Pain in the Arsenal
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Pain in the Arsenal: Writers’ 2021/22 season predictions

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London on August 1, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London on August 1, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Albert Sambi Lokonga
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Albert Sambi Lokonga of Arsenal during the MIND series pre-season friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on August 8, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Adam Schultz

Twitter: @adam_schultz15

Final Premier League position: 6th

At the time of writing with the teams above Arsenal strengthening significantly and the club still sitting on its hand, I can’t see Arsenal moving any higher than sixth. The next few weeks will prove pivotal in securing new signings.

How far in FA Cup: Semi-final

With no European football, I expect Arsenal to go far in the competition they have a long history of winning. A semi-final berth is well within reach but may fall short when coming up against the big boys.

How far in Carabao Cup: Semi-final

Traditionally the Gunners have not taken this cup seriously, but again without European football, a strong team should be deployed in most matches. Having only won it twice in 1986/87 and 1992/93, Arsenal could go far in this competition and reach the semis.

Player of the Year: Ben White

Since the 2005/06 season, every winner of Arsenal’s Player of the Year has either been a midfielder or a forward. This year I am predicting a buck in the trend. Our new central defender Ben White will win the POTY award this season.

Breakout star: Sambi Lokonga

Most likely everyone’s choice. The 21-year-old Belgian midfielder has impressed since his move from Anderlecht. In a similar mold to Thomas Partey, I expect Lokonga to become one of Arsenal’s most important players in 2021/22.

Hot take: William Saliba doesn’t have a future at Arsenal

This one hurts. So much talent and potential from the young French defender but he has not been given a chance in north London. It is now back-to-back loan spells in France and with Ben White and Gabriel to be Arsenal’s defensive pair for the next decade, Saliba will be sold next summer.

Continued…

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