Arsenal

Arsenal have played in the top division of English football since 1913, which is the longest unbroken run in the history of English football. Arsenal are the only team to have finished a Premier League season undefeated (2003/04).

• Stadium: Emirates Stadium  
• Stadium Capacity: 59,867
• Location: North London
• Founded: 1886
• Nickname: The Gunners
• Manager: Mikel Arteta
• Kit: Red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts

Arsenal was formed in 1886 and was the first club from the south of England to join the Football League in 1893. Arsenal hold the record for the longest unbroken record in the top division of football. The Gunners have played at the top level since 1913. Here are some of the highlights:

• First Division Champions: 13 times 
• FA Cup Winners: 14 times (a record)
• League Cup Winners: 1986/87 & 1992/93
• UEFA Cup Winners: 1993/94
• Premier League best finish: Winners in 1997/98, 2001/02 & 2003/04

The Manager

Mikel Arteta took over from Unai Emery in December 2019 and won the FA Cup in his first season. Arteta was the assistant manager at Manchester City before taking over at the Emirates. The Spaniard is an ex-Arsenal player who made over 100 appearances for the club and won the FA Cup  twice as a player. Arteta also made over 150 appearances for Everton in a decade long Premier League playing career.

Three to Watch

The Arsenal squad is full of international talent from Petr Cech (Czech Republic) in goal to Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia) in midfield and Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) in attack. Here are three players to watch out for in the Premier League this season:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal paid Borussia Dortmund a club record fee for Aubameyang in January 2018. The striker from Gabon is one of the world’s top forwards and has explosive pace. He was African Player of the Year in 2015.

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette is another exciting forward. Arsenal signed him from Lyon in France for a then club-record fee. The French striker is fast, has great dribbling skills and is good with both feet.

Mesut Ozil

Ozil has been at Arsenal for five years since his record move from Real Madrid and has probably been Arsenal’s key player throughout that period. Ozil has been named Germany’s Player of the Year five times and was instrumental in Germany’s World Cup win in 2014. 

Prediction 2020/21: 4th

Arsenal will be looking to break back into the top four and claim Champions League football next season, but it may be a year of consolidation under their new manager. With a new manager and many new players, it could be difficult for Arsenal to find enough consistency to win the Premier League. However, with the players they have, they will hope for a good run in the Europa League or one of the domestic cup competitions.