Premier League Season 2012/13 - Who Will Make Up The Top Four?

5th Place - Arsenal

If, as expected, Arsenal lose captain Robin van Persie this summer, who has already refused to sign a new contract and is allegedly set for a medical at Man United, it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from this season. Losing the services of team captain, PFA Player of the Year and Golden Boot Winner will be a massive blow for Arsenal's aspirations both domestically and abroad. Will new signings Lucas Podolski and Oliver Giroud be able to step up to the plate and help fill in in the goals department? Perhaps, but certainly not to the level van Persie achieved. Arsenal are becoming a bit of a feeder club at the moment. Selling Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona was bad enough, but then losing Samri Nasri and Gael Cliche to Man City, well that was a bitter blow. To now sell their captain to one of their domestic rivals is pure suicide - and it will cost them. It is difficult to see Arsenal staying in the top four this season. They play beautiful football in the middle of the park, but they look bereft up front.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.