Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsene Wenger praises Arsenal transfer strategy and makes prediction on Premier League finish

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger says the Gunners ‘have bought well this year’, while also predicting where they might finish in the Premier League.

Wenger guided Arsenal to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during an illustrious spell as manager between 1996 and 2018. They also finished in the top four regularly under Wenger, something which hasn’t happened since his departure.

Arsenal, led by Wenger’s former player Mikel Arteta since December 2019, pushed for a Champions League qualification spot last term. They ultimately finished fifth, missing out on fourth spot by two points.

Arsenal had a successful summer transfer window, bringing in several top players. These include Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira.

And they have put themselves in a good position to end their top-four woes by winning five of their opening six league games. The Gunners are top of the table at the time of writing, one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City.

And Wenger thinks Arteta is doing a good job, both in terms of their success on the pitch and in the transfer market.

“I would say they are moving in the right direction,” he said (via the Evening Standard).

“I honestly think there is no weak position in the team. They are young, promising players and they have bought well this year.”

Arsene Wenger tips Arsenal to make top four

Wenger then gave an exciting prediction, backing Arsenal to finish in the top four and potentially even challenge for the Prem crown.

“There is no completely dominating team this season and Arsenal has a chance with the potential that is there,” he added.

“We used to be in the top four and why not again? You cannot even rule out the fact that they can fight for the title and hopefully they can do it.”

As Wenger suggests, Arsenal are certainly going in the right direction under Arteta.

They had some tough times towards the end of Wenger’s spell and while Unai Emery was manager. But Arteta has got the fans back on side and they are believeing in the team again.

With experienced winners like Jesus and Zinchenko in the squad, there is no reason why Arsenal cannot get into the UCL spots. They have had a good start and are already six points ahead of Liverpool, who came second last season.

Arsenal can also make it a successful campaign by going far, and potentially winning, the Europa League. They have been drawn in Group A, alongside PSV, FC Zurich and Bodo/Glimt. This means they are strong favourites to finish top and reach the next round.

Arsenal have never won the Europa League or Champions League. They now have a great opportunity to put this right and add to their trophy cabinet.

Emerging victorious in the UEL would also give Arteta his first piece of major silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.

There is a long way to go in the 2022-23 campaign and Arsenal will have to pick up plenty more wins if they are to reach the top four and go far in Europe. But the backing of club legend Wenger should give the players and coaching staff a big boost.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are growing increasingly confident of handing William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo new contracts, a report claims.