VIEW FROM THE STANDS

The big talking point among the fans is the kit: the second coming of Adidas. The rest is a mess. This season will be different because Unai Emery won’t fool us twice. Underlying numbers are grim and he didn’t progress the team. He is our David Moyes: the big question is how long the club waits to pull the trigger on him. Our most underrated player is Bernd Leno. Cat-like reflexes and very good with balls into the box. The first keeper in 10 years you can rely on to keep you in a game. Look out for winger Bukayo Saka – if he’s not loaned out. The best away ground is Spurs’. It would have been St James’ Park if Patrick Vieira had joined Newcastle. The best away fans are Crystal Palace’s. They are pretty mental. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Granit Xhaka. Looks better on a spreadsheet. The pantomime villain will be Mustafi. No one will buy him. The one change I’d make to the club would be more ambitious owners, because we lack vision. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that he was the safest option. A dire pragmatist, uncharismatic, confusing and indecisive, he won’t be cut the same slack this season. If he left, he should be replaced by Leonardo Jardim of Monaco. He can be pragmatic, he can build explosive football, and he is very good at nurturing young talent. Save the date for September 1. Fresh off the back of losing at Anfield, we welcome Tottenham to the Emirates. It’ll set the tone. We’ll finish 6th.