3 players key for Arsenal’s ambitions this season

Arsenal have the most obvious goal for the season among all the Premier League clubs – to win the title. For two consecutive years, they have gone mighty close, only to be pipped by Pep Guardiola’s all conquering Manchester City machine. With Guardiola himself admitting that it will be difficult for City to win it this time, Arsenal begin the season almost as favourites.

#3 William Saliba

Arsenal are the best defensive unit in world football and William Saliba is the leader at the back. He is an athletic phenomenon, with the ability to keep up with any attacker and a supreme sense of calmness to accompany it all. His reading of the game is also immaculate, making it all a very complete package aged just 23.

The Frenchman is also very comfortable in possession, passing and carrying his way out of the backline very often. Saliba, alongside perhaps Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, is acknowledged by almost everyone to be the best central defender in the league. This season, he would like to make that count in terms of trophies.

#2 Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s captain and has led them with exemplary performances over the last couple of seasons and is still somehow underrated. He garnered headlines when he was signed by Real Madrid aged 15 and has delivered on the promise he showed. Now 25, Odegaard is a mature controller in midfield as well as a source of goals and assists.

The Norwegian is one of the most creative players in the league and he has a great shot from the edge of the area. Last season, he contributed directly by scoring 8 goals and assisting 10 more. Will this be the season when he finally lifts the Premier League trophy?

#1 Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka is not only Arsenal’s star boy, he is also a talismanic figure for the Gunners. An academy boy, Saka has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world under Mikel Arteta’s guidance. Over the last couple of seasons, he has put the team on his back during tough phases multiple times and delivered.

Although his dribbling, pace and other things you look for in a winger are all great, what sets him apart from his peers is his understanding of the game. He had 16 goals and 9 assists last season and already has one of each after one game this season. One thing Arsenal and Arteta have to be careful about is ensuring that he gets enough rest, which hasn’t happened in the last few seasons.