Arsenal 2023/24 pre-season - winners & losers
- Arsenal won just two of five pre-season matches
- Gunners have strengthened with signings of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber
- Seasons begins this weekend against Man City in Community Shield
By Sean Walsh
Arsenal are heading into the 2023/24 season with renewed hope that they can win their first Premier League title in 20 years.
The Gunners fell agonisingly short last term but have made some huge signings this summer and are now looking to the campaign ahead.
They kick off the new season against Manchester City this weekend. Here are 90min's picks for winners and losers across Arsenal's five pre-season fixtures.
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Winner - The tandem of Mikel Arteta & Edu Gaspar
Breaking the cardinal sin of praising a transfer guru during pre-season straight out of the blocks, are we? Yes, but this isn't a win based solely on signing new players.
Over the last three years, Arsenal have impressively turned over their squad into Mikel Arteta's near-perfect image. He and sporting director Edu Gaspar have managed to build up enough equity to convince fans that it's worthwhile to take a £65m punt on Kai Havertz.
Declan Rice, meanwhile, praised Arteta's influence in prying him away from West Ham for a nine-figure sum when Man City were also interested. This should not be understated.
Arsenal are, for the most part, a model club again. Imagine saying that a couple of years ago.
Loser - Folarin Balogun
Off the back of a stunning year on loan at Reims (or Will Still's Stade Reims, to use their full name), there has been plenty of talk over what happens next for the Unites States' newest star in Folarin Balogun.
Will he stay and fight for his place at Arsenal? Will he go out on loan again? Will Inter step up and meet his £50m price tag?
As it turned out, Balogun scarcely featured for the Gunners during an injury-disrupted pre-season and it's hard to imagine many clubs knocking on Arsenal's door with the sum they would want to sell him.
Loser - Gabriel Jesus
What's worse for Balogun is he would have had more of a look-in due to Gabriel Jesus' knee injury.
The Brazil international spent the middle third of last season nursing a similar problem and he is now set to miss the beginning of the new campaign.
Will Arsenal be able to cope without their number nine again?
Winner - Eddie Nketiah
Jesus and Balogun's loss is Eddie Nketiah's gain, however. The academy graduate captained and scored in Wednesday's Emirates Cup triumph against Monaco and will probably begin the season up front for Arsenal.
The 24-year-old may be under immediate pressure to rediscover his scoring touch in competitive games though, with his last goal coming in the final minute of their memorable 3-2 win against Manchester United all the way back in January.
Winner - Leandro Trossard
If Nketiah doesn't step up, then Leandro Trossard will have another route back into the starting lineup.
The versatile Belgian quickly became a fan favourite following his move from Brighton & Hove Albion midway through last season, bringing a lot of the elite technical qualities that Arsenal supporters love.
He grabbed a brace in the Gunners' 5-3 friendly win against Barcelona while he was also on the scoresheet in the MLS All-Star game. Arteta might not relegate Trossard back to the bench so hastily.
Winner - Arsenal fans
Arsenal fans can look forward to the new season with both hope and expectation.
Their collapse from April to May was inexplicable, but they've managed to regroup, strengthen and find their feet again. You'd be foolish to write them off as contenders for anything other than the randomness of football.
They have plans and roadmaps to reach the top. They are back in the Champions League. They have established themselves as a serious force on and off the pitch, a club united and enjoying the journey.
LISTEN NOW TO THE CHRONICLES OF A GOONER, 90MIN'S ARSENAL PODCAST
On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou reacts to Arsenal's interest in David Raya and what it means for Aaron Ramsdale, Folarin Balogun's plea to the club and the Emirates Cup!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!