Passionate Arsenal fan Jelani Blackman is not getting too carried away about the Gunners ahead of the new season — despite them finishing as runners-up last term and a busy summer in the transfer market.

Bittersweet season

Last season was so bittersweet because when you look at it in context Arsenal did amazingly well.

We were challenging the best team arguably in the world at the moment in Manchester City every step of the way.

The reason we did not win the Premier League was depth of squad really. 

It was less learning how to compete and more about what we actually had the capacity to do.

All things considered we did well — but it still hurts a lot!

Pressure of expectation

I think the expectation of Arsenal next season might be problematic.

Towards the end of last season, when things looked like they should be going our way, we struggled the most.

I think going into 2023-24, with big names and personalities to integrate, there is going to be some working out to do — but I still have faith!

To be honest, even if we were to finish more comfortably in second place next season I would still feel that is progress, which I know a lot of people will not want to hear.

But I think playing at Champions League level is something that was missing.

When you have that level of competition and then come back to the Premier League, it makes you deal with pressure far better.

Rice realism

I don't know if Declan Rice alone can bridge the gap to City if I am honest.

It is a massive signing and he is a really talented player but I think Mikel Arteta is going to need more than him.

The team is not about individuals, it has been about how they all function as a unit.

Rice will give us more depth, structure and stability. But I don't think by himself he can bridge the gap.

Magic Martin

William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are the three key players for Arsenal.

I met Odegaard last season and I was so nervous — and I do not usually get nervous!

I said to him "you have changed the squad, you are the heartbeat" and he looked at me and just said: "Thanks man".

What can you say? He is Arsenal through and through, it was a genius transfer.

Odegaard knows what Arteta wants — and that is to get the job done!

Point to prove

Gabriel Martinelli is going to be our top scorer, though.

I think Martinelli is going to be way more influenced by Kai Havertz's arrival than Saka and it is going to be one of those situations where the pressure is a positive.

In lots of the high-pressure situations last season, he was the one who came through and delivered.

He is also hitting that point and age where he is oozing confidence and backs himself to succeed.

Martinelli is going to score between 20 and 25 goals.

                                                     Jelani Blackman was speaking to Danny Ryan

Jelani Blackman's latest single Rise ft. Biig Piig is out now. More new music to come this summer.