Playing for 90
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Lucas Torreira of UC Sampdoria looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2017 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Lucas Torreira of UC Sampdoria looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2017 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /

3. Arsenal conducted its summer spending before pre-season began

Arsenal completed their summer transfer business prior to the kick off to the new season. In years past this was not always the case. In fact, this was one of the club’s biggest problems in recent years.

In 2016, the club recruited Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez after the campaign had begun. The deals were looked at by many as desperation moves. Mustafi has been unreliable at times and Perez has barely been given a chance.

Last year the club were humiliated at Anfield in August with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the starting lineup. Less than a week later, the midfielder had pushed through a move to join Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. The entire incident was demoralizing and took place just as the campaign had begun.

Arsenal recruitment began early this year. Veteran Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner was signed on a free transfer in early June. The 34-year-old joined Arsenal after seven years with Juventus of Serie A.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos came on board for a fee of €20m from Borussia Dortmund. The centre-back has been capped 79 times by the Greek national team.

Lichtsteiner and Papastathopoulos are expected to provide experience and leadership for Arsenal’s often shaky defense.

German goalkeeper Bernd Leno signed a five-year deal in mid-June after 233 appearances with Bayer Leverkusen.

The newcomer generating the most excitement is Lucas Torreira. The defensive midfielder was a standout performer for Uruguay during the World Cup. He was brought in for a fee of €30 million.

Emery’s most recent signing is 19-year-old midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. The teenager began his career at PSG’s academy before moving on to Lorient. Guendouzi has represented France at the under-20’s level.

The summer transfer window will remain open until August 9th. There is talk of perhaps one more signing. Regardless, by completing major business prior to pre-season, Arsenal are ahead of where they were at this point in recent season kick-offs.

Home/Arsenal FC