It's safe to say 2022 was a year of progress for Arsenal. That statement does feel a little strange when taking into account the collapse towards the end of last season, but in totality, supporters can look back and see there is a plan in place.
Although, the year did begin with a mixed opportunity in the transfer window as six first-team players were allowed to leave either permanently or on loan - including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - but no replacements were signed despite strong links to Dusan Vlahovic and Bruno Guimaraes.
That proved to be a costly decision as the Gunners missed out on a top-four finish as they struggled to cope with the absences of Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney whilst a lack of goals ultimately proved to be the difference between them and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
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With that said, Arsenal did seal a return to the Europa League following a whole season without any European football and laid the foundations for a big summer as recruiting Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City has propelled Mikel Arteta's side to the top of the Premier League table.
An injury to the Brazilian has placed even greater emphasis on the January transfer window. Whilst the Gunners are in the midst of a long-term project, this is a huge opportunity for them to claim their first league title since the 2003-2004 season and one or two shrewd signings could prove crucial.
Arteta, sporting director Edu Gaspar, owner Stan and his son Josh Kroenke all are aligned. They want to push on and all signs are pointing toward a promising 2023. So with that in mind, our football.london Arsenal writers have predicted what may happen in the next 12 months.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
Well, the obvious place for any 2023 prediction to start is what will happen to Arsenal in the Premier League. I have to say at the moment I’m still not in the camp of believers who say the Gunners will win it this season.
Manchester City still look too strong, and I do worry about how thin the squad is looking at the minute, particularly in the forward areas – although that could change by the end of January.
Beyond that I’m thinking that we could see a few youngsters make a step up going forward in the coming calendar year. Edu’s job now involves overseeing academy matters as well as first-team issues so he will look to consult Mehmet Ali’s under-21s side before making any big decisions in the transfer market.
The full-back areas are where I could see a pathway developing. Right back in particular looks good and I feel as though Brooke Norton-Cuffy or Reuell Walters could be ones to keep an eye on for a first-team promotion, particularly if Cedric leaves. I also have a sneaky feeling we could see Charlie Patino become a part of the first team group next year as well given how well he’s doing at Blackpool.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
As things stand, anything less than Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of May will feel somewhat anti-climatic given the position Arteta's side are in right now and the form they've shown over the first 16 games of the season. Yes, a top-four finish would be a decent consolation prize, but the target since August has changed significantly.
If Mykhaylo Mudryk and a central midfielder are signed in January just to inject the squad with some extra quality, then there's no reason why the Gunners can't achieve this goal. Keep in mind that wins over Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea highlight a shift in mentality from this side.
To win the Premier League though, Arsenal might have to sacrifice the Europa League. At the start of the season it represented a great chance to seal a return to the Champions League, but with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Ajax and Juventus in the mix, all of a sudden it's a more difficult competition to navigate.
The FA Cup is a lottery as it depends on the draw. After crashing out in the third round last season, a better showing is required and who can say for certain that another league and cup double isn't on the cards?
Assuming Arsenal are back in the Champions League next season after a six-year absence then it opens up certain doors in the transfer market. But more importantly, it can convince Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli that the club is moving in the right direction so a triple contract extension could be on the cards.
Winning the Premier League, Champions League nights back at the Emirates Stadium, tying down three top prospects to long-term contracts would be a dream first quarter of 2023 for Arsenal. Then the rest of the year can be spent on ensuring progress continues in 2024 and beyond.
Sam Truelove - Arsenal Content Editor
Patrick Vieira was the last Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy in 2004. If Mikel Arteta’s side carry on winning, Martin Odegaard could well be lifting the trophy himself at Emirates Stadium on May 28.
The year 2023 could be one to remember for Arsenal fans around the world, with the Gunners currently seven points clear at the top of the table. With a last-16 Europa League tie to look forward to and potential FA Cup success, things are looking bright for Arteta’s men.
Off the pitch things could get even more exciting. The January and summer transfer windows could be really interesting for the Gunners. Mykhaylo Mudryk could join if he gets his wish, while Joao Felix is available on a six-month loan. Signing both in the winter window would ensure Arteta has strength in depth for the second half of the season.
Youri Tielemans could join for free in the summer, while another central midfielder like Danilo or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could be persuaded to join if Edu is given the cash by Stan Kroenke.
As well as silverware and transfers, 2023 offers Arsenal the chance to do something sentimental, too. It was revealed last week the club are set to build a statue of legendary manager Arsene Wenger outside the Emirates Stadium and this year could be the perfect opportunity to do that.
Wenger returning and Arsenal winning a Premier League title? 2023 could be a year to remember.
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