Premier League 2016/17 preview: Arsenal – What you see is what you get

Aaron Ramsey, left, can be a big player for Arsenal this season, assuming he avoids injury and is played in a central midfield role. John Sibley / Reuters

With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at Arsenal.

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In one respect, last season represented an 11-year high for Arsenal: for the first time since 2005, they finished second, rather than third or fourth.

In many another, however, it was an opportunity missed, their best chance to reclaim the title for perhaps the last time under Arsene Wenger.

Now the Frenchman enters the final year of his contract as the competition is set to increase and as his doubters have become particularly vocal.

Not all were assuaged by finishing nine points behind Leicester City. Wenger has been criticised for his transfer inactivity of late. He seemed to signal a change by signing Granit Xhaka in May and trying to conclude a deal for Jamie Vardy.

Yet the striker opted to stay at Leicester and Arsenal have been muted; they belatedly bid for Alexandre Lacazette, which Lyon rejected, leaving them, as so often, looking a top-class centre-forward and centre-back away from being a title-winning team, especially with Per Mertesacker missing the first half of the season.

Instead, the promising young defender Rob Holding has joined; in the short term, he will do little to bring the solidity Arsenal sometimes lack. Wenger is right to argue that spending is not everything but while Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez boast vast quality, others need to illustrate they can reach such levels regularly, especially at a club where several can be accused of regressing.

After coming second, Arsenal need to ensure they do not go backwards, too.

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Key Man: Aaron Ramsey

Euro 2016 showed how good he can be but the Welshman has rarely reached such a standard for Arsenal since 2013/14, partly because of injuries and being fielded on the right. Granted a central role, he could be superb.

Pivotal Signing: Granit Xhaka

An upgrade in a position where Arsenal needed one, the £30 million (Dh145.1m) Swiss international was not cheap but looks a defensive midfielder with the ability to both win the ball back and use it intelligently.

Point to Prove: Theo Walcott

Briefly looked like Arsenal’s best striker last autumn, but ended the season with only two league goals in 2016 and having lost his place in the England squad. If he cannot get his career back on track this year, he should move on.

Crucial Factor: Consistency

Arsenal have produced the form of champions over half a season or a calendar year, but not in a complete campaign. They have to show they can win high-pressure games when the title is at stake and avoid the occasional pratfalls they have suffered.

Predicted finish: 5th

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