Mikel Arteta is preparing for his full season as manager of Arsenal after joining the club in December 2019.
Ahead of the new season, there is a lot of belief among fans that come on the back of Arteta’s success story so far.
However, the previous season was not always rosy, as the Gunners finished eight-placed on the league log – their lowest in a quarter of a century.
Mikel Arteta in spite of it all has had a big impression in the dressing room, helping the team win their 14th FA Cup and beat Liverpool to win the Community Shield.
The challenge now is to find the consistency that eluded them last season but Arteta’s squad certainly looks stronger than it did. As well as making the loan signings of Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares permanent, the Gunners have bolstered their ranks with the additions of Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Dani Ceballos has returned for another season on loan and there is likely to be more movement before the October deadline.
Arsenal’s major ins and out ahead of the 2020/2021 season
In
Pablo Mari – Flamengo, undisclosed
Cedric Soares – Southampton, undisclosed
Willian – Chelsea, free transfer
Gabriel Magalhaes – Lille, £27m
Dani Ceballos – Real Madrid, loan
Out
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Roma, free
Sam Greenwood – Leeds, undisclosed
Where have they strengthened?
Willian
The introduction of Willian brings in creativity, something that was deficient in the Arsenal team last season.
The Gunners were among the most reluctant shooters last season, a fact partially disguised by Aubameyang’s finishing.
Arteta may want his team to create clearer openings with patient build-up play, but the Gunners failed to achieve that: they created only 47 big chances last season.
Willian created 12 big chances for Chelsea in the 2019/2020 season and Arteta will be counting on that and more for the new campaign.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
The Gunners conceded 48 goals last season and Arteta will be hoping to change that as they fight for trophies in the upcoming season.
The introduction of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes could help the team concede less.
Saliba, 19, is an exciting young prospect for Arteta as he is rated highly among the top U-21 defenders in Europe.
Magalhaes, 22, is also among the top defender in the French Ligue 1 last season, helping Lille finish 4th, securing a Champions League spot for the 2020/2021 season.
Mikel Arteta will certainly have a tough time selecting a centre-back pairing this season as he has chunk to select from. He has Sokratis (who is courted by Napoli), Mustafi, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, and David Luiz.
Dani Ceballos
The Spanish international will not be a new face among his teammates this season as he has rejoined the club from Real Madrid.
He played a key part as the Gunners won the FA Cup last season.
The Gunners are also reportedly in talks with Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar for a likely transfer.
It will be interesting to know how Mikel Arteta will shape his team so every player will get enough game time.
What should be done?
The Gunners definitely needs a second goalkeeper to fill the shoes of Bernd Leno if Emiliano Martinez departs to Aston Villa.
A deal must be reached for the purchase of either Thomas Partey or Houssem Aouar.
The club currently has Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, and Dani Ceballos. But to fight the league, there has been an array of quality players to come together to help fight that course.
With a new position and the demands to achieve more, Mikel Arteta will definitely be tested in the upcoming season.