Part two of our look ahead to next season. How will Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool fayre? Read part one here


Arsenal
They’re lumped in with the Champions League challengers here but Arsenal fans will rightly view next season as their best chance of winning the league in many a year. Though Arsene Wenger took some justified stick last time out, the Gunners will be unique at the start of next season in being the only Champions League club still employing the manager who got them there. That element of stability shouldn’t be under-estimated.

More significant though is the apparent willingness to start spending some money. At the time of writing, Gonzalo Higuain’s arrival is imminent and while talk of a move for Wayne Rooney might be fanciful, the fact it’s even been mentioned should act as encouragement for their long-suffering fans. If the club do add three or four more big names, a title challenge could be on the cards. That’s still a big if, and should it actually happen, there’d be no more excuses for Arsene Wenger. Could be a make or break season.


Tottenham
Rather than potential arrivals, most of the speculation surrounding Tottenham so far this summer has centred on the futures of Gareth Bale and Andre Villas Boas. With both looking likely to stay (for now at least), the focus now needs to switch towards strengthening. Spurs were probably only a striker short of Champions League qualification last season and there must be heavy regret within the club that they didn’t add to their options in that area in January. Reinforcements are still required. Relying on Gareth Bale to save you most weeks, though an exciting spectacle is a risky one too.

AVB deserves credit for the job he did last season, turning the team inherited from Harry Redknapp in to a much more solid and stable side. The likes of Jan Vertonghen and Moussa Dembele impressed in their debut seasons and Gylfi Sigursson found some form towards the end of campaign as well. Not much is needed. If Adebayor comes good and they can add another striker or two then the Champions League should be well within their reach next season, perhaps an outside shot at the title wouldn’t be out of the question either.


Liverpool
As I’ve already pointed out here, this is a big transfer window for Brendan Rodgers. Since writing that, their summer recruitment drive has continued apace with five new faces already in place for next season. While there’s genuine anticipation surrounding the arrivals of the likes of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, doubts remain as to whether they’re of a high enough standard to help make a serious push towards the Champions League places. Is it a case of quantity over quality, as has so often been the case at Anfield over the years?

Casting those doubts aside though, Liverpool finished last season much better than they started it, and they won’t spend the start of the coming one still getting used to Rodgers’ methods and philosophy. David Moyes’ departure from Everton should see them come out on top in that particular battle, and while they might fall short of the top four, you’d expect them to at least have a go at it this season.