Predicting Arsenal’s 2018-2019 Season

Tomorrow the 2018-2019 Premier League season gets under way. It’s always a great time and for the longest time many Gunners haven’t looked to it with much more than dread. Now there is a complete feeling of the unknown with Arsenal. So we reached out to our writers and a couple friends to have them give their thoughts on predicting what Arsenal’s 2018-2019 season will be like.

@GazFootballNerd (YAMA Writer)

Highest League position for Arsenal: 4^th 

Europa League Position for Arsenal:  Final, although in true style we will lose to a team that has been eliminated from the Champions League. 

Leading scorer for Arsenal: Aubameyang  

Assist Leader for Arsenal: Özil 

League Winner: Manchester City 

FA Cup Winner: Liverpool 

What are you looking for from Arsenal this year?
Excitement, to put it simply! With a new Head Coach, this season feels like a journey into the unknown, and even in itself that makes it worth looking forward to. Things had all got very stale under Arsène; the same old frustrating failings were evident time and again, with each campaign feeling more about routine and duty and less about enjoyment. Now with Unai Emery prowling the touchline the one thing we know for sure is that it won’t be the same; we hope that things will be much better but at the same time we realise how big a job rejuvenating this squad and moulding it to his philosophy and approach is going to be. There are no guarantees of success, but it looks like it is going to be an interesting ride.

@UpTheGunns (formerly @Gunnerfaithful – YAMA Writer)

 Highest League position: 4.5… In the end I think we may get 4th…JUST but if there was a whole number between 4 and 5 that is where I would put us.

Europa position: This is obviously hard to predict due to the uncertainty of competition in the later stages. Unai is known for being good in this so I will say we get to the final.

Leading scorer: Has to be Aubameyang. He is lightning in a bottle and scores for fun

Leading assists: Ozil but I think Lacazette or Mkhitaryan will run him close.

League winner: City… they’re just too strong

F.A. Cup winner: Liverpool

League Cup winner: I think we may get a surprise here. I’m going with Burnley.

What are you looking for from Arsenal this year?
I expect Arsenal to take a bit to find their new legs under Emery but once we do we will be way more consistent than we have been the last few seasons. Everyone else around us will be improving too except for Spurs who are experiencing what a new stadium really costs. We will only go as far as our defense will take us. If it improves, we will make leaps and bounds but if not, it will be a mixed season. Getting back to Champions League has to be our top priority. We belong in that competition and it has(like it or not) become a measuring stick for clubs and players. All in all, I think if we just look for improvement, we will get it this season. It will be fun to not have huge expectations and just enjoy our football again.

@CGaspic (YAMA Writer)

Highest League Position for Arsenal: Fourth

Europa League Position for Arsenal: Finalists (Champions)

Leading Scorer for Arsenal: Aubameyang

Assist Leader for Arsenal: Ozil

League Winner: Manchester City

FA Cup Winner: Arsenal

League Cup Winner: Chelsea

What are you looking for from Arsenal this year?
Modernity in play. I’ll be honest, if we don’t finish in the top 4 this season I’ll be completely fine. As of today, I don’t think Emery has had a real chance to put a stamp on this club and bring in the type of players he needs; really from our backline. With that said, if I see this team play a true Emery style, with a high-press, using our fullbacks to support the attack and really look win the ball back with urgency. Our offensive numbers looked good last year 72.27 xG (3rd last year), but against the top-tier teams we never looked dangerous. I’m hoping with these adjustments we see, maybe not different results, but a team that looks competitive.

@YankeeGunner (ArsenalVision Podcast)

Highest League Position for Arsenal: 4th

Europa League Position for Arsenal: Winners

Leading Scorer for Arsenal: Auba

Assist Leader for Arsenal: Ozil

League winner: City

FA Cup Winner: City

League Cup Winner: United

What are you looking for from Arsenal this year?
I think it’ll be a challenging season for arsenal supporters punctuated by high flying performances filled with goals, and huge disappointments due to our defensive frailties. It will take time for Emery to learn his team and for the team to learn his system. As a result, I could see an uneven start to the season and a strong finish. We should score plenty. But a top 4 finish will require the very questionable defense to hold up.

@GoonerDave 66 (Columnist/Author – Arsenal is a Funny Old Game)

In short, I think the Premier League is unattainable for Arsenal in 18/19 but consider a top 4 finish and a return to the Champions League likely. I am unconvinced by Man United under Maureen and Spurs have no depth.

I think Aubameyang and Lacazette with both score over 20 goals across all competitions and expect the former to challenge for the Golden boot, even if from the left. It is a big season for Ozil but I have a sneak feeling our Armenian friend my be our assist king with both being ace providers.

We have better strength in depth with our younger players, one year one, more than capable of getting us the the knock out phases of the Europa when we should bring in the big guns and try to win it. I think we might too.

I expect is to reach the last 4 of both domestic cups and the League Cup is a springboard to greater things so let’s win it.

@YouAreMyArsenal (Grand Poohbah)

Highest League Position for Arsenal: 4th

Europa League Position for Arsenal: Finalists

Leading Scorer for Arsenal: Auba

Assist Leader for Arsenal: Ozil

League winner: City

FA Cup Winner: Chelsea

League Cup Winner: Arsenal

What are you looking for from Arsenal this year?
It’s a season of transition and Elliott (@YankeeGunner) spells out, it will take some time for the team to learn Emery’s season. That being said, at a minimum we have to improve on our away form. If all things remained equal, improving the away form should be enough to get Arsenal back in challenging for the top 4. Then you build from there.

People need to remember we’re not all that an attractive proposition right now. Everything is in a state of flux, so we have to kind of deal with the cards we have. I am hopeful that Emery’s more structured approach gets the best out of the defenders we have and all our worries subside.

I think there is enough turmoil in the league right now, that the first top 6 that settles in and makes a run late in the season, will be one of the strong horses for the top 4. I am hoping that’s us.

Thank you to all the writers and guests for your thoughts! What do you think where will Arsenal end up and how do you see the season developing?