Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Assessing Arsenal’s Top Four Hopes – Rival Analysis

By Mac Johnson

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Tom Davies , Michael Keane , Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes of Everton line up while showing the Black Lives Matter movement slogan on the back of their shirts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on June 21, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Tom Davies , Michael Keane , Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes of Everton line up while showing the Black Lives Matter movement slogan on the back of their shirts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on June 21, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Arsenal, Nuno Espirito Santo
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Wolves

Wolves aren’t looking quite their normal selves this year. Daniel Podence is covering for Diogo Jota quite nicely, and the midfield is as impressive as always, but Adama Traore hasn’t quite found his feet this season, and they’re seriously missing Matt Doherty. Semedo is a talented player, but needs time to adjust.

Fernando Marçal, Ruben Vinagre, and the young Rayan Aït-Nouri have tag-teamed to cover for the injured Jonny, but Wolves left flank has still looked susceptible to the counter so far this season. Still, they’re a powerful side, and not one to be taken lightly.

They’ll be an obstacle, but if Arsenal can do as West Ham and Man City have, and get behind their backline, we can find quite a bit of joy. We’ve been regularly successful against the Wanderers, and let’s hope it can continue.

Predicted Finish: 9th.

Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Leicester

The Foxes, as could be said around this time last season, sit top of the table. Brendan Rodgers has worked another tactical masterclass up to this point, resting players strategically throughout the season to maximize their ability while keeping them healthy. His lineup has already been Swiss-cheesed by injuries, and it’s clear he wants to buck that trend as soon as he can.

They’ve only lost to Villa and West Ham, two sides with a penchant for giant-killing this season, and have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the big teams consistently. They’re a team to watch.

However, they’re also a side that starts well, but gets worse throughout the year, as their aging side begins to take its toll. If they can turn that around, it might spell greater success than they’ve had since their miracle in 2015/16, but they’ll be our main contender for fifth place in the table, assuming we can get that high.

Predicted Finish: 5th.

Home/Arsenal News