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  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

What to expect from Arsenal in 2021/22

Arsenal travel to the Brentford Community Stadium tonight to kick off the 2021/22 Premier League season as Mikel Arteta looks to build on last season’s eight place finish.


It is Brentford’s first game in the topflight since the 1946-47 season and they will be desperate to get a result out of Arsenal on their return.


A lot has been made of last season’s Championship top scorer Ivan Toney, an efficient finisher with great movement in and around the box, but it remains to be seen whether he can translate his skills into the Premier League after only one season in the Championship.


Brentford are going to look to play on the ball, much like Fulham last season. This will give them a chance to cause upsets, but Arsenal should have enough quality to see off the newly promoted side.


It will undoubtedly be Ben White’s league debut for the Gunners, having impressed in a pre-season friendly against Tottenham last weekend. The defender will be tasked with nullifying Toney whilst also adding ball progression to drive Arsenal forward in attack.


There will hopefully be a debut for Albert Sambi Lokonga in the absence of Thomas Partey. Lokonga has the skills to approximate, and eventually compliment, Partey with his ability to turn and carry the ball up the pitch before finding a teammate ahead.


The key for Arsenal will be the composition of their attack. In pre-season we have seen a front three of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe either side of Alexandre Lacazette, a front line which has been ineffective, as it was last season.


If Mikel Arteta selects these three together, Arsenal may be in for a long night as they will struggle to create chances. Instead, Bukayo Saka should come in to add his dribbling, movement and link up play alongside Emile Smith Rowe.


Captain Aubameyang should make way based on his performances both last season and in this pre-season. Aubameyang was left out due to family issues and malaria at various points last year, but now Arteta needs to make the tough call to leave his captain out, or at least if he does play Aubameyang, play him through the middle.


Here is the line-up I would play:


Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Arsenal



On the whole, Arsenal will continue with their successful defensive strategy from last season. When Arsenal are on the front foot, their centre backs will push onto the halfway line and look to meet balls into opposition strikers by stepping up to try and intercept and harass to slow down attacks or force a quick turnover.


Out of possession Arsenal will fall back into a rigid low block, crowding the central areas around their penalty box and forcing opponents into wide areas.



On the ball Arsenal will once again look to build up from the goalkeeper, encouraging the opposition to press before looking to play through them quickly to progress the ball up the pitch and create 1 on 1 opportunities for their wide players.


For slower attacks, Arsenal will transition into a 2-3-5 formation with the right back operating deeper alongside the midfield until crossing opportunities arise. For the attacking 5 we will see the left back and the right winger hold the width as the left winger, attacking midfielder and striker attack the box centrally.




The additions of White and Lokonga should help further Arteta's tactic both on and off the ball, whilst Nuno Tavares provides an approximation of Tierney at left back.


However, Arsenal need to make the last two and a half weeks of this transfer window count if they want to see genuine progress this season.


Currently Bernd Leno is Arsenal's only real goalkeeping option and adding a capable understudy is vital in case the number 1 gets injured.


With Arsenal's season resting on the balance of the front line, a creative midfielder should be high on the list of priorities. We saw last season the impact Martin Odegaard had on loan, linking up with Smith Rowe and Saka to make Arsenal a far more dangerous side.


Arsenal currently find themselves in a hole on the transfer front, struggling to move on several fringe players who will not be getting many minutes this season. Even players like Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette, who will feature at times, have proved difficult to move on.


It seems Arsenal are in for a busy few weeks before the window closes.



Season Predictions

League Position: 6th

I feel Arsenal will find themselves in a battle for 5th, 6th and 7th with Leicester and Tottenham. Arsenal's North London rivals find themselves shrouded in uncertainty with their new manager, whilst it is unclear if their best player will still be at the club come September. Arsenal have more quality than Leicester, but the Foxes have something we do not, team chemistry which is helping them to maximise the players they have. If Arsenal add an attacking midfielder and Arteta can find the balance in attack then they could push on and challenge for top four.


Top Goalscorer: Aubameyang

It is a toss up between Aubameyang, Lacazette and Pepe, and will likely come down to who gets the most minutes. With Lacazette's contract up at the end of the year I imagine his playing time will begin to dry up as the season goes on. Pepe's inconsistency may hinder his game time for periods during the season. I expect Aubameyang will end up as the main centre forward and as a result will score the most goals.


Most Assists: Saka

The England star is Arsenal's most dangerous player. In the 2020/21 season Saka had the most key passes (passes that led directly to a shot) in the Arsenal team with 38. I have spoken time and time again about his ability and his skillset which will allow him to create the most chances again this season.


Best Player: Saka

I fancy both Partey and White to have strong seasons but I think Saka's attacking threat and goal involvements will steal the show. Coming off a superb Euro's, Saka is in a prime position to kick on and lead Arsenal forward this season.


Breakthrough Star: Lokonga

New signing Lokonga has the platform to start the season with Partey out until the end of August, and his skillset offers something different to what Arsenal already have. We saw last season that we do not need to rely on Xhaka, so if Lokonga can perform well in the first few weeks then he could get the nod to play alongside Partey in the long term.


Adam Perry - 13/08/2021


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