Arsenal fans have been accustomed to a steady stream of silverware in recent years.
It’s been some time since the Gunners have really challenged in the Premier League, but they’ve been a successful force in domestic and European knockout competitions. Football betting odds going into their match with Chelsea has come in at 4.60/1, showing just how much of an underdog they have become this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side will end the 2020/21 season without a trophy but that’s not the main concern for followers of the club. Amidst some poor results on the pitch and talk of a takeover in the boardroom, Arsenal seem to be heading for some uncertain times.
Highlights and Moments to Forget
In April, things were looking very positive for the Gunners. They had made it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League and had what looked to be a favourable draw against Villarreal. Arsenal’s European campaign had been the highlight of another mixed season and it gave the club a tangible chance of adding more silverware to the Emirates’ trophy cabinet.
Highlights in Europe included victory over a tough Benfica side, while the Gunners also edged past an Olympiakos unit that had caused them problems in the past. Ultimately, Villarreal ended Arsenal’s hopes and the irony that former boss Unai Emery guided the Spanish club to the final wasn’t lost on supporters.
In the league, performances had largely been disappointing, and the team sat outside of the European places for much of the campaign. This Arsenal team has been capable of securing impressive wins over Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs, but they’ve also suffered embarrassing defeats to Aston Villa and Burnley.
Ultimately, Arsenal seem destined to finish in eighth position at best and it’s fair to say that this has been a mixed campaign.
All Change?
The biggest changes at the Emirates could yet come in the boardroom where Spotify founder Daniel Ek continues to pursue a takeover at the club. Current owners, led by Stan Kroenke are adamant that there will be no deal but that hasn’t stopped the rumours.
Unrest among supporters has been simmering for many years, but it all came to the boil in the wake of the failed European Super League. Demonstrations and proposals have followed and, while those supporters remain hopeful of a change at the top, Kroenke and co continue to resist for now.
Man in the Hot Seat
One man might just be grateful for the controversy surrounding the failed European Super League and subsequent talks of a takeover. Manager Mikel Arteta has been able to slip under the radar to an extent while Arsenal supporters have focussed their anger on the club’s owners.
Arsenal’s former midfielder may be avoiding the flak for now, but the pressure will undoubtedly return following another disappointing campaign. Opinion appears to be divided over his future but the majority of reports suggest that the current owners are waiting to sack Arteta and bring in a replacement in the close season.
Arteta’s win percentage at the time of writing comes in at a shade above 53% and that’s worse than his predecessor Unai Emery who departed Arsenal with a return of 55.1%. Rumours will continue but the signs aren’t good for the current Gunners boss.
Looking for a Vacancy
If Mikel Arteta were to leave North London, there would be no shortage of candidates looking to take over at the Emirates. According to some sources, former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is the favourite to take over while other highly rated options include Brendan Rodgers, Paulo Fonseca and Rafa Benitez.
Allegri is the hottest coaching property in Europe right now after guiding Juve to multiple Serie A titles over a long period of domestic dominance in Italy. Arsenal may, however, face stiff competition from Spain where rumours suggest that Allegri is being lined up to replace Zinedine Zidane.
Brendan Rodgers is, perhaps, a more likely target although he has previously stated his desire to remain with current club Leicester City. The former Liverpool and Celtic boss has kept Leicester in the hunt for Champions League places, while guiding the Foxes to an FA Cup final.
Paulo Fonseca and Rafa Benitez would be more readily available with Benitez having the greater knowledge of English football. There are lots of candidates, but it’s imperative that Arsenal make the right choice.
Targets for next Season
The first target for whoever is in charge next season is to get Arsenal back up into the top-four. A club of this magnitude simply must be playing Champions League football and that will be the initial aim for any new manager.
The focus in terms of transfers will most likely fall on the front men. Arsenal have scored just 49 goals in their first 35 league games of the season and that simply isn’t enough for a side looking to challenge at the top of the table.
The Gunners’ list of leading scorers shows that Alexandre Lacazette has enjoyed a reasonably productive season, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been disappointing by his own high standards.
It seems unlikely that Aubameyang will leave, although there have been isolated reports of a transfer to Barcelona. What is certain is that Arsenal will be linked with new strikers as Paul Onuachu and Odsonne Edouard have already been mentioned.
A summer of change is destined to take place among Arsenal’s playing staff but whether that will filter up through the manager and the board is less clear.
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