Last season - 3rd
With their unique brand of eye-catching football, Arsenal put together a sustained title challenge last season, only falling out of the race with seven games to go.
Led by inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas, the Gunners continuously defied their critics by winning games without star striker Robin van Persie - who was sidelined for much of the campaign with a serious ankle injury.
- Premier League News / Transfer Centre / Premier League Fixtures
The terrible injury sustained by Aaron Ramsey away at Stoke and a failure to beat their title rivals proved to be the low points for Arsene Wenger's side, while the return of veteran Sol Campbell worked surprisingly well.
Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen and Alex Song stood out for the Reds, but Theo Walcott and Manuel Almunia were particularly disappointing.
In Laurent Koscielny (Lorient, £10m), Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux, free), Kyle Ebecilio (Feyenoord, free), Phillips Roberts (Norwich, free)
Out Philippe Senderos (Fulham, free), Fran Merida (Atletico Madrid, free), Mikael Silvestre (released), Sol Campbell (released), William Gallas (released), Francis Coquelin (Lorient, loan), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk, £6m), Sol Campbell (Newcastle United, free), Sanchez Watt (Leeds, loan)
Player to watch Marouane Chamakh
- 20 Premier League players to watch - No 9 Marouane Chamakh
Football.co.uk verdict
If there's one thing you can guarantee about Arsenal next season, it's that they will play the most attractive football in the league.
But unfortunately for fans of the Gunners, beautiful football doesn't always translate into results.
Keeping hold of Fabregas is a huge boost but unless Arsene Wenger loosens the purse strings and spends some serious money, another failed title bid looks likely.
They still need a world class goalkeeper and another central defender, while midfielder hard-man and an extra striker would also be more than welcome at the Emirates.
Expect Arsenal to entertain but ultimately come away with nothing more than Champions League football to show for their efforts.
Prediction - 4th
Source: DSG
