Danny Murphy has tipped Arsenal to challenge Manchester United for their place in the top four this season, with Donny Van De Beek not the player they needed.
The Red Devils scraped into third ahead of Chelsea and Leicester City on the final day of last season, and have only managed to bring in one player thus far.
They will also be boosted by the return of Dean Henderson from his loan, but whether he will be able to break into the first-team ahead of David de Gea is another story.
Danny Murphy now believes the their place in the top four could be under threat, and expects the new and improved Arsenal to be the ones who could take it from them.
“They could challenge Manchester United for a top four place though United still have a slight edge,” as written in his column in the DailyMail.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a very good player in Donny van de Beek from Ajax though he’s not the holding midfielder I thought they needed.
“If he sent out an attacking midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Pogba and van de Beek against a team like Manchester City, United would lose. I assume therefore van de Beek may be seen as a longer-term replacement for Pogba.
“We are also still waiting to see if United break the bank for Jadon Sancho. He’d make them better but to spend £100m is a big call when they already have firepower up front and I’d consider a centre-half a bigger priority.”
The transfer window is still open of course, with just over a month left to make their respective transfers, but with the new season set to kick off this coming weekend, their squad should have been ready in an ideal world.
We’re also yet to bolster our midfield, and are set to begin our new campaign with the exact options of our previous campaign, but with Willian, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes added to side, we are in a much better position than we were earlier in 2020.
Mikel Arteta has already brought a new winning mentality to the team which is our biggest boost ahead of the new campaign however, and he could well have had our previous squad fighting for the Champions League places, but that task will become much-the-more achievable with our new additions.
Are Man United the only team that need to watch out for Arsenal in the race for the top four?
Patrick
I wish to disagree with the assumption that Arsenal seeks to displace a particular team in the top four because this is a new season and nothing is cast in stone. There is no guarantee that last season’s top four will again be the ones. It is more reasonable to say that Arsenal is vying to be in the top four this season without specifying which position because it can even be champions. Who said there are no surprises in EPL? In case some people have short memories I will remind them of Leicester 2016. Who could have imagined it would happen? Or did anyone think the way Arsenal was playing under Unai Emery at the beginning of last season it would win any cup? But here is Arsenal with FA trophy and the Community Shield! Nothing is ever predictable.
You have made very good points. Us winning the league is not a surprise at all. I am going as far as to guarantee it.
Show me the betting slip at current odds of 45:1, but hopefully not with your house on it.
If you ” guarantee it” then that is something you are prepared to put on a legal document to that effect with a collateral clause to back it up. I would be prepared to lay that bet at whatever money you choose, in that unlikely case. Your “guarantee ” is, in fact, only your personal and silly hyped and excitable opinion.
I do expect to finish better than 8th but if we cant improve our midfield this transfer window then it will be a struggle to get in the top four. The positives could be that Pepe and Cellabos have had a season to get used to the pace of the premiership and will hopefully improve. Saka, Smith Rowe, and Martinelli will also get even better with experience. Keep an eye on Everton they seem to be slipping under everybody’s radar and have made a couple of good signings.
I agree with you David Rusa. Being positive. This is the game of football so anything can happen, all it takes is just delivering a good consistent results and any team can win the league.
But logically speaking from squad strength, I don’t see us winning the league with our current players.
Our squad will be 100 percent complete with the addition of a skillful and strong midfielder like Partey and an attacking technical player like Aouar.
Plus, there are a number of young players, such as Gabriel and Saliba, who will take at least a season to acclimatise to the EPL and the demands of Arsenal playing in 3 cup competitions. Squad quality and depth is required and a good run with lack of injuries.
Oh these pundits and their shallow opinions.. Arsenal is not trying to oust Manure Danny we are going for the league just like everyone else shut up already with your predictions that are always wrong.. The league kicks off in 6 days!!! Coyg!!!
Last year was the weakest PL field since 2015-16 (Arsenal’s frailties included). Pool’s potential point total pre-lockdown both proof and clue. Mediocrity in places 3-12 where there were teams that might have finished in the lower-third in a strong field. Meaning some club had to finish in those European spots– not so much that they were earned– as given.
Arsenal ought to have finished top-4 actually. Had we dumped Emery earlier (before the October interlull)– Raul too.
We have strengthened our main weakness (CB). Looking to do so with our next one (MF). If Arteta and Edu bring in a pair of MFs (this next week optimal) Arsenal should finish top-4.
We certainly are look better prepared to fight for top 4 this season than last season. But until the season starts we won’t know how good chelsea and man utd actually are.
I know what you have written is blindingly obvious but until a few games are played it is impossible to know or get a feel for the season- so I am with you on this
Anyone can win the league including Arsenal. Liverpool will not replicate last season form. Any one of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Man City, Liverpool can win the league.
I don’t believe in a top four finish. Aiming to win the league should be the target.