What 14 pundits think about the Gunners in 2022-23

Arsenal have invested over £100million in new signings during the summer transfer window – so what are the pundits predicting for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the 2022-23 Premier League season?

It’s that time of year when we’re all asked to predict what might happen in the campaign ahead. Let’s face it, none of us really know. But it’s fun to make a few bold calls.

Here, we’ve rounded up what 14 pundits make of Arsenal’s summer business and what it will mean for their hopes in 2022-23.

Paul Merson

We love Merse, you love Merse, and Merse loves the Arsenal. He lives and breathes the club, even 25 years after leaving, and his enthusiasm comes across in his punditry.

Unsurprisingly, he reckons Arsenal will finally regain a top-four position this season.

Merson wrote in his column on Sportskeeda: “I’ll put Manchester United in the reckoning for a place in the top four because they are a massive club, but they haven’t done enough business at this point in time to stand a chance of securing UEFA Champions League football, so it should be between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.”

“If I had to pick one of the two north London sides, I’ll have to go with Arsenal.

“Tottenham’s participation in the UEFA Champions League this season could be an issue for them, as they’ll have a bunch of tough mid-week games to cater to in between their Premier League commitments. They don’t really have a big squad, which could make all the difference.

“Arsenal, on the other hand, should be able to manage their domestic commitments as the UEFA Europa League isn’t that high in terms of quality, at least in comparison to the Champions League.”

Gabriel Jesus scores his first goal as an Arsenal player at the Emirates Stadium!

Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla #ARSSEVpic.twitter.com/34LKJGt5R6

— ArsenalVideo (@arsenal_video) July 30, 2022

Rio Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is a bit more pessimistic in his assessment for the Gunners.

He told the Mirror: “A subplot to those two [Liverpool and Manchester City] trying to win the league is between Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs – and possibly Arsenal – for those third and fourth spots. I think that’s going to be a great race, as well.

“I’m sure someone from out of the pack will come up and jump into that area as well, like we saw with West Ham last season.

“It’s going to be interesting. I think it [the top six in order] will go Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Man…