Are Arsenal ready to topple Man City?

Published 2024-08-05
Despite Arsenal going close to wining the Premier League title in each of the past two seasons, they have ultimately finished both empty-handed. So, is this the season Mikel Arteta finally delivers the Premier League title?

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Art De Roche and Handbrake Off regular Adrian Clarke to assess Arsenal's title chances ahead of the new season.

Italian football correspondent James Horncastle also shares his thoughts on the Gunners move for Riccardo Calafiori following his move to North London from Bologna.

00:00 Intro
00:31 Arsenal’s pre season
01:52 Are Arsenal looking ahead to this new season?
06:01 Where can Arsenal improve?
07:24 Arteta’s contract
09:42 Arsenal winning trophies
10:21 How can Arsenal beat Man City for the title?
12:53 Send in your questions to The Athletic
13:26 Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal
17:36 Players fitting in with the team
22:57 What will Arteta do differently this season?
28:00 Transfers and player positions
30:12 Emile Smith Rowe at Fulham
32:03 Is selling players what Arsenal need to get better at?
35:07 Arsenal upfront
39:23 Outro

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All Comments (21)
  • Not just City, we have a big team this time around to compete in UCL and FA cup as well. No guarantees but it's all positive eitherway, come on Arsenal.
  • @snoopos
    In Arteta and Edu we trust 🙏🏽🙏🏽
  • “Saka on the left, Martinelli on the right” is one of the worst suggestions ever 20:10
  • @RM_BURNER
    So this is the guy that's always asking philosophical questions at Arteta's pre match press conferences. I knew I recognized that voice. Lol.
  • With Cala and Merino, Arsenal will now replicate the right side into the left, and hopes for Martinelli to deliver like he did in the 22/23 season…
  • After the Califiori chat, and referencing his CB play at Bologna. I’m convinced we’re going to see a back 4 of : White/Saliba/Calafiori/Timber I think Gabriel will play at the beginning of the year, but our back 4 will be evolving into this. Tons of rotation, but that 4 above is the future in Arteta’s eyes
  • @Timiskooly
    Adrian made a good point about PSR incentivizing selling home grown talent. Luckily, it looks like the league is moving towards an expense cap, which would actually make promoting academy prospects even more desirable
  • @yf9409
    "It's ironic that some people dismiss Arsenal Football Club as a 'small club,' yet they're fixated on our every move, feeling compelled to disparage our fans despite not being part of our community. This behavior exposes their true sentiments - they're intimidated by Arsenal's potential and fearful of our success in the coming season. Notably, we operate within the boundaries of profit and sustainability rules, unlike certain clubs facing 119 charges, such as 'Man in a City,' who cheated their way to the top. As the saying goes, 'a thief is a thief,' regardless of their mastery. Come On You Gunners!"
  • @jovsta
    Players used within the squad was too limited, thus some of the players did get enough rest and able to play at their best every time they're on the field.
  • Based on watching last season and looking at the squad as it stands right now; we are really lacking a central midfielder and also a wide player, that’s comfortable passing the ball around and playing possession football. We don’t have a cesc or a Santi or an Arteta, someone who wants the ball and can keep it for a few minutes to tire out the opponent. These days; we might string 10 passes together in an attack but we don’t often keep the ball very long. Odegaard is the only player on the team that can tick it along as I’d like it to, so I hope we don’t get merino and we do get someone even more comfortable in possession.zubimendi would be ideal.
  • @BjornWiese
    We'll see. Looks like they are more than ready. Will City have some weaknesses? We'll see that too. But I can see Arsenal dominating the league. Even with a strong City.
  • We have a thin squad if a fews of the big boys get injured it could be over for us
  • Losing to 4 points to Fulham and 6 points to Villa should never happen again
  • We have to remember havertz started playing as a CF halfway through the season and he bagged 13 goals. He is the man we need. He’s our CF. I trust him
  • No matter what anyone does, City are the favourites. If anyone else wins the league it is a shock and an upset
  • @montanaprime
    I only see Arsenal winning 4 Major Trophies next season. Who is stopping us????? COYG