11 long years. That’s how long Arsenal have gone without a Premier League crown, as inconsistent play and an incomplete squad have often held them back. But the wait might soon be over for the Gunners, who finally look to have all the pieces – from goalkeeper all the way to the strikers – needed to return to the summit of English football this season.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the 2015-2016 Gunners and find out whether they actually have what it takes to finally end their decade of league futility. Meanwhile, check out our previews of their fellow championship contenders – Chelsea,Manchester City and Manchester United.
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Arsenal FC 2015-2016 Premier League Preview
Overview
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window, but the one notable player they’ve signed is a big one. Petr Cech’s move from Chelsea has given the Gunners the true world class goalkeeper they’ve been missing for the longest time. With that position finally strengthened, as well as Francis Coquelin’s emergence in defensive midfield, Arsenal hardly have any discernible weaknesses left in their lineup.
Meanwhile, the Gunners’ great strength remains their terrific ability going forward. They have an embarrassment of riches in attacking midfield (Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) and up front (Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud), and are capable of tearing any opposing defense apart. The chances of them tearing through the league and winning that elusive championship are priced at +450.
Key Player – Francis Coquelin
Of all the world class talent Arsenal possess all over the pitch – Cech, Ozil, Sanchez, etc. – their fortunes for this season could instead rest on the shoulders of one unheralded player by the name of Francis Coquelin.
Coquelin’s emergence as a consistent starter in that problematic defensive midfield position at the turn of the New Year was one of the defining events of Arsenal’s 2014-15 season. The young Frenchman was most notably instrumental in Arsenal’s 2-0 away win over then-reigning champions Manchester City. His presence in the middle of the park will be crucial in solidifying the Gunners’ defense this season.
While Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini can spot a start or two from time to time, Coquelin is one of the starters that Arsenal can do without for an extended period of time.
Key Game – at Chelsea (Sept. 19)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s sheer inability to beat a Jose Mourinho-led team – the unfortunate winless streak is now at 13 games – remains a monkey the Frenchman still can’t shake of his back. But Wenger will get a relatively early shot to break that barren run when the Gunners take on Mou’s Blues in their sixth game of the season.
More than that though, Arsenal’s meeting with reigning champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be an early litmus test for the Gunners and their supposed credentials as championship contenders.
Best/Worst Case Scenario
Best Case Scenario
Cech is the rock everyone expected him to be between the sticks, while Coquelin marshals the front of the back four expertly. Sanchez, Ozil and co. take care of the rest by banging in the goals on the other end as Arsenal break their decade-long league title drought.
Worst Case Scenario
Not even Cech’s presence can solve Arsenal’s crippling inconsistency, which also plagues Coquelin in his first full season as a starter. Sanchez doesn’t quite climb the heights of his impressive debut campaign, as the Gunners don’t climb any higher than fourth on the season.
Complete Schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
August 9
vs West Ham United
8:30 AM ET
August 16
@ Crystal Palace
8:30 AM ET
August 25
vs Liverpool
3:00 PM ET
August 29
@ Newcastle United
7:45 AM ET
September 12
vs Stoke City
10:00 AM ET
September 19
@ Chelsea
7:45 AM ET
September 26
@ Leicester City
10:00 AM ET
October 3
vs Manchester United
10:00 AM ET
October 17
@ Watford
10:00 AM ET
October 24
vs Everton
10:00 AM ET
October 31
@ Swansea
11:00 AM ET
November 7
vs Tottenham
11:00 AM ET
November 21
@ West Bromwich Albion
11:00 AM ET
November 28
@ Norwich
11:00 AM ET
December 5
vs Sunderland
11:00 AM ET
December 12
@ Aston Villa
11:00 AM ET
December 19
vs Manchester City
11:00 AM ET
December 26
@ Southampton
11:00 AM ET
December 28
vs Bournemouth
11:00 AM ET
January 2
vs Newcastle
11:00 AM ET
January 13
@ Liverpool
4:00 PM ET
January 16
@ Stoke City
11:00 AM ET
January 23
vs Chelsea
11:00 AM ET
February 3
vs Southampton
3:45 PM ET
February 6
@ Bournemouth
11:00 AM ET
February 13
vs Leicester City
11:00 AM ET
February 27
@ Manchester United
11:00 AM ET
March 2
vs Swansea
3:45 PM ET
March 5
@ Tottenham
11:00 AM ET
March 12
vs West Bromwich Albion
11:00 AM ET
March 19
@ Everton
11:00 AM ET
April 2
vs Watford
10:00 AM ET
April 9
@ West Ham United
10:00 AM ET
April 16
vs Crystal Palace
10:00 AM ET
April 23
@ Sunderland
10:00 AM ET
April 30
vs Norwich
10:00 AM ET
May 7
@ Manchester City
10:00 AM ET
May 15
vs Aston Villa
10:00 AM ET
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal improve upon last season’s third-place finish, but don’t quite have enough to go all the way and win the title. The Gunners finish as runners-up.
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