EPL Season Previews – Arsenal, Chelsea And Tottenham

With the English Premier League season about to kick off, let’s look at three London clubs and their prospects for the new season.

ARSENAL

Key Business

It’s been a quiet summer so far, making David Raya’s loan from Brentford into a permanent deal and spending big on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. There have been very few links to reinforcements in the attacking areas.

Most of the business has been about getting fringe players out of the door. Emile Smith Rowe has generated a large transfer fee, and the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Kieran Tierney could be next to depart.

Squad Strengths And Weaknesses

Arsenal looked to have a steady, settled XI having only really signed Riccardo Calafiori to be a starter. He could play at left-back, which has been a problem position for the Gunners over the last 12 months. The midfield may need reinforcement, which explains Mikel Merino’s chase.

In attack, some may question whether Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will bring enough goals to the table. There also isn’t a natural backup for Martin Odegaard with Fabio Vieira yet to truly impress. If someone like Odegaard or Declan Rice were to get injured, you would worry about the engine room.

Watch out for the Gunners’ set plays. They are incredibly strong in that department.

Predicted Best XI

(4-3-3 formation): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Predicted Finish

FIRST. This may finally be the year where they finish above Man City.

CHELSEA

Key Business

The Blues have signed 10 players this summer and probably still have further additions to come. They will need to offload around a dozen players to balance the books and trim their 40+ player roster to something more manageable.

Pedro Neto is the best signing and Marc Guiu has looked promising up front after joining from Barcelona. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was acquired from Leicester but it’s not clear where he is going to play. Some key men from last season like Conor Gallagher, Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah are all set to be sold once their asking prices are met.

Squad Strengths And Weaknesses

Despite all the signings, the Blues may lack a ruthless striker. Nicolas Jackson is hugely promising, but his finishing can be a weak point. In goal, Filip Jorgensen has been signed but that remains a problem position with Robert Sanchez set to don the gloves initially.

In midfield, there are lots of options but getting the best out of Enzo Fernandez remains a worry. The reliance on Cole Palmer for match-winning moments is not expected to end any time soon. However, if the Blues can keep Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto fit, they have some very good options to call upon.

Predicted Best XI

(4-3-3 formation, inverted fullbacks): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo, Nkunku; Palmer, Jackson, Neto.

Predicted Finish

FIFTH. Enzo Maresca style of play will take a while to implement. Things could get worse before they get better.

TOTTENHAM

Key Business

Spurs have gone and signed a striker to finally replace Harry Kane. That man is Dominic Solanke, who netted 19 goals in the league last term for Bournemouth. He looks a perfect fit for the system under Ange Postecoglou. Two impressive young midfielders have been acquired in the shape of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

A lot of deadwoods have been shifted off the books including Emerson Royal, Eric Dier, Joe Rodon, Tanguy Ndombele, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Squad Strengths And Weaknesses

Tottenham have a fine squad right now but an injury to either Destiny Udogie or Pedro Porro could leave them in real trouble. At the heart of the defence is a fast, aggressive pairing but the cover for any injuries is questionable.

Further forward, many supporters feel a new right winger is needed despite the big money spent on Brennan Johnson just a year ago. Postecoglou will need to sort out Tottenham’s awful defending from set-pieces.

Predicted Best XI

(4-2-3-1 formation): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke.

Predicted Finish

FOURTH. Spurs look better equipped to reach a Champions League spot than either Man Utd or Chelsea. With Solanke leading the line, a top-four finish is within reach. 

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis