Arsenal make the short trip to on Sunday knowing their Community Shield battle with is a precursor for what lies in store over the next eight or nine months.
Expect the Gunners to make a flying start to the new campaign just as they did last season when they exploded from the traps, only to implode down the stretch for a second straight year.
This time, however, Mikel Arteta’s team should last the distance thanks to a couple of canny summer transfer signings.
Spending £105million on bringing in from may have been a slight overpay but.
may be even better value as he has impressed in Champions League action for the Dutch giants and strengthens a defence which was found wanting when the heat was turned up in April and May.
If Arsenal have an Achilles heel it may lie in attack as for all their pretty, flowing football they lack a ruthless finisher in the mould of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford at Manchester United and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
Perhaps they should have broken the bank to reel in Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa or maybe they will make a January move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney when he finishes his suspension for breaching gambling regulations.
Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard both scored 15 Premier League goals last season while Bukayo Saka added 14 and , but the Gunners could really do with a forward who will hit the 25-30 mark on a regular basis if they are to win the big prize.
With Manchester City having the potential to suffer a severe hangover after last year’s Treble, , Arsenal have a tremendous chance to win their first championship in 20 years.
They are 5/1 with Betway, bet365 and many others to win the title and 2/1 with the latter to finish in the top two.
A few quid on the Gunners to be London’s top club wouldn’t go amiss at 8/13 with William Hill and another superb shout is to back Arsenal at 9/4 with multiple firms including Betway, Ladbrokes and Coral to be the top club next season without Manchester City in the reckoning.
Arsenal can throw down the gauntlet by winning the Community Shield and look overpriced at Bet Victor’s 18/5.
• It’s back!!! Stoke, Middlesbrough, Bolton and Stockport form the first Football League yankee of the new season and can reward us with a flying start.
• Glorious Goodwood day three tips: 1.50 Typewriter; 2.25 Nostrum; 3.00 Awaal; 3.35 Highfield Princess.
