KSE:
Josh Kroenke: “I would say, be excited.” It was clear that with KSE overtaking another era began in North London and change loomed on the horizon with these words outspoken.
Many feared the worst as the projects of KSE left many supporters of other sports enterprises elsewhere angry after making decisions without communicating sensible topics with the fanbases. After the big clearing out in January, 2020 things looked better already. Another big downturn followed by Arsenal being a founding member of the `European Super League’.
Investment
What happened was quite unexpected as Arsenal invested the most all over Europe (spending over £120m in the summer of 2021). Not just amid a pandemic – which meant financial resources being short almost everywhere – but showing a desire to change too. It felt remarkable considering that we had finished another season in eighth position.
Project
An over-aged squad at the end of Wenger´s tenure meant a big transformation necessary. Emery, Mislintat and Sanllehi were brought in to catapult us via jump seat back into the UEFA Champions League. This meant another episode of players being bought – experienced but also short behind their peak. We almost achieved it. Emery had a real big challenge at his hands and some months into his 2nd season it was clear that he could not deliver the promised results. After a short-term solution in Freddie Ljungberg, Mikel Arteta followed into the big mess left behind.
The mess of recruiting
Mistakes have been repeated – Arsenal signing Willian and Mari. If you investigate the squads which achieve good results every season in the top leagues you can learn a lot. I am talking not about the plastic clubs like PSG or ManCity or even the RBs. I am talking about Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool. They all have in common that they have a great age structure to hand over their DNA to the next generation and these players form an experienced backbone.
Ramsey, Monreal, Özil and Bellerín (not getting back to the level before his injury) had the best days behind them. The backbone was broken, and replacements had not been made early enough to hand over the responsibilities. Clubs like the previously mentioned keep players at their clubs for far more longer periods and think about the transitions. Wenger sold these players on as he had to. Think about Real Madrid who had to hand over the midfield from their servant Xabi Alonso. They brought in Casemiro who not just could learn from the Spaniard in his last season but also had other experienced players by his side in Modric. Arsenal did not follow this concept. It is not solved completely yet.
Another issue of recruiting has been buying quality players without considering their attitude. Guendouzi, Ceballos, Suárez (Denis) or Pépé – as the latest example – have not been good acquisitions knowing what issues the manager would already face (read below).
Performance culture and standards
Under Wenger and Emery players started games who did not deserve it from a performance view. Injuries and being short on options mainly meant that some senior players felt untouchable after a certain period as they had been picked all the time. Our academy was not producing outstanding talent back then to strengthen the competition for places. Fortunately for us, the academy has changed tremendously under Per Mertesacker and a pathway is clearer than ever.
The performance culture under Arteta is an outcome. The non-negotiables meant that players could not use their power anymore to be in the starting eleven.
Stability / new backbone
Our new defense has just been assembled and is gelling well so far. Who would have thought that these players turn out so well in such a short period – Ramsdale, Tavares, White and Tomiyasu?
In midfield, only Xhaka can be considered as part of the spine. Partey has not been the strengthening we have been looking for. Sambi is a revelation to watch and surely can learn from the two. Even if they have their weaknesses. We know that Xhaka will be gone sooner than later but for the transition period, he will be a stabiliser. It might be why Arteta used him straight away against Everton.
Upfront it is still unclear who will complete the strong backbone. Micromanagement by the players on the pitch is very important – the seniors leading the juniors. Meant are vocal instructions to a player by players around them to either raise awareness about something or guide / correct them in certain aspects.
Attack in scrutiny
Pépé is the biggest transfer disaster in decades. £72m was way over-priced for a player with the attitude issues he brings with him. Not being able to motivate himself to play for the badge and advance in his profession is not sustainable. His non-consideration against Everton is indicating it – his training performances are not at the required level. He would be our most experienced winger but instead, our young players in Saka, ESR and Martinelli must manoeuvre our ship at the bow. Hence, why we are linked with Dejan Kulusevski. He would be another 21-year-old but is well experienced for his age.
Lacazette is exhausted after 60-70 minutes as his endurance levels have dropped. Aubameyang on the other hand has lost his acceleration on the first few metres which does not allow him to beat defenders with ease anymore. We face a dilemma as both are having these drops at the same time. I am truly interested how Arteta makes us more threatening in the short-term (until the end of the season). If we better our chance creation and ball rotation we might even see them score. They can get their confidence back. Possession will be key to be near to the opposition box and therefore reducing chances for the opposition to score.
Change of the manager
Knowing all these aspects does not let me think positively about the sacking of Arteta. Far too much is in development. A new manager could not catch up on all these important transformations. Changing the manager at the end of the season does make sense if necessary. We are not Chelsea or one of the Red Bulls which are designed to allow managers to take over easily. Their long-term planning is far better than Arsenal´s. Our restructuring (staff) is still ongoing.
Conclusion
We are left with being patient as a change of manager would have either no effect or even a negative one. The to-do-list is still quite long. We made a strong move forward with the heavy investment last summer, but it will need another season to see the gears running smooth. Let January be another positive step towards an Arsenal that plays attractive football & is in Europe. COYG!