Arsenal enter the new season with high hopes. Will they finally return to the Champions League?

Years of ridicule. Almost everyone took a swipe at Arsenal, the fans had to endure a lot. Only now it might finally be over. Mikel Arteta has assembled an exciting young team that has the quality to finally break into the Champions League.

It’s been five years since Arsenal have been to the Champions League. Tonight, he will begin his sixth year watching the most prestigious club competition from home. The last time the Gunners were on the brightest stage was in the 2016/17 season, when they twice lost to Bayern 1-5 in the eighth round.

After all, dropping out in the eighth round was such a tradition. In fact, immediately after the opening group, Arsenal dropped out regularly from 2011 to 2017. But at least it was in elite company, since then the decline has come.

Last season, meanwhile, Arsenal came extremely close. After 36 rounds, it held fourth place ahead of Tottenham and had a one-point lead on its rival. But then came a cruel 0:3 defeat to their hated north London neighbour and the Champions League dream vanished.

But the summer is giving Arsenal fans hope. Hope that this year it will finally work out and end the ridicule of supporters of other clubs. The sign of this is the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who will fit right into the starting lineup and be big signings.

Captain Martin Ødegaard has grown into a leadership role, while youngsters Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emil Smith- Rowe look excellent.

In the preparation Arsenal demolished Chelsea 4:0, then they embarrassed Sevilla 6:0. The line-up looks really interesting, Arteta got some much needed time to work.

And if things don’t work out in the league, Arsenal still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League. Indeed, they will be one of the favourites in the Europa League and an overall triumph in the competition would put the Gunners in coveted elite company. Arsenal can take the first step tonight at 9pm against Crystal Palace.

Source: Arsenal, Premier League