Premier League Preview 2011-12: Arsenal

Best title odds: 10/1 - Coral
Best odds on a top 4 finish: 8/11 - ToteSport
Last Season: 4th
Manager: Arsene Wenger

Good news:

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are still there, for now, whether they like it or not. The transfer window is open for a few more weeks so there is still time for Wenger to splash some serious cash. Jack Wilshere has the makings of an Arsenal legend. Van Persie is a goal machine - he scored a league goal every 98 minutes last season - the best in the league.

Bad news:

Fabregas is 1/4 with William Hill to be elsewhere by September - ‘elsewhere’ being a euphamism for Barcelona. Negotiation skills may leave a little to be desired; reportedly offered £11m for Jagielka last summer, were told to make it £20m, waited a year then offered £10m. Opportunities to end the trophy drought won’t get any better than a cup final against a soon-to-be relegated Birmingham City.

Remember when:

Everybody was impressed that Arsenal spent so little money? Now Arsene Wenger would delight the fans by spending silly money on a big rugged centre half. Ideally, not a child either.

Verdict:

So much transfer speculation, but actually, so little of real note has come to fruition. The Fabregas saga will surely be resolved one way or another soon, but Arsenal were struggling even with their Spanish star in the latter part of last season.

If Wenger finally spends big and wisely in defence then the new season could be a qualified success - it looks like he probably won’t. All the other big guns should be stronger, the Gunners will slip further down the pecking order.

Prediction: 6th