Arsenal
Optimism abounds in London N5. I had some doubts about Arteta’s ability to keep motivating this group, but this summer’s heavy spend should fix that, reinvigorating the squad. Only time will tell whether the new faces can gel and develop chemistry, but it’s a relief to have the clamour for a centre-forward answered at last. Hopefully come May we’ll be lauding Victor’s veni, vidi, vici Premier League triumph.
Key players/weak links? Keeping our star turns fit – Gabriel, Rice and Saka – remains crucial. Beyond that there are lots of unknowns. Can Ødegaard rekindle his role as our creator-in-chief, or will Nwaneri force his way in? Can Zubimendi form an effective partnership with Declan Rice and impose himself as our midfield fulcrum? Will Martinelli, Trossard and Madueke chip in with the 10‑15 goals required to alleviate our reliance on Saka, thereby reducing the burden on Gyökeres? And how much will we see much of our 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman?
We still need to sign … Nobody will complain if the spending stops here, after half a dozen new arrivals already. But there would also be few arguments if the club managed to land an Eze-like bonus too.
Our headline-maker is … Gyökeres: guaranteed to be the subject of intense media scrutiny. Our days of speculating about what might have been if only we’d signed a striker sooner are over. Now it’s time to find out.
Happy with the new kit? I’m a traditionalist; I think our kits should always be red and white and yellow and blue. This season there’s an all-blue away kit and a white third. Marvellous fashion items, maybe, but if we don’t win in them, they’ll fast lose their allure.
We will finish … 1st. Based on the law of averages, I’ll be right one of these days. Top four 1. Arsenal; 2. Liverpool; 3. Man City; 4. Chelsea. Bottom three 18. Sunderland; 19. Leeds; 20. Burnley. First manager sacked Scott Parker.
Aston Villa
There’s a nagging feeling in the fan base that last year was a high-water mark. With the rules making it nigh-on impossible for the “disruptors” to make sustained progress, clubs like ours can do nothing but Bark at the Moon. Sixth to eighth is probably our range, but those that find that prospect dull really should be more balanced. We are playing European football, we’ll have a chance in the cups and we’ve got a Wizard of a manager.
Key players/weak links? The wellbeing of the spine of Konsa, Tielemans, Rogers and Watkins, all of whom made 50+ appearances last year, will be fundamental – and Kamara’s fitness will be crucial too. Also worth keeping an eye on Onana and Maatsen, who could have statement seasons. Weaknesses? Whisper it quietly but Martínez had a less-than-convincing 2024‑25. But you’d always back such a character to shake that off.
We still need to sign … I’d expect one more (net)…
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