Sitting 10th in the table, a brand new manager and a transfer window allowing him to improve his squad and help them get back to the Arsenal we all remember.
Arsenal’s season up until this point hasn’t been pretty. They started the season with Spanish manager Unai Emery, who in his previous season, had gotten them to the Europa League final. However, he would not even make it till Christmas as Arsenal manager in the current season. With just 8 wins in 20 games, Emery’s time was up. The fans had turned against him and a change had to be made.
Whilst the board began their search for a new manager, former player, Freddie Ljungberg took over as their interim manager. He was in charge for six games, winning just one of them! Clearly he wouldn’t be the man to take over as permanent manager and so the search went on. A few names were thrown about such as; Massimiliano Allegri, Nuno Santo, Mauricio Pochetino, but the man they were targeting was former player and Pep Guaridola’s assistant at Man City, Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal secured their man on the 20th December and he promised to change the way that the team play. He explained this would not be an easy job and it would not be an overnight change but acknowledged the talent his new squad possess and believes that he is the man for the job.
In his first two games in charge Arteta drew to Bournemouth and lost to Chelsea, conceding two late goals. Not a terrific start, however, since then, they have beaten Manchester United 2-0 and despite a rocky performance, beat Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup. Arsenal are still 10th in the league and so Arteta does have a big job to do in the second half of the season.
Arsenal’s best player this season so far has got to be their top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In a team currently under achieving, Aubamyeang is still their player they can depend on. With 15 goals currently, in all competitions, he still remains their main man.
The transfer window is currently open and this is what I think, new boss, Mikel Arteta should do with his current Arsenal squad to get them back on track. Firstly, there are a few players who just need to be sold, they aren’t helping the team and just need to move on, there’s, Granit Xhaka, at one point this season was their club captain but since then has really gone down hill and is currently linked with a move away to Hertha Berlin. Next, Shkodran Mustafi, has never really fit into the squad and I think the club simply need to thank him for his service and ask him to look for a new club. Also, I’m not too sure about Arsenal’s current two centre backs, David Luiz and Sokratis. I’d keep a hold of them for the time being but they should be looking for suitable replacements for them I believe.
Who should Arsenal bring in? It’s clear their defence has been one of their main issues so far this season and so I’d be looking at players such as, Dayot Upamecano, Daniele Rugani, Jerome Boateng and Lewis Dunk. Rumours suggest that Arsenal have made contact with Boateng about a possible signing, as well as, strong interest in Upamecano.
Their midfield also needs some changes if they really want to start moving up the table. Mesut Ozil’s performances since Arteta has taken over have suggested he could be getting his form back. Therefore, players such as, Arturo Vidal and Sami Khedira could do a decent job at playing that defensive midfield role, a position the club should be looking to strengthen. The full return of Dani Ceballos could also improve their midfield but I do think that Arsenal do need to sign one decent holding midfielder to really improve the squad.
Although I believe Arsenal’s attack isn’t their main issue, with players such as; Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicholas Pepe and the young of Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson. However, players like, Edinson Cavani, Hakim Ziyech and Thomas Lemar are looking for new clubs so there could be an opportunity for Arsenal to swoop in and bring in a talented attacker under the radar.
Just to finish, now that Arteta is manager and he has a transfer window to try and booster his squad for the remainder of the season, I think that Arsenal can push up the table. It’s very unlikely that they will get a top four spot but finishing in a Europa League spot could show serious improvement. I’d guess that they’ll finish in sixth, one spot down from where they finished last season but once Arteta has a full summer transfer window to really change his squad, as well as having had half a season to work with the players currently in the squad, I see no reason why next season can’t be a huge turning point for Arsenal Football Club.
Waiting till next season may not be what the fans want to hear but giving Arteta time is going to be the main point I’d like to end on. Give him time to show off what he has learnt, working with Pep Guardiola for three years. This transfer window will determine where Arsenal finish this season.
ARSENAL’S BEST STARTING 11: Leno, Bellerin, Sokratis, Holding, Tierney, Torreira, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
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