So it has been 20 years since the undefeated holy season and the last time that Arsenal won the English Premier League. If history is cyclical, then this will be the season that coach Mikel Arteta thinks about rivaling his famous teacher – “Professor” Arsene Wenger.
Last season will have many people regret that the Gunners missed the chance to win the title, but it is fair to say that it is not a complete Arsenal. Even when adding a few experienced names in the mid-season transfer window, Arsenal’s accumulation is still not enough. But as you can see, “squeezing” Pep Guardiola’s mighty army to the final stages is also a success for Arsenal. It is important that they show they are ready for ambition.
Arsenal started with a win over Man City in the Community Shield match, but this is not a significant sign. It is said that there is a “Curse of Community Shield” because Pep is the first coach to lose 3 consecutive English Super Cup matches since …. Sir Alex. Only 1 of the 12 teams that won the trophy earlier this season then won England. Needless to say, Arsenal won the Community Shield in 2020 and finished only 8th that season. In short, there is nothing to say about last Sunday’s victory. The season has just begun, with the match against Nottingham Forest.
“This is what I envisioned when I joined,” Declan Rice said of the first title. Of course, Arsenal want their £105m – club record – player to talk about something bigger, but perhaps there’s also rice to sympathize with: The midfielder currently has just two Europa titles to his name. Conference League and Community Shield. Not too prestigious, but also a title. The problem is that Declan Rice until now is still a “gamble” of coach Arteta, who wants to build a strong midfield system.
Rice was disciplined and diligent in midfield, but the opening game did not show much. For most of the game, he was a lone defensive midfielder, instead of getting along well with Thomas Partey. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz was bought to operate in midfield and replace the injured Gabriel Jesus in attack. People are still Havertz like they were at Chelsea: smart moves, intense pressure, finishing… inefficient. Arsenal flourished last season thanks to the ability to score goals from many players. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have all scored 14 or 15 goals in the Premier League. The presence of Rice and Harertz is understood as adding more resources to the offensive line. But if they are just a version of the Community Shield match, it must be re-watched, because the impact is not much despite their total value being 170 million pounds.
Meanwhile, the addition of Jurrien Timber in the defensive area is worth it. The fact that Arteta bought Timber and is pursuing goalkeeper David Raya is a sign that the Spaniard is very aware of the weaknesses of the previous season, the lack of squad depth. Arteta wants to have the same two quality personnel in each position, and Arsenal are ready to accommodate any request. If Arsenal’s last season was more about adventure and excitement in the front line, perhaps the team this season must show more physicality, solidity, and bravery against Man City. They need depth so they can change their play when needed. Playing nearly 40 games per season can’t use a single card.
Arsenal beat Liverpool, Man United, Tottenham, and Chelsea last season, taking 19 points out of a possible 24 against these opponents but failed to do so against Man City. The price to pay is too high, the championship is out of hand by the 6-point match. Those are the types of matches that only need to be drawn to be successful, matches of calculation, not of a romantic heart… That lesson Arteta and his students must remember.