Arsenal in for a battle on the fringes of the elite and why Reiss Nelson is one to watch

Alexis Sanchez

LAST SEASON

5th

TOP SCORER

Alexis Sanchez (24)

KEY INS

Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon, £46m), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke, free).

KEY OUTS

Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus, £10m), Yaya Sanogo (Toulouse, free), Emiliano Martinez (Getafe, loan).

REASONS TO BE POSITIVE

Wenger has spent big on who he hopes will prove a consistent and clinical goalscorer in Lacazette, while retaining their superstars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – for now.

REASONS TO BE PESSIMISTIC

Fears that the same old weaknesses show up. Defensive and mental fragility are unfortunate Arsenal staples.

ONE TO WATCH

Reiss Nelson is just 17 but has created a real buzz in pre-season with his fearless displays as a wing-back.

EXPECTATION

No Champions League football for the first time in two decades could well help towards a title push, although just getting back into the top four is the first mission.

REALITY

Having been outspent by many of their rivals, the Gunners may be in for a battle around the fringes of the elite places.