Former Premier League and England player Danny Murphy has revealed two reasons Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will surprise people next campaign.
Arsenal were underwhelming last season, winning less than half of their matches to finish eighth in the English league, six points outside of the top four and 25 points behind the champions – Manchester City.
In a possible boost to Arsenal’s domestic season, The Gunners will not be playing in the Europa League next campaign, a competition which often affects Premier League form.
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Murphy believes this will give Arteta’s side a huge advantage in the Premier League and says their transfer business this summer also suggests they are set to ‘surprise people’ next season.
Arsenal have already signed Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga from Benfica and Anderlecht respectively, while they are very close to a £50m deal for Brighton defender Ben White.
‘I’ve got a feeling and I don’t know where it’s come from,’ Murphy told talkSPORT. ‘I think with no European football and it looks like they’re having a go in the market, I think Arsenal might surprise a few.
‘Although they’ve got a tough start, I think some of their young players – Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, for example, are tremendous
‘If [Thomas] Partey stays fit, we’ve seen glimpses of his ability. It could rest on [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang], he’s only had the one bad season.
‘I think Arsenal might just surprise a few people but we’ve been wrong before about them.’
Arsenal will begin their 2021-22 campaign on August 13 against Premier League new-comers Brentford.
