Totally Buzzed is previewing every single Premier League team ahead of the 2021/2022 campaign and now it is the turn of Arsenal.
How last season went:
Mikel Arteta’s side had a rollercoaster 2020/21 campaign when it came to their league form and ended up finishing 8th in the table as a result. The Gunners finished the season with 61 points, six more than the previous campaign where they also finished eighth, but it’s hard not to think fans were expecting more of an improvement. Although it is worth noting, the Gunners did end the season in formidable form – winning their last five league games of the season – so maybe there’s a reason to think the upcoming campaign will be different. As for other competitions, The Gunners reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, which seems impressive on paper but they really appeared to have a good chance of winning it given their squad and how seriously they took the competition, they reached the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup with Man City emphatically knocking them out the tournament and they disappointingly went out of the FA Cup in the fourth round courtesy of Southampton. The FA Cup exit was particularly eye-brow raising when you consider that trophy is synonymous with the Gunners.
Arsenal’s Premier League Stats – 2020/21:
*According to the PremierLeague.com*
Arsenal Player Stats – 2020/21:
Top Scorer Across All Competitions: Alexandre Lacazette – 17 goals in 43 appearances (0.62 goals per 90minutes, 144 minutes per goal)
Top Scorer – Premier League Only: Lacazette – 13 goals in 31 appearances (148 minutes per goal)
Most Assists Across All Competitions: Bukayo Saka – 7 assists in 46 appearances (0.93 chances created per 90minutes created) + Emile Smith Rowe – 7 in 33 appearances (0.91 chances created per 90minutes created)
Most Assists – Premier League Only: Willian – 5 assists in 25 appearances
Most Tackles Per Game (On Average) – Premier League Only: Thomas Partey (1.8 per game)
Most Minutes Played Across Premier League Fixtures – Top 3:
- Bernard Leno – 3132 minutes 2. Saka – 2562 minutes 3. Rob Holding – 2558 minutes
1st five league fixtures:
Brentford (A): Arsenal last faced Brentford in 2018 in the League Cup, and secured a comfortable 3-1 win in that match. The Gunners’ last league meeting with The Bees was way back in 1947 where the two sides met in the old first division. The Gunners achieved a 1-0 victory on that occasion.
Chelsea (H): Arteta’s side won both their league encounters with Chelsea last season, with the Gunners recording a 1-0 win over The Blues at Stamford Bridge and achieving a 3-1 victory at The Emirates.
Manchester City (A): The Gunners suffered three defeats at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s side last season, losing both league outings as well as being knocked out of the Cabarao Cup courtesy of them.
Norwich City (H): The newly promoted Norwich City didn’t fare well the last time they played the Gunners with them suffering a 4-0 defeat in July 2020 at the hands of the London club. However, it’s worth noting Daniel Farke’s side did achieve a 2-2 draw when hosting Arsenal at Carrow Road during that same campaign.
Burnley (A): The Gunners didn’t have the best time against Burnley last season, failing to beat them on the two occasions they met. Sean Dyche’s team defeated The Gunners 1-0 at The Emirates, with the London club playing the majority of the second half of that match with 10-men due to Granit Xhaka receiving a red card and The Clarets denied the Gunners all three points when the teams clashed at Turf Moore in March as they secured a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal Fan Perspective: Daniel Barber (@Ploiper – Twitter)
Best Player: Though there are several players that I can think of who could be seen as our best player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the main guy. without his goals, we struggle, as shown by last season. When he is on top form, he’s one of the very best goal scorers around.
Promising Youngster: I’ll choose a player that’s not already in the first-team squad, I will go with Miguel Azeez. He’s a very promising central midfielder that’s been doing well in the under 21’s. I’m hoping he gets some minutes in the cup competitions.
The player who is likely to surprise people (underrated/less known): I will say Folarin Balogun, assuming he gets game this season, and I think he will. I think people will be surprised when he scores a good amount of goals. I am sure he will get a few even given the opportunity as he is a very good finisher.
Thoughts on the manager: People give Arteta a lot of stick, maybe at times rightfully so, but he is still a new manager so he is learning on the job. He hasn’t done as bad as people seem to think. He has taken a very leaky disorganized defence and made them the 3rd best in the league, based on last season. Our form in the second half of the season was one of the best in the league, it was just a shame about the first half of the season though. He will get it right and go on to be a great manager, people just need patience, and I still have it for him, but if we are around mid-table by December, with just the league to concentrate on, I feel like he may go. but I’m sure we won’t be anywhere near there.
Worried About/Weakness of squad: The lack of goals from midfield has been an issue for a few years now. Our highest goal-scoring midfielder was Smith-Rowe on four last season. Technically Joe Willock got more, but most of his came for Newcastle, who he was on loan at.
Dream Transfer: As of right now, the Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries, I can’t say I had heard of him before the Euros, but he looked very impressive. He could link up well down our right-hand side.
Realistic Transfer: It’s got to be Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, he would fit in very well next to Thomas Partey in our midfield, and he would offer something a little different.
Player you fear leaving: It’d be a shame if Lacazette does go, I feel as though he might but I would much rather he stayed. Lacazette’s work rate upfront would be very missed.
League Expectation: With no European football as a distraction, we need to end up with a top-six finish.
League Prediction: Though I think we could get into the top 4 next season, I think 5th will be where we end up, which would be fine.
Biggest Rival This Season/Love It If We Beat them: It’s always nice to beat Tottenham, that’s always enjoyable.
Any Other Comments about Arsenal: I do indeed miss David Luiz, he was a far better signing than people might think. As long as we can carry our form from the second half of last season into the new campaign, then there will be no problems next season and a European place will be easily nailed down. Also if we could get an explanation as to why we keep using WWE themes to come out to in the second half of games, I would like that.