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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Stan Kroenke, Arsenal
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke looks on before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Mac Johnson

Twitter: @MacJohnson22152

Final Premier League position: 6th

Despite a lack of sales, it appears Arsenal are getting serious about their summer recruitment, and if the squad can stay healthy, our form from the second half of last season has a good chance to carry over. Top four is too far out of sight, unfortunately, and with many opposing squads improving, it’ll be a hard-fought sixth.

How far in FA Cup: Semi-finals

Much like the 2019/20 season, and despite the delays of Project Restart, Arsenal are bereft of European Competition yet again. We’ve proven our ability to power through single-elimination competitions when it’s the sole focus of the club, and Arteta could use some more silverware to tide over the fans. I’m not sure we’ll win it, but top-four might just be a lock.

How far in Carabao Cup: It doesn’t matter

Nobody really cares about it, do they? I made this same point last season, but we typically go out early in the Carabao Cup because we play the kids and ignore the consequences. I’m quite excited to see players like Balogun and Martinelli flourish, but I’m afraid we simply do not have the luxury to play any decent talent in these matches, bar players returning from injury.

Player of the Year: KT or Saka

It’s a toss-up between two, for me. The two players this squad truly struggles to function without are Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka. Our starboy has a good chance of defending his crown, but if KT can stay healthy, he’ll likely play a massive volume of matches, and truly blossom into the player we know he can be. Thomas Partey and ESR are title outsiders.

Breakout star: Sambi Lokonga

Tempted as I am to nominate Azeez or Balogun, I believe Sambi will play a crucial role in the upcoming season. He’s demonstrated some serious tenacity and inch-perfect passing in the pre-season, but unlike Nketiah, he has a rather ironclad place in the squad, due to our serious lack of midfielders. He may not be homegrown, but he might just make a home for himself.

Hot take: Marquee signings to come in both transfer windows

My hot take revolves around recruitment. As Arsenal begin to stump up cash to fund higher-profile moves, it’s inevitable that we will not be able to fill the gaps we need to. Whether it’s for Maddison or otherwise, cash will be splashed soon, but I predict that with a glut of players ending their contracts in less than a year, proper talent will be brought in during the winter months.

Continued…

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