Will Arsenal make the Champions League next season?

Morning all.

A guest post this morning:

With doubts surrounding the future of Arsene Wenger, Mesut and Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – it’s hard to predict what the future holds for Arsenal FC.

Tottenham have finally finished above their bitter rivals for the first time in 22 years so perhaps this marks a changing of the guard in terms of a shift in power in north London. Gunners will be out to avenge this blow next season but with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all likely to invest heavily this summer – there is a danger Arsenal will be left behind due to their rigid pay structure.

Wenger is without a Premier League title in 13 years and are in a dogfight to slip into a Champions League berth this term. The stadium has been built, it can no longer be used as an excuse to why they can’t compete.

Tottenham are in the midst of a stadium renovation, have kept their wage structure intact and competed for the title two seasons in a row, with Champions league football guaranteed.

Arsenal are perhaps, facing the most import summer of a generation. Fail to invest in players to replace potential leavers Ozil and Sanchez, and the once great footballing force will slip further down England’s pecking order.

The Gunners have reportedly already sealed their first summer signing, Bosnian left back Sead Kolasinac on a free from Bundesliga side Schalke. The robust defender perhaps hints at a new approach at the Emirates. For years Wenger’s teams have been viewed as walkovers by many. However, with the acquisition of Granit Xhaka and Kolasinac over the last year it seems steel is being added gradually in true Wenger style, painstakingly slowly.

As for a world class striker to accompany Sanchez, well, that’s another addition that has taken years. Be it long term target Alexandre Lacazette or perhaps prising Alvaro Morata or even Karim Benzema away from Madrid, a big-name striker seems the piece missing to push the Gunners into title contention.

Will Arsenal make the top four next season?

That depends on what could be a defining summer for the club. Retain their star talent and build upon it in the transfer window, sort out their uncertain managerial situation and the north Londoners could be in for an exciting season.