Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
We’re entering a very important period of Arsenal’s history.
Indeed, the Gunners have just won their first Premier League title for over 20 years, and now, they’re hitting an interesting juncture.
Mikel Arteta’s side can now go down one of two paths – become a dynasty, or fade away after reaching the top of the Premier League mountain.
Arsenal are favourites to win the league this year, but, as we’ve seen so often, that tag can mean nothing.
We’ve seen both stories play out in the Premier League over the years. Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola created winning machines at Manchester United and Manchester City, while Arne Slot and Antonio Conte were gone within 12 months of winning their respective league titles.
We’re going to see what Mikel Arteta’s side are made of this season, and one person who is confident that Arsenal can continue on an upward trajectory is Patrick Vieira.
Patrick Vieira’s Arsenal prediction
Vieira doesn’t believe we will see a dip from Arsenal in the way we did at Liverpool last season.
Man City verdict could still take another turn as Arsenal wait for title race clarity
Man City verdict could still take another turn as Arsenal wait for title race clarity
Arsenal could potentially make their most shocking signing since Sol Campbell
Arsenal could potentially make their most shocking signing since Sol Campbell
Quite the contrary, Vieira believes Arsenal are set up for success for a long time to come, noting that many of their key players are still very young and they could be set up to dominate the Premier League.
“After Arsene Wenger was very challenging, very difficult like you would expect. But they have been able to build a team with Mikel, the last couple of years they’ve finished second. They have built this kind of experience that allows them to win the title this year,” Vieira said to Sky Sports.
“Now I think they have the structure, the base to keep going and be one of the best teams in the next five or six years in the Premier League. They still have a young team, a young team with good experience, they know how to do it now. You expect them to dominate the Premier League in the years coming.”
Arsenal’s age profile analysed
Vieira noted that Arsenal still have a young team, and he’s spot on.
The Gunners have built around youth for a long time, so much so that in five years time, this same group of players could still be playing at the peak of their powers.
|||||
Player Position Age now Age in 2031
Bukayo Saka Forward 25 30
William Saliba Centre-back 25 30
Declan Rice Midfielder 27 32
Martin Ødegaard Midfielder 27 32
Viktor Gyökeres Forward 28 33
Gabriel Magalhães Centre-back 28 33
Riccardo Calafiori Defender 24 29
Myles Lewis-Skelly Midfielder 20 25
Jurrien Timber Defender 25 30
David Raya Goalkeeper 31 36
Of Arsenal’s most important players, David Raya is the veteran, but, as a goalkeeper, there’s no reason why he can’t still be competing at the top into his late 30s.
As Vieira says, we may be seeing a dynasty building at Arsenal.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
A graphic reading: "Which player will Arsenal most regret not signing?!" Image shows Morgan Rogers, Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Jr and Victor Osimhen.
Credit: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney/Offside/Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP/Diego Souto/Ahmad Mora