Quote Originally Posted by IBK View Post
Premier League: 2nd (behind Liverpool)
Champions League: Runners up
FA Cup: 5th Round
League Cup: Semis
Mind the gap?: Of course
Arsenal top scorer: Gyokeres
Most assists: Saka
Most cock-ups: Zubimendi
Breakthrough player: Madueke

I was a bit torn about our EPL place. Trying to ignore Liverpool's signings and/or hoping that there might be too many cooks in the forward department and that they have a worse defence than us. I do believe that but for our key injuries we would have challenged them properly for the title last season, and I don't think that there's much difference between us and them really. But while I'm enthused about our signings I am a bit concerned that we have totally overhauled our CM, and that the players we have brought in will take time to master Arteta's complex tactical approach. This and our brutal start might hobble us a bit. I think Zubi might be the player most affected in this regard. Also, we desperately need Odegard back to his best. If he isn't then I think we will struggle to win the league.

I think we will be perhaps a better CL side than an EPL side, given our defensive capabilities and now greater depth (*if Cala can be more robust).

We should go deeper in the cup comps with greater squad depth but Arteta's history here since we won the FA Cup last is poor.

I'm excited to see what Madueke can do for us. By all accounts the club/manager has been far more keen to do this deal than the fans, and I am really hoping that they get this one right.
Pretty decent predictions and I also believe Zubimendi will struggle in the begining and lead the early cockups chart.

I just hope he's enough of a professional to ignore the criticisms he'll get from haters like Gary Neville and rise beyond his mistakes and adapt his game. Hopefully Merino's personality will rub off on him a little bit.

I also think like you guys, that with Gyokores, we've got a real chance at cups now, even if the league ends up being out of our reach quite early.