2022/23 SEASON: Prospect and Expectation

It is no longer news that the 2022/23 premier league season is upon us as the wait is almost over. We are barely days away from the start of the new premier league season and yes, you guessed right, our darling Arsenal will be kicking off the season on Friday 5th of August, 2022 with a visit to the Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace coached by Arsenal Legend Patrick Vieira, where a major dent to our champions league qualification was witnessed by a three nil defeat last season. The 2021/22 season was one that spurred different reactions, for some it was a disappointing outing considering we were sitting comfortably in the top four spot, having games at hand, but eventually missed out of top four to North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. For others, it was an ok season as we were still able to return to the Europa league after missing out the previous season finishing outside of European qualifying places. They also argued that the team was one of, if not, the youngest squad in the league and the prospect of growing together was one to look forward to.

However, we cannot shy away from the fact that injuries to Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney during crucial period in the season was arguably a significant let down on how the season ended. Something many felt was another failing of the management team for going into the second half of the season with a thin squad and been inactive in the January transfer window. The new season is one that is getting everyone hopeful and optimistic, one that should see us reclaim our elite status in European football, one that should see us taking our rightful place by qualifying for the champions league, having missed out of the elite competition in the last five seasons. Just like the 2021/22 season, the club have been busy in the transfer market by being amongst the big spenders. The club have been able to bring in their targets early enough with the signing of Brazilian youngster Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, Fabio Vieira from Portuguese giants Porto, American shot stopper Matt Turner from New England Revolution and the duo of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko who were part of the Manchester City squad that won the premier league last season.

Arsenal losing to Palace at Selhurst park (image: espn.com)

For what it’s worth, commendations must be given to the club hierarchy who has backed the management team by bolstering the squad with early signings and afford them the opportunity to be involved in pre-season. According to reports, further addition is in the works but they are subject to outgoings as we have the likes of Hector Bellerin who is been courted by Real Betis where he went on loan last season, Lucas Torreira who the club is holding talks with Turkish giants, Galatasaray, for a possible move, Ainsley Maitland-Niles who the club is willing to listen to offers for, alongside Nicolas Pepe, even though the latter came out in a social media post to say he is ready to give it his all this season and prove why the club spent a record transfer fee on him and Bernd Leno, who has switched places by moving to Craven Cottage, home of premier league returnees – Fulham.

So far so good, the squad looks good but a little addition will be welcomed as I personally feel the squad still needs addition in the attacking department and say maybe in central midfield considering Partey has been having injury setbacks of late and we would not want to be caught out like last season. The new additions to the squad will afford the team the needed depth and possible rotation considering we will be playing in Europe and other domestic competitions. William Saliba is back from loan where he made the ligue 1 team of the season and has been showing what he is made of during the pre-season games he has featured in. Gabriel Jesus too seems to be walking the talk as he’s been banging in goals in pre-season games and hopefully it will set him on for a fantastic season ahead. Zinchenko who can provide cover as he has the ability to play in several positions both in defense and in the midfield. Fabio Vieira is another attacking option whose exploit last season in the Portuguese liga was enough to attract the interest of the management team at the emirates, who went all in for his signing and got their man, who they feel, will provide decent attacking returns for the team.

Gabriel Jesus in Arsenal colours (image: goal.com)

This piece is not one to talk about set ups, formations or tactics but one to just talk about the prospect of the team this coming season and the expectations. It is a piece to show how hopeful fans are for the club to return into the champions league and reclaim its elite status. Personally, I am hopeful and optimistic the lads will do well this season and I will be cheering them on all through the season (though, it will not stop me from giving constructive criticism when and where due). Moreover, just like Edu, the Technical Director of the club said, the barest minimum for the team this season is qualification for the champions league, winning a trophy will obviously be accepted, as it will serve as icing on the cake.

Anything short of champions league qualification will personally be seen as a failure in my books and I sure hope the lads and the coaching team will give us something to be proud of (probably winning the Europa league). Come Friday at the Selhurst Park, I hope the team will give us a befitting start to the season by taking their pound of flesh against the Palace side and set things in motion for the new season. I wish the lads all the best this new season and I am looking forward to what will be fantastic season by all standards.

Piece was written by Ibukunoluwa
you can follow him on twitter @sandarious_