Season Preview 20in20 - Arsenal

3 of 20 - The Gunners

Author

nick lochner
July 26, 2023

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“The Gunners”

(Pronounced Gooners)

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2022/23 Finish - 2nd Place, Champions League

A big club making big moves this offseason hoping to challenge Man City. Will they have enough depth to handle the rigors of a Champions League schedule? The Gooner’s ran out of gas late last season and had to settle for second. The off season has been a busy one as depth has been the focus, spending $250M so far this off-season on acquisitions while only selling for $25M.

The Club

Located in North London (Islington)

Emirates Stadium, 60,000 capacity

Rough estimates

$550M Annual Revenue (11th worldwide, 6th PL)

$150M Player Payroll (and rising)

History on the Pitch

  • 13 league titles, last in 2004

  • A record 14 FA Cups

  • Longest top league run (1913)

  • Arsene Wenger, manager 1996-2018 finished top 4 all but 17 & 18

  • Nicknamed the “Invincibles” in 2002 for not losing a match

Ownership - Stan Kroenke

Stan can be polarizing. The Rams relocation to LA? Bad TV deals in Denver? When he fired 55 employees after an FA Cup win and Arsenal fans went crazy? Often there has been animosity towards Americans in English Soccer Clubs. Much due to the lack of connection and commitment to the club or their fans. Too much business, not enough passion. That being said, it’s been quite a run for Stan, winning the NBA, NFL, & NHL titles with the Nuggets (23), Rams (22) and Avalanche (20). AND Arsenal’s 2nd (23).

Sponsorship

Home Away

Biggest Rival - North London Derby

  • Tottenham Hotspur – 4 miles apart

  • Arsenal W86 L67 D54

  • Only 8 players have ever played for both teams in the Derby

  • Gunners finished ahead of Spurs 21 straight seasons ending in 2017

  • Since 2017, Spurs finished ahead of Gunners until the 23 season

The Culture

3rd highest attendance in EPL with a large international fanbase, estimated as the 3rd largest in the world at 125M fans. Like the Green Bay Packers, Arsenal has a “fanshare” program where fans buy shares of the club that allows them to attend shareholder meetings. Arsenal has been characterized for their dissatisfaction they seem to have towards the club, even during times of success.

St Totteringham’s Day - The day when Arsenal have gathered enough points to be mathematically assured to finish ahead of Tottenham in the table. Arsenal had a St T Day for 22 straight years, until it was not celebrated from 2017 to 2022. April 21, 2023 St Totteringham’s Day was celebrated when The Gunners drew with Southampton.

Supporters You May Recognize

  • Queen of England

  • Benedict Cumberbatch

  • Mick Jagger

  • Piers Morgan

Song

Game Day Pub Guide

Fan Sites

Official Twitter

@Arsenal

High Follows on Twitter

@AFTVMedia (810k)

@T0tallyArsenal (57k)

@TheArsenal1913 (25k)

The Team

The Gaffer

  • Mikel Arteta (Spain), 41yo

  • Since 2019, former Arsenal player who assisted at Man City in 2016

Odds

  • To Win +700

  • Top 4 -130

  • Top 10 -5000

  • Relegated +50000

Roster Notes

Full Roster click link

Projected to finish 2nd

  • USMNT Matt Turner is currently the back-up Keeper, Folarin Balogun Forward and Auston Trusty Center Back both return from Loan.

  • Martin Odegaard (24), a midfielder from Norway is Captain.

  • Declan Rice (from West Ham) $125M fee and Kai Havertz (from Chelsea) for $90M.

  • Have added a lot of depth and quality to contend.

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