Arsenal 2021-22 Premier League Preview
Can Gunners get back into Europe?
Arsenal will miss out on European football for the first time in 26 years this season. The Gunners had a poor campaign last time around, finishing in eighth spot for a second season running. They were even pipped by rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a place in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League on the final day.
At the time of writing, Arsenal have yet to make any signings for the upcoming season, but that is likely to change before the window slams shut. Can Mikel Arteta’s men compete this season and bring European football back to the Emirates Stadium?
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: Arsenal finish down in eighth
- 2 2021-22 Fixtures: Gunners take on PL newcomers on opening night
- 3 Arsenal Transfer News: Any incomings at the Emirates?
- 4 Who Are Arsenal’s Biggest Challengers: Is the top four out of reach?
- 5 Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Can Nuno take Spurs into Champions League?
- 6 Leicester City Preview: Foxes to make Europe again?
- 7 West Ham United Preview: Can Hammers build on last season’s success?
- 8 Arsenal players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Who will be the main men?
- 9 Our Arsenal Predictions: Top six for the Londoners
2020-21 Review: Arsenal finish down in eighth
Arteta’s Arsenal had a season to forget last year. Their longstanding tradition of reaching Europe came to an end, as the Gunners missed out on a European position on the final day. The Londoners’ European dreams were alive at the death, but two Gareth Bale goals for Tottenham at Leicester City gave Spurs seventh and a spot in the first ever Europa Conference League.
Arsenal’s 2020-21 season got off to a winning start when they beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Wembley Stadium to win the FA Community Shield. The Gunners then secured wins over Fulham and West Ham United in the Premier League. However, they went on to lose eight of their following 12 league games.
Arteta’s troops rolled up their sleeves over the festive period and finally found some form. After a much-needed Boxing Day victory over Chelsea, Arsenal went on to claim wins over Brighton & Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Southampton. Their first defeat of 2021 came at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 2nd February.
Arsenal struggled for consistency from early February to late April, but the Gunners ended their league season in stunning style. After a 1-0 home reverse to Everton on 23rd April, the London outfit finished their Premier League campaign with consecutive wins over Newcastle, West Brom, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Brighton, scoring 11 and conceding two. However, they missed out on the European places, finishing in eighth with 61 points to their name.
2021-22 Fixtures: Gunners take on PL newcomers on opening night
Arsenal kick off the 2021-22 Premier League season with a trip to Premier League new boys Brentford on Friday, 13th August. The Gunners then have back-to-back games with title favourites Manchester City and Chelsea.
The first north London derby of the new season will take place at the Emirates Stadium in late September. It will be Nuno Espirito Santo’s first taste of this particular derby. Arsenal end 2021 with a home fixture with Wolves before starting the new year by welcoming champions Man City to the Emirates. Two weeks later, Arteta takes his team to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arsenal’s final away game will see them take on Newcastle at St James’ Park on 15th May. They end their Premier League season with a home game against Everton, who won 1-0 at the Emirates last term.
Arsenal Key Facts
- Arsenal will miss out on Europe for the first time in 26 years this season
- The Gunners have been English champions on 13 occasions
- The London outfit have won the Premier League three times
- Arsenal have finished eighth two seasons in a row
Arsenal Transfer News: Any incomings at the Emirates?
At this moment in time, Arsenal have not made a summer signing. However, they have been linked with several players. The Gunners are reportedly interested in Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares, while reports suggest that they are the current favourites to land Sassuolo man Manuel Locatelli. Aaron Ramsey, Allan Saint-Maximin and Aaron Ramsdale have also been mentioned. Ben White is currently available at just 1/7 to move to the Emirates.
Kieran Tierney recently signed a new long-term contract in north London, but long-serving right-back Hector Bellerin has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in Italy. Also, they have rejected a couple of bids from Aston Villa for starlet Emile Smith-Rowe, who put in several impressive performances for Arteta last term. Before a ball has been kicked, we expect a number of transfer dealings involving incomings and outgoings at the Emirates.
Who Are Arsenal’s Biggest Challengers: Is the top four out of reach?
With the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United set to be even stronger this term, breaking into the top four could be a step too far for Arsenal. Although Arteta will be eyeing up a UEFA Champions League place, a spot in the UEFA Europa League could be more likely for the Londoners. Who will be Arsenal’s biggest rivals this season?
Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Can Nuno take Spurs into Champions League?
Nuno worked wonders at Wolves during his time at Molineux, guiding the Midlands club to the EFL Championship title and a place in the Europa League. After the somewhat surprise sacking of Jose Mourinho at the end of last season, Spurs needed a long-term replacement, and Santo is the chosen one.
Tottenham’s success this season will depend heavily on whether they can keep Harry Kane or not. Man City are the current favourites to land the England skipper, but Kane might opt to stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now Nuno has arrived. Tottenham have a talented squad, and they will be searching for a Champions League position this season.
Leicester City Preview: Foxes to make Europe again?
Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final last term.
Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho struck up an excellent partnership, while the likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans also impressed. Tielemans has been linked with a move away, but the Foxes have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing Ryan Bertrand and Patson Daka to the King Power Stadium.
West Ham United Preview: Can Hammers build on last season’s success?
David Moyes’ West Ham were arguably the surprise package in the Premier League last season. The Hammers flirted with the Champions League places all season long. Despite missing out on the top four in the end, West Ham finished in sixth and sealed a spot in the Europa League.
With some new signings, United are more than capable of building on last season’s success. However, keeping star man Declan Rice is a must. Rice has been sensational for the Irons since breaking on to the scene in Stratford, but the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Man City are all reportedly keeping tabs on the England international.
Arsenal players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Who will be the main men?
For the past couple of years, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from the Emirates. However, recent reports suggest that the Gabon international will be staying in north London for the foreseeable future. The skipper is a huge player for Arteta, and his goals could fire the Gunners back into Europe come the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
The capture of Tierney from Celtic turned out to be a shrewd bit of business. Tying the Scotland international down on a long-term deal could be just as important. The left-back had his injury issues last term but always gave 110% for the shirt when selected. Tierney is a massive player for Arsenal and will no doubt be a key man in the XI this season.
Our Arsenal Predictions: Top six for the Londoners
Getting off to a good start is imperative for Arteta. The pressure will mount on the Spaniard if things start to go wrong early doors. No European football for the first time in over 25 years could be a blessing in disguise as the Gunners can now fully concentrate on the Premier League and the domestic cup competitions.
Of course, breaking back into the top four and bringing Champions League football back to the Emirates will be the priority, but with so many top teams getting even stronger, the top four will surely be a step too far this year.
Having said that, Arsenal will fancy their chances of getting back into the top six this season. Before the 2019-20 season, the Gunners had finished in the top six every year since the 1994-95 campaign, which was before the Arsene Wenger days.
Several clubs will have the same ambition, but we are backing Arsenal to finish in the top six of the Premier League this year. At the time of writing, Paddy Power are offering the generous odds of 5/4 for a top-six finish.
