It's the battle of the North London clubs in this Premier League preview, with both Arsenal and Tottenham looking to go one better and finish top of the Premier League. For Arsenal it's been another frustrating start to the season and transfer window, with Wenger again refusing to splash the cash. For Tottenham and Pochettino they look far better placed to progress and were fantastic last season, they have made two excellent signings and will look to kick on again.
Arsenal
The Frenchman enjoyed an excellent season as he guided Arsenal to a second placed finish, the fact that they were able to finish above North London rivals Tottenham will have delighted the fans but they will also be feeling it was a huge opportunity missed.
With the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool enduring torrid seasons it was a huge opportunity for Arsenal to take it by the scruff of the neck and win the league.
They were unable to do so and to see Tottenham and Leicester put on a far more convincing campaign than the Gunners will and have upset the fans.
This season represents a huge challenge for Arsenal with all of the sides around them strengthening from last season, both in the playing squad but also in the managerial department.
Arsenal have been for the last few seasons in desperate need of world class individuals in certain positions to allow them to strengthen the squad and challenge.
They are traditionally a side that suffers from injuries and last season was no different with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Per Mertesacker, Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere all injured at certain parts of the season.
These are all key players in key positions and if Arsenal were to lose the likes of Laurent Koschielny, Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez for an extended period of time Arsenal would truly struggle.
The Gunners won 20 games last season from a possible 38 but they were defeated 7 times which was the third best in the league, only behind champions Leicester & rivals Tottenham who they pushed all the way in the title.
Arsenal did end the season in excellent form and they were unbeaten in 10 matches, with five wins and five draws.
Transfer policy must change
The transfer policy at Arsenal has been the one major stumbling block to any substantial title tilt.
Arsenal charge the highest season ticket rate in the country and were the top beneficiaries when it came to TV revenue last season, where they featured on TV more than any other club and yet they still fail to compete financially with the top teams.
Granit Xhaka's arrival for £30 million has been their biggest signing this summer and he was only named on the bench during yesterday's game at Liverpool, something that should rightly frustrate the fans.
If they are to truly start progressing they need to spend big money to bring in players, Arsene Wenger insisted again yesterday that they will spend but only on the right players and there are plenty of players out there that would only enhance Arsenal.
They need to find a world class centre back, a world class box to box midfielder and a world class, 20 goal a season striker to truly propel them up the top and keep them in contention for the title.
Olivier Giroud is an excellent option to have but he has not and will consistently score you 20+ goals a season and they have failed to replace Patrick Viera and that has been a damning indictment of Wenger's transfer policy.
The centre back combination of Callum Chambers and Rob Holding yesterday was not good enough or experienced enough for Arsenal, particularly in what is a huge opening fixture against Liverpool and a good start is absolutely vital.
That is another damning verdict of Wenger and the players such as Koscielny and Ozil who were unavailable.
With the likes of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Antonio Conte at Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, Jose Mourinho at United and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool. The managerial duels this year will be absolutely crucial and that is without including the likes of Ronald Koeman, Slaven Bilic and Mark Hughes.
It will be a massive achievement to win the league, particularly in light of yesterdays 4-3 loss to Liverpool at the Emirates, but for the sake of the fans and the manager if they were able to make a few world class signings there is no reason why they couldn't win the league.
If they endure another trophy less season at the Emirates it could finally be the end for the Frenchman.
Arsenal Betting Tips
Arsenal to win the Premier League outright @ 9/1
The Gunners to register a top four finish @ 4/5
Olivier Giroud to be the Premier League's top goalscorer @ 25/1
Tottenham
The Argentinian enjoyed an excellent season as he guided Tottenham to a third placed finish, they did however finish one agonising point behind North London rivals Arsenal, a duck that Pochettino will definitely want to break next season.
This season represents a huge challenge for Tottenham with all of the sides around them strengthening from last season, both in the playing squad but also in the managerial department.
Tottenham had an excellent all round squad, with the likes of England internationnals Harry Kane, Deli Alli, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker enjoying excellent seasons. The international class of Christian Eriksen, Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen has seen Tottenham maintain an excellent blend of experience, class and young English talent.
They won 19 games last season from a possible 38 and they were only defeated 6 times which was the second best in the league, only behind champions Leicester who they pushed all the way in the title.
The one concern for Tottenham will be how dramatically they fell away in the last few games of the season, they recorded no wins in their last four games and they were given a 5-1 thumping away against Newcastle, in the final game of the season.
Progress The Key
The retention of Mauricio Pochettino as manager has been as crucial as any signing they could have made.
Under the Argentine they have gone from strength to strength and providing they can make a few key signings there is no reason that they cannot have just as successful a season as they have just enjoyed.
The signings of Vincent Janssen and long term target Victor Wanyama have been a huge statement of intent from Tottenham and a few more key signings in the forward department and squad positions can see them challenge on all fronts.
They have had a mixed pre-season with two defeats against Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. Both are excellent sides and look like they will be major challengers both domestically and in Europe.
Tottenham have picked hard games but they will give them a decent idea of their current standing. Keeping golden boot winner Harry Kane fit and firing will be massive for Spurs and Deli Alli will once again be needed to provide goals and assists.
Their opening fixture will be against Everton and they will face a stern test against Everton under their new manager Ronald Koeman but there are far bigger challenges to come.
With the likes of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Antonio Conte at Chelsea, Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Jose Mourinho at United and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool, the managerial duels this year will be absolutely crucial and that is without including the likes of Ronald Koeman and Mark Hughes.
It will be a massive achievement to finish in the top four but if they are to truly progress Pochettino will want to win the league and in doing so finally topple Arsenal as well, to prove they are the best club in England and North London.
Tottenham Betting Tips
Spurs to win the Premier League outright @ 10/1
Spurs to register a top four finish @ 6/5
Harry Kane to be the Premier League's top goalscorer @ 5/1