Mikel Arteta’s side will have to adapt to a number of new challenges in the Premier League this season.
There is a gruelling campaign ahead for Arsenal. The Gunners face the challenge of competing for the Premier League title, but Mikel Arteta will also want his side to compete meaningfully on multiple fronts, as they will be eyeing silverware in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions.
However, to achieve these aims the Gunners will have to manage a hectic schedule. Arteta will need to carefully handle his squad, and have the courage to rest and rotate players whenever possible to ensure that his group has the stamina to compete strongly until the bitter end of the campaign.
The North London club have their backers. Ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal will become champions this season. Three ESPN pundits have also backed Arsenal to win the title.
If the Gunners are to triumph in the Premier League, though, they will need to cope with some rules and scheduling changes in the competition.
No winter break means no Dubai repeat for Arsenal
The winter break that clubs have enjoyed in recent seasons, allowing them around a week off in January, has been scrapped for this campaign. Not only does that mean that Arsenal won’t get this time off to recover and regain some energy midway through the campaign, but it also means that they can’t take part in any warm weather training camps.
Last winter, Arteta took his Arsenal squad to Dubai, off the back of a poor run of form. This trip reinvigorated the Gunners, and they went on a sensational run upon their return.
Mikel Arteta will hope for VAR improvements
Arteta will be hopeful that he’ll have no cause to criticise the officiating or implementation of VAR in the Premier League this season. Of course, last season, Arteta hit out at Premier League officials after a controversial incident against Newcastle.
This season, albeit not from the very start of the campaign, the Premier League will introduce semi-automated offsides, making use of the technology that was used at Euro 2024. This will allow offside decisions to be made quicker and more accurately.
On top of that, VAR checks will be accompanied by explanations of decisions being relayed to fans in the stadium via the speakers, with replays shown on the big screens.
Ballboy rule change could impact quick restarts
When it comes to getting the ball back into play quickly from a throw in, or alternatively purposefully slowing things down, clubs have been known to give specific instructions to ballboys.
Now, though, rather than handing the ball directly to players, ballboys will need to place the ball on a cone by the side of the pitch, for the player to collect. This could slightly slow down these restarts, which may impact Arsenal when the opportunity to break quickly is on.
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