5 reasons why you shouldn't bet against Arsenal winning a trophy this season

Arsenal aren't anyone's bet for a trophy-laden season. Most people consider them the weakest of the 'top 6'. Their 6th place finish last season and the fact that they lost all but one away game post-January are bad omens. Add to that the uncertainty of the post-Wenger era and you have a recipe for disaster. But here are five reasons you shouldn't count them out just yet.

#5 Unai Emery

Is European Silverware Coming back to North London?

Unai Emery brings something quite contrasting to Wenger's seemingly endless reign. To begin with he's won trophies in his last 5 years as manager, including a domestic treble with PSG and a hat-trick of Europa Leagues with Sevilla. That's 9 trophies in 5 years. Rumours say he's a detail-oriented coach. Stories of video analysis as well as an astute tactical know how are positive signs.

While the stars of PSG might not appreciate detailed instructions, Arsenal's squad will definitely be more receptive. His experience with Sevilla and in Russia will also help him handle the competitive nature of the Premier League.

#4 Astute Signings

Leno is one of many smart new signings

Arsenal fans have complained for years about the lack of investment but it seems the board have finally got it right. Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Torreira and Leno added to the January transfers of Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan mean Arsenal finally have the depth that often eluded them.

No more of Arsenal leading the league before slipping away come January due to injuries. Injuries to key players have cost them the league in the past. Most notably the season Leicester City won the league. Arsenal led the league table in January, then lost ground to Spurs and the eventual champions to end as runners-up.

Enter Leno, Sokratis, Lichtsteiner and Torreira. Sokratis, Mustafi, Koscielny and the young Mavropanos will compete for centre back spots. Lichtsteiner, Bellerin, Monreal and Kolasinac for the wing-back roles. Torreira, Xhaka and Ramsey offer options in midfield. This means cover in every area of the pitch, a definite positive sign.

#3 Covering their bases

Torreira definitely adds solidity to the team

Anyone who watched Arsenal last season could spot their weaknesses. Petr Cech seemed way past his expiry date in-goal, the game against Swansea showed enough proof of that. He struggled to keep a clean sheet all season. The defense struggled with Koscielny losing his pace and Bellerin going out of form. Xhaka barely fit into the defensive midfield role.

Sokratis offers defensive stability and is an improvement on Mustafi. Torreira is the hard-tackling midfielder Arsenal have missed since Patrick Vieira left the club. There's finally competition for Bellerin who most definitely underperformed last season.

#2 The Europa League

Arsenal's Best Hope at Silverware?

Chelsea are slipping into an abyss with the rumors of Belgian duo Courtois and Hazard leaving. Add to that a new eccentric manager who has hardly had time to evaluate his squad and make improvements. It's a recipe for disaster.

But for Arsenal, it means that the route to the latter stages of the Europa League seems much easier. Unai Emery's 100% success rate in the tournament certainly helps. Barring a big club entering the Europa League from the Champions League, Arsenal will be favorites in the tournament. Wenger never managed to bring European success to the club but could Emery change that?

#1 Domestic Turbulence

Chelsea might be one talisman short

Chelsea's problems are well documented. Abramovich seems unwilling to spend and Hazard and Courtois are almost definitely leaving. That's one side less for Emery to worry about in the top 6.

Spurs too are not in good shape with Kane almost definitely carrying an injury from the World Cup and a large part of their squad, which already struggles in terms of depth, involved in the latter stages of the World Cup.

Seems like a top 4 finish is not off the cards for Arsenal and who knows from there?

Bonus

Pretty good forward line no?

It definitely helps to have a front four of Lacazette, Mkhitaryan, Ozil and Aubameyang.

A slight improvement on Giroud possibly.