Sports Mole runs its eye over Tottenham Hotspur's chances for the new Premier League season.
With the new Premier League season beginning this weekend, Sports Mole casts its eye over Arsenal's summer and their prospects for the 2013-14 campaign.
In:
Paulinho (Corinthians, £17m), Nacer Chadli (FC Twente, £7m), Roberto Soldado (Valencia, £26m)
Out:
Nathan Byrne (Swindon Town, Free), Jack Barthram (Swindon Town, Free), David Bentley (Released), John Bostock (Released), William Gallas (Released), Jack Munns (Released), Jake Nicholson (Released), Grant Hall (Swindon Town, Loan), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town, Loan), Alex Pritchard (Swindon Town, Loan), Ryan Mason (Swindon Town, Loan), Adam Smith (Derby County, Loan), Bongani Khumalo (Doncaster Rovers, Loan), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City, Undisclosed)
Last Season: Fifth
Manager: Andre Villas-Boas
Three key players:
© Getty Images
Jan Vertonghen - The Belgian defender looked perfectly at home in the Premier League last season following his move from Ajax. Quick and brave, Vertonghen is also a decent presence in attack when needed. He has struggled with injuries in the past, but take nothing away from his athleticism: this man played 52 times for club and country during the 2012-13 campaign. Vertonghen's partnership with Michael Dawson will be the bedrock on which Spurs build their charge for the Champions League places.
© Getty Images
Gareth Bale - By the time you read this,
Gareth Bale could be a Real Madrid player. It has been the transfer saga of the summer, and Spurs look like they may well sell their prized asset to the Spanish giants for an eye-catching fee. However, what a boost it would be if they manage to persuade the Welshman to stay. Bale, who scored 26 goals last season, is simply unstoppable on his day. A ferocious blend of pace, power and clinical finishing, he has it all.
© Getty Images
Roberto Soldado - Spurs showed little fear in breaking their transfer record this summer to bring in Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26m. The Spanish striker netted 28 times in all competitions last season and is the sort of poacher who you would back to find the net plenty of times in the Premier League. His positioning is often superb, and he also has the sort of pace that suits the top flight perfectly.
First game: Crystal Palace (A), Complete fixture list
Sports Mole says: Tottenham Hotspur will be desperate to erase the agony of last season when they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification for the second year running. They have done well to bring in the players they have this summer, but a lot of their success will be down to whether they can keep Gareth Bale. That said, it looks like it will be a strange, transitional campaign and one that the club can ultimately take advantage of considering the changes elsewhere. Anything other than reaching the top four will be seen as a disaster.
Predicted finish: Fifth
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