot in the back four alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Ben White.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka formed the backbone of Arteta’s midfield last term.
But they should be replaced by new recruits Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, who is expected to slot into the left central midfield role, while captain Martin Odegaard retains his spot on the right.
Gabriel Martinelli, who was the club’s joint top scorer, is also expected to continue his formidable partnership with countryman Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka in the front three.
Here is our prediction for Arsenal’s strongest starting XI next season:
4-3-3: Ramsdale; Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Martinelli, Jesus, Saka.
Star Player
Despite Arsenal’s shiny new players, Martin Odegaard will be eager to pick up where he left off last season following a remarkable individual goalscoring campaign.
The Gunners captain led with aplomb, spurring them to a second-place finish with 15 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
Despite the array of firing power in Arteta’s arsenal, Odegaard finished last season as the club’s joint-top scorer alongside Gabriel Martinelli while ranking third in the assist category.
The 24-year-old played a crucial role in Arteta’s side, dictating play from the middle of the park while proving too hot to handle in the final third.
Bukayo Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard will also be eager to make their mark this season as the Gunners go hunting for top-flight glory.
Prediction
Up until April, the Premier League title was Arsenal’s to lose. While they will be eager to finally get the job done this season, retaining their second place seems the more likely outcome.
The Gunners have barely put a foot wrong this summer, but Havertz’s acquisition remains the only question mark from their transfer business.
Throughout his three-year stay at Chelsea, the German was deployed in midfield, wide forward and striker roles, yet his numbers for the Blues were ridiculously unremarkable.
He bagged just 32 goals and 15 assists in 139 outings for Chelsea, while his move across the capital comes off the back of an appalling campaign where he managed just seven Premier League goals.
The early signs suggest Chelsea could emerge as the ultimate winner from the Havertz transaction. But Arteta believes he can get the best out of the German, who was once regarded as a generational talent.
Winning the Premier League or Champions League may be difficult for Arsenal to pull off, but they have a good chance of lifting one of the domestic cup tournaments.
They should also be wary of losing the runners-up spot to Man United, whose summer business bares proof of a side ready to hunt down their runaway neighbours at the pinnacle of English football.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Also Read: Detailed Premier League season previews for all 20 teams.
