Arsenal are on course to finish at least 15 points shy of last season’s tally and manager Mikel Arteta has some important decisions to make going into the summer window
After running Manchester City close for the Premier League title in back-to-back years, Arsenal’s problem has now got even more complicated. They’ll have to contend with a rejuvenated City next term, but also a Liverpool team fresh off a season of leaving both Arsenal and City trailing in their wake.
Whatever happens in the final two weekends of the season, the current campaign will feel like a missed opportunity. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted as much, suggesting his team haven’t been at the same levels as in previous seasons.
“In the Premier League we’ve gone a step backwards,” Arteta said before last weekend’s draw with Liverpool. Two wins from the last two games would lock up second place, but would still leave them 15 points behind the tally they posted last season.
“With the points that we have created it’s clear that we haven’t done as good as last season, that’s obvious,” he added. “Yeah, for sure in the Champions League we have because we’ve done better than last season but not what we want because we want to win it.”
There are, in the views of a number of fans, some key areas where Arsenal need to strengthen over the season. Here, Mirror Football has looked at how Arsenal might line up if the important deals get done under new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Goalkeeper and defence
One area where the Gunners look well-set is at the back. Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the league last season and are on course to do the same this term – albeit with more conceded than last term.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation at right-back, while Ben White’s return after surgery ought to provide competition to Jurrien Timber on the right. Arteta may feel he needs some more cover, with Kieran Tierney leaving and Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu dealing with injury issues, but the starting four in front of David Raya appears set.
There is, of course, the small issue of Real Madrid sniffing around Raya and William Saliba. However, Arteta will hope the Spanish side’s move for Dean Huijsen means a Saliba move is less likely and he can be tied down to a new contract.
Midfield
Ever since his move to Liverpool collapsed last season, Martin Zubimendi’s future has been the subject of debate. Arsenal appear to be leading the way in their pursuit of the Real Sociedad star, setting up a potential reunion with his former club team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.
According to AS, though, Real Madrid could yet swoop in at the last minute. Former Real Sociedad star Xabi Alonso’s imminent arrival as manager is considered a potential factor, though Arsenal still appear to have the upper hand.
Zubimendi’s arrival would allow Declan Rice to push further forward, after the England star was forced to cover deep this season when Thomas Partey missed games through injury and suspension. If Partey signs a new deal then he could remain an option as the deepest-lying midfielder, while Merino should be able to return to the midfield roster after deputising up top this season, but Jorginho is poised to leave for Flamengo so an extra squad option might be required – either from another new signing or an academy talent stepping up.
Attack
Arsenal’s biggest issue in the second half of the season has been a fairly obvious one, namely their injury woes in attack. Not only have they been robbed of the output of Kai Havertz – and, to a lesser extent, Gabriel Jesus -for months, but those covering for the injured stars have looked tired from the unexpected extra minutes.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have both had spells on the sidelines, and both should be able to contribute from the get-go next season. If Arsenal add the central striker they need, though, Havertz could yet put his versatility to use by playing all across the front three – or even in midfield against certain opponents.
The central striker in question looks like being one of two men – Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko. Slovenia frontman Sesko has long appeared to be the front-runner, but Gyokeres looks to have moved to the front of the queue in recent weeks and could be the better fit of operating alongside the others in the Gunners’ front-line.
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