With Virtually No Expectations, Can Arsenal Shock the World This Season?

While several Premier League teams construct the perfect squad to contend for a title, Arsenal will be trying to keep its head above water. A history of bad business and lack of investment from the club’s owner has left the club in a difficult spot.

GK - Bernd Leno- Leno could be just what Arsenal needs this season. With Petr Cech back at Chelsea in a coaching role and David Ospina now at Napoli, Arsenal has virtually no depth at the goal-keeper position. Leno had a good season last year as he recorded 106 saves in Premier League play which was sixth highest in the league. The 27-year-old German goal-keeper will have his hands full considering Arenal's defense is still full of question marks.

CB- This has to be the weakest point of the club. Arsenal has virtually no franchise-caliber center-backs. I think Sokratis Papastathopoulos is my first choice center-back. Despite being 31, Sokratis was a bright-spot for Arsenal last season as he was a more than a capable defender. Is he someone that can be relied upon throughout an entire season? I'm not sure but he's the best center-back Arsenal has in my opinion.

CB- Perfect scenario for Arsenal: Koscielny's catastrophe never happened and he played out the rest of the season alongside Sokratis in Arsenal's starting XI. Koscielny should know, better than anyone, that Arsenal is in no place to just let people leave for free. Aaron Ramsey left because the Gunners couldn't pay him but they can pay Koscielny he's just unhappy. I think Koscielny starting for Arsenal in their first game of the 2019-2020 season would send a bad message. Therefore I think Shkodran Mustafi will start. The 27-year-old German international has a lot to prove after an abysmal campaign last season. Arsenal is going to need him to step up big-time. The question is, can he?

LB- I think it's safe to say that Arsenal needs to move on from Nacho Monreal. The 33-year-old was a big part of Arsenal over the years but it's time for a younger player to step up. Who? Sead Kolasinac. The 26-year-old left-back looked good last season and he attracted attention from clubs like Barcelona this summer. He's a fast and versatile defender who has looked good on the attack. If he plays well this season it could prove to be vital for Arsenal's defense.

RB- After having his season cut short due to injury last season, Hector Bellerin is on the mend. Although it's unclear if he'll be fit in time for Arsenal's season-opener, it's only a matter of time until he is fit and ready. In his place, Arsenal should start Ainsley Maitland- Niles. The young Englishman showed promise last season after he was called upon after Bellerin's injury. The 22-year-old is speedy and threatening on the attack. A solid replacement for Bellerin whose return all Arsenal fans have been waiting for quite some time.

CDM- Despite Arsenal having a weak duo of center-backs, they do have a strong duo of defensive midfielders. Granit Xhaka, who has been rumored to be taking over the captaincy for Koscielny will be a vital part of this Arsenal team this year. The Swiss defensive midfielder ranked 10th in the Premier League in completed passes with 2,245. Xhaka will be the facilitator for Arsenal this season and his presence in the center of the pitch will be invaluable.

CDM- Lucas Torreira will play alongside Xhaka. Torreira led all Arsenal players with 65 tackles in the Premier League last season. He will most likely roam as Xhaka serves as the anchor of the midfield. Torreira was one of the few bright spots for Arsenal last season as he underwent a breakthrough season. Now, Torreira and Xhaka will have their hands full as they try to take as much pressure as possible off of Arsenal's sub-par defense.

CDM- A third defensive midfielder? Yes. Arsenal needs to play to their strengths and with virtually no effective wingers on the first team, the Gunners need to load the center of the pitch. Last year when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 in Premier League play, they implemented a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. They practically played with three defensive midfielders that could also be called upon to deploy to the widths of the pitch. This for me was Arsenal's most effective formation.

So to complete the defensive midfield trio, Arsenal will call on Matteo Guendouzi. The 20-year-old Frenchman was called into action as a 19-year-old last season and he showed tremendous promise. Regardless of whether or not, he's truly ready or not to be a regular in the Arsenal Starting XI, Guendozi is the best Arsenal has. The only drawback to playing him in the starting XI is that Arsenal has very little depth at that position. Outside of Mohamed Elneny, Arsenal has nobody to play CDM. Plus, Elneny has failed to meet expectations at Arsenal. Regardless, Arsenal should stick to this line-up especially if they don't sign anyone in this transfer window. Regardless of the depth issue, Guendouzi will be on the starting XI. Let's just hope he plays like did last season or even better. There will be a lot of pressure on the young French midfielder that's for sure.

CAM- No Arsenal player requires a sensational season more than Mesut Ozil. The German midfielder had a dreadful season last year which saw him clash with manager Unai Emery. If one thing is for sure, Arsenal needs Ozil at his best this season. Outside of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Arsenal has no other attacking midfielders. Ozil is 30 but I believe he has at least a few more years in him in which he can play at a high level. If I were him, I'd use all the hate coming his way as fuel and gear it towards a season in which he can guide a fragile Arsenal squad to Champions League football. Ozil needs to be larger than life. A feat that we would've expected 2-3 years ago. Now, he will have to rediscover himself or Arsenal will be without an effective #10.

STx2- Alexander Lacazette and Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang make up the best striker duo on the planet. People just don't see it because they play on Arsenal and the Gunners have struggled lately. If Arsenal had a strong supporting cast of midfielders and defenders people would be talking about them all the time. The coolest thing about the duo? They're the only one. Few teams play with more than 1 striker these days. Regardless, Arsenal plays with 2 and boy are they fun to watch. With little help from players outside of Aaron Ramsey last season, Lacazette and Aubameyang would create chances for each other often out of nothing.

Let's start with Lacazette. The 28-year-old French striker was not included in France's World Cup squad last summer. How'd he respond? With a 13 goal and 8 assist Premier League season. If he isn't an essential part of France's European Championship team next summer, I'd be shocked. I'd also be shocked if Lacazette doesn't score more goals and record more assists than he did last year. Lacazette is essential to Arsenal's attack and to be honest I think he's going to be in contention for Golden Boot this season. Why? I have no idea but he's my dark-horse pick. Lacazette will probably start every single game for Arsenal and he will play some major minutes so he best be in tip-top shape. A big year from the Frenchman who's easily become one of my favorite players.

On the other hand, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was part of a three-man tie for the Golden Boot last season as he recorded 22 goals. He also tallied 5 assists in Premier League play. So he and Lacazette combined for 35 goals and 13 assists. Not too shabby but I think they can both surpass their tallies from last season. My only concern is that opposing teams will be able to hone in on them due to Arsenal's lack of attacking options. Outside of Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi, Lacazette and Aubameyang will have little help this season. And if Ozil plays poorly the duo will practically be on their own. Regardless, they had very little help last year and they still produced for Arsenal. I'm interested to see how the duo plays this season. Hopefully just as good if not better. I recommend everyone watch them closely when they're on the field together. The duo is a sight to behold.

So what's in store for Arsenal this season? A franchise with its back against the wall. A coach that is going to need to reach deep into his bag to put together a winning season. A striker duo in need of yet another sensational season. An attacking midfielder in need of a huge bounce-back season. A teenage midfielder being called upon as an essential piece. A lot of things need to go right for Arsenal. The funny thing is that Arsenal could achieve all of the above. I guess we just need to wait and see.