While the Gunners have often flattered to deceive under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta, there’s no doubt that the side has improved markedly since the Spaniard took over in December 2019.
Last season provided a relevant case in point, as while Arsenal improved on the previous campaign by finishing fifth and claiming a Europa League spot, the side also choked in the run-in and ended up surrendering their challenge for a place in the UCL.
However, the Gunners have enjoyed an exceptional pre-season to date, winning six of their seven friendly matches and scoring 26 goals in the process. Arsenal’s new signings have also impressed, with striker Gabriel Jesus scoring seven pre-season goals and linking up well with his new teammates.
This form hasn’t really moved the dial on Arsenal’s title odds, with the club remaining 33/1 on average to lift the EPL and continuing to offer an enticing prospect for those of you who have recently used the Betcoin new player bonus code and accessed a free bet. But just how far can Arsenal go in 2022/23?
A Great Summer From the Perspective of Recruitment
One of the main areas in which Arsenal have struggled of late is recruitment, with the club failing to sign enough high quality players to compete with their top four rivals.
However, this trend has finally been bucked this summer, with the signing of Jesus from Manchester City threatening to be one of the deals of the summer. The Brazilian has looked outstanding during pre-season, with his movement, pressing and unerring eye for goal suggesting that he could thrive given a starting role.
The same could be said for Jesus’ former City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko, whose technical ability and versatility mean that he’ll be a valuable member of Arteta’s squad in 2022/23.
These players were signed for a combined fee of less than £80 million too, while the similarly cheap acquisition of Portuguese star Fábio Vieira from FC Porto will also add depth and quality to the centre of the park.
In short, the Gunners have improved key areas of their squad while adding considerable depth and flexibility, and this augurs well for the campaign ahead.
What Should Fans Expect in 2022/23?
Ultimately, the pre-season has also seen Arsenal continue their incremental improvement under Arteta, both in terms of their fluidity and attacking output and their collective ability to press from the front.
This is thanks partially to the arrival of Jesus, who remains an outstanding presser of the ball and someone who can lead attempts to recover the ball high up the park.
If these improvements are carried into the new season (and new signing Viera can add some quality and creativity in midfield), Arsenal can definitely challenge for a place in the top four and hope to sustain a viable cup run.
A run in the Europa League should also be possible, although much will depend on how Arteta approaches this tournament and the level of importance that he puts on it.
However, talk of a title tilt may be a little premature, especially when you consider the relative strength of Manchester City and Liverpool. Similarly, Spurs are well-placed to thrive under Antonio Conte in 2022/23, while Thomas Tuchel’s tactical nous and man-management mean that Chelsea will remain a serious rival.
The good news is that the immediate future remains bright, and Arteta is definitely building towards something impressive at the Emirates Stadium.
