Arsenal have been told where the club's weaknesses lie ahead of the 2022/23 campaign as Edu targets more signings in the transfer window.
The Gunners have completed five new signings so far this summer with Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos joining the club. Jesus and Zinchenko are expected to start against Crystal Palace in the Premier League season opener tonight, as Vieira is set to miss out as he recovers from a foot injury sustained in pre-season.
Reports in the last week have linked Arsenal with a move for a 'mystery winger' whilst long-term target Youri Tielemans' future is expected to be decided before the transfer deadline. football.london understands Arsenal want to sign one or two more players before the window closes, with talks for Tielemans having stalled in recent weeks despite the Belgium international being keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
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Speaking to bettingexpert, former defender Mikael Silvestre discussed Arsenal's positives and weaknesses ahead of the new season, as well as how the Gunners can achieve a top four finish. The former Gunner said: "Their [Arsenal] weakness could potentially be the depth in the squad, which is not at the level of Liverpool and Manchester City in all positions. That could be difficult at some point.
"We’ll see how every club will deal with the World Cup with all the international players leaving and coming back. All the positives are within the young and energetic squad, so I don’t think that they will be showing signs of tiredness."
Silvestre believes consistency could be key to the north Londoners mounting a serious challenge for a top four spot against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United. The 44-year-old continued: "With the pre-season, signings and everything, it is looking promising and positive at the moment.
"If they can keep that consistency, looking back at the second part of the season last season they, along with Spurs, were the team that got the most points in the table. It’s still a young squad and a young manager, for sure their character will be tested.
"Consistency is still a question mark, but I would expect them to progress because of what they’ve done and the dynamic they’re in. Preseason games only give you so much. Maybe they can give a bit of light where the squad is at the minute, but the whole season is a marathon.
"But, so far so good. I would expect them to progress and break into the top four, why not? I think Liverpool, City, Tottenham, and I’m debating between (Manchester) United and Arsenal (when asked his top six predictions). Arsenal will finish fourth followed by United and Chelsea."
Silvestre also believes the Gunners are heading in the right direction under Mikel Arteta and doesn't think it's a 'make-or-break' season for the Spaniard. "Unless there’s a major problem that arises, I don’t see any reason why there should be any change. You can see that the players are supporting his ideas and they want to fight for the club. It’s looking good," Silvestre added.
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