After two consecutive FA Cup triumphs, could Arsenal be primed to add a Premier League title to its growing trophy case? TSN.ca's 2014-15 team preview looks at the year ahead with an emphasis between the pipes. 

Who's In?: Petr Cech (Chelsea, ENG)

Who's Out?: Abou Diaby (Marseille, FRA), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham, ENG – loan), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray, TUR), Yaya Sanogo (Ajax, NED – loan), Wojciech Szczesny (Roma, ITA – loan) and Serge Gnabry (West Brom, ENG - loan)

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There’s something to be said for finishing strong.

The Gunners spent much of 2014-15 mired in mediocrity – mid-to-high-table mediocrity, mind you – but Arsenal spent only four match-days between Weeks 3 and 25 in the top four. 

Arsenal celebratesHowever, something clicked with the squad in February. Perhaps it was the removal of disgruntled German forward Lukas Podolski, or the team’s early exit from Champions League (officially in mid-March, but all-but-ensured with a 3-1 loss to Monaco at the Emirates), or the team’s charge towards an eventual FA Cup.

Regardless, from Feb. 10 onward, the Gunners went 10-1-3, spending the final 13 weeks of the season in the top three. Were it not for dropped points at home in May to Swansea and Sunderland the team may even have caught City for second.

Regardless, the team secured its 19th-straight top-four finish and successfully defended its FA Cup crown. So, what’s next?

Petr CechThe biggest change comes in net with long-time Chelsea man Petr Cech taking over keeping duties from a Wojciech Szczesny-David Ospina platoon. Cech is not the world-class keeper he once was and appeared in just 16 matches across all competitions for Chelsea last season. Still, having a go-to and an established vet as the last line of defence should help instill confidence. Arsenal was the second-stingiest team in the Premier League last season, leaving the back line in good hands.

Podolski is officially gone, transferred to Turkey’s Galatasaray in July, which leaves the Gunners’ potent attack to continue punishing the League.

A full year out of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott will only make the attack more fearsome, balancing the team’s options with Alexis Sanchez as target men for the midfield minds of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The team begins the season already looking cautiously to the sidelines with midfielder Jack Wilshere expected to be out for weeks with a cracked fibula. However, if the rest of the team can stay healthy, it can certainly challenge defending champs and London rivals Chelsea for the top of the table… Especially now that Arsene Wenger has beaten Jose Mourinho for once.

 

KEY FIXTURES

DATE OPPONENT HIGHLIGHT
 Aug. 9 vs. West Ham  Season opener 
Aug. 24  vs. Liverpool  First Reds visit to Emirates in post-Gerrard era 
 Sep. 19 @ Chelsea   Cech returns to The Bridge; Community Shield re-match
 Oct. 4 vs. Manchester United  First against 2014-15 fourth-place finishers 
 Nov. 8  vs. Tottenham  First North London derby 
Dec. 15  @ Aston Villa  FA Cup Final re-match 
Dec. 19  vs. Manchester City  First against 2014-15 second-place finishers 
Jan. 23  vs. Chelsea  Return London derby 
Feb. 27  @ Manchester United  Return leg vs. United 
May 7  @ Manchester City  Tough away match in penultimate 2015-16 Match Day