Arsenal's strong start to the season has corresponded with a period of relative calm in the early stages of the new campaign.
With transfer business completed early, versatile and important additions added to a young squad and a defined playing philosophy, the Gunners look on-board with each other in a way that has been absent from the Emirates for too long.
The quick accumulation of points, goals and impressive performances has added pressure on Mikel Arteta's side though. With Chelsea and Liverpool both off the pace so far this season, Manchester United's early blip and the up-and-down performances of Tottenham, Arsenal are the early pace setters.
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This could be important come the end of the season season and having points on the board before European football started and the tricky pre-World Cup period could give the Gunners an upper hand. With the level of performance shown so far though, it does pose the question as to if there should be new expectations on Arteta's side.
Former left-back and three-time top-flight title winner Nigel Winterburn doesn't think there's much movement though, “Arsenal’s aim is to get into the top four this season but I still think it’ll be a massive fight," he said in an interview with the Daily star.
"Consistency is going to be key. They didn’t show enough of that last season. In terms of where they are now, with who they’ve brought into the football club, for me, the squad is stronger. But we’ve got to add into that as this season they’re playing Europa league football as well. A good, strong run in the Europa League and FA Cup is a must."
The strength of side in the Europa League will make for an interesting competition but the Gunners will need to take their European football seriously with the promise of winning it being their route into the Champions League next season.
Although cup runs and fixture congestion will stretch a tight squad, Arsenal's expectations are still high. "They’ll be hoping to get to all those finals, and on top of that, they will be expected to get into the top four," Winterburn said.
“They are much stronger than last season. Saliba’s come back at centre-half, and before joining, people were rating him very, very highly. He’s started his Arsenal career well. So they’re stronger in centre half positions and they’re stronger at full-back.
"Zinchenko can also play in the centre of midfield so that makes us stronger there, and they are definitely better up front with Jesus. I would say that Arsenal are significantly improved and now have squad depth. I always say they shouldn't hesitate to sign players because if you pick up a major injury or two, to key areas, it can affect you greatly."
Arteta has won just one major trophy in his two and a half years at the Emirates, winning the FA Cup in his first season, but the Spaniard hasn't been able to put together a serious cup run in any other competition yet, a factor that will be expected to change this season in order to compete on more fronts than one.
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