Arsenal Premier League season preview 2015/16

All the transfer news, statistics, pundit views and odds ahead of Arsenal's 2015/16 season.

Position last season: 3rd

Sky Bet title odds: 4/1

Ins: Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Outs: Semi Ajayi (Cardiff), Abou Diaby (Marseille), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich), Ryo Miyaichi (St Pauli), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray), Dan Crowley (Barnsley), Wojciech Szczesny (Roma), George Dobson (West Ham)

Overview

Arsenal’s transfer activity has been limited this summer but the signing of goalkeeper Petr Cech has encouraged many that the Gunners can have a serious tilt at a first Premier League title since 2004. The presence of a proven winner between the posts is expected to have an impact.

Arsene Wenger might feel his side is already closer than some would suggest given that their run of eight consecutive wins in the spring hinted that the Frenchman’s much-vaunted “cohesion” has been found. From December onwards, Arsenal picked up more points than anyone.

Defeating Chelsea in the Community Shield may prove to be an important milestone in the team's development but what is needed now is for Wenger’s men to sustain the form they showed in the second-half of last term for an entire season. With key man Alexis Sanchez expected to be eased back after his Copa America exertions, Arsenal need the likes of Theo Walcott to stay fit and step up in 2015/16.

Charlie Nicholas' view: "This is the most confident I’ve been going into a season for eight years and I genuinely believe Arsene Wenger has the strongest squad in the Premier League, with competition for places throughout the side."

Charlie Nicholas' one to watch: "I think Mesut Ozil will be much improved and will provide the supply for Theo Walcott to make a massive mark. If Theo can stay fit and pin down a regular role in the team then he can be one of the top scoring players in the country." 

Opta stats

- Arsenal named six teams with the same line-up in April-May, the first time they’d done this since 1994.

- Alexis Sanchez had a hand in 37 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season; 14 more than any other player.

- Since he returned to the side in December, Francis Coquelin has made more interceptions than any other Premier League player (79).