It’s a brand new day at Arsenal FC, as the Unai Emery era begins! For all that he achieved in north London over his two decades plus that he was in charge, the club stagnated under iconic manager Arsene Wenger. Even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has admitted this.
Wenger stayed on too long, and even the Frenchman himself admitted so in a few weeks ago. So 2018-19 means a rebuilding year for Arsenal, and Emery has a pretty big project ahead, so fans will need to have some patience.
It all Kicks Off:
Sunday when they host the reigning champions Manchester City. Emery gets the opportunity to hit the ground running and make an instant big impression.
Reasons for Arsenal FC supporters to be Optimistic:
It’s a new day at the Emirates and every dawn brings a very hopeful, positive outlook. The Gunners filled their needs nicely in the summer transfer window. Their transfer business didn’t have a ton of pizzaz, but central midfield was an area of need, and Emery made sure it was augmented.
Reasons for Arsenal FC fans to be Pessimistic:
The looked shambolic at times last season, and the last couple of seasons have not been kind to the club. The rebuilding process will definitely take some time. No position group is especially solid, with the back line the area of most concern. However, an improved midfield ahead of them could raise the unit up quite a bit this year.
Summer Transfer Window/Offseason Analysis:
Hitting on almost every position, Arsenal was more quantity than elite, big name quality with their summer signings, but holding midfielder Lucas Torreira is the new arrival who is worth getting the most excited about.
League Title Odds:
Pretty much all the safe sports books out there are giving the Gunners the sixth most favorable odds of winning it all, typically in the neighborhood of 20/1.
Arsenal FC Players to Watch:
Aubameyang (they’ll need him to live up to his potential, which is sky high), Mesut Ozil (when in top form, he’s an elite talent), Shkodran Mustafi (an underrated and overlooked contributor), the goalkeeping situation should be fascinating to follow, perhaps even into midseason.
Bottom Line Outlook/Prediction: Sixth
This team is still lacking a true winger, and needs a couple more central defenders as well until you can consider them a top four mainstay, and then possibly a league title contender down the line. Success can be defined this year by finishing the job in the Europa League.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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