The Christmas of 2019 was one to remember for Arsenal fans. After parting ways with legendary manager Arsène Wenger two years earlier, the Gunners had endured a brief stint under Unai Emery, followed by an interim period with Freddie Ljungberg. The club was in football purgatory, lacking an identity and regularly competing in the Europa League. What they needed was stability, along with a manager who could bring a fresh approach to the modern game. Enter Mikel Arteta—the former Arsenal captain and assistant manager at Manchester City. At the time, it seemed like the perfect fit for a young team looking for a rebirth and perhaps even a challenge for the title in the coming years.
Five years later, the outlook on this team has remained unchanged. Let me clear the air: Arsenal have improved. They are a better team with better players, and they play a more sophisticated brand of football. However, the expectations around the club consistently clash with the reality of the club. Over the last two years, it seemed like the title was theirs to lose, yet they have nothing to show for it. Conversations in the football world are beginning to suggest that it may be time to reassess Mikel Arteta, and I am inclined to agree.
There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta is a capable manager and a tactical disciple of the great Pep Guardiola. But Arsenal are reaching a point where their squad has arguably outgrown their manager. From Bukayo Saka to Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba to Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal possess star power all across the pitch—players who can compete with the best in the world on any given day. The real issue is how they play as a team, not the quality of the individual players.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the injuries and the underwhelming transfer market signings, but these factors affect every top-tier team in European football. In what could be considered an off-year for Manchester City, Liverpool have produced a spectacular season under manager Arne Slot in his first year at the club, while Arteta’s Arsenal have failed to capitalize on the disarray at the top. Currently, Arsenal find themselves six points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand and show no signs of slowing down.
The most glaring statistic Arsenal possess is their seven draws—more than any other team in the top six. This is not the mark of a title-winning side, but rather one that lacks the creativity to secure victories when it matters most.
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Many say that Arsenal are just one striker or midfielder away from winning the Premier League. In reality, they are a manager away from achieving true glory. The sooner the club acknowledges this, the sooner they will start winning trophies.
