Prediction - Arsenal

A lot of players shipped out this summer, most notably Thierry Henry taking his own particular brand of sulking and disappearing to Barcelona, where he'll inevitably do well and win the league. The others shipping out are largely squad players - Ljungberg is past his best, Reyes turns a loan to Real into a move to Atletico, Aliadere is off to get Boro relegated - and won't really be missed. Arsene has spent the last few seasons stock-piling some top quality youngsters - Fabregas, Van Persie, Walcott, Toure - and blooding them in the Premiership. This season is key to those little boys becoming the big boys, and Wengers future and reputation hinges on this. He has created three excellent sides at Arsenal, moving people on when they are past their peak (Vieira, Overmars) or past caring (Campbell, Anelka), often for a massive profit. His transfer record is impressive, almost breaking even over the ten years he's been there. He's bought cannily; Da Silva will give them more options than Henry and allow them to restore their killer team mentality, essential for their brand of football to flourish. The other three incomers are going to strengthen areas of weakness, but I feel that Mad Jens needed replacing - if he'd moved earlier, he could have bought in Craig Gordonfor cheaper than the £9m Sunderland have paid. It could cost Arsene, and Fabianski will probably have to deliver at some point this season.

Predicting how they'll do is one of the most difficult, in a difficult season. The big questions surround Spurs pushing on to fourth at the expense of Arsenal, and how Arsenal will cope without Le Sulk. The board will expect development, if only in terms of improving the experience in the first team and maintaining their Top Four place, with a decent European run. They'll be anywhere between 3rd and 5th, depending on how the new players and the youngsters perform - I can't see a title challenge, but I can't see them slipping too far if they do slip.

PREDICTION - 3rd