Page 16 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

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After coming so incredibly close to pulling off a most unexpected triumph last term, Arsenal now know they have the ability to win the Premier League title. As they look to bounce back from the pain of losing out, the Gunners have gone all out in the transfer window to add the strength in depth needed to carry them all the way in the top-flight and handle a return to the Champions League after six years away.
Declan Rice is the standout arrival and is expected to take the team to the next level, although an early season injury to classy defender Jurrien Timber is a setback. With the outstanding Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka continuing to lead the way in attack, Arsenal could go very close again in 2023-24.
MANCHESTER CITY ARE WIDELY TIPPED TO LIFT THE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED FOURTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR, BUT ELSEWHERE 2023-24 SEEMS HARD TO PREDICT. STEPHEN DONOVAN ANALYSES THE PROSPECTS OF ALL 20 TEAMS.
Arsenal hope the
signing of Declan Rice can help them to the title
Aston Villa’s Argentinian midfielder Emi Buendia celebrates after scoring a goal
Arsenal
NICKNAME:
The Gunners
MANAGER:
Mikel Arteta
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 2nd
Bournemouth
In a decision that shocked many, Gary O’Neil’s reward for keeping Bournemouth
in the Premier League last season against all the odds was to be sacked a few weeks later and replaced by Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard is therefore under pressure to prove himself quickly,
but he managed to guide Rayo to 11th place in La Liga despite limited resources and
so comes with a good reputation. He’ll be hoping his style of high pressing will be
just as successful with the Cherries, whose main objective again is to avoid relegation. Improving defensively from 2022-23 will help them stay out of trouble, while new signing Jason Kluivert is a promising addition to a pacy frontline.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s transformation of Aston Villa after taking charge in November 2022 was nothing short of stunning, taking them from the lower reaches of
the table to seventh place and a Europa Conference League berth. Under the Spaniard, Villa are now a formidable proposition and carry a serious goal threat courtesy of their attacking style of play, with Ollie Watkins looking to maintain his superb scoring form from the end of last season. The signings of midfielder Youri Tielemans, Spain defender Pau Torres, and France winger Moussa Diaby are all testament to their ambition, so in this ultra-competitive Premier League it could be Villa who emerge as one of the teams to really watch out for.
NICKNAME:
The Villans The Lions
MANAGER:
Unai Emery
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 7th
DID YOU KNOW?
Only SIX teams have never been relegated from the Premier League. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Unai Emery
Manager Andoni Iraola arrives at Bournemouth with a burgeoning reputation
NICKNAME:
The Cherries, Boscombe
MANAGER:
Andoni Iraola
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 15th
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2023-24 EPL SEASON PREVIEW
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