Arsenal preview: Can Lacazette provide a serious Premier League title challenge?

London: Despite finishing at a lowly 6th place in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, the lowest in Arsene Wenger’s 22 years at the club, the Arsenal faithful have a difficult yet promising Premier League season to look forward to this season. 

An FA Cup triumph along with the Community Shield, both against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea seemed to prove that the Gunners can challenge even the best of teams. Could this be the season we witness the Arsenal we all have been waiting to see?

What looks good:

Despite continuous protest against Arsene Wenger exit by the fans, the heavy summer spending and pre-season positives seemed to have calmed their nerves. Without the luxury of Champions League football, the north-London club have managed to lure Lyon’s talisman Alexandre Lacazette but at the cost of a club record fee. With his addition, the front three of Sanchez-Lacazette-Ozil looks mouth watering.  

A switch to a 3-4-1-2 formation in the latter stages of the previous season has worked wonders for Wenger, fetching 9 wins in their last 10 games (losing only to Liverpool). Arsenal also proved to be strong contenders for the Europa League.

What does not:

Lacazette comes in, but Alexis Sanchez cut a forlorn and frustrated figure at the Emirates last season. Could he join the list of betrayers who have left the club? Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been linked with an exit along with Newcastle eyeing Lucas Perez. Mesut Ozil drools with creativity as the no. 10, but has proven to be a flat track bully.

Key signings:

Lacazette has proved to be promising this season but it’ll take the time to see how the Frenchman gets accustomed to fast-paced English football. Known as the ‘Bosnian Hulk’ Sead Kolasinac’s free signing is a bargain given his robust physique and traits of a modern full-back.

Departures:

Like Chelsea and Manchester City, the north-London club boast of many youngsters and are still figuring out whom to off-load from the reserve team. Yaya Sanogo has moved back to France while Wojciech Szczesny has joined Serie A winners Juventus.

Tactical view:

A switch to the 3-4-1-2 formation will prevail under Arsene Wenger for now given how defensively balanced it has made the Gunners with Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey steering the midfield engine. Counter-attacking on the break with speedsters like Alexis Sanchez, Hector Bellerin, Theo Walcott, Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck should leave defenders sweating.

However, doubt seems looming over the right wing-back role with Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both must haves.  

Final Verdict:

The team have always shown consistency and form during the first half of the season but have failed to withstand the storm in the latter stages. However, after a busy summer spending, this could be the season where Arsenal fulfil their Premier League dream.