After pushing Pep Guardiola’s side hard in the Premier League, Manchester City finished second this time around.They have won 35 games in 52 games, but without a trophy, defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich in four days have made it difficult for Mikel Arteta and his players.But the new campaign has given hope to an inexperienced side that they can finally get over the line. Arteta often talks about “fine margins” and hopes the players can use that as motivation for their psyche to claim their first Premier League title since the Invincibles in 2004.
The foundations are in place with the arrival of the brilliant Riccardo Calafiori to improve last season’s worst Premier League defence. Declan Rice is chasing Mikel Merino to strengthen Arteta after Christmas. It remains to be seen whether Kai Havertz’s impressive performances in the new year will bolster the attack.
A back-up for Bukayo Saka, who made nearly 60 appearances for club and country last season, could also be a welcome addition for most supporters.Arteta managed to make the team better than Manchester City last season.
The grain owners spent more than £200 million on Havertz and Jurriën Timber. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s value rose to £2.3bn last year, but capital and sustainability rules have hampered further cash-outs this summer.One of Arsenal’s key strengths in their resurgence under Arteta is that sporting director Edu and co-chairman Josh Kroenke have played a key role in restructuring the club.
Timber has not been an ideal way to start his Arsenal career due to injury, but if the Netherlands international can be fit he will feel like a new signing for Arteta. This will provide competition in central defense and midfield.The 23-year-old returned from injury in his first game for Arsenal’s Under-21s last season and showed impressive goalscoring prowess.
Stars like Ethan Nwaneri and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand are expected to impress after performing well on the pre-season tour of the US.Martin Ødegaard, in a recent poll to determine the most attractive players in the Premier League, seemed to match Gabriel Martinelli’s skills if he was above the captain. Along with Saka, who is beloved by many visiting fans, Ødegaard has set an example on and off the pitch and showed maturity in addressing the Emirates crowd after the season finale.
Spurs have spoken to Arteta ahead of the Euro 2024 final and his club manager has admitted that loyalties have been split. Spurs and Saka will start the new season recovering from the psychological damage they lost to Spain.
