The beginning of the English Premier League season always feels a little disjointed. The players find it difficult to get going as a number of international breaks interrupt proceedings and make it difficult for the teams to gather any momentum.
It is sometimes even worse when your side does well, as there is the concern that the regular pauses will make it difficult to get going again once the final break is over.
We still have one more international break in November to go before we can concentrate on the Premier League.
Arsenal has started in fine form and many of the best online Vegas betting sites have the Gunners as one of the favorites to win the league this season. But there are still some obvious areas of improvement.
Mikel Arteta may have to adapt his preseason plans, now that we have seen how the new arrivals have bedded in – and how our closest rivals have started. There is still a long way to go, and Arsenal are well-placed for a run at the title again. But these areas should be at the top of the Gunners’ to-do list.
Ensure Peak Fitness for Rotation
One of the downsides of elite footballers playing so many games is that there is the inevitable spate of injuries.
This is obviously the case for every club in the EPL, but Arsenal does seem to have suffered more than most this season. With games coming thick and fast over the next few months, squad rotation is going to be key.
That rotation of players and squad depth is made so much more difficult when there are so many players out injured.
Ben White and Martin Zubimendi are the latest players missing from training and new signing Piero Hincapie has played just one minute so far this season. Maintaining health and avoiding injuries will be central to Arsenal’s potential success.
Help Gyökeres Find His Goal Touch
Everyone knew that Arsenal would have to do something about its lack of firepower if it was going to compete this season.
So, signing the Gerd Müller Trophy winner for scoring the most goals in Europe last season seemed to be the perfect answer. Although Victor Gyökeres failed to impress on the opening day, he then scored three goals in the next three games.
It seemed as though Arsenal had solved its goal-scoring problem. But the Swedish striker has failed to find the net in his last six games, and the team has relied on midfielders, once again, to provide the match-winners. There is no doubt that Gyökeres is a deadly finisher, but Arteta needs to help him recapture his potency quickly.
Maintain Defensive Strength
Arsenal has the best defensive record in the Premier League. Only three goals have been shipped in the opening seven games – and there have been none in the EFL Cup or the two Champions League ties either. This level of defensive domination may not be maintained, but it has to continue to be a part of Arsenal’s tactics.
The Gunners not only have the best defensive record, but arguably the best defenders in the Premier League. Even with their ability to attack, the likes of Jürrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori can stop even the most dangerous attacking opponent. If Arsenal can stop teams from scoring goals, there is always going to be an excellent chance of winning a game.
Replace Ødegaard Creativity
Arsenal is lucky to have a whole host of creative talent throughout the squad and all over the pitch. But there is perhaps one player who stands above even the to change tactics when needed. It is the opinion of a number of pundits and media personalities that he is unwilling to adapt his style of play.
Where he may have been a little rigid in his thinking previously, Arteta has already shown this season that those views are outdated. Arsenal changed up gears against lofty standards of the current Gunners squad. Martin Ødegaard is an incredible two-way player and his absence through injury will be keenly felt.
Even with players of the caliber of Martin Zubimendi and Ebere Eze, there is a huge hole to fill, and Mikel Arteta needs to be able to ensure that the Norwegian star’s creativity is not missed too much. It is probably too much to expect just one player to do the job, so the midfield unit as a whole needs to step up while our captain recovers.
Keep Surprising Pundits
Even with all the success he has had at Arsenal – and at Manchester City as an assistant coach previously – Mikel Arteta has attracted criticism for his supposed inability Newcastle when the game looked lost and two late goals won all three points. If he can continue to keep opponents – and TV pundits – guessing, Arsenal can only improve.
Bring Back Fan Favorites
There is very little that Arsenal fans find wrong with the current setup. Arteta has famously stated that everyone should “trust the process”, and he has been proven right on numerous occasions.
But there is one area where some fans are struggling to understand his motives – and that is with the absence of some fans’ favorites.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are two players who burst into the first team last season and looked to have excellent prospects for this campaign. But neither has featured heavily so far this season, and some fans are wondering why.
Arteta should definitely manage their minutes, especially with such depth in the squad now, but both are proven Premier League players and could help Arsenal reach even higher heights in the weeks and months ahead.