Arsenal last won the Premier League in the invincible season of 2003/04, which is starting to feel a long, long time ago. Everyone from that team has long gone, including the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Dennis Bergkamp. Could next season be the year the Premier League title finally returns to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet?
In my opinion, as long as Arsene Wenger is at the helm Arsenal are in safe hands, but maybe it is time to go above and beyond safe and live dangerously with a massive signing or two, something the French manager does not tend to do. There have been plenty of big-name players linked with Arsenal such as Karim Benzema, Mario Balotelli and Alexis Sanchez. It seems to be likely that they will sign at least one of these big names, and each would certainly bolster the Gunners’ attack.
Arsenal also have a decent mix of young and experienced players, with older ones including Per Mertersacker and Mikel Arteta able to help youngsters like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yaya Sanogo. That balance can help them next season and new signings will only support the cause.
The Gunners finally won their first piece of silverware since 2005 last season when they achieved FA Cup success. That should lift a weight off of the players’ shoulders, and maybe next season they will play more freely in the knowledge they do not have such a burden hanging over them.
I honestly believe that Arsenal could do it next season. The Premier League needs to be their main target because after a great start last campaign they fell away due to injuries. If they keep players like Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott fit then I think Arsenal could be the name engraved on the trophy next May.