For manager Arsene Wenger, and the Gunners faithful, this season means absolutely everything. Sentiment is split in North London as to whether Wenger and the club he’s managed for 20 years should part ways.
This season will most likely decide Wenger’s fate. So, where will Arsenal finish in the Premier League and will they be able to progress deep into the Champions League?
With Alexis Sanchez in their ranks, anything is possible at the Emirates. All odds, unless otherwise stated, are brought to you by Bovada.
Odds Of Alexis Sanchez Winning Premier League Golden Boot: +2500
We’re going to go out on a limb here and back Alexis Sanchez to win this season’s Golden Boot. Bovada obviously doesn’t think it will happen as they have the diminutive maestro at +2500 to be the Premier League’s top goal scorer. But we think, as long as he stays healthy, Sanchez is in with a good shot. He’s free to roam the midfield and can turn a game on its head at the flip of a coin.
This man is a physical specimen, has adapted to the Premier League expertly, and can dominate a game at will. Sanchez has the ability to score 20 or more goals, which would put him right where he needs to surprise the bookmakers. Take Sanchez while the odds are still so undeservedly astronomical.
Odds Of Arsenal Winning The FA Cup: 7/1 (William Hill)
Arsenal have the best chance of winning the FA Cup and will lift the trophy in May as long as their fringe players pull their weight and get the team into the business end of the competition. The big guns will take over in the quarterfinal and give Arsenal every chance of bringing the FA Cup back to North London. Only Man City and Man Utd are preferred by William Hill.
Odds Of Arsenal Winning Premier League: +1000
The Gunners are currently fourth favourites to lift the Premier League trophy in May. The odds, in our opinion, are about right. Most bookies believe either Man City or Man Utd will win the 2016-17 Premier League. But Arsenal has a job to do and won’t be deterred by popular sentiment.
There’s a ton of work to be done before handing the title to the North Londoners and a lot will depend on how the team’s new signings will fit into the team. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will lead the charge offensively once again, and expertly so. The duo just need to stay healthy and confident for the pieces to fall into place. Everyone knows they have the skill, desire and pedigree to dominate most team’s in the league.
Wenger has, by signing young centre back Rob Holding, defender Shkrodan Mustafi, midfielders Lucas Perez and Granit Xhaka, finally placated his naysayers, though it might be too little too late.
They are, however, very astute and necessary signings. Xhaka will protect the back four while Holding and Mustafi should fit into the starting-11 at some point. Holding is only 20 years old and will need some time to mature, but promises to be a quality central defender.
The only questions are whether the new signings will gel with the team in a timely manner. We don’t they’ll make a big enough impact to propel the Gunners to the Premier League title in 2016-17 but believe glory is only a year or two away, probably without Wenger at the helm. Make sure you place a bet for Arsenal, at -115, to finish in the top four yet again.
Odds Of Winning Champions League: +2500
We like Arsenal to win Group A ahead of PSG, which goes against many online sportsbooks’ perspectives. At +150, it’s a bet that you should make as soon as humanly possible. Arsenal will have learned their lesson from last year and take first place.
The Gunners are currently pegged at +2500 to win The Champions League, which is beyond their current potential. However, we like Arsenal’s chances in forthcoming season’s so long as the North Londoners can keep this current squad together.