2020 has been a mixed year for Arsenal. An eighth-place finish in the Premier League was our worst in a quarter of a century, but that was quickly forgotten as Mikel Arteta lifted the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
The new season began well as we won our first two Premier League games. However things changed drastically over the next few months. Arsenal went on seven-game winless run which made this our worst start in over 45 years.
Thankfully, that came to an end. Arteta’s men ended the year in style with back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Brighton. That has laid the foundation for a good 2021, but what can Arsenal achieve next year? Here are our three bold predictions.
Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League
Yes, that looks silly now considering that we are 13th in the table with just six wins out of a possible 16. However, we are just nine points below the fourth spot, and even if a top-four finish is a stretch, the Europa League is a competition we should be looking to win.
Arsenal are among the favourites to win the Europa League. Manchester United, Tottenham and AC Milan will all believe that they can win it as well, but with Thomas Partey back and with a new creator possibly coming in next month, Arteta should fancy his chances.
Mesut Ozil will leave in January
The German’s Arsenal career has already come to a sad end. Many fans believe that Ozil still has a lot to offer. However, Arteta is adamant that he will not bring him back, and that really is a shame.
Ozil has claimed that he will see out his contract irrespective of what happens. However, Arsenal need to get bodies out to bring someone in, and it seems likely that we will come to some sort of agreement to end the German’s contract early.
Arsenal will sign Houssem Aouar in the summer
The Lyon man was the one player Arteta desperately wanted in the summer. Arsenal tried everything they could to get the deal over the line, but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. However, Aouar is still reportedly high on our wish list.
Edu knows Lyon’s sporting director Juninho very well and the duo are in touch. A move in January is unrealistic, but Arsenal could potentially be the favourites for his signature in the summer.
Aouar hasn’t had the best of seasons so far. He has just three goals and three assists to his name which isn’t a great record for someone of his quality. If that continues, the interest in him from the top clubs might cool down and that would give Arsenal the chance we need to get him in the summer.
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