‘By their own admission’: Arsenal’s board have been taken by surprise by one thing this season – journalist

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Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal’s board has been left surprised by the fact they’re in the Premier League top four race.

The Gunners limped to an eighth-place finish in the table last season and failed to win any silverware.

In the summer, Arsenal spent around £150million to bolster their ranks, bringing in several high-profile players.

Ben White joined for £50million, while Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale cost over £25million each.

Arsenal also signed Takehiro Tomiyasu, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares last summer.

This year, the Gunners have looked much improved, putting in some great performances and getting good results.

While they’re not the finished product, Arsenal are still in with a shout of Champions League qualification.

Watts, speaking on his YouTube channel, mentioned how Arsenal need to show Bukayo Saka they mean business on the pitch if they are to tie him down to a new contract.

“Touch wood, right now they are doing that,” he said.

“They’re right in the mix for the top four, which is where they want to be.

“In fact, he’s actually ahead of where they thought they might be.

“You know… at the start of this season I don’t think anyone at Arsenal realistically thought top four was something they were really going to go for.

“I think it was going to be a case of get yourself back into Europe and then continue with that development.

“Arsenal, probably even by their own admission, are a little bit ahead of schedule this season because of the good work Mikel Arteta has done and that the team has done.”

Arsenal are next in action on Sunday, when they head to Watford.