Arsenal look set to be strong contenders for the Premier League title this season…
SEE ALSO: The most expensive Premier League transfers ever.
Arrival of Alexis Sanchez
The arrival of the 25-year-old Chilean, who is viewed by many as one of the best footballers on the planet after his recent performances for both FC Barcelona and Chile, is a huge statement of intent from Arsenal – and one that could help lead them to success next season.
After netting 47 goals and providing 34 assists during a three-year spell with the Catalans, Sanchez arrives to an expectant Emirates Stadium.
Despite his success, Sanchez was forced to play second fiddle to Lionel Messi during his time at the Nou Camp, and Arsene Wenger believes that he will now be able to show his full potential in North London – comparing the contrast to the plight of Neymar, who has impressed to a much greater extent while playing for Brazil, rather than Barca.
Wenger spends big at last
Sanchez was not the only major signing at the club this summer, with Wenger finally giving into the plea’s of Gunners supporters to spend big.
Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and David Ospina have all arrived at the Emirates for a combine total of around £30m, in addition to the £35m signing of Sanchez.
Wenger has also promised that Arsenal fans still have at least two more new signings to look forward to before the transfer window slams shut.
A fully-fit Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal were leading the way in the Premier League for much of the first-half of last season, and it would have been intriguing to see where they would have finished, had Welsh midfielder Ramsey been able to stay fit throughout the entire year.
Ramsey did not play for the North London side between Boxing Day and early April as the Gunners fell away from title contention, and began scrapping with Everton over the final Champions League place.
Despite missing over three months of the campaign, the 23-year-old still struck 16 goals in all competitions – more than in his previous five years at the club combined – and was voted the Gunners players of the season.
If he can continue that form this year, the Gunners will be in good shape.
Emergence Of Exciting Young Talent
Ramsey was not the only player to have a breakthrough year last year. Much has been made of the emergence of Joel Campbell, who impressed on loan at Olympiakos last year, and again at the 2014 World Cup this summer, where he helped Costa Rica reach the quarter finals.
Young striker Yaya Sanogo has also had a strong pre-season, scoring four times in the Gunners’ Emirates Cup opener against Benfica on Saturday.
As always, Wenger has a wealth of young talent at his disposal, but this could well be the year that those players step up and turn Arsenal into true title contenders.
FA Cup Success
No longer is the ‘no trophy for nine years’ tagline hanging over the club like a curse. The Gunners have put almost a decade of heartbreak firmly behind them by winning last season’s FA Cup, and remembering what it feels like to win a trophy.
Much was made of the club’s trophy drought, but the current squad now know what it takes to succeed, and fans will be hoping they can now carry on that success with further victories in the near future.