Premier League 2021-22 experts' preview: Predictions, hopes and fears from those in the know
| Published date | 12 August 2021 |
| Publication title | Daily Mirror, The: Web Edition Articles (London, England) |
Twenty clubs enter the new season with almost 20 different sets of hopes, expectations and worries, and we'll be telling their stories every step of the way.
To preview the new season we've spread out across the Reach Sport network to bring you the lowdown from those in the know -from regional reporters to national journalists and huge fans, our contributors know their clubs like the back of their hands.
Let them tell you what to expect from all 20 clubs in the 2021-22 season.
Arsenal
Kaya Kaynak -Arsenal writer, football.london
Hopes and dreams: As they enter their fifth season outside the Champions League, the aim for Arsenal has to be getting back in the top four.
That’s probably the very best this squad is capable of achieving right now, but with how strong Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all look, it’s a daunting task.
Biggest fears: The fear is that Arsenal will go into the season without having signed a number 10.
Not having a creative presence really cost them in the first half of last season, and putting the entire burden on Emile Smith Rowe for the whole campaign would be too big an ask.
Key player: Kieran Tierney is absolutely crucial to the way Arsenal attack, and if he’s able to stay fit this season then the Gunners will be a much better team for it.
Keep an eye out for Nicolas Pepe as well who finished the last campaign strongly and could be set to finally deliver on his £72 million price tag.
Young player to watch: Bukayo Saka is well known to most fans by now but it’s easy to forget he’s only 19!
He’s already done so much in his short career and could be set to kick on to another level this season. Smith Rowe is another academy graduate likely to shine, while lesser-known youngsters Folarin Balogun and Miguel Azeez could be given chances if they don’t go on loan.
The impact of the fans: Not having fans during the winless run of November and December last season meant that Mikel Arteta was probably under a lot less pressure than he would have been in normal circumstances.
Most of the fanbase are still with him despite failure to qualify for Europe, but that can turn very quickly and if Arsenal don’t pick up some early results, we could see a repeat of the toxic atmosphere seen at the Emirates during the latter days of the Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery eras.
Prediction: The board are fully behind Arteta and unless something really catastrophic happens they will give him the whole season to try and get Arsenal back into the top four.
Whether he’s able to do that though, with the competition in the Premier League this year, remains to be seen.
Aston Villa
Ashley Preece -Aston Villa reporter, Birmingham Live
Hopes and dreams: To not hear the words 'Villa are really missing Jack Grealish' would be a good start.
Villa have been brash for the third summer transfer window running given the addition of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings who'll all form Villa's exciting new attack.
The main hope for the season is, of course, European qualification. Villa notched 55 points last term; seeing that bumped up by 10 points to 65 would, hopefully, see Villa qualify for Europe. I'd also love an FA Cup run after the chance was taken away last season due to a Covid outbreak.
Biggest fears: A poor start could really harm Villa here.
Their first three games are Watford away and Newcastle and Brentford both at home before it's Chelsea, Everton, Man United and Tottenham.
Pre-season has been a tad disruptive as well; Smith had to isolate because his wife had Covid while Buendia and Ollie Watkins have injuries going into this week. New addition Bailey is in quarantine after he arrived from Jamaica.
Preparation hasn't been ideal knowing the new boys haven't played together yet.
Key player: Emi Martinez. He's one of -if not -the best in the league.
If Villa go close to last season's 15 clean sheet total they're nailed on to have a great season knowing Ings, Watkins and co. will score goals up the other end.
Young player to watch: Jaden Philogene-Bidace. The 19-year-old's been Villa's standout in pre-season with two assists and two goals from four games. He's a proper, lightning-quick winger.
The impact of the fans: A rocking Villa Park has made plenty of opposing teams in the Premier League just wilt. When it's bouncing there's no place like it.
With packed houses returning this season, Villa can guarantee a few points on the board already given what's a brilliant, raucous home crowd. Oh Jack, you're going to miss playing in B6!
Prediction: It's been 17th and then 11th for Smith in his first two seasons as a Premier League boss. He must kick on again with top-half the bare minimum here.
Europe's the aim so in and around those Europa League spots would be ace. Smith's got more than enough credit in the bank, however, the big question is can he do it as Villa's gaffer without a certain Mr Grealish to rely on This season could well be his most-difficult to date. The floor's yours, Dean.
Brentford
Jake Murtagh -Reach Head of National Sports Digital
Hopes and dreams: The dream scenario is for Brentford to be safe from relegation before the run in and finish comfortably in mid-table. The reality is they could be involved in a survival scrap right down to the wire.
Biggest fears: The way the club's recruitment policy works means the squad is untested at the highest level, so the biggest worry is that they will not be able to make the step up.
However, they have a wealth of international experience and had five players at this summer's Euros.
Key player: Ivan Toney.
The striker has scored goals at every level but has unfinished business in the Premier League after a couple of appearances for Newcastle as a youngster. His contribution will be vital if Brentford are to beat the drop.
Young player to watch: Mads Roerslev.
One of the club's growing Danish contingent, the right-sided wing-back has bundles of energy and is a threat going forward.
The impact of the fans: Brentford fans are on cloud nine after winning promotion last season. For many it will also be the first time they get to experience the new stadium as well.
The ground is tight, wedged between the M4 and the train line, and the supporters can create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting sides.
Prediction: Brentford are one of the favourites to be relegated and with one of the smallest budgets it's not really a surprise. Only time will tell if they sink or swim but they could cause a few shocks along the way.
Brighton
Charlie Parker-Turner -National Sports Network Desk writer
Hopes and dreams: If everything clicks, we could challenge for European football.
Missing simple chances cost us massively last season, as shown by how we consistently scored less than our xG said we should have, but we proved we can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the league and get results.
Biggest fears: Danny Welbeck is injury-prone, Neal Maupay is better utilised as a creator than a finisher, Andi Zeqiri and Aaron Connolly are both too inexperienced to be relied upon and Florin Andone is returning from a long-term injury – we need another striker, and we still haven’t signed one.
Key player: Yves Bissouma.
The Malian midfielder is crucial for the Seagulls. He protects our defence well, fuels attacks and is capable of producing a bit of magic in the final third too.
Bissouma is destined for big things in the future, may that be on the south coast or elsewhere.
Young player to watch: Tariq Lamptey.
In just eleven appearances last season, Lamptey became a fan’s favourite. The 20-year-old has the attributes of both a winger and a defender, making him the ultimate wing-back, and he may well be another Chelsea academy product that they sent packing too soon.
The impact of the fans: The one game that our supporters were able to attend last season was a 3-2 victory over Man City, so the cheers and shouts may have been the difference.
We have several players that need the confidence boost provided by a crowd, so fans returning should benefit the team overall.
Prediction: Last season our performances warranted more points than we achieved, the team should learn plenty from that.
Everyone has bought into Potter’s vision of playing neat, attacking football to push the club up the table, therefore, a mid table finish is realistic progression.
Burnley
Alex James -Football writer, Lancashire Live
Hopes and dreams: The hope is that Burnley secure another season of top flight football with a squad in need of strengthening.
Anything more will be considered a success while a decent cup run wouldn't go amiss but that is probably asking for too much with survival the main aim.
Biggest fears: Relegation, Sean Dyche not signing a new contract and no more new signings arriving.
Key player: Burnley have a strong core and a first XI more than capable of staying up.
Honourable mentions for Nick Pope, Ben Mee and Dwight McNeil but Chris Wood's goals will be vital for a side who aren't free-scoring.
Young player to watch: Lewis Richardson has long been touted as a star of the future and at 18 has featured in pre-season, while Bobby Thomas and Anthony Gomez-Mancini have impressed this summer
The impact of the fans: A lot of Burnley's Premier League success has been built on strong home form and that dissipated last term in front of empty stands.
Turf Moor...
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