LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the Premier League… [+] match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at the Emirates Stadium on December 29, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Do you still remember how it all ended for Arsenal last season? With two defeats at the hands of North London rivals Tottenham and Saudi-owned Newcastle United, and the huge disappointment of once again missing out on a top-four finish. It was the second time in a row that Arsenal finished fifth under manager Mikel Arteta. Those signs of limited improvement with the Spaniard had not resulted in landing a coveted Champions League ticket.
In 2019, Arteta’s arrival at Arsenal was greeted with mild optimism. Here was a manager who could resurrect Arsenal after the vagueness of Unai Emery’s maligned reign and the ill-fated interlude that befell, more than anything, Freddie Ljungberg. The Spaniard’s CV and real-life skill set were deemed impeccable. Above all, he was a disciple of the Guardiola school. He was to deliver an upgrade at Wengerball and remove the shadow cast over the club by the Frenchman’s departure.
The returns, however, have been too meager. True, the Covid-19 was unprecedented and in many ways cut short Arteta’s first seasons at the club, but this season the Spaniard will no longer have excuses. The goal is clear: regardless of the competition and a congested schedule – the World Cup dividing the seasons – Arsenal must finish in the top four.
As Arteta and his team take on Crystal Palace in the opening act of a historic 30th Premier League season on Friday, there is a sense of mild optimism at Arsenal. The arrival of both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko has led to the belief that this time around Arsenal can reconnect with their former status and compete properly.
Manchester City’s £75m layoffs are fascinating players, each in their own right and with their peaks still ahead of them.
TOPSHOT – Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) celebrates after scoring the second… [+] goal during a friendly soccer match between Arsenal and Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 30, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Jesus has never been the same player after his failure at the 2018 World Cup. He did not score a single goal in the tournament as Brazil eliminated Russia in the quarterfinals. He was the low point of his career, that of a player who could play all the way down the front line but would eventually become a world-class striker. That did not quite happen and therefore at Arsenal the Brazilian wants to revive his career as a striker, not in a wide role. The Brazilian enjoyed an excellent pre-season, scoring seven goals.
Zinchenko is another excellent addition to the team. He can hold various positions and his versatility is not in doubt. Skilful, mobile and attacking, he should improve the quality of Arsenal’s midfield and could flourish if he gets a run of games under his belt.
Take a look at the team photo and there is talent and youth in abundance, with all of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli at Arteta’s disposal to design a great team.
The dead wood is also gone. Matteo Guendouzi, Kostantinos Mavropanos and Alexandre Lacazette have all left the club on permanent deals.
Arsenal last participated in the Champions League in the 2016/17 season after the club qualified nineteen consecutive times for the competition. A return to Europe’s elite tournament will prove that Arsenal’s incremental progress under Arteta is real. It’s all or nothing then for the Spaniard this season.
The origin : www.forbes.com
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