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Five reasons for Arsenal to be optimistic heading into next season

By Jocelyn Taub

SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC) /
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SINGAPORE – JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE – JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC) /

A new era begins in North London

We are now just two weeks away from the start of the Premier League season. With it a new chapter begins for Arsenal.

For the first time since 1996, the Gunners will be led by a manager other than Arsene Wenger. Spaniard Unai Emery will be at the helm as Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates on August 12th.

Coming off a disappointing 2017-2018 campaign, Arsenal fans are hopeful that the club will rebound under new leadership. A top four finish and a return to the Champions League is the number one goal.

The last few seasons have been fraught with challenges, missed opportunities and infighting. #WengerOut became a catch phrase and fan dissent was rampant. It was obvious that Arsenal needed change and new leadership. Wenger will always be considered a legend for all that he brought to the club over 22 years, but the writing was on the wall.

The announcement last April that Wenger would be leaving the club united the fan base. The longtime manager got the respectful sendoff he deserved and the tension among supporters subsided.

Several candidates were considered to take over from Wenger. In the end, Arsenal went with former PSG and Sevilla boss Unai Emery. During his time at Sevilla, he was nominated for the FIFA Best Coach Award in 2015 only losing out to Barcelona’s Luis Enrique.

It’s been a while, but Arsenal head in this new season with a sense of optimism. The Gunners did their business earlier than in past summers and the squad appears to be united and ready to go.

Here are five reasons that Arsenal fans have to be optimistic.

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